Puppy food: types, manufacturers and selection rules

Today, manufacturers of industrial dog foods produce a separate line of their products designed for feeding puppies. Such a specialized series allows breeders to provide their animals with all the necessary vitamins and minerals for health and growth. However, the choice of such food requires some nuances to be taken into account.

The following products are classified as industrial feeds for growing dogs:

• dry food;
• frozen minced meat and fish;
• canned food (mashed potatoes, jelly, pastes, etc.).

Due to the introduction of modern technologies in the process of manufacturing products for dogs, manufacturers produce a product with a balanced chemical composition. Thus, owners of young dogs will provide their pet with food, which will take into account the norms of necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, fiber and vitamins in advance.

Exist generally accepted classification of products intended for feeding puppies. Today, feed is divided into the following categories.

The best option in the ranking released today. The manufacturer for the manufacture of feed in this group uses exclusively natural ingredients of high quality. The composition of the concentrates is developed with the direct participation of nutritionists, which also has a positive effect on feed.

In addition to natural ingredients, the manufacturer includes fortified supplements, important trace elements for the development of the dog’s growing body. Therefore, unlike the usual diet, puppies using industrial feeds from the holistic group, you do not need to enter vitamin complexes.

The second class of products that can be fed puppies, also applies to products of high price category. Feed is made from quality products. Composed of there are no preservatives or flavor enhancers; flavoring and coloring agents are also banned from inclusionTherefore, breeders can be sure that the puppy receives only proven and safe food.

Generally, feed is super-premium withthey are left out of meat products and cereals, and they also contain about 15 important vitamins, animal fats, antioxidants, amino acids, which positively affect the digestion of the dog.

No less good products for feeding dogs, which are much easier to find on the shelves of pet stores, in comparison with expensive feeds. However, breeders choosing a product in this group should be aware that it may contain various artificial componentsthat do not pose a hazard to the health of the animal.

A similar product may be called the group Grocery and Utilitarian. According to the majority of breeders, it is extremely undesirable to introduce such feeds into the dogs ’menu, since they are usually based on food waste from meat production, as well as soy, various preservatives and other chemicals. This product category will rarely be certified, it is usually sold in natural markets, in non-specialized retail outlets.

In addition to the generally accepted division of feed into classes, products for therapeutic puppies are also on sale. Typically, these foods are found in reputable manufacturers with a good reputation.

Today, some manufacturers can be singled out on the market, whose products are in high demand among dog handlers and dog breeders of different breeds. So, for puppies they prefer to purchase food of industrial production of the following brands.

Products belong to the universal category, therefore, can be used for animals of any breeds and sizes. The feed contains the following components:

• cereals;
• meat, offal;
• seafood, including seaweed;
• vegetables;
• berries and fruits;
• vitamins, minerals, antioxidants.

Low carb puppy food, the composition of which is dominated by the meat component - about 75%. The manufacturer offers products from different varieties of meat, including lamb, rabbit; seafood, legumes, herbs, eggs, vegetables and fruits. According to reviews, products help strengthen immunity, have a positive effect on digestion and the condition of the animal’s coat. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the presence of small packs on sale, as well as the high cost of feed from a Canadian manufacturer.

The product contains about 50–53% of the meat component, the remaining ingredients are cereals, herbal supplements, vitamins and trace elements. Products are more affordable. does not cause allergic reactions in animals.

The manufacture of feed for puppies of this brand is engaged in the Netherlands, the predominant ingredient in the products will be crops, and the manufacturer also uses dried or dehydrated meat. This is usually a chicken or a lamb.The products of this brand include fats and proteins, as well as basic mineral and vitamin supplements.

Domestic food for puppies, where the predominant ingredient is meat. The product is enriched with Omega-3, cereal components in such feeds are replaced with potatoes or legumes.

In the line of puppy feeds from this manufacturer, products for animals of different breeds and sizes are presented. The composition of the product is dominated by lean turkey, dry beet pulp as a source of fiber, and corn. Some options include an analogue of colostrum in animals, which has a beneficial effect on the growth and health of the dog.

