At six weeks old, your puppy requires a diet tailored specifically to their nutritional needs. A food specifically designed for puppies should provide these nutrients.
It’s essential to select a product with an excellent ingredient mix. Doing so will allow your puppy to get more nutrition out of his food.
Contents
1. Meat
When it comes to feeding a 6 week old puppy, she needs an appropriate balance of nutrients. Puppies are omnivores so they require various proteins and vitamins for optimal health.
To guarantee your puppy gets all the protein and other essential nutrients she requires, select a high-quality food specifically designed for growing puppies. Ask your vet for recommendations.
Once your puppy has reached a healthy weight, begin weaning them onto solid foods and introduce new flavors and textures gradually. Start with plain boneless white minces such as chicken, fish or turkey at around four weeks old; gradually progress to red meaty minces like duck or beef at this stage.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables are an excellent addition to any puppy’s diet. Not only do they supply essential vitamins and minerals for their immunity, but vegetables also promote healthy teeth and bones as well.
However, certain vegetables and fruits should never be fed to dogs. Examples include grapes and raisins which contain toxic agents that can harm pups and dogs alike.
Other fruits and vegetables your dog can safely eat include bananas, carrots, and celery; however it’s important to exercise moderation when giving these items to your pup.
Vegetables and fruit should not make up more than 10% of your puppy’s diet, and should only be offered as a snack. This applies to both fresh and frozen fruits such as blueberries.
3. Fruit
Fruit can be an excellent way to give your pup extra vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in their diet. However, only feed small pieces of produce as too much can lead to digestive issues.
Apples make for an ideal dog treat, as they contain vitamins A & C as well as fiber. Not only that, but apples also freshen your pup’s breath and contain potassium for maximum hydration.
Bananas make for a nutritious treat for your pup, packed with potassium, magnesium, vitamins C and B6, copper and biotin. Bananas make an excellent pet snack!
Pears make for a delicious treat for dogs. Not only are they high in fiber, they contain vitamins C & K as well as phosphorus, but their low caloric content makes them an ideal option for overweight or diabetic dogs who require less calories to stay fit and healthy.
4. Milk
WebMD recommends that puppies receive only breastmilk until they reach three or four weeks old, then can switch to a milk replacer. Avoid human store-bought substitutes as these may give your puppy diarrhea, according to experts.
During the initial weeks of your puppy’s life, they need a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and fats to fuel their growth and development. Selecting high-quality dog food specifically designed for puppies as well as all life stages is key to your pup’s wellbeing.
When feeding your puppy meat, only offer small amounts of turkey, chicken or lean beef. Avoid giving ham as it is too rich for their digestion. Additionally, be sure to remove the rind and pits from fruit as these may splinter.
5. Treats
Dog treats are an excellent way to reward your pup for good behavior, but be sure to select quality treats with balanced nutrition without too many fillers or synthetic ingredients.
Treats for dogs are small in size and soft to chew, making them ideal for your puppy’s developing jaws. You can also use treats as reinforcement in behavioral training to reinforce specific cues.
Chicken and turkey make for great healthy treats as they’re low in fat, high in protein, and easily digestible. Plus, since these proteins and carbohydrates contain few calories, your pup won’t feel too full afterward.
