A Guide To Feeding Your Puppy

Welcoming a new puppy into your family and home is an exciting time; if you’re new to the process it can also be a life-long learning experience too, as we get to know all about our companions and how to care for them and their individual requirements.

Finding the right diet for your puppy certainly is top of the list when it comes to caring for your dog, the benefits of a good diet are countless. If you’re expecting a new puppy or have recently welcomed one home, then you’re in the right place and in safe hands with Canagan, the home to natural grain-free pet food.

All Canagan recipes are suitable for all lifestages therefore they can be fed from weaning onwards! Just like in the wild, where the puppies of the pack and the adults shared the same food in different quantities. All our recipes feature an adult and puppy feeding guide so all members of your pack, young and old, can enjoy the same delicious recipes.

The same rule applies to the felines of our home, who can also enjoy our delicious cat recipes from the weaning stage and all the way through to their elegant senior years. If you would like to read more about your cat, please visit our other blog posts.

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY?

Though small and mighty, our puppies are growing at a fast rate and require a food that will support their muscles, bones, internal organs, teeth, fur and even their brain function. By ensuring we find a high quality and suitable diet early on, we not only set them on a good path for the future, but the food has huge health and psychological benefits.

A healthy puppy food should contain a proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, fats and an inclusion of vitamins and mineral supplements which all play a role in the health and wellbeing of your pup:

• Protein – Important to help your puppy with growth and repair of the muscles and tissues, assists the body in creating hormones and enzymes and helps to provide energy. When it comes to protein, the quality is important!
• Carbohydrates – A great source of energy for your pup but also there to help provide fibre, which will assist in digestion and absorption. Just like protein, the carbohydrate source is important, if the quality is low it could result in digestive issues, and lead to food intolerances or allergies. A high-quality carbohydrate will provide your friend with slow-release energy through the day.
• Vegetables – Rich in fibre, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and Phyto-nutrients, vegetables are a friendly additive to your puppy’s diet. Especially as what they can offer is not found in meat.
• Fats – Healthy fats play an important role in our companion’s body, necessary for the normal development and function of muscle, nerves, cells and tissues. Not only this but fats help the body to absorb vitamins. A healthy and high-quality fat source in your friend’s food will contribute to healthy skin and coat, giving them a glossy shine as a result.
• Vitamins & Minerals – Found naturally in most ingredients, vitamins and minerals play different roles in the body, from immune support through to brain function. A good dog food will ensure that all of these are available to our hounds at the correct level.

At Canagan, we not only have over 30 years of experience working within the pet food industry; but we are proud to say that we work with some of the world’s top nutritionists. Together, we ensure that we are offering our companion’s the very best, from puppyhood through to their twilight years.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY?

Your puppy only has a small stomach, so it’s best to feed them little and often. We recommend feeding your new friend four meals a day until they are around four months old. You can then reduce to three times a day until they are six months old, if it suits you better in your household you can then move to feeding twice day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

It’s important to remember that all dogs are different, and their individual needs may differ, which will dictate when you feed them. We also appreciate that your schedule may not suit this lifestyle, however where possible, spacing your friend’s food out at a younger age is preferable.

Consistency is key! Keeping to a routine will be best for them and for you. Exercise should also be considered near feeding time, as strenuous activity could lead to vomiting and bloat.

WHY CHOOSE CANAGAN FOR YOUR PUPPY?

Our delicious recipes are made for all lifestages, which means that puppies can enjoy our diet all the way through to their twilight years. Canagan contains a very high meat content, and most of our range (with the exception of Senior/Light) have sufficient levels of nutrition to maintain a puppy’s growth. We believe in feeding our companions as they would in their natural environment – the wild; if we think of a dog’s ancestral diet, puppies and adults would have fed on the same food; just in different quantities. With Canagan, these principles remain the same.

The protein and fat levels in Canagan are much higher than those found in most carbohydrate packed adult dry foods, or even puppy foods and the nutrient levels in our diets are more than sufficient for our young companions; the calcium and phosphorus levels are also well suited to the development of puppies - all of the nutritional requirements discussed in this blog are met within our diets.

At Canagan, we pride ourselves on working with some of the world’s top nutritional experts and this family run business is home to many years of experience in companion care. We believe that food should be natural, and that’s why we preserve our diets with Vitamin E, you won’t find any chemical preservatives in Canagan which can be used in other popular brands.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY?

Don’t worry, we’ve put a feeding guide on every bag to suit junior and adult requirements. You may notice that your puppy’s food intake will slowly increase until they’re almost fully grown; before it decreases to meet their feeding requirements for maintenance once they are adults.

When a puppy meets adulthood is determined by their size, for example: toy breeds will usually be fully grown at 10-12 months, whilst a large breed typically keeps growing until they’re 18 months.

Feeding a healthy diet to our pups will show in their health and their temperament, this includes their stool. We’re looking for a firm stool, one that is easy to pick up; a sloppy or soft one could be a sign of over-feeding; if you’re noticing this in your pup, try reducing your friend’s food slightly to see if this helps.

Of course, just like us, treat intake must be taken out of your puppy’s feeding requirements, so if they’re training through the day and picking up titbits; you will need to consider this when It comes to feeding time.

At Canagan, we have a diet to suit the little, the tall, the young and even the ones who have enjoyed food a little too much. If your dog is happy on our ‘All Breeds’ foods, that’s great but if the bite is a little too big; we have lots of delicious options for our smaller friends.

Sometimes the bite may be a little too small for some of our larger companions, don’t worry, we have a large breed option for them too. This heart shaped kibble has extra ‘crunch’ and joint care added too!

DO YOU HAVE ANY GENERAL FEEDING TIPS FOR OUR PUPPY?

• If your puppy is a quick eater, speak with your local pet shop about clever ways to slow them down; you could consider a bowl, toys and more. It could help you and your puppy with some serious conditions, like ‘bloat’.

On the other end, if your puppy isn’t eating, try adding a little hot water to the food and letting it cool – this will cook the fats and smell delicious. You can also try removing your companion’s bowl after an hour of not eating and replacing it at the next mealtime. If you suspect that your puppy’s fussiness is more serious, please contact your vet for advice.

• Keep water bowls clean and full of fresh water at all times
• Store your food in dry and cool conditions, sealing our bag up to keep it nice and fresh
• Be consistent and try to feed your pet at the same time every day

As a last note, we would like to remind you that a healthy diet and lifestyle is really important to our companion’s quality of life, now and in preparation as an adult. Studies show that over 50% of the UK’s dog population is overweight or obese, weight gain can have huge detrimental effects on our friends.

Be responsible and choose a high-quality food for your friend and check their health and weight regularly. You can do this by popping to your local pet shop to use their scales and by checking your friend visually, and by running your hands along their sides and chest; you should be able to feel their ribs through a layer of fat. If you’re unsure you can follow a dog body score chart or speak with your vet or local pet specialist.

Lastly, we would like to wish you the very best on this new journey with your companion. Exciting times and a true friendship await you both and we look forward to fuelling every step of that adventure that’s ahead.

*The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified pet health provider with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s health*