With International Puppy Day coming up soon (March 23rd) it’s a good time to talk about puppy nutrition.

Did you know that puppies are supposed to be fed four times a day until they are 12 weeks old? This is because “like human babies, puppies start out needing many small meals a day, of a food formulated for their special nutritional requirements”. 3 Once your puppy is around 3 months old, you can take them down to three daily feedings. You can go down to the standard two meals a day once your puppy is 6 months old.

What shouldn’t you feed your puppy? Table scraps. Human food is not healthy for your new family member, and feeding them from the table can lead to bad habits. Other things to stay away from? Chocolate, cooked bones of any kind (ex. poultry or pork), avocado, coffee, and grapes/raisins to name a few. For a complete list, check out this article from the ASPCA. Or this great post from The Goody Pet.

Also important? Making sure you are feeding them healthy and nutritious treats, especially if treats are used as training incentives. Here are three homemade treat options you can make for your new puppy:

1. Apple Slices

Ok so this isn’t a recipe per say, but apple slices are full of fiber and a safe treat for your puppy that you most likely have around the house. Just make sure you don’t feed them the core or seeds.4

2. Homemade Puppy Training Treats

When it’s time to train your new dog, treats will probably be an important part of the process. When Barley was brought home by the family behind ‘The Woks of Life’ they wanted a healthier alternative to store bought options – this recipe was the result.

3. Easy Carrot and Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits

In addition to apples, carrots are another healthy option for your puppy. This recipe from Proud Dog Mom is simple and easy to make, and only has 5 ingredients (one of which is carrots).

Would you like to learn more about quality pet food products? Check out our post about Kali’s Wish sponsor Natural Balance and how they guarantee quality ingredients and food safety as part of their ‘Buy With Confidence’ promise.


Sources:

  1. Dog Food Advice: Feeding Your Puppy or Dog, org.uk
  2. Raising a Healthy Dog Begins with Proper Puppy Diet, akc.org
  3. Puppy Feeding Fundamentals, akc.org
  4. Healthy, Safe Snacks to Help Your Pet Slim Down, aspca.org

The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.