An Owner’s Manual for:

P U P P Y F OO D
& NUTRITION
by the
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
 ABOUT THIS SERIES
At the AKC, we know better than anyone that
your dog can’t be treated like a car or an appli-
ance, but we’ve named this series “An Owner’s
Manual” because sometimes you probably wish
your lovable companions came with one.

These concise guides give you the tools, tips, and

direction to be a responsible and confident dog
owner who brings out the best in your dog. Give
them a test drive!

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WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Before we get to the particulars of puppy nutrition, let’s
first consider the most common pitfall of canine feeding.
In theory, keeping your growing dog properly nourished
is simple: Serve sensibly sized portions of high-quality
chow, avoid feeding “people food,” and keep snacks to a
minimum.

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This is no accident. During his long partnership with man, the
dog has perfected cunning methods of exploiting the human
neurosis that associates food with affection. In prehistoric
times semi-domesticated canines first cultivated human beings
as a food provider. As the two species grew closer, dogs modi-
fied begging behaviors to maximize results: The more pathetic
a dog seemed, the more scraps were tossed his way. Dogs have
since refined this approach into a low-risk, high-reward hunt-
ing technique.

It’s a deceptive way to hunt, but don’t be fooled: Begging is not

an emotional crisis or a test of your love. It’s what scientists
might call an evolutionary survival strategy, or what the rest
of us might call a scam. Allowing your dog to “guilt” you into
overfeeding him, or serving him a steady diet of table scraps in
a misguided show of affection, can have harmful or even fatal
results.

So don’t take it personally when the little con artist under the
table goes into the old whimper-wheedle-and-whine routine.
Simply ignore it, and find healthier ways of bonding with your
pet.

Otherwise, you risk loving your puppy