Food and Water

by Tiffany Falk

Where should I give my puppy his food and water?

Your puppy should be fed in any area of your home that is quiet and has low traffic. For instance, the front door hallway would be less than ideal, as would feeding your pet next to a noisy washing machine or dishwasher. Pick a location that will have limited foot traffic and low noise from people or appliances so your puppy can eat and drink in peace.

Should I feed my puppy dry food?

Dry food is less expensive, easier to store, and less messy than canned food. However, it is not without pitfalls. Many dry foods contain a lot of fillers and less than nutritious ingredients. Dry food is also heavily processed, which means many vitamins and minerals are destroyed as it is made. The decision to feed dry food needs to be made based on your lifestyle, your habits, your financial means, and the ingredients or manufacturing process being used for the potential food you’ve selected.

Should I feed my puppy canned food?

Canned wet food and soft moist pouches contain a lot of water, which makes them more expensive and also subject to spoiling if the dog doesn't eat it all in one meal. However, canned food is less heavily processed than dry, which means natural vitamins and minerals are often maintained during the manufacturing process. Canned foods often contain fewer “fillers” as ingredients and offer moisture that is essential to helping your pet’s urinary tract stay healthy. Ultimately, you must decide which type of food is most convenient for you.

How do I know what dog food to buy?

There are many quality foods available. However, during the first week, it is recommended to keep your new puppy on the same brand previously being fed by the shelter or breeder. Once adjusted to your home, you can slowly introduce a new brand if desired. Look for high-quality, pure meat ingredients, limited artificial flavorings, and pure starches like potatoes, peas, and whole fruits. Try to avoid ingredient lists that include byproducts or anything described as “meal” in the first five ingredients.

Products: Orijen, Acana, Fromm, Great Life, Pure Vita, Wellness, Natural Balance, Avoderm, Halo, Solid Gold, Merrick, Nutro Ultra, Purina Proplan, Newman’s Own, Purina One: Made in the USA; No history of food safety recalls in the past

Does my dog need a diet labeled for puppies?

Many dogs can continue to eat an adult dog food their entire life, but puppies have different nutritional needs because they are growing so quickly. Puppy formulas are made with the nutritional needs of puppies in mind without having to increase the volume being fed. If you’re feeding an adult or non-puppy formula diet to your puppy, make sure you are following the manufacturer’s guidelines for amounts to feed puppies, which is often up to double that recommended for an adult dog of the same weight.

Are grain free diets better for my puppy?

Dogs, unlike cats, are not true carnivores, therefore fruits and grains are a healthy part of their diet. Many grains provide protein as well as fiber to their diet. Many people believe that grains are the only ingredients that cause food allergies, when the fact is that many dogs are allergic to the meat sources such as chicken and other proteins like egg. Grains are not a bad thing, but should be included as whole grains, not “meals” like “soybean meal”. Look for peas, corn, carrots, cranberries, and other whole foods in the ingredient list.

Are homemade or raw diets safe for my puppy?

The American Veterinary Association does not recommend raw diets at this time. The basis for their recommendation is the potential for parasites, salmonella and other bacterial poisons, which are especially concerns for puppies. Raw and homemade diets should be avoided when a puppy is still growing and developing her immune system. If you are considering a homemade or raw diet, always consult with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure you are providing the right balance of vitamins and minerals, as well as choosing safe sources of protein and carbohydrates.

How often should I feed my puppy?

Puppies should be offered food at least 3 times a day. For small and toy breeds under 4 months of age, it is recommended to feed even more often, as many have issues with low blood sugar. Feed your puppy on a schedule, leaving the food down for about 15 minutes and then pick up the dish. Allowing free access is not recommended, as this will make house training and monitoring intake much more difficult.

How much food should my puppy get in a day?

This depends on the type and brand of food you are giving. Higher quality foods are more nutrient dense, so you would feed less and have smaller stools. Cheap or bargain brands require significantly more as they are comprised of fillers and cheap protein sources. Puppy formulas often require less volume, while adult formulas will often require you to double the amount. Follow the recommended guidelines on the bag or can and adjust according to your puppy’s weight, growth, and development. Activity level should also be taken into account. If your puppy plays at puppy socialization class, he will likely need more food that day than on a day when he was simply playing around the living room.

