Dogs go through four different stages from birth to adulthood: neonatal period, transitional period, socialization period and juvenile period. Dogs grow 12 times faster than the average human baby, and their bodies undergo dramatic changes during their growth stages. They will grow from furballs that meow like kittens, gradually stand up, learn to run, and grow into energetic little "wreckers" who run around the house.

Dog babies grow fast, which means they need to consume more energy every day. The nutrition of puppies before they are 1 year old will greatly affect the dog's lifespan and health. Therefore, when taking care of the puppy's diet, you must ensure that they receive comprehensive and balanced nutrition.

Dog Feeding Calendar

Before dogs are weaned, their nutrition comes from breast milk. Breast milk contains all the nutrients needed for the growth and development of puppies. It is very important for the development of the puppy's immune system, hair and teeth.

After 4 weeks of birth, you can try to give your dog food, but it is still recommended to give it mainly breast milk and dog milk powder. At about 8 weeks of age, the dog can be completely weaned and start eating solid food.

Puppy nutrition instructions

After a dog is born for 8 weeks, that is, between the 2nd and 3rd months, it is a critical stage for the development of the dog’s teeth and bones. In order for dogs to thrive, it is important to ensure that they receive comprehensive and adequate nutrition during this period.

The nutrients needed by puppies are roughly the same as those of kittens, but the requirements and proportions are very different.

Then below, we will introduce the nutritional needs of puppies~

Calcium and Phosphorus Ca & P: When it comes to bone health, the first nutrient that everyone thinks of is calcium. Phosphorus is a perfect partner of calcium. They can increase the toughness of your dog's bones and protect the health of bones and joints.

It should be noted that the intake of calcium and phosphorus must not only be sufficient, but also pay attention to the balanced proportion. Too much or too little calcium can cause bone growth deformities and pain; especially puppies of large and giant breed dogs are prone to excessive calcium intake that affects their growth.

Vitamin D: The importance of calcium and phosphorus to dog bone development was mentioned above, and vitamin D can regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Isn’t it more important? It can promote the absorption of calcium by bones and reduce calcium and phosphorus. Lost in urination, promotes healthy bone formation.

Of course, when it comes to the intake of any nutrients, we must not forget the "appropriate amount". Vitamin D deficiency may cause cartilageDisease, weight loss, osteomalacia (joint muscle pain, fractures); excessive intake may cause bone abnormalities and soft tissue calcification.

Fat: Fat is not only the most important source of energy for dogs, but also the carrier of fat-soluble vitamins. The absorption of many important nutrients is inseparable from the "help" of fat. For example, vitamin D mentioned above needs to be absorbed by the body together with fat. Therefore, it is important for dogs to consume the right amount of fat.

Magnesium Mg: Magnesium, like calcium and phosphorus, is also an important component of bones and teeth. A lack of magnesium may lead to neurological problems such as joint hyperextension, paralysis, high blood pressure, and decreased appetite; excessive intake of magnesium may be toxic and lead to abnormal bone development.

In order to satisfy the lively and active nature of puppies and let them grow into energetic athletes who love running and jumping, you must pay attention to the nutritional mix in their diet.

Nutritional matching must not only be comprehensive, but also ensure that the nutritional ratio is appropriate. It is difficult to strictly control the nutritional ratio of ordinary home-made food, and it may affect the health of your dog if you are not careful. Therefore, it is better to use professional dog food that contains scientific nutritional ratios to help dogs have strong bones~