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Puppy Basics: Selecting the Right Food
Puppy Basics: Selecting the Right Food

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Tips on Choosing a Puppy Food

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Dogs need a well-balanced meal for their adequate growth and development. Different breeds and sizes of dogs require a different amount of nutrients. Puppies are at their growing stage, and hence they require more energy for overall development. Nutrients like fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water help the puppy nourish into a healthy dog. Choosing a puppy food is a crucial decision to make as the type of puppy food you choose directly affects your fur baby’s development in the initial years. 

IAMS™ is one of the leading puppy food brands that is known for offering food packed with energy and nutrients to support a puppy’s growing age.

 

How to choose puppy food?

Pet parents often face the dilemma of how to choose puppy food for their fur baby. Puppies often need twice the amount of nutrients compared to an adult dog. While choosing a puppy food, you must look for meal options that are highly digestive and nutrient dense. The food should be packed with vitamins, proteins, fat, and carbohydrates for your puppy’s healthy growth. Some benefits of selecting the right puppy food are:

  • Shiny fur
  • Exceptional muscle tone
  • Improved vision
  • Better digestion
  • Improved bowel movement
  • Pleasant and playful mood
  • Healthy, happy attitude

 

How to choose the right puppy food brand?

While home food can be nutritious, it can sometimes not be sufficient for a puppy’s growing body. Hence, pet parents need to depend on formulated puppy food that is packed with the goodness of protein and other essential nutrients to support their fur baby’s growth and development stage. However, how to choose the right puppy food brand amongst so many available options? Read the following to know more.

  • Recognised brand: When you buy formulated food for a puppy, always pick well-known brands that do not compromise on quality and quantity. Choosing a well-recognised and established brand that adheres to the law ensures your canine friend gets all the necessary nutrients for its constant and consistent growth.
  • Check the label: Read the product’s name and label to get all the necessary information about its nutritional values. The net product weight and nutrient chart are mentioned on every recognised puppy food brand’s product. Along with checking the nutritional values, you must also look for the manufacturer’s address and contact details. This helps in sending suggestions and grievances directly to the brand. The list of ingredients should be read thoroughly to ensure you do not pick a product with ingredients that do not suit your pooch. The product’s manufacturing and expiry date are also mentioned on the label. Lastly, the label also contains information and directions for feeding your puppy.
  • Ingredients: Puppies need a good source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Puppies need 22 amino acids to produce the right protein needed for their survival. Hence, pet parents have to be very careful and selective when choosing puppy food for their fur babies. Thoroughly going through the list of ingredients allows caregivers to analyze the ingredients and choose the best for their canine buddy. Glancing at the list of ingredients also allows you to avoid products that contain ingredients your puppy is allergic to. 

Moreover, you must also consider your puppy’s breed, size, and weight when confused about how to choose food for the puppy. Smaller breeds of dogs mature faster than larger breeds, this means your puppy’s breed decides how much nutrients it will need for how long. While most puppies can start consuming solid food once they turn 4-weeks old, their transition from puppy food to adult dog food varies depending on their breed, size, and weight. Please consult a vegetarian doctor if you are unsure about your pet’s breed and the amount of nutrients required for its adequate growth.

 

Nutrients required by different breed sizes

Different breeds of dogs require a different amount of nutrition for their proper growth and development. Feeding the puppy as per its breed’s requirement ensures that it gets the right amount of nutrients for its physical and psychological growth. Hence, to help you choose the best for your fur baby, we have curated some insights on how much nutrition is required for which breed size.

  • Small breed: This type of breed is smaller in size, which means their anatomy and organs are compact compared to other breeds. However, as these breeds do not grow larger, they mature faster, and hence need more nutrients in their primitive age. Small and toy breed puppies are recommended to feed at least 3 to 4 meals a day to provide all the essential nutrients required for their growth. However, because they have smaller organs, it becomes essential to choose food that can offer more nutrition in a limited quantity.
  • Medium breed: Dogs that are bigger than the toy breed but smaller than giant and large breeds are considered medium-size breeds. You can accomplish a medium size breed’s nutritional quota by offering an adequate animal-based diet. Two meals a day is ideally sufficient for medium-size breeds, provided the food is packed with healthy nutrients required for its growth.
  • Large breed: Contradicting the common belief, this breed does not require more calcium even though it has larger bones. A moderate amount of calcium, phosphorus, and calories are sufficient for a large-breed puppy’s skeleton development. Overfeeding can cause developmental and bone issues in such breeds. Hence, ensuring large breed puppies’ consumption limits while providing them with the right nutrients is essential. You should choose formulas with lesser fat and calories to promote growth in such breeds. Besides, feeding should be limited to 2 to 3 meals per day.

