Introducing Puppies to Puppy Food and Water

Puppies grow so fast. One day the tiny, newborn pups which spend all of their time cuddled to their mother sleeping or nursing. The next they are learning to stand on all fours and are beginning to walk. Before you know it the puppies are little dogs, running and playing, chewing on everything and ready to wean.

At around six weeks of age puppies gain the ability to lap up their fluids. However, they are still dependant on nursing for nutrition. At this time fresh water can be offered in a large shallow pan. Puppies need to practice lapping up their fluids at this age as they will soon be ready to wean.

After the sixth week puppies can be offered a weaning supplement. This is a powder which comes in a can just like a baby formula. All you do is add the right amount of water to the powder and serve. Weaning supplements can be found at your local farm store, or at the pet store. It will provide the nutrition of mothers milk to the pups as they are beginning to wean. Fresh water should be given separately.

At around eight weeks of age a puppies teeth are strong and sharp. Their jaws are strong and they have the eagerness to eat and chew. This is the time to introduce puppy food. Puppies that are able to chew and swallow the food without choking on it are ready to begin eating puppy food.

Puppy food is especially formulated for puppies. Adult dog food is not the same. Do not give young puppies adult dog food. It is to harsh and complex for their delicate digestive systems and can make them ill. Puppy food is easier to chew and to digest. Puppy food is available as soft canned food and as dry food in a bag. Both can and should be used. You can serve them separately or mixed together.

When you choose your puppy's food make sure to read the package carefully. Don't purchase the cheapest kind available. You will save money, but you will lose nutrition. Choose a medium priced brand of food that says it offers complete or balanced nutrition.

Always read the bag or can of food very carefully to know how much to serve and how often. Puppies generally eat solid food once per day the first week, twice the second week, and three times per day in the third week. By the time that third week comes they will be fully weaned. Remember, once you start your puppies on solids there is no turning back.

Your puppies poop will tell you how well the food is working for them. If you start solid food to early your puppy may become constipated. A healthy puppy poop from a puppy who is eating solid food and weaning looks like miniature dog poop. A little tiny dog pile. Poop that is runny is not healthy. It may mean that the formula of food is too harsh for the puppies digestive system. Thanks for reading and take care!