Your pup runs around, sniffing here and there, chewing things and doing all the naughty stuff it can. Just like a baby, a pup can add happy moments to your life. Similarly, like a baby’s nutritional requirements are different from adults; a pup’s needs are different from adult dogs. This is exactly why you see different packs for dog food for adults and for pups at pet food online stores. 

Puppies grow really fast, which is why providing proper nutrition is vital for building strong bones and teeth, to give it the energy to learn and play. 

To fulfill that, you’d want to give the best dog food in India to your pup. But, ‘how much’ or ‘how little’, ‘how often’ and ‘what should’ you be feeding to your four-legged friend? Read on to learn what your furry friend needs in its growing up years. 

When should a puppy start eating solid food? 

Puppies can be given solid food starting at around four weeks – that’s when they need more nutrition besides their mother’s milk. 

Why a pup’s nutritional needs differ from adult dogs?  

Puppies grow rapidly, and for that very reason, they need proper nutrition to build bone and muscle to develop into a healthy dog. These extra nutrients go into fueling a puppy’s growth phase. 

How much should you feed a puppy? 

As a pup is in its growing phase, it will need adequate amount of food but not too much. You will have to monitor the amount of food your pet eats or leaves in the bowl, to determine portion sizes. Portion sizes also depend on individual metabolism and body type, and nutritional requirements can differ from one dog breed to another. You can explore online pet food stores to buy dog food according to the age of your pup.

 How often should you feed? 

Like human babies, puppies need small meals at 3-4 times a day. And sometimes, pups can be picky eaters. To discourage picky habits, feed at regular times in regular amounts. Even if it suits your schedule to feed it only twice a day, you can divide the amount of food into two meals instead of three or four. 

How to set the feeding schedule? 

You need to set a schedule and feed your pup at the same time every day. Giving food on a particular time will set the time when you have to take your pup for a walk. But, make sure to give the puppy some quiet time after the meal as it can lead to an upset stomach.

How to switch from puppy food to adult food?  

When switching from puppy food to food for adult dogs, you must try to make the switch gradually over a period of a few days, or even weeks. A sudden change in your pet’s diet may cause stomach upset. You can get in touch with your veterinarian to know about the best dog food in India for your dog. 

What foods are dangerous for a pup?  

Some of the food that we love to eat can be harmful to dogs. Try to avoid feeding avocados, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, milk and large amounts of dairy products such as cheese, alcohol, coffee and caffeine, salty food, baked goods, and candy, to your pet. 

If your pup is acting hungry all the time, it can be possible that it might not be getting the proper nutrition it needs. That’s the time to feed, but you first must ensure that you start it off right.