How many times a day do you need to feed your puppy?

When a puppy appears in the house, the owner has a tremendous responsibility. It affects not only the upbringing, but also the feeding of the pet. It is important to constantly maintain the work of the dog’s body at the proper level, a correctly composed diet taking into account the age of the pet helps in this. We will consider the main aspects in order of priority so that you can make the right schedule for your pet.

Frequency of feeding a puppy

Experienced breeders will tell you that the frequency of feeding directly depends on how many months the puppy is. The younger he is, the more often food should enter a fragile body. If the baby is hardly a month old, meals are carried out 6-8 times a day. Adults from the age of 10 months are slowly transferred to food twice a day.

The best time period for the first feeding is considered to be an indicator between 06: 00–08: 00 in the morning. The puppy's last meal is at 19: 00-22: 00 hours. Again, the less months a pet is, the more often it is fed in the mornings and later in the evenings. It is important that the dog goes to bed full and wake up without a sharp raging hunger.

If you want to make your own schedule for the baby, it is better to consult with the breeder. He will give his recommendations that do not need to be violated. If this is not possible, follow the instructions:

1-2 months. Pets are given food 6-8 times a day, the interval between meals should not exceed 2.5-3 hours.

3-4 months. The dog is transferred to feeding 5 times a day, the interval is 3.5-4 hours.

5-6 months. The pet is given food 4 times a day, 2 of them are morning and evening meals, and 2 more - in the daytime.

6-10 months. It's time to feed the dog 3 times a day, respectively, the interval is chosen equal between all meals.

10-12 months. It is necessary to feed the animal as an adult, that is, twice a day. If the dog constantly feels hungry, an additional 3 meal is included. From the year again, feeding 2 times a day.

If you adhere to the opinion of experienced breeders, do not underestimate the number of meals a puppy if his body has not yet matured. Watch the condition of the pet, if it misses one of the meals, it is worth crossing this time from the menu. When an animal eats absolutely everything, do not limit it to food by force.

Cases in which dry feed is mandatory

There is much debate about how to feed a pet. For some categories of animals, it is quite difficult to make the correct diet on a natural basis. There is a need for additional input of vitamins in the menu, as well as other tricks to maintain the health of the dog.

Owners are forced to feed a puppy with a pressed composition if the dog is allergic in nature. Also, if you have a tendency to serious diseases, it is better to immediately accustom your pet to a balanced diet. It is necessary to feed with dry food in case of violation of intestinal absorption of the vitamin-mineral complex, difficulties with metabolic processes. If it’s not possible to cook good food, then it’s easier to buy food.

The frequency of feeding directly depends on how nutritious this food is. As a rule, daily dosages are indicated on the package. There you will find instructions for feeding the dog, depending on its size, age and even gender. To start this is enough, then focus on your pet.

When granular feed enters the esophagus, it swells. Also, the dog is very thirsty, so watch the amount of water you drink.The animal should drink enough to feel comfortable. It is important to remember that “premium” food is suitable for puppies, the calorie content of food should not exceed 350 Kcal.

Natural food ration

If you prefer to feed the animal with normal food, then make a list of products that are allowed for consumption. A growing body needs all of the following. Never feed your dog food from the table.

1. Milk. Pets under 4 months old are fed milk. It is required for the correct functioning of the most important systems and organs of the dog. The milk is heated and given clean, but it is allowed to cook cereals on its basis. For a puppy, goat milk is suitable, because it is considered hypoallergenic. If this is not possible, give a diluted cow. In the period from 4 to 6 months, the volume of milk is reduced, then completely removed, it is time to feed with sour milk.
2. Dairy products. Dogs need to be given low fat sour cream, serum (very healthy and cheap). After the baby grows up, the amount of acid products consumed by him is reduced to 2 times a week. If you train your pet, treat him to hard cheese.
3. Meat products. About 40% of the total diet is allocated to meat. For 1 kg. animal weight relies 25 g. meat. Dogs are treated with scalded, boiled or raw food, the latter option is preferable. The pet is given raw chicken or turkey without skin, as well as rabbit, veal, beef and even horse meat. From offal in scalded form, the puppy can be treated with liver, kidneys, ventricles.
4. A fish. Without fail, the baby is fed with fish or seafood 2 times a week. Of all the variety, shrimp, squid, pollock, etc. should be preferred. River fish are not suitable, there are a lot of bones and parasites in it. Fish meal is replaced by meat.
5. Vegetables. It is far from a secret that the growing body simply needs all kinds of vitamins. Treasures of such substances are considered various vegetables. Such products must be introduced into the diet gradually mixed with porridge or cottage cheese. Alternatively, grind vegetables and give them baked or fresh. Thus, all the necessary enzymes are better absorbed. It is recommended that the puppy be given beets, pumpkin, zucchini and carrots regularly. Also do not forget about greens in the form of spinach, onions, parsley.
6. Fruits and berries. Most dogs eat fruit regularly. Not all owners know which fruits or berries are allowed. Do not force the pet to eat what he does not want. If the dog prefers apples or fallen apricots, do not deprive her of such pleasure. The main thing is to monitor the state of digestion. It is forbidden to give grapes and currants to your pet. Such berries can seriously harm the health of the animal. Use extreme caution with those fruits in which the stone is present. You should not give a lot of bananas, because of them the dog quickly gaining weight.
7. Cereals. Be sure the puppy must have cereal in the diet. Keep in mind that such dishes should only serve as a side dish for meat or milk. It is strictly forbidden to feed the puppy with one cereal. In the first 2 months of the animal’s life, porridge should be boiled in milk. Buckwheat, semolina, rice and oatmeal are allowed.

Depending on the age, it is necessary to feed the animal with different intervals. From 1 month to 1 year, the number of servings per day should be gradually reduced. Do not take food from your pet if he does not refuse it. If necessary, give your puppy vitamin complexes.

Video: how much should a puppy eat?