Nutrition Guide for Your Puppy's First Days
Initially, maintain the same feeding routine you've established for your puppy for the first few weeks. Create a space where your puppy can eat comfortably and in a calm environment. Regular and predictable feeding times will help your puppy feel more secure and at peace. During this period, determine a suitable feeding schedule based on your puppy's needs and preferences, and adhere to it strictly.
Puppy Feeding Schedule: The First Steps in Life
From Birth to the First Weeks (0-4 weeks): The best source of nutrition for puppies is their mother's milk. During this time, there's no need to provide any additional food to the puppies.
Weaning Period (4-8 weeks): At 3-4 weeks old, puppies should gradually be introduced to dry foods. During this period, a high-quality puppy food should be mixed with warm water to create a mushy consistency and given slowly.
Full Transition to Dry Foods (8 weeks-6 months): By 8 weeks old, puppies should be fully transitioned to dry foods. At this stage, foods specifically formulated for puppies should be chosen. These foods contain the nutrients puppies need for their rapid growth phases.
Feeding Frequency: It's recommended to feed puppies 3-4 times a day. This helps keep them energetic throughout the day and supports regular growth.
Growth and Development: The diet of puppies should include high-quality proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals necessary for healthy development.
To view Kito puppy food, click here.
When does your puppy become an adult dog?
| VERY SMALL | SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | GIANT | |
| Average adult weight | up to 4 kg | up to 10 kg | 11 to 25 kg | 26 to 44 kg | 45 kg and above |
| Growth period (from birth to adulthood) | 8/10 months | 8/10 months | 12 months | 15 months | 18/24 months |
Combining Wet and Dry Food: Balanced Nutrition for Puppies
Using both fresh and dry food together is a method that enriches the diet of puppies and is important for variety. Dry food is beneficial for the dental health of puppies and meets their need to chew. Fresh food, on the other hand, increases hydration due to its higher water content and usually contains higher quality protein sources. The natural taste of fresh food can make mealtime more appealing for puppies, especially important for those with low appetites. When offered together, these two types of food help puppies get accustomed to both dry and fresh foods and develop their taste preferences. However, it's important to remember that both types of food should be mixed in appropriate proportions and the dog's total calorie intake should be monitored. Therefore, it's always best to seek a veterinarian's recommendations before making any changes to the diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portion Size Important for Puppies?
Since puppies don't have the ability to regulate their eating habits, it's crucial to properly control their portions to prevent excessive weight gain. Always check the nutrition recommendations on the food package and carefully measure each meal. Remember that the amount specified on the package is the total recommended daily amount for your puppy, and this quantity should be evenly distributed across meals throughout the day. Additionally, any treats you give your puppy should also be included in this daily total amount, as there is a risk of overfeeding with treats.
How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
The nutritional needs of puppies vary according to their breeds and the estimated weight they will reach as adults. You can consult your veterinarian to learn about the expected adult weight specific to your puppy's breed. With this information, you can choose the most suitable food for your puppy and be confident about the accuracy of the portion sizes you're providing.
How Long Should I Use Puppy Food?
Puppies should eat special puppy food until the transition to adulthood is complete. This transition period varies depending on your dog's breed and size. Consult your veterinarian to ensure your puppy is ready to switch to adult dog food.
How Much Water Should My Puppy Drink?
The amount of water your puppy needs depends on several factors, including ambient temperature, the puppy's size, activity level, health status, and diet. A puppy fed with dry food may need to drink more water than one fed with fresh food, as dry food contains less moisture.
How Should Your Puppy's Food Transition Process Be?
1. Gün
%75 stale food%25 new food
3. Gün
%50 stale food%50 new food
5. Gün
%25 stale food%75 new food
7. Gün
%100 new food
1. Gün
%75 stale food%25 new food
3. Gün
%50 stale food%50 new food
5. Gün
%25 stale food%75 new food
7. Gün
%100 new foodSudden changes in yourpuppy's diet can lead to digestive system issues or cause them to avoid thefood altogether. When transitioning to adult food, changing products, orstarting mixed feeding, it's important to gradually introduce new foods. Spreadthis process over a week-long transition period with the following ratios:
1st and 2nd Day: 75% previousfood + 25% new food
3rd and 4th Day: 50% previousfood + 50% new food
5th and 6th Day: 25% previousfood + 75% new food
7th Day: 100% new food