Ten Puppy Questions (Common Puppy FAQs)
From the moment a puppy is born, it is just as busy as we are at work every day. Busy with what? Of course, just like their ancestors (wolves), they are racing against time to grow up as fast as possible. They must rapidly develop their muscles, bones, skin and coat, and teeth, and learn social skills, and so on. Starting the right eating habits from this early stage will help them get ahead right at the starting line.
Puppies need just the right amount of nutrition (not too much or too little)
From the time a puppy starts growing teeth, the dog needs to gradually move from suckling its mother’s milk to eating dry dog food on its own. From birth to the dog’s first 6 months, growth is at its fastest, so every change should be just right — don’t rush. We hope the following ten questions help all new pet parents:
Is the growth period the same for every puppy?
Generally speaking, a dog can be called an adult at 12 months old; while large to giant breeds may take as long as 18-24 months to be fully grown!
In any case, choosing the right puppy food is very important. Please refer to the article we have prepared for you: Natural Puppy Food Comparison article.
Which dog food should I choose for a large-breed puppy?
Large / giant breeds need less energy than small breeds. If a large-breed dog takes in too many nutrients too early, it may develop weight problems, placing extra strain on their bones and joints. Puppies of large / giant breeds should choose puppy food specially made for large breeds; these large-breed foods usually have lower calcium and phosphorus to help prevent bone and joint problems caused by excess phosphorus and calcium during growth. Owners should also control their dog’s weight more strictly.
Recommended: US Solid Gold Premium Natural Puppy Food (suitable for medium to large breeds)
What should a small-breed puppy eat?
Precisely because small breeds grow faster, some small-breed dog foods have higher protein, fat and vitamin B to support the high-speed growth needs of small-breed puppies.
What is the correct way to feed?
Small, frequent meals: from birth to the first 4 months, a puppy may need to eat four meals a day, each a small portion, to support the development of its digestive system. From 4 to 6 months, gradually switch to three meals a day. At around 6-12 months, you can change to two meals a day.
Can I free-feed (all-you-can-eat style)?
Yes, but note that puppy food left out too long gradually loses its aroma, and your dog’s appetite for less fragrant food may be affected.
Should I give my puppy supplements?
Assuming you feed your puppy natural puppy food and its food intake and weight are within the normal range, we do not recommend buying extra supplements for the puppy. Please remember to always provide a bowl of clean drinking water next to the food for your puppy.
Can a small-breed puppy eat large-kibble dog food?
We recommend feeding puppies the full-size kibble, because as the dog chews the food it can also help remove tartar, keeping their teeth healthy for longer.
My puppy keeps biting me?
It may be that your puppy is teething and its gums are itchy so it wants something to chew — you might consider buying a large natural cheese boneor a natural deer antler for it to chew.
Can I give my puppy treats?
If it’s for training purposes, a little natural treat as a reward, to help the puppy learn to be obedient, is appropriate. But please note: don’t give treats too often. If a puppy is half-full on strongly flavoured treats, getting it to eat its main meal becomes very difficult. Treats should make up no more than one-tenth of the total daily food intake.
When should a puppy switch to adult dog food?
Please refer to our When Should a Puppy Switch to Adult Dog Food article.
