What to feed a 3 month old puppy?

A 3-month-old puppy is at a crucial moment in its development. His growth is at a maximum level, that is, he is at the stage of his life in which he will grow faster. To do it correctly he needs to cover his nutritional needs, which are based on two basic pillars:

• proteins. The first step to properly feed a 3-month-old puppy is to provide it with quality protein. from meat or fish, since the dog is basically carnivorous, although domestication has led it to manifest omnivorous behaviors. The percentage of protein in puppy food has to be higher than in adult dog food. This is because proteins are the basic “pieces” for the growth of the organism.
• Energy. Also, puppies require a higher caloric intake than adults. In other words, they need more energy. Minerals, vitamins and other nutrients, such as pro and prebiotics, omega 3 and 6 or chondroprotectors, must be given in their proper measure to contribute to development without problems due to deficiencies or excesses. Likewise, it is recommended to include components that help cognitive development and the maturation of the immune and digestive systems. In the latter case, highly digestible foods are required.

Of course, the recommendation is to opt for natural ingredients and avoid preservatives and artificial colors. All these requirements are concentrated in foods specifically formulated for puppies, which are the only ones that will meet these needs, ensuring the development and well-being of the growing dog. You can read the nutritional information on the label of each product. Thus, regardless of the option chosen, we must always look for foods that specify that they are suitable for puppies.

For example, if we are talking about dry, feed or balanced food, the best feed for dog puppies must meet characteristics such as those found in NF Natcane Puppy Gourmet. In addition to those that we have mentioned, this feed includes hydrolyzed proteins, that is, broken ones, in a way that significantly reduces the risk of intolerance and improves the absorption of nutrients. On the other hand, it has the plus that the raw materials are of a very high quality at source, which guarantees their final quality. The puppy can consume this food until the end of its development, at which time it must be transferred to a variety for adult dogs.

Besides of I think specifically for puppies, which is perhaps the most widespread feeding option due to its price and ease of administration and storage, there are different types of food that may be suitable for 3-month-old puppies. Always make sure that it is indicated that they are for puppies. They are the following:

• Wet or canned food: in this case, the food is presented as pâté or meatballs, with a large amount of liquid. You have to pay attention because some are formulated to complement other foods and, if we give them alone, the puppy will not be well fed. They are more expensive than feed and spoil quickly, so they are usually used occasionally or as a reward.
• dehydrated food: in this option the food is marketed dehydrated, so we would have to add water before serving it to reconstitute it. It is not yet a very widespread alternative.
• Semi-moist or semi-dry feed: It is like dry feed, but with a higher water content, so it has a softer texture and is easier to split.
• BARF diet: consists of the administration of raw food. The menu must be established by a canine nutrition professional so that there are no deficiencies. It is a controversial option at present because it can promote the transmission of diseases and parasites.
• Homemade food: It is another of the valid alternatives, as long as the menu is prepared by an expert in canine nutrition. It is useless for us to limit ourselves to giving him our leftovers or for us to cook what we like. The ingredients must be the right ones and offered in the right amounts. In recent years, some companies have begun to market this type of menu.

If we have chosen feed as an option to feed our puppy, it is important that we are aware of replenishing stocks. We have already seen that there are alternatives to dry food that we could give our puppies, such as cans or homemade food, but sudden changes in diet are normal for digestive problems such as diarrhea, which can be worrisome in puppies. since they dehydrate easily when they begin to lose more fluids than they can replace.

For emergency situations, if it’s going to be hours before we can offer him his food and we don’t have another alternative for puppies at home, we can prepare a dish of cooked meat or fish (chicken, turkey, hake, rabbit, etc.), without adding salt or sauces or condiments, and mix it with rice, better brown, and a tablespoon of olive oil. But this is a one-time option, as soon as possible we must return to the usual diet.

There is no fixed number of grams What a puppy should eat a day. In other words, the amount of food for a 3-month-old puppy will depend on the food we have chosen, as well as the characteristics of the dog itself, that is, its weight, physical activity, etc. Manufacturers offer indicative tables in their products that we must consult. Initially, we will give the marked amount, but we will assess the body condition of the puppy, for which we can weigh it every 7-15 days. If he loses weight, we will increase the ration, decreasing it otherwise, until we find the exact amount in which he maintains an optimal weight.

If we opt for homemade food, it will be the nutritionist who will prescribe the amounts. Keep in mind that if we offer edible treats, these should never exceed 10% of the recommended daily calories. They must be subtracted from the daily ration.

At 3 months it is more recommended that the puppy eat several times a day. On average, we can be talking about some 3-4 daily intakes. This means that we must calculate your daily ration and distribute it in the shots that we do. It is convenient that these are given at the same hours to create a routine. The rest of the day, you should always have fresh, clean water at your disposal.

Now that you know what you can feed a 3-month-old puppy and how, don’t forget other important aspects for its development, such as the following:

If you want to read more articles similar to What to feed a 3 month old puppy?we recommend that you enter our section on balanced diets.