When the new furry family member comes home, many questions can come up about feeding and nutrition for the puppy. How often should the puppy eat, do I have to soak the food and how much food should a puppy have? And surely puppies should be a little round and chubby while they grow? Here we explain a little more in depth about the puppy's nutrition, and how you feed optimally with our puppy food for a lively and happy growing puppy!
How often should a puppy eat?
A young puppy's digestive system is not as developed as that of an adult dog, and despite a smaller stomach they need more energy as they grow. To avoid overloading the stomach, it is good to divide the puppy's daily food amount into at least three meals when it is small. As the puppy gets older, you can gradually reduce to two meals a day, which it then continues to eat into adulthood. Which ages are suitable varies with breed, since small breeds "grow up" earlier and can therefore go down to fewer portions earlier. Hopefully you get a feeding schedule from your breeder that shows how they recommend you feed a puppy of your particular breed and size during the first year, but otherwise the following guidelines are something you can base it on. If your puppy's stomach reacts with vomiting or diarrhoea when the number of meals decreases and the portions increase, or if it has trouble eating its daily ration in just two meals, you may need to take a step back.
Small breeds:
• Around 2-5 months: at least three meals a day.
• Around 5-6 months and up: two meals a day.
Large breeds:
• Around 2-7 months: at least three meals a day.
• Around 7-8 months and up: two meals a day.
How long should you soak the puppy's food?
When the puppy is at its youngest, between two and three months, the dry food can be soaked in a little lukewarm water before serving until the kibble has softened somewhat. That makes the dry food nicer for the puppy to chew and also makes the food easier for the digestive system to digest.
How much food should a puppy have?
How much food the puppy should have varies depending on which puppy food the dog eats. On the bag and in our feeding recommendation you will find guidance on how much food the puppy should have per day in grams of petgood puppy food. The table is based on the dog's expected adult weight and the puppy's age in months, and this amount is divided into two or three meals depending on the puppy's age.
Just as with adult dogs, the need can vary individually - some puppies gain weight easily while others can eat as much as they want without gaining weight. With a puppy you spend a lot of time training it and giving treats to encourage good behaviour, so remember to also use the puppy's daily food amount as treats - otherwise you may end up giving your dog far too much of the good stuff. To determine how much food your puppy should have, you also need to keep an eye on the puppy's body condition.
What should the puppy's body condition be like?
It can be harder to assess the body condition of a puppy than of an adult dog, since they have a slightly different body shape and can be a little out of proportion while they grow. But even on a puppy you should be able to feel the ribs with a light pressure over the chest, and feel a waist where they end. The puppy should be alert, playful and happy. Being overweight during growth affects joints and growth negatively, and can lead to joint problems in large breeds even at a young age. Overweight puppies also carry the excess weight into adulthood and can be difficult to get into normal body condition even once they have finished growing. Many are afraid to let the puppy move too much - but being overweight is a greater and worse strain on the joints than healthy, natural movement for a puppy. If the puppy feels a little too round, you may need to reduce the amount of food a little, and increase carefully if it feels too thin. If you feel unsure, you can take the opportunity to consult your vet in connection with the puppy's 12-week vaccination or other check-ups during the puppy's first year.