Puppies require a diet rich in proteins to support muscle and bone development. Avoid cooked poultry or pork bones which splinter, pits and seeds (like peach, plum and persimmon) that could potentially be toxic; and foods sweetened with xylitol which could potentially lead to liver failure.
Snacks should account for no more than 5% of a puppy’s daily caloric needs.
Contents
Meat
Puppies require plenty of calories in order to thrive, and high quality dog food should provide these as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, it should contain plenty of protein.
Do not give your puppy or human raw meat or bones as these could contain bacteria that could make them sick. Instead, provide cooked meat products which have been boiled without onion- or onion sauce-containing products, like Native Pet’s chicken or lamb kibble.
Maintain a diet specially tailored for puppies. Aiming for AAFCO certification that it meets nutrient guidelines for puppy food as well as having passed feeding trials should also help. Canned options may help stimulate appetites. Avoid giving human table scraps as these could alter a balanced diet and lead to picky eating later on.
Vegetables
Puppies should only consume up to 5% of their caloric needs from human food, which helps foster bonding between pet and owner while preventing an upset stomach or developing allergies. Treats should only be fed as part of training situations rather than every meal time – feeding table scraps teaches puppies that eating is something to beg for, leading to digestive issues or pancreatitis in some instances.
Cooked meat such as chicken or lamb may be added to a puppy’s diet in small quantities; however, raw meat and bones contain bacteria that can make your pet sick, while cooked bone products contain preservatives known as sulphites that could make their condition worse.
As well as these basic foods, puppies may benefit from feedings of cooked rice, potatoes and corn (with their irritating husks removed for easier consumption), carrots, sliced zucchini and bananas (though you must remove their pits and seeds as these may be toxic or cause blockages), as well as food toppers such as fish oil or wet dog food to make their dry kibble more appealing.
Fruit
Puppies tend to devour virtually anything they come into contact with, including pits and seeds from fruits such as peaches or plums that contain cyanide; chocolate which contains chemicals which are toxic for dogs; large amounts of milk which could lead to diarrhea; as well as foods made with artificial sweeteners like xylitol which could potentially lower their blood sugar.
Start off slowly introducing something different like peanut butter (without added xylitol) or plain yogurt that doesn’t contain too much added sugar and salt, like many pet-food manufacturers have specifically developed for puppies like more palatable dry dog food formulas. When changing, make the switch gradually over a week’s time so as to avoid an upset stomach; ensure the food you select meets nutritional requirements and has undergone feeding trials before choosing it as the next food source.
Milk Replacer
Puppies may be selective eaters due to teething discomfort and energy requirements associated with high metabolism rates, so feeding your pup low-sodium green beans may be one way of encouraging him/her to eat regularly. Also adding low-sodium peanut butter (but be wary if it contains xylitol – an often safe sugar alternative that’s harmful for dogs), plain Greek yogurt or low-fat cheese may help with feeding habits.
Remember that puppies should never be fed raw meat bones as these can splinter easily. Cooked poultry or lean beef bones and ham may be appropriate as treats in smaller amounts; larger hard marrow or knuckle bones should be avoided entirely.
Foods to avoid include onions, chives, garlic and avocado (which can lead to hemolytic anemia), milk and other dairy products; salty snacks; diet foods containing xylitol (which can lead to hypoglycemia); coffee and chocolate. If your puppy doesn’t seem to be eating enough regularly, consult a veterinarian immediately for advice.
