puppy food and diet

The first food your puppy will get is its mother's milk, but your breeder will have weaned your puppy onto other foods before you collect it.

It is never advisable to suddenly change a puppy's or an adult dog's diet. It should always be done gradually over a period of a week or two, mixing a little of the current food in with the food you want to use. In this way tummy upsets are often avoided, and your puppy is constantly receiving the nourishment it needs.

You may want to spoil your puppy by cooking for it yourself - scrambled eggs and the like - but this is rarely advisable as it is difficult to include all the ingredients necessary for healthy growth and development. You are almost certain to be better off choosing from a tried and tested commercial product. But which one?

You can choose from dry foods or semi-moist (tinned) food which may or may not be served with a biscuit mixer.

Whichever food you choose it should be easily digested, and this can be checked by inspecting the stools.
If there is diarrhoea, or excessive wind, then the food may not suit your puppy, or there may be a digestive or food intolerance problem. If you think this is the case, then seek help from a vet.
Most puppy foods are specially formulated, and do not need any supplements (unless recommended by your vet), as too many supplements can actually harm your puppy.
Puppy's appetites vary enormously with some puppies eating little, and others eating everything in sight. Guard against over-feeding, and see your vet if you are straying too far away from the recommended quantities.

All information on this site is given in good faith, but should never be taken as final authorative advice. In all cases of doubt or query you are strongly advised to check the position with an expert - and your vet is the person to see first.