Today I shall pay special attention to responding to those frequently-asked questions (FAQs) which have been posed to me over the decades of practice relative to puppy nutrition.
Q#1: What is the best food to offer to young puppies?
My response would be in relation to providing a balanced diet of highly digestible proteins, fats and carbohydrates, containing essential minerals and trace elements.
Answer:
(i) I have always steered away from endorsing any commercial brand. The scientists in the respective laboratories of the mega dog food companies conduct a lot of studies to deliver what they consider as tested and proven “Chow”/Kibble”/ “Bits”.
For your puppy, you would introduce that food which your pet enjoys the most; and which promotes weight gain, glossy hair coats, and frisky and playful and alert behaviour.
(ii) Food offerings that are not willingly consumed cannot be forced upon the young, recently-weaned pet.
In such cases, I always suggest mixing the puppy’s food with some (a teaspoon) canned cat food. For whatever reason, the method unfailingly seems to work.
(iii) It is imperative that, whatever food you offer your growing puppy, the food must contain proteins, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and trace elements. (See above).
Having said that, the caregiver must understand that one size does not fit all, and at all times. For example, the protein content of the meal of a puppy needs to be higher than that of an adult animal, as the puppy is growing (from weaning up to at least 8 months of age) and has a relatively small stomach. After the puppy has visibly stopped growing, you may wish to lower the protein content, as adequacy will be met by the size of the meal. This is a matter for you to discuss with your veterinarian, if you think it is necessary.
(iv) Be wary of the “dog food” sold by roadside vendors. It is most likely not nutritionally balanced for puppies. It probably is not too good for adult dogs either. We shall discuss this later.
Q#2: How often should I feed my puppy per day?
Answer:
Three to four times daily, ½ cup of “Puppy Chow” every 6-8 hours. You may continue this feeding regime until the pup has reached 6 months of age. Between 6 and 10 months of age, reduce to 2 to 3 meals daily. After 10 months, 1-2 meals daily would suffice.
Please bear in mind that any suggestion I make has to be contextualised. Clearly, the mass of Chow/kibble/Bits given to a growing Chihuahua would not be the same as that which is given to a growing Great Dane.
Q#3: Can I make my own puppy/dog food, not lastly because of the relatively high costs associated with commercial puppy chow?
Answer:
Clients coming into my Clinic over the many years all know of my “formula” food for growing young animals.
I suggest the following mix of local fresh foods:
* Brown rice.
* Meats (chicken, beef, fish) – never raw (not because raw meat is bad; but, here in the Guyana, for all sorts of reasons, it is just not advisable)
* Eggs – never raw.
* Carrots.
* Green peas.
* Spinach/bhagee/callaloo (not eddo leaf).
The relative quantities and specific ingredients would be adjusted as the dog becomes older and heavier.
As stated earlier, younger puppies need rich proteins that are easily digestible (chicken and fish would be my preferred choices). Try, therefore, to ensure that your young, growing animal gets enough protein (in the meat and other sources). Too little protein in the diet could result in underdevelopment of muscle mass and bones, and lead later to joint problems.
NB: When you were deciding to get yourself a dog as a companion animal, you must have factored into the equation a discussion with your vet about your dog’s nutrition, especially if you are a vegetarian or one who does not eat beef.
In the coming weeks, we’ll continue answering (more of the many) FAQs pertaining to puppy nutrition (e.g., Does one need to offer vitamins and mineral supplements to the growing puppy? What can be done if the pups’ mother dies or abandons them early in life? Etc.).
HAPPY LABOUR DAY!
