Not many things bring as much joy as a new puppy. They’re cute and fun, and they help teach the whole family valuable lessons in responsibility. As vets, we too are not immune to the cuteness that comes with puppies — and we love it when pet parents bring in their new babies for checkups and advice on looking after them.
Along with all the preparation and training you need to consider when welcoming a new puppy, a common concern for pet parents is what and how to feed them properly.
Here, we discuss puppy nutrition and how to ensure they are healthy, happy and have everything they need to grow into strong adult dogs.
Why puppies need special diets
Puppies are weaned from their mother's milk at around eight weeks old. As they transition to solid food, it is essential that they get the right amount of nutrients to support growth and development and create a healthy immune system. For example, puppies need higher amounts of fat than adult dogs. They also require specific amounts of elements like protein, calcium, and phosphorus.
A puppy's body burns a lot of energy with all the playing and growing they have going on. And they have a much faster metabolism, requiring more food at more frequent intervals.
Some puppies may experience stomach upsets and diarrhoea as they are introduced to new foods, but usually, this will settle quickly. If diarrhoea lasts more than a few days, take your puppy to your vet.
What's the best food for puppies?
We are lucky to have some high-quality dog food options in Australia. Whether you opt for wet food, dry food or anything in between, many brands available have passed government standards for daily feeding and include all of the vital ingredients our pups need.
We often recommend premium dry food specifically formulated for puppies from brands like Hills, Advance and Royal Canin.
Just like us, every puppy is different. With so many variables to consider, including size and breed, we recommend chatting with your vet to establish the most balanced diet for your little friend.
Listen to what Dr. Jane Miller has to say about what food you should be feeding your puppy:
Browse our vet-recommended Puppy diets
How often should you feed a puppy?
It is really important that you feed your puppy at the appropriate frequency to ensure they are getting enough food. Puppies have tiny stomachs, so they need smaller meals to be provided more regularly so they can refuel. In smaller breeds, the chance of hypoglycaemia is a risk, and they need meals even more frequently.
Always follow the guidance provided by your puppy food manufacturer, or speak to your vet about feeding schedules.
Check out what Dr Jane has to say about puppy's feeding requirements and how much you should be feeding them.
Overfeeding
Giving your pup a little extra food may not seem like a big deal, but overfeeding can have serious long-term effects. Problems with overfeeding your pup include:
- Obesity
- Bone and joint problems
- Bloat
- Gut health issues
- Pancreatitis
Avoid overfeeding by following your feeding schedule and not giving your puppy leftovers or excessive amounts of treats.
But what if my puppy begs for more food?
If you feed your puppy quality pet food and follow an approved food plan, your puppy should not need extra food. Occasionally, your pup's appetite may vary depending on how much energy they've used, but giving in to begging can cause bad habits.
If you think your dog isn’t getting enough nutrition, speak to your veterinarian about adjusting their diet.
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For more Puppy behavioural tips, check out our comprehensive puppy guide: The Vet’s Puppy Guide: Facts, Care, and Training Tips
How much water does a puppy need?
Puppies need to drink plenty of water to maintain their fluids, regulate their temperature, and flush out harmful toxins.
In Australia's hot climate, it is absolutely essential that your puppy always has constant access to clean drinking water at all times, not just during the day, to avoid dehydration.
Should puppies be given treats?
Puppy treats are great as occasional rewards for good behaviour, training, or to help with grooming and nail clipping. At around eight weeks, you can start introducing treats to your puppy. Try to find treats with very few ingredients to avoid tummy upsets.
What about human food?
Giving puppies the odd bit of human food as a treat can be risky — even healthy food. These foods can cause an imbalance of nutrition, and some can even be harmful, so it's best to avoid feeding your pup human food entirely.
Browse our vet-recommended puppy treats
Do puppies need food supplements?
A puppy fed a healthy, balanced, vet-approved diet should get everything they need from food. But puppy supplements are occasionally required as a nutrient boost, to make up for a poor start, or to aid in digestive issues.
When introduced to a new environment, puppies can often suffer from digestion issues, leading to diarrhoea and other health problems. We highly recommend probiotic supplements for puppies, as introducing healthy bacteria to the gut can help solve digestion-related issues. As always, consult your vet before introducing new supplements into their diets.
Browse our vet-recommended probiotics
Where to feed your puppy
Choose a quiet place where your puppy can eat peacefully and at their own pace.
We recommend that your puppy's food be given on a hard floor surface or that a wipeable mat is used so it is easier to clean. And be sure to keep food bowls clean and ant-free.
For a fun game and to help exercise their brains, you can try scatter feeding your puppy. Scatter feeding involves sprinkling dry food on the lawn so they can sniff it out and find it. If you have a particularly hungry puppy, you can use a slow feeder bowl to help regulate their eating and slow them down at meal time.
What not to give your puppy
A dog's metabolism is very different to a human's, and feeding human food to a puppy can be dangerous –– even fatal.
Here's our informative list of foods that can be fatal to dogs:
Food | Why is it dangerous? |
Avocados | Contains a substance known as persin, which is harmless to humans but can be highly toxic to dogs. |
Caffeine | Ingesting caffeine can lead to irregular heartbeats or respiratory failure in dogs. Coffee, tea, and other sources of caffeine should be kept away from dogs. |
Grapes & Raisins | Even ingesting tiny quantities of these can trigger severe, potentially fatal kidney failure in dogs. |
Cherries | Cherries pose a risk to dogs mainly due to the cyanide in their pits, leaves, and stems. |
Alcohol | Alcohol exposure can quickly harm dogs, causing symptoms from lethargy to death, even in small amounts or through accidental ingestion. |
Chocolate | Consuming chocolate can lead to a range of health issues in dogs and may even be fatal, with dark chocolate posing a greater toxicity risk. |
Conclusion
Puppies and other young pets are vulnerable and count on us to keep them safe. As part of caring for them, giving them a balanced diet and monitoring their coat health, stools, and energy levels will ensure they grow into healthy, thriving adults.
With efficient planning, the right food and helpful advice from your family vet, you can be sure you're giving your puppy the best start to a long and happy life.
