Getting a puppy can be a daunting time, especially if you’ve never had one before and have no past experiences to draw upon. Worries about feeding are some of the most common amongst new owners, so we’ve put together a simple guide to feeding, which we hope gets you off to a good start.

  • For the first few weeks, it is recommended that you keep your puppy on the same food they were fed by the breeder, before changing them onto a food of your choosing. When you do change, it is recommended that you do so gradually to avoid tummy upsets e.g. over a period of 5-10 days.
  • When you move onto a new food, choose something specially formulated for growth, which is what most ‘puppy’ foods are geared at.
  • Try to feed little and often. Puppies have a very high metabolism, but a small stomach, so they need feeding small amounts at regular intervals. When your puppy is 3-4 months old, you can expect to be feeding them 3-4 times day, which will be reduced to twice daily when they’re around 5-6 months old. Never leave food down all day as it will lead to toileting accidents and may even encourage obesity.

Bear in mind that puppies grow quickly in the first few months, so their nutrition demands will be high. They will require more protein, energy and calcium than an adult dog – in fact, they will need roughly double the amount of energy found in adult foods.

Large breed dogs will mature slower and can take up to 15-18 months to grow and develop fully, compared to some small breeds that are at full maturity but the time they’re 6 months old.

Your puppy’s diet and the amount of exercise they receive when they’re young will greatly influence their size, strength and fitness when they’re older. If you're unsure about the exercise needs of your growing dog, check out our blog for a better understanding.

You can also browse our wide range of junior and puppy foods across a number of quality brands, including Arden Grange, Purina and Orijen. For further advice on feeding a puppy, feel free to get in touch: [email protected].

Written by: Hannah