In order to properly organize the diet of a growing dog, it is necessary to take into account the needs of the animal's body at each stage of its growth. Therefore, when choosing a feed, the following recommendations should be taken into account.

• A protein that is responsible for the growth of muscle tissue is very important to a growing body. Also, the selected products should contain ingredients that can compensate for the deficiency of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus. Vitamins C and E are also important for a dog’s health.
• In order for a dog to receive energy portions of food, it is worth paying attention to carbohydrates in the composition of the selected food: it is important that they belong to the group of easily digestible ones.
• Puppies are allowed to alternate dry and wet food. In addition, this diversifies the menu, alternation will satisfy all the needs of the body, normalizes the water-salt balance.
• When choosing food, the breed of the animal will be the determining factor. As a rule, puppy pet food manufacturers take into account all the features of the animal’s body, including its size. Therefore, food for small dog breeds, consisting of small pieces of food more convenient for chewing, is on sale. Medium-sized dogs are advised to purchase feeds with a fat content of not more than 18%. For large breeds, feeds with a high content of nutrients are usually made, which will strengthen the bone and muscle system.
• There are universal feeds that can be sorted out by dividing them into classes and age groups of animals. Their composition includes the most important vitamins and minerals, so it will be suitable for a puppy of any breed.

Some inexperienced breeders introduce industrial feeds to puppies for adult dogs. However, such a menu can extremely negatively affect the health of the pet with prolonged or constant consumption of products for four-legged pets of the adult group. There are several reasons why this product is not suitable for growing dogs:

• as a rule, croquettes for another age group will be larger and harder, which can complicate the feeding process, in some cases making it impossible;
• in terms of their chemical composition (BJU), the products will differ significantly, which will reduce the benefits of eating adult food;
• In products for adult dogs, there is also no necessary additional supply of vitamins and minerals necessary for the puppy to grow.

The volume and frequency of feeding the growing dog will depend on its age. There are also several recommendations that will help you properly organize your pet's diet.

• Food intake should be strictly controlled by the dog breeder. Do not add food to the bowl if there is still some part of the half-eaten food left in it. After eating, the bowl should be removed, leaving only clean water.
• If the dog’s diet consists of industrial feeds, then after eating the puppy one should not additionally be treated with various treats.A mixed diet and overfeeding can cause the development of serious diseases in the animal.
• A double serving, even if the pet has missed one feeding, is prohibited. This option will cause overeating, and the dog will be completely satisfied with the standard amount of feed.
• You should not buy economy-class products for your pet, which for the most part consist of preservatives.
• After eating, you should not tire the dog with active games.
• According to the behavior of the pet, you can roughly determine the feed rate recommended for one meal. If after each feeding the animal carefully licks a plate, then the amount of wet or dry food can be slightly increased.
• It is also important to take into account the recommendations regarding the norms indicated on the feed packaging. As a rule, the manufacturer draws up a detailed table indicating the age and amount of feed required for one feeding.
• When compiling a schedule for feeding a dog, it will be superfluous to adapt to your daily routine so that the animal receives food strictly at the same time.

The number of feeds per day will depend on the age of the puppy, there are universal recommendations that can be followed by breeders of four-legged pets:

• at the age of one to two months, the animal must be fed about 5-6 times;
• in 2–4 months, you can reduce the frequency of meals by one time;
• by six months, the dog will have enough 3-4 feedings a day;
• Pets older than 6 months and up to 10 months should eat 3 times a day;
• after 10 months, the animal will already have enough 2 feedings.

The training of small dogs for food should be gradual, if there should be no problems with wet products, then with dry croquettes, pets can have difficulties for the first time. At first, the breeder will need to soak the feed, however, with the appearance of the first milk teeth, the need for this will disappear. However, the soaked granules deteriorate very quickly, so the remnants of food should not be offered to the dog for the next feeding.

About what you can’t feed a puppy or dog and why, see the next video.