Last Updated on February 9, 2021 by Pauline G. Carter
From the moment you get a puppy to become a part of your home, you also take on a big responsibility. As an owner, among the first things you should know is puppy food and how to feed your new pooch.
Good and Safe Foods for Puppies
You can ask your vet for suggestions about the suitable puppy food for your new furry friend. Pay close attention to the specific ingredients in your choices.
Your puppy also needs lots of clean and fresh water specifically during warmer months. You also need to wash the food and water bowl to remove any bacteria there.
You can consider some people food as puppy food such as apple chunks and small baby carrots. Just make sure you start small and stop giving it to your pup for good if your pooch suffers from a negative reaction.
Foods Puppies Shouldn’t Eat at All
There are foods that puppies and adult dogs alike should never eat and these include garlic, onion, raw meat, bacon and fatty meat, raw fish, sugary foods like chocolate, eggs, grapes, gum, raisins, salty foods, and avocados.
You also need to avoid options with meat or corn byproducts as their main ingredients.
Wet or Hard Puppy Food or Both?
Before you decide whether to give wet or hard puppy food, you need to master the art of reading nutrition labels and ensure that your chosen food, regardless of texture, is indeed the healthiest choice for your pooch.
Despite being more expensive, wet food can contain the essential ingredients puppies require and might also be easier on the stomach of your young pet. Dry kibble provides a more affordable balanced diet and helps remove the gunk and plaque from your dog’s teeth every time they nibble.
Feeding Your Puppy
An 8-week old puppy might already be ready to wean off the milk of the mother so you are now in charge of chef duties.
Begin by getting the correct bowls for your puppy. It is easier to clean stainless steel bowls not to mention that they are also dishwasher safe and durable.
While it is also easy to clean ceramic bowls, these are heavier and more prone to breakage. Provided that you regularly clean and disinfect the eating area and bowls, you are free to choose any bowl you like.
You should store dry puppy food in dry and cool place. It is safer to keep this in its original packaging once you open it. It will stay free from moisture and fresh as long as you seal the bag properly.
Similarly, you also need to store wet puppy food in dry and cool place. After opening the can, you can keep it sealed inside the fridge for a maximum of five days.
Both foods can also be kept in airtight plastic containers to prevent bacteria from breeding in unwanted moisture. These are just some of the basic things you should know about puppy food and how to feed your tiny pooch.
Read More
- 7 Reasons to Start a Dog Blog: Advice from the Top 7 Dog Bloggers
- 6 Reasons Why Freeze-Dried Dog Food is Better than Regular Raw Food
- How to Choose The Right Dog Boarding Kennel?