Excited barks, messy whiskers, and food spilling everywhere - these are just a few of the adorable moments that come with feeding a puppy. As much as we love to watch our furry friend enjoy a scrumptious meal, it's important for us as puppy parents to understand the ins and outs of feeding our growing pups. 

From knowing what to feed them, to understanding portion sizes, and even when to switch to adult food, it's important to be informed and make sure our puppies are getting the best nutrition possible. Join us as we dive into the world of feeding puppies and learn everything you need to know to keep your furry friend happy and healthy!

1. When to give my puppy solid food? 

From when they’re born till they’re 4 weeks old, puppies require their mother’s milk for proper growth and development. If the mother isn’t around, you can give them puppy milk replacer in a bottle 3-4 times a day. Once they reach 4 weeks, your puppy’s baby teeth will appear, making them ready for the weaning process—the slow transition from mother’s milk to puppy food. 

HUFT Tip: Puppy milk replacer to puppies is what baby formula is to human babies. These are special formulas in the form of powder or milk that gives your puppy the same nutrition as their mother’s milk. 

2. What to look for in puppy food? 

Start by feeding them nutritious puppy food instead of jumping straight to adult food. It’s important that your little one receives proper nutrition to grow into a healthy and happy adult dog. You can feed them home-made foods and then eventually turn to puppy kibble. Here’s what to look for in puppy kibble:

• Calcium for bone and teeth development 
• High quality protein for body development 
• DHA & EPA for vision and brain development 
• Fats and carbohydrates for energy 
• Vitamins and minerals 

HUFT Tip: If your puppy is allergic to certain foods or ingredients, it’s a safe option to feed them hypo-allergenic or grain-free puppy food. In summers and winters, you can add wet puppy food to their bowl for extra hydration. 

3. Can I feed my puppy home-made food? And what can I feed him/her?

If you’re a puppy parent who trusts home-made food more, then this part of our guide is for you. There are certain foods that are readily available in your kitchen that you can feed and should avoid.  

Ingredients like salt, sugar, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, avocado and caffeine products should be avoided. Human foods that are great for your puppy include carrots, boiled eggs, apples, pumpkin, french beans, cucumber, curd and rice.

Here’s a simple home-made dog khichdi (salt-free porridge) recipe you can whip up for your puppy! 

Step 1: Pressure cook pumpkin, french beans, carrots, rice and a little bit of turmeric in water. 

Step 2: Top off the khichdi with some boiled pieces of chicken breast. 

Step 3: Allow the food to cool. Serve with fresh drinking water. 

HUFT Tip: Remember to feed your puppy in limited quantities, as recommended by your vet. 

4. When should I feed my puppy? How long should I feed them puppy food?

It’s essential that your puppy has a fixed meal routine from the start. Here’s a general guide that you can follow: 

• 2-6 months - During this time, your puppy should be fed 4 meals a day. All meals should be spaced at equal intervals. You can soak your puppy’s healthy kibble in warm water to soften them up. This makes it easier to eat and digest.  

HUFT Tip: If you’re feeding them home-made food, then consult with your vet. They might recommend you supplements to ensure they get proper nutrition. 

• 6-9 months - During this time, your puppy should be fed 3 meals a day. Ensure they get plenty of calcium through their diet for complete bone and growth platelets development.  

• 12 months and above - During this time, your puppy should be fed 2 meals a day. Ideally all dogs should have puppy food till this age. However, larger breeds should transition to adulthood slowly and may need to stick to puppy food till 18-24 months. 

HUFT Tip: Reach out to your vet before introducing kibble to your puppy. Always ensure that your puppy has clean drinking water available at all times. Use size-appropriate bowls for proper proportions. 

5. How much should I feed my puppy? 

• Once you’ve chosen a healthy puppy food you wish to feed your puppy, check for the feeding guidelines on the back of the packaging. The feeding guideline should have the exact proportions your puppy should have in one meal. 

• Each brand shall have different feeding guidelines, however we recommend reaching to your vet for a specific diet plan for your puppy. They can help you with a tailored balanced diet that caters to your puppy’s age, size as well as breed. 

• Remember to always adjust the meal quantities according to how many puppy treats you are giving them for training. Do not overfeed your puppy as it can lead to them being overweight. Plenty of exercise can help them digest their food better! 

6. My puppy is hungry all the time. What should I do? 

If your puppy is constantly hungry, it might be a sign to get them dewormed. Deworming is a monthly process of removing parasites from your puppy’s stomach that might be causing stomach issues. Your vet can recommend the best deworming solution for your puppy. 

As your pup turns 2-3 weeks old, they can be dewormed for the first time. Two weeks later, they can get their second dose. Your pup should get monthly dewormed up to the age of 6 months. Post that age, they can be dewormed every 3 months or as in when required.

To conclude, even though you might melt when you stare into their ‘puppy eyes’, it’s important to do right by your pup by feeding them the right amount of healthy food, at the right time!