The physical growth and development of a puppy are at stake during its initial years. Therefore, choosing a diet that meets all its nutritional requirements and provides appropriate nourishment is essential. Caregivers should be mindful of their puppy’s allergies, breed size, and age before selecting a puppy food brand. IAMS offers a wide range of puppy food varieties for different breed sizes based on their nutritional requirements. However, you should consult a vet if you are unsure about your puppy’s nutritional needs and breed.

 

Why choose IAMS™ for your puppy?

At IAMS™, we focus on preparing highest-quality food for dogs of all ages and breeds. Our puppy food – IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Starter Mother and Baby Dog – is the ideal pick for your little pooch’s optimal growth and development. Along with being loaded with proteins, vitamins, and minerals, it also contains DHA and colostrum. While DHA ensures healthy cognition for better trainability, colostrum provides essential nutrients that’s only found in the mother dog’s milk.  Enriched with best-quality proteins, fiber, and FOS natural prebiotics, IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Starter Mother and Baby Dog ensures healthy muscles as well as digestive system.

Frequently asked questions

  1. How do I know what food is best for my puppy?
  2. Puppies ideally prefer animal-based meals. You can select the best food formula by choosing a puppy food brand that caters to your puppy’s breed size as different breed sizes require a different amount of nutrients for overall development and healthy growth.

  3. Do puppies need special puppy food?
  4. Yes, puppies need more energy compared to adult dogs. Hence, they do require special food that can offer twice the amount of nutrients in smaller quantities. Besides, puppies also need to be fed more frequently to support the nutritional requirements for growth and development.

  5. What is the healthiest food to feed a puppy?
  6. This is subjective to the puppy’s nutritional requirements and allergies. Most puppies rely on animal-based food for their nutritional needs. Nutrient-packed formulas offered by puppy food brands like IAMS are also suggested for providing a well-balanced and nourishing food to your puppy.

  • Keeping Your Dog Safe from Fleas and Ticks
    Keeping Your Dog Safe from Fleas and Ticks
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    Keeping Your Dog Safe from Fleas and Ticks

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    Dogs bring us immense joy and companionship, and we naturally want them to live happy and healthy lives. However, a hidden threat lurks in the shadows, capable of jeopardizing the health of our furry friends: infestations of fleas and ticks. These tiny parasites, barely visible to the naked eye, pose a significant danger, requiring our vigilance and prompt action to protect the ones we love.
     

    Lifecycle of fleas and ticks

    To effectively protect your dog, it's crucial to understand the lifecycles of these parasites.
     

    Fleas:

    Fleas have a four-stage life cycle:

    • Egg: Adult female fleas lay eggs on your dog after feeding. These eggs are tiny, white, and fall off into the surrounding environment, often carpets, bedding, and cracks in the floor.
    • Larva: After hatching, the flea larvae become small, worm-like creatures that feed on organic matter in their environment.
    • Pupa: Larvae eventually spin a protective cocoon and enter the pupal stage. This stage can be dormant for months, making them difficult to eliminate.
    • Adult: Adult fleas emerge from the pupae, ready to jump onto your dog, feed on their blood, and lay eggs, restarting the cycle.

    Ticks:

    Ticks, while different in their lifecycle, pose a similar threat. They follow these stages:

    • Egg: Adult female ticks lay thousands of eggs in the environment, often in tall grass or wooded areas.
    • Larva: After hatching, tick larvae are six-legged and actively seek a host. They climb onto a dog's body and feed on its blood for several days before dropping off to molt.
    • Nymph: The larvae develop into eight-legged nymphs, requiring another blood meal to grow.
    • Adult: Adult ticks seek a final blood meal, attaching to a dog and feeding for several days before detaching to mate and lay eggs, completing the cycle.