What human food is ok to feed?

A begging puppy is hard to resist. However, you should avoid feeding from the dinner table unless you want a demanding dog later on! If you wish to give your puppy a treat, do so after you are away from the table or require your puppy to sit, lie down, or perform some other task before earning the reward. Do not reward begging or whining at the table, standing up on chairs, or other unwanted behaviors. Many human foods can be dangerous for a dog, but there are some that can be used as safe and tasty treats. Always add new foods in small amounts, one at a time, and discontinue if your puppy gets an upset tummy. Also remember that human food should never be the main staple in your puppy’s diet.

Peanut butter: Peanut butter is high in protein but also pretty high in fat. It is best given as a treat or to hide pills. If your pup gets sick, giving any prescribed medication in peanut butter is an easy way to ensure he will get it down. Try using peanut butter in a kong or sterilized bone as a binder for treats or food to provide hours of sticky and hard-to-get distraction and fun!
Carrots: Carrots are crunchy, packed with vitamins and low in calories. They are relatively high in sugar so only give in small amounts. Too much of anything can cause an upset stomach.
Green Beans: Green beans are low calorie and a good source of fiber. They can be added to their diet as a filler if your puppy gets a little pudgy when older and you need to reduce the amount of food he is eating. Both canned and fresh are fine, however avoid canned beans that have added salt.
Chicken: Chicken is low in fat, high protein and easily digested. Be sure to remove any skin that may have seasonings as some can be toxic or cause an upset stomach. Make sure there are no bones that can cause obstructions or internal bleeding.

What human foods should I avoid?

Many, many human foods are toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Avoid giving your puppy any of the foods below and contact whiskerDocs or your veterinarian immediately if he happens to accidentally eat or drink any of the following foods.

Alcohol: This includes any drinks, disinfectants and cleaning products containing alcohol as well as unbaked bread or yeast dough.
Apricots, peaches, plums and cherries: Leaves and stems of trees and pits/seeds all contain cyanide.
Avocados: The fruit, leaves, stems and pit/seed have the highest toxicity levels.
Caffeine: Coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, diet pills and chocolate all can cause toxicity depending on amounts ingested and there is no antidote available.
Chocolate: Dark and bitter chocolates (ex. bakers) are the most toxic, however milk chocolate is toxic as well.
Cinnamon: Powdered, sticks, decorations, essential oils and trees can cause systemic and topical toxic effects.
Currents: Depending on the type, toxic effects can be seen in any amount and some are small grapes which can cause kidney failure.
Decaying meat carcasses, garbage: Rotting food scraps and bones are toxic in any amount. Rotting meat can cause Botulism while bones pose a risk for obstruction and internal bleeding.
Garlic and onions: All types and forms of either can cause life-threatening anemia.
Grapes and raisins: Grapes, either fresh, dried (raisins) or juice can cause kidney failure.
Hops: Hops are used for home brewing and the exact lethal amount is unknown, so all amounts are considered life-threatening.
Macadamia nuts: Avoid giving the nuts or foods containing them.
Mushrooms: While the majority of mushrooms are not toxic they can be difficult to identify, therefore it is best to avoid them all.
Moldy foods: Avoid giving any food that has mold on it. Try and keep trash up so your puppy does not ingest any potentially toxic leftovers.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg can be found in many baked goods and all forms can be toxic. When ingested in large amounts it can cause neurological conditions and death.
Rhubarb: The leaves are the most toxic part of the plant, however the stems are toxic as well. Severe toxicity can cause low blood calcium levels and kidney failure.
Salt: Salt is found in many forms including any cooking salts, salt water, paint balls, homemade playdough, de-icers and enemas.
Starfruit: Ingested in large amounts can cause low blood calcium and kidney failure.
Sugary or artificially sweetened foods.: Sugary sweets can cause hyperactivity. Artificial sweetners such as Xylitol, the most toxic of this category, are found in sugar free gums, candy, foods and medications.

Should I leave water out for my puppy all the time?

It is important for your puppy to have free access to water but only when you can be there to monitor his intake. Shortly after drinking, take him outside to eliminate. It is not recommended to keep food or water in your puppy’s crate during alone times or overnight as housetraining will be difficult and he may have accidents in his crate. Pull up his water dish at least an hour before bedtime.