If giving your furry canine companion the best start in life is of primary concern, you might be wondering about the nutritional needs of puppies. This informational post will introduce you to three golden rules about the nutritional needs of puppies, and provide recommendations about how (and what) to feed your puppy to give him or her the best start in what is sure to be a boisterous and fun-filled life!
Hello, Protein! One of the biggest things to know when it comes to the nutritional needs of puppies is that puppies require protein. And not just any type of protein. If you’re looking to give your puppy the best start in life, choose a puppy food that is jam-packed with meat protein. And none of this generic “animal protein” business. If you are going to feed it to your canine friend, you want it to be specific: “chicken” or “beef” or “lamb” all pass the test. The ingredients list should name an animal you’ve heard of before, and one that you or a meat-eating friend would actually eat. When it comes to the nutritional needs of puppies, think quality and avoid mystery meat! And while we’re on the subject of mystery meat, make sure the food doesn’t contain “byproducts” – another mystery ingredient your puppy doesn’t need – or artificial flavoring and coloring.
Reduce the carbs and increase the good fats. If your puppy’s food is high in high-quality protein, it will likely be low in carbs. That’s a good thing for your BFF in training. In addition to making sure the food is low in carbs, look for foods that have high quality and natural oils and fats. If you follow these rules about the nutritional needs of puppies, your puppy should be set up for success!
Be cautious about calcium. One last rule: if you have a large-breed dog, exercise caution when it comes to calcium content. If you have any doubts, speak with a vet.
Now that you know the golden rules of the nutritional needs of puppies, you may be wondering how to feed your puppy. The most important thing to remember about feeding your puppy is this: don’t overfeed him or her. In addition to preserving your future sanity, creating a strict schedule during which your dog can eat will allow you to monitor the quantity of food your pup is consuming, preventing diseases associated with overfeeding, such as hip dysplasia and skeletal diseases.