IAMS PH
Puppy Basics: Switching Your Puppy’s Food
Puppy Basics: Switching Your Puppy’s Food

adp_description_block45
Puppy Basics: Switching Your Puppy’s Food

  • Share

Your new puppy's first meals at home are very important. Find out what formula your puppy has been eating, and continue feeding this food for a day or two after you bring him home. If you want to change his diet to a premium food such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Smart Puppy Original , gradually move him to the new formula and help avoid intestinal upsets by using the following steps:
 

Day 1: Fill your dog's bowl with 75% of his old food and 25% of IAMS ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original.

Day 2: Mix his former food and IAMS ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original in a 50/50 ratio.

Day 3: Feed your dog a mixture that's 75% IAMS ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original and 25% former food.

Day 4: Feed 100% of IAMS ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original.

 

 

Feeding Tips

To feed a puppy from weaning to 4 months of age, offer a 100% complete and balanced premium puppy formula. To determine each serving size, start with the daily amount recommended by the feeding guidelines on the pet food label, and divide that number by the number of times a day (usually three times) you plan to feed your puppy.
 

Serve the food at room temperature and remove the bowl within 30 minutes after he's done eating. After four months, you can feed a puppy twice daily on a regular schedule.
 

  • Always provide your dog with clean, fresh water.
  • Discard uneaten wet food at the end of the day.
     

Don't add nutritional supplements to your dog's diet. Adding commercial dietary supplements or 'people food' such as hamburger, eggs, cottage cheese, or cow's milk is unnecessary and might even do more harm than good.

  • Small-breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs
    Small-breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs
    adp_description_block466
    Small-breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs

    • Share

    Unlike larger-breed dogs that are considered mature or senior at age 5, small-breed dogs usually don’t experience age-related changes as early. But by age 7, your small dog is mature or senior, and his nutritional requirements are changing. You can help keep your dog active, happy and healthy with a specially formulated mature diet that delivers highly digestible, enhanced nutrition.

     

    The Signs of Aging in Small-breed Dogs

    The changes your small dog is going through affect him in many ways. You may notice a dull, dry coat and flaky skin, energy loss or weight gain, more frequent intestinal problems, joint stiffness and a loss of lean muscle mass. It’s true that an aging dog may require fewer calories, but your mature or senior dog still needs high-quality protein and carefully balanced nutrients.

     

    What to Look for in Mature or Senior Small-breed Dog Food

    What your dog needs is a high-quality, balanced maintenance food formulated for a small dog’s changing metabolism. Look for options with these age-essential nutrients:

    • Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene to help boost the immune system
    • High-quality animal-based protein sources to help maintain muscle mass
    • Special fiber sources such as beet pulp to help maintain intestinal health and support your dog’s ability to absorb age-essential nutrients
    • A special carbohydrate blend of healthy grains for sustained energy

    These ingredients are the keys to mature nutrition whether you feed dry or wet dog food or give your dog treats.

    Additionally, small dogs have small mouths and small stomachs. A nutrient-dense mature formula with smaller kibble may help make food easier for your dog to chew.

     

    Special Needs of Mature or Senior Small-breed Dogs

    Older, less-active dogs are prone to weight gain. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help minimize the risk of developing diabetes or joint stress. Your dog can benefit from a weight-control diet with these key ingredients:

    • A reduced fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
    • L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat during weight loss
    • Special carbohydrate blends that help maintain energy while managing weight

    While your mature or senior dog’s nutritional needs may be changing, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have many active, happy years ahead. Make sure your dog can make the most of them by feeding him a proper diet designed for mature small-breed dogs.

    Small-breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs
    article Small-breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs
Close modal