Tiny Paws Nutrition: Feeding Your Puppy

When it comes to feeding your puppy, we’re here to help you make the right choice when it comes to diet. There are so many nutritional requirements your puppy needs right from the off to ensure they grow into healthy, happy adult dogs so we’ve put together a short guide on how to approach feeding and how to choose the right food to suit your puppy.

First up, always ask the rescue centre or breeder what food your puppy is currently eating before you pick them up- even if you intend to change diet or medical requirements mean you need to switch early on, it’s best to have their usual food on hand for when you welcome them home. This will also help them familiarise themselves at home.

Puppies over 8 weeks old should be fully weaned onto solid food. If your puppy is not yet weaned, it is too early to bring them home.

If you decide to switch your puppy’s food when they arrive home, we recommend following our dog food switching guide to avoid any upset tummies or reactions. If you’re moving away from wet puppy food recipes, your puppy will want to drink more water during the day, so always ensure there is always plenty of fresh clean drinking water available to them.

How often should I feed my puppy?

From when you bring your puppy home at eight weeks until they are four months old, it’s best to feed them four meals a day. At four months, reduce this to three meals a day and when they turn six months, reduce to two meals. Always base the amount of food per meal on your puppy’s food feeding guide to avoid overfeeding.

When you choose to feed your puppy, is up to you, but we recommend spacing out meals evenly throughout the day. Remaining consistent will help get them into a routine, which will make life easier for you and them.

Where should I feed my puppy?

Your puppy will enjoy their meal away from any distractions, especially during those first few weeks of being home. We recommend a quiet spot on an easy-to-clean floor!

Does my puppy need specific food?

Yes, your puppy will need recipes which are specially formulated for puppies. Their nutritional needs will differ to adult dogs, they will need more of certain ingredients and less of others. Some key ingredients to look out for in good quality puppy food are:

1. High quality protein (for healthy muscle growth)
2. Calcium & phosphorus (for strong bones)
3. Essential vitamins & minerals (for a healthy immune system)
4. Fatty acids like Omega 3 or DHA (for healthy brain development)
5. Fibre & prebiotics (for good digestive health)

Does my puppy need treats?

We would always recommend integrating puppy friendly treats into their balanced diet. Low calorie treats can help with training (especially in those early days) and complement your puppy’s feeding routine to ensure they’re not exceeding their recommended calorie intake. Treats such as dental chews are also a fab idea to help keep them stimulated and their teeth in great shape from a young age.

If you have any more questions about your puppy’s nutrition, or how to pick the perfect recipe- our experts are on hand both online and in-store to help! You can shop our full range of puppy food online too.