FEEDING YOUR PUPPY
Incorrect feeding of puppies and young dogs can lead to the development of bone and joint disorders, and early obesity. These problems are easily avoided by adopting correct feeding practices. Over-feeding and over-supplementation with unnecessary nutrients and minerals can have serious consequences.
A correct diet is vital for puppies and growing dogs. These animals have requirements which are different from adult dogs, and most manufacturers now make special foods for different life stages e.g. Hill's puppy, puppy small/large breed, adult and senior. We recommend the Hill's Science Diet range as these are manufactured to strict quality control guidelines.
Different breeds mature at different rates. In general the larger the breed, the longer it takes for the bones to develop fully. Some large breeds may not be skeletally mature until 12-18 months of age, whereas small breeds may mature at 6-8 months of age.
Large and giant breeds are especially prone to the side effects of overfeeding and over-supplementation (e.g. vitamin D and calcium). These dogs should be fed carefully, ensuring gradual weight gain, and exercise should be regular and moderate. Some manufacturers produce food specifically designed for large and giant breed. We recommend Hill's Large Breed Puppy for these dogs.
If you are feeding a correctly balanced diet it is quite unnecessary to supplement – in fact it can be harmful, especially to the bones and joints of large and giant breeds. Most dog foods come with charts and guidelines for amounts to feed. These are a good guide but you should take into account any fresh food added .
Most breeders these days are well informed on dietary matters, but some are very fixed in their beliefs, and insist that puppies follow a particular feeding regime. New puppy owners can be bombarded with information about feeding and health issues, and it can all be very confusing. Let us help you with the right advice!
As a general rule, puppies under 3 months should be fed 3 small meals a day. After 3 months this is reduced to 2 meals, and adult dogs should be fed once or twice a day.
In summary
• Feed a good quality, manufactured food such as Hill's Science Diet as the main food, using the appropriate type for the pup's age and breed.
• Give raw meaty bones from a young age for dental health
• Do not use vitamin or mineral supplements without veterinary advice
• Avoid overfeeding young and growing dogs
• Do not over-exercise large and giant breeds until they are skeletally mature