    Symptoms of flea and tick infestation

    Early detection is key in managing these parasites.
     

    Fleas on dogs:

    Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of dogs. They can cause various problems for your dog, including:

    • Excessive scratching: This is the most common symptom of fleas on dogs. The itching is caused by the flea bites and the allergic reaction your dog's skin has to the flea saliva.
    • Hair loss: Fleas can cause hair loss, especially around the base of the tail and on the belly.
    • Irritated skin: Flea bites can cause red, irritated skin.
    • Pale gums: In severe cases of flea infestation, your dog may develop anemia, which can cause pale gums.
    • Flea dirt: Flea dirt refers to the waste produced by fleas. It looks like small, black specks and can be found in your dog's fur or on their bedding.

    Ticks on dogs:

    Ticks are larger than fleas and have eight legs. They latch onto your dog's skin and feed on their blood. Ticks can transmit various diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Here are some signs of ticks on your dog:

    • Visible ticks: Ticks are usually easy to spot. Look for them on your dog's head, neck, ears, paws, and groin.
    • Red, swollen bumps: Ticks leave a red, swollen bump on your dog's skin after they have attached themselves.
    • Lethargy: Your dog may seem lethargic or tired if they have a tick infestation.
    • Fever: A fever can be a sign that your dog has a tick-borne illness.

    Treatments for fleas and ticks

    Once you've identified an infestation, prompt and effective treatment is essential.
     

    Dog flea treatment:

    When dealing with fleas on dogs, a multi-pronged approach is often necessary. Here are some effective options:

    • Oral medications: These chewable tablets offer long-lasting protection against fleas and are easy to administer.
    • Topical treatments: These spot-on solutions are applied directly to your dog's skin between the shoulder blades. They provide effective flea control and may also repel ticks.
    • Flea shampoos and sprays: While not as long-lasting as oral medications or topical treatments, these products can help kill existing fleas on your dog. They can also be used in conjunction with other treatments for a more comprehensive approach.

    Consulting your veterinarian is crucial when choosing a flea treatment, as they can recommend the most appropriate option based on your dog's age, breed, and specific needs.
     

    Dog tick treatment:

    If you find a tick attached to your dog, it's essential to remove it promptly and safely. Here's how:

    • Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, ensuring to grip the tick as near to the skin's surface as feasible.
    • Gently yet firmly extract the tick using a straight, steady motion. Avoid twisting or crushing the tick, as this can release more saliva into the bite.
    • Once the tick is removed, place it in a sealed container and dispose of it properly. Do not crush it or flush it down the toilet.
    • Clean the bite site with alcohol or antiseptic wipes.

    Monitor your dog for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or fever. If you notice any concerns, consult your veterinarian immediately.
     

    Important tip: Avoid using home remedies like petroleum jelly or matches to remove ticks, as these can cause the tick to release more saliva and potentially increase the risk of disease transmission.
     

    Flea and tick prevention for dogs

    A proactive approach is the best way to protect your dog from these pests.
     

    Early detection and elimination:

    • Regular checks: Inspect your dog's fur and skin, particularly around the head, ears, neck, and armpits, for signs of fleas or ticks on dogs.
    • Grooming: Brushing your dog regularly helps remove fleas and debris, making it easier to spot potential infestations.
    • Thorough cleaning: Wash your dog's bedding and regularly vacuum your home to eliminate any existing fleas and prevent future infestations.

    Proactive protection:

    • Year-round prevention: Don't let your guard down during cold weather. Fleas and ticks can survive indoors and remain active throughout the year.
    • Environmental treatment: If you suspect a flea or tick infestation in your home or yard, consult a pest control professional for effective treatment.
    • Travel precautions: Be extra vigilant when traveling with your dog, as new environments may harbor different parasite populations.

    Protecting your dog from fleas and ticks is crucial for their health and well-being. By implementing a regular prevention routine, combining medication with vigilance and proper hygiene, you can keep your furry friend safe and comfortable. Remember, consulting your veterinarian for personalized advice is the best way to ensure the most effective approach for your dog's specific needs.

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