How do you actually choose the right food for your dog? Often, when you buy a puppy, you’re given the same food it’s used to, but what do you do when that runs out? Do you buy the same kind or try something new?
There are lots of questions, and there are no simple answers. You need to try your way forward and find what works for your particular dog.
¶Your dog’s needs
When you’re choosing food for your puppy, it’s good to know what to look for. The nutritional needs of an adult dog and a puppy are different. A large breed puppy may weigh only 1% of its adult weight at birth. That means there’s a huge weight gain before the dog is fully grown. You can then understand the incredible amount of energy and food needed while the puppy is growing up.
¶The right dog food
It can sometimes be hard to find the right dog food. You can ask around in different shops or talk to the breeder you bought your dog from about what their dogs like to eat.
To help you find the right food for your dog, we’ve created the Food Guide based on a number of parameters. It includes all the different food options from a wide range of manufacturers. Depending on how you answer the questions, you’ll get suggestions tailored to your dog, with ratings taken from Konsumenternas. You can answer the questions here.
To make your purchase even easier, you can click through to your chosen food and buy it directly from the supplier.
¶How long should you feed dog food for puppies?
Puppy food is usually recommended until the dog is about 12 months old. The best thing is to check the packaging on the puppy food you’re using, as it usually states how long it should be fed. For larger breeds, puppy food can sometimes be given until the dog is about 15 months old.
¶How much puppy food should you give?
When the puppy is between 2 and 4 months old, you feed it up to four times a day. Approximate times are morning, late morning, afternoon and evening, with four to five hours in between. Getting your puppy used to eating dry food takes time and routine. Put the food down and wait; if the puppy doesn’t want it, take the food away.
Many people give their puppies a little sour milk (a-fil) with the food. This can be good for their stomachs while they’re small, but be careful with dairy products for adult dogs, as adult dogs can’t break down lactose.
The approximate amount of dry food per meal varies. The breeder usually provides recommendations for your particular puppy. Dry food should be soaked in water for 15–20 minutes before serving. Soaking helps reduce stomach and intestinal problems, since the puppy is so young and its digestive system is not yet fully developed.
¶Anything else to keep in mind?
- It’s better to give your puppy dry food than regular table scraps, as dry food contains more balanced nutrition
- Don’t change food too often, as your puppy has learned to absorb nutrients from the food it’s currently eating
- Never give bones from animals, as they can injure the puppy’s intestines
- Always soak dry food for puppies
