Puppyhood is probably the most exciting part of dog ownership. It marks the beginning of your new life together, a particular time when you form a lifetime friendship. However, it can also be a very confusing period, especially if you have no idea what to give them. When can you start giving dry dog food to your pup, then?
Puppies get vital nutrition by nursing their momma dog from birth. However, these adorable cuties tend to grow up too fast. And before you even know it, they will try to eat solid foods in just a matter of weeks after birth.
This is also when their mother will wean them off her milk. Once they are ready to eat solid foods, it is where you enter the picture. You must prepare dry or wet food so your new pup will get all the nutrients he needs to grow into a solid, big adult dog.
Weaning Your Puppy
Weaning often happens once a puppy ages four to five weeks. This is when pups gradually transition from milk to solid, also considered a critical stage in a dog’s development. When a puppy is born, they exclusively rely on its mother’s milk.
If a puppy continues feeding on milk for a long time, the transition will get even more challenging. Weaning is also necessary because the mother needs to rest and take a break from caring for her little ones.
Weaning takes around four weeks, so you have to be extra patient. Your puppy will also require a mushy texture, so always watch what gets into its mouth outside and during dinner. Once the four weeks of weaning have passed, your puppy should already have his complete set of teeth, from eight to ten weeks old.
How to Achieve a Mushy Consistency for Puppy Food
A mushy consistency is a combination of liquid and dry dog food. You should allow the kibble to soak the liquid before you mash it with a spoon to achieve the preferred consistency.
The specific ratio of dry food to water will change every week. To make things easier for you, outlined below are the measurements you will need during the four weeks of the weaning stage.
- 1st week: three parts liquid and one part dry food
- 2nd week: two parts liquid and two parts dry food
- 3rd week: one part liquid and three parts dry food
- 4th week: your puppy will now be ready to feed on dry food alone
Can You Give Dry Food to a 6-Week Old Puppy?
Based on the guide on weaning above, once your puppy reaches six weeks old, he will already be in the second or first week of weaning. It only means that dry food still has to make up a relatively small part of the overall diet of your pup.
Remember that the tummies of puppies tend to be very temperamental. Puppies are always way much smaller compared to normal dogs, even if their appetite may suggest the exact opposite.
While you feed your regular-sized dog some substantial meals one or two times a day, it is recommended that you feed your pup smaller meals more frequently, preferably thrice to four times daily. It is also a safe bet to choose a puppy food for a sensitive stomach.
If your pup has difficulty transitioning to dry dog food from liquid, you might want to take the weaning process slowly. Don’t forget that all puppies are unique and different, so don’t panic if your pup takes longer than usual.
What to Give to Puppies When They Can Already Eat Dry Dog Food
Congratulations! Your puppy has now reached the time when he has already developed a complete set of solid baby teeth. It means he can now start to munch away at anything he fancies, as long as it’s not your precious carpets.
After several months, you will likely become a proud expert in mushing liquid and kibble, mastering the exact measurements while closely monitoring the specific feeding times. Again, remember that it is a process.
However, just because your pup already developed teeth doesn’t necessarily mean you can allow him to indulge in anything and everything he wants. There are still lots of development to follow from here on, so you have to ensure that they always eat puppy food that is healthy for them. The best and healthiest puppy foods should contain the following:
- Digestible Ingredients
Choose easy-to-absorb foods to ensure your puppy gets every drop of wholesome goodness.
- Additional Protein
Pups require plenty of proteins to help develop their organs and muscles.
- Glucosamine
This is the miracle ingredient that supports the development of bones and teeth.
- High Calories
Young dogs require lots of energy since they still have much growing to do. It is why many puppy foods today are higher in calories than their adult counterparts.
- Tons of Nutrients
Your puppy needs all the essentials, including zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and the all-time important vitamin D.
How Much Dry Food Should You Give Your Puppy?
It will vary based on the specific type of food you choose to feed your pup. Just make sure you look for nutrient-rich dry dog food.
If you are unsure about the right food, however, and the packaging has no clear instructions, you can always seek advice from your vet to stay safe. This way, you can be sure your pup will grow healthy, strong, and happy.
