Caring for your Doodle

Feeding

Puppies are very active and grow fast so they use up lots of energy. It is important to serve them specially formulated foods that provide a balanced and complete diet that suits their stage in life. When first picking up your puppy from the breeder, it is best to ask what the puppy is being fed and continue with that food and meal regime. If the puppy seems too thin or too heavy or is not thriving, visit the vet immediately and ask their advice on the best diet for your puppy.

When choosing the best food for your puppy, you will need a food that is complete and balanced, is easy to digest and of course tastes great. There are many options and making a decision can be daunting but it can be made easier by taking your puppy to your local vet or pet store.

Dry foods are very popular for puppy owners as they are easy to store, easy to serve and their crunchiness helps keep the puppy’s teeth clean. Some like to mix in wet, canned food which isn’t necessary for a balanced diet but can add a little variety. Puppy biscuits can also be softened slightly with warm water which can make them tastier and easier to chew for baby teeth.

How much to serve depends entirely on the age, breed and activity level of your puppy. Refer to the charts that are on the dog food packaging as these will give guidelines for the amounts to feed. Where a range is given such as “feed between 1 and 1½ cups”, start with the lower amount first (1 cup) and gradually increase the quantity as necessary. This will avoid feeding too much and ending up with a “tubby puppy”.

Young puppies have smaller stomachs and can’t consume a full day’s requirements in a single feed so start with three small meals a day. Gradually reduce feeds to one in the morning and one in the evening and be sure to keep the schedule consistent. As a puppy gets closer to adulthood the calories that he need reduces and he may start leaving some food in the bowl. This does not mean that he dislikes the food or is unwell, it is simply a sign that he is full and you can start reducing their meals just a little.

A puppy’s metabolism is different from yours so what might be fine for you might pose hazards for him. Avoid small bones, chocolate, dairy products, fat trimmings and sugary treats.

Avoid making drastic changes to your puppy’s diet unless suggested by a veterinarian. At between 12 and 18 months a puppy would have finished growing and this is the time to change to adult food. Some large breed puppies may need to remain on a puppy diet for up to two years. Introduce the new food gradually over 7 to 10 days by increasing the ratio of new food to old food each day. Loose stools or upset tummies are a sign to slow down the transition.

Puppies occasionally eat their own stool. This is not diet related but is a habit that develops from boredom, lack of exercise or perhaps watching this behaviour in other dogs. Stopping this is difficult but a vet may be able to offer some advice. At the very least, clean up any droppings as soon as possible to remove the opportunity.

Like all animals, dogs need water to help regulate their body temperature, digest food, eliminate waste and allow salts to pass through the body. Fresh drinking water should be available to dogs at all the times and it is wise to have several bowls both in and out of the house. Ensure that they can’t be knocked over as it would be terrible for your puppy to be without water on a hot day.