{"id":1574,"date":"2023-08-09T19:06:31","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T23:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/blog\/?p=1574"},"modified":"2023-08-09T19:06:31","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T23:06:31","slug":"proper-nutrition-for-your-puppy-is-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/blog\/proper-nutrition-for-your-puppy-is-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Proper Nutrition For Your Puppy Is Important"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Puppies experience a great deal of the world through their teeth, gums, and taste buds. They definitely get into the strangest things, and will try to put just about anything in their goofy little mouths. Providing the right types of food at particular stages in their development is key to proper growth and long-term health. Let\u2019s dig into what constitutes a healthy diet for a puppy, and when to graduate to adult food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

So Many Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Raising a puppy<\/a> is anything but straightforward. You want to concentrate on training, socialization, and fun, but it\u2019s important to ask questions about balanced diet for puppies, food types, meal schedules, and age-appropriate modifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking It Down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your puppy\u2019s breed(s) will guide the type of food you provide. Puppies of smaller breeds will reach their full size by their first birthday, but larger breed puppies still need nutrients for growing bodies well into their second year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are happy to discuss the right types of puppy foods that fulfill the needs of your growing puppy. We recommend scheduling their first wellness visit <\/a>within the first week or two following adoption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Your puppy may appreciate dry, crunchy kibble, or they might prefer moist, canned foods. As long as the food choice meets their growing needs, stick with what they like.  – we order puppies to be on dry food eventually (better for their teeth).” \u2013 Dr. Bertrand (Parkside Practice Owner)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Know Your Puppy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are so many different types of commercially available dog foods. Your puppy may appreciate dry, crunchy kibble, or they might prefer moist, canned foods. As long as the food choice meets their growing needs, stick with what they like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Meals?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As your puppy ages, their meal frequency and portions will change. Because they grow so rapidly in their first year of life, they need small meals throughout the day to sustain high levels of energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conveniently, you can match your puppy\u2019s meals with their new potty schedule. For example, a three month old puppy would benefit from this type of routine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n