Puppy Nutrition

First, we must understand what ages fall into the puppy phase. The stages of puppy development are the neonatal period from birth to 2 weeks, the transitional period from 2-3 weeks, the socialization period from 3-12 weeks, the juvenile period from 12 weeks to adolescence, and adolescence to adulthood. A small breed pup can reach its adult size within 6-8 month, where a large breed may take 2-3 years. This all varies greatly on the dog breed and size of your dog. A good tip though is taking into account their sexual maturity and ability to reproduce. 

Generally speaking, a small breed will have a shorter growth phase, reaching their adult size by 6 to 8 months and weight by 12 months. Medium sized breed dogs will reach their adult size by 12 to 15 months and their adult weight by 18 months. A large breed will reach their adult size by 15 to 18 months but will reach their adult weight by the age of 2. lastly, there is the giant breed dog which can take 18 months to reach their adult size, and up to 2 to 3 years to reach their adult weight and body mass.

 During the puppy phase, they will begin by only drinking their mother's milk or a substitute if their mother is not able to do so. In the milk or substitute they will receive all the vital nutrients that are needed. The milk is full of rich nutrients and antibodies that help protect the puppies from illness while their immune systems are still developing. They will then begin to transition from their milk to solid foods at approximately 3 to 4 weeks and should be solely on solid foods by 7 to 8 weeks. 

Protein Requirements 

Protein requirements are much more significant for puppies than that of an adult dog. Their best sources of protein can be found in grass-fed organically raised animals for it is more nutrient-dense, and lower in omega-6 fatty acids. You would want to find lean meats that fall in the 87-95% range to feed your puppy.

Calcium and Phosphorous Requirements

Calcium and phosphorous are both an essential nutrient for puppies. It has been shown that raw meaty bones are the best source of vitamins and minerals for puppies. A puppy's bone requirements are higher than that of an adult dog, at around 17%.  It is important to ensure that puppies receive the correct calcium to phosphorous ratio for proper absorption. Other solutions can be found in eggshells although it is not to replace a raw meaty bone in your dog's diet or seaweed calcium, but this can sometimes irritate your dog's stomach and may not tolerate it. It is important to find something that works for you and your puppy, and we are here to help you find solutions along the way.

Puppies have a different dietary need than an adult dog due to their significant biological differences. Commercial puppy food must contain at least 8% fat, while adult dog food must contain 5% fat, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines. It can also be noted that in the ancestral diet the fat content in the food given to your dog will be higher throughout their lifetime. It has been found that fats contain more calories per pound than proteins or carbohydrates. This will provide a more sustainable energy source and will optimize the growth in your puppy. They also require commercial puppy food to contain 1% calcium, while adult foods only require 0.6% calcium and 0.8% phosphorous while the adult dog is only required 0.5% phosphorous. 

The increased mineral requirements are met for raw-fed puppies by adding additional organ meat. Puppies should be provided 7% liver and 7% other secreting organs, compared to 5% liver and 5% other secreting organs required for an adult dog. The percentage of bone is also increased for raw-fed puppies, with a bone content of 17% compared to the adult dog that requires 10-15% depending on the firmness of the stool.