{"id":2969,"date":"2016-03-21T11:02:13","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T11:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/?page_id=2969"},"modified":"2024-01-08T11:21:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T11:21:37","slug":"what-to-feed-your-new-puppy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/caring-for-your-pet\/diet-exercise\/what-to-feed-your-new-puppy\/","title":{"rendered":"What to feed your new puppy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Just like a newborn baby, a puppy will drink milk from its mother for the first six to eight weeks or if this is not possible, it will be given a milk replacement from a pet store.<\/p>\n

Puppies are introduced to solids at around six weeks and, once again, just like a baby puppies go through a rapid growth stage during the first few months and have bigger nutritional needs than an older dog.<\/p>\n

In the same way you would introduce solids to a baby, you should stick to a feeding schedule with your puppy and feed him one type of food consistently before you start introducing new foods or a different brand of puppy food.<\/p>\n

Initially a puppy will need feeding three or four times a day. Smaller meals are easier for your puppy to digest, reducing the likelihood of stomach upset.<\/p>\n

You can reduce the feeding times to twice a day once the puppy reaches about six months of age.<\/p>\n

So what exactly do you feed your new puppy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Given that most puppies stay with their mums until six or eight weeks, by the time you pick up your puppy it\u2019ll be at the stage of solid food.<\/p>\n

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Two\u2014four months<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to buy and feed the puppy the same type and brand of food it\u2019s already been eating, but if this is not possible try asking your vet what they recommend or alternatively choose a premium, high quality (check the ingredients) pet food that is specially formulated for the age of your puppy.<\/p>\n

You can also introduce your pup to human-grade raw meat (not sausages as they can contain sulphites that are bad for dog\u2019s health). So make sure you save some of that raw mince, before you whip up a spag bol!<\/p>\n

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Four\u2014six months<\/strong><\/p>\n

By this stage you pup will be cutting its first teeth so it might enjoy a raw, meaty bone. Make sure to steer clear of cooked bones as these can splinter.<\/p>\n

You can also now introduce (slowly does it!) a whole host of other foods such as:<\/p>\n