One of the biggest struggles NEW pet owners face how much food a dog will eat. Knowing what is appropriate for your pup can help ensure that your new best friend isn’t going hungry, but it can also help you keep tabs on how much exercise your dog is getting and how happy they are with their diet.
There are thousands of dog foods on the market these days, each promising that its particular brand will meet the needs of any size, breed, or age dog. Some of these brands claim complete and balanced dry foods, while others boast the impressive-sounding “just add water” concept.
However, the reality is that a “complete and balanced” product should need nothing else but water to complete the design. Unfortunately, many dog foods have added ingredients. These may include vitamins and minerals that were once deemed unnecessary for maintaining a healthy dog because they are naturally occurring in certain foods or haven’t been proven necessary as nutrients for dogs. Admixtures could also be considered “added” because these ingredients aren’t present in the original food yet makeup about 30% of the raw ingredients.
What is the Best Diet for a Puppy
Puppies are naturally challenging, but careful nutrition requires keeping them in top physical form. They need to eat enough to stay strong and healthy, but not so much that they overeat and put on weight. You may assume that puppies get plenty of nutrients from the food you feed them, but if you have prepared a portion of high-quality raw dog food for your dog, which equates to 5% of their total weight, it should ensure that your pup gets all the essential nutrients they need.
A high-quality commercial kibble developed for puppies is the best diet to feed. This ensures that your puppy gets all of the nutrients he or she requires for growth and development. Cooked meats and vegetables, as well as rice, can be added as desired; however, the commercially prepared kibble must be the primary source of nutrition.
How Much Raw Food Should You Feed a Puppy
Raw dog food is ideal for puppies because it’s highly nutritious. It should contain all the essential nutrients that a puppy requires and supply plenty of healthy extras like vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients. However, you may be concerned that your puppy still needs some of the nutrients found in kibble dog food. If this is the case, you could try to feed your pup a combination of raw dog food and kibble to ensure they get everything they need. If you decide to do this, you must know how much raw food to feed a puppy so that they don’t consume more than the correct calorie count. Puppies should eat raw food of 5% – 8% of their body weight which can be split between 2 or 3 meals.
Feeding suggestions:
- A daily consumption of 5% to 8% of your puppy’s weight, divided between four meals, until they are four months old.
- A daily consumption of 5%-8% of your puppy’s weight, divided between three meals, until they are 6 months old.
- A daily consumption of 5%-8% of your puppy’s weight, divided into two meals, until they are one year old.
- You should start feeding your puppy on the adult feeding plan when he or she is one year old.
Health Benefits of Diet Change From Kibble to Raw Food
The intestinal flora of raw-fed dogs was more diversified than that of kibble-fed canines. In comparison to the kibble diet, the raw diet was found to support a more balanced growth of bacterial communities and beneficial gastrointestinal functions.
Raw food is an ideal choice for dogs because it’s highly nutritious. It should contain all the essential nutrients that a dog requires and provide plenty of healthy extras like vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients. If your dog suffers from allergies, you may be surprised that a raw food diet can help cure these pets of their symptoms. Other dogs thrive on a raw food diet because it allows them to get all the nutrients they need with little focus required of their owners. To learn more about the many health benefits of a raw dog food diet, you can start by exploring these five perks and comparing your pet’s current state to their new life after switching to a raw dog food diet.
Is Raw Food Good for Puppies?
Puppies can benefit from a raw diet. Raw diets are nutritious, easy to prepare, and, when fed correctly, shouldn’t affect dogs’ health. When feeding raw meat, it is essential to ensure that the dog gets all the essential nutrients they need, but you may be surprised by the number of benefits that dogs gain from eating a raw diet.
Using a commercial raw diet to feed your dog has a long list of advantages.
- Puppies have a slower growth rate and a stronger bone and muscular composition. As the puppy matures, the body naturally develops to provide a better or more powerful stance.
- Natural foods are known for having highly digestible protein and essential oils, which are important for your puppy’s growth, body mass, and development, as well as their cognitive development.
- Puppies with parents that eat raw food have higher immune systems than those who eat processed food. The stronger body can more effectively fight illnesses and infections, minimizing puppy mortality at this period.
- Processed foods contribute to the growth of unhealthy microbes in the intestine. Raw meals, on the other hand, are high in beneficial bacteria for a healthy gut that produces less waste and has a pleasant odor.
- Puppies fed raw food developed thick, lustrous, and well-colored fur or coats. The eyes, nose, ears, and mouth are all highly coloured and pigmented.
- A puppy’s behavior will be affected by a raw diet. Raw-fed puppies have more natural energy and a more mild disposition, making obedience training and working with them easier.
The Final Word on What is Best For Your Dog. Which One Is Right For You?
There are many different dog foods on offer, and choosing one can be tricky when you’re unsure which food is best for your pet. This can be particularly true if you’ve just acquired a dog or your furry friend has become ill, and you’re trying to give them the best chance of recovering. Whatever the reasons, it’s essential to know how to find out what’s right for your pet and whether raw dog food or kibble is a good choice for them.