Feeding Puppies

Type of Food

We recommend feeding a name-brand dog food that is made by a national company (don't feed generics or local brands) made for puppies only. Dry foods allow puppies to break off any tartar that may form on their teeth, so it would probably be best to feed dry, crunchy food. If you are going to feed a different food to your new puppy than the breeder was, follow this schedule to minimize the problems in food switching:

• Day 1: Feed 75% old food, 25% new food
• Day 2: Feed 50% old food, 50% new food
• Day 3: Feed 75% new food, 25% old food
• Day 4: Feed 100% of new food

Feeding Schedule

• From weaning to 4 months of age, only a premium puppy formula. Read the label to find out how much to feed your puppy, and divide this amount by three servings. Feed your puppy this amount three times a day. Serve the food at room temperature, and remove the bowl 30 minutes after the puppy finishes eating.

• After 4 months of age, you can go to feeding the puppy twice daily on a regular schedule. Continue to feed the puppy formula until your dog is 12-18 months of age (12 months for small breed dogs, 18 months for large breed dogs).

Other tips

• Don't add nutritional supplements to puppy food because you are feeding a complete, balanced diet.

• Always make sure your puppy has plenty of clean, fresh water.

• Discard all uneaten wet food at the end of the day.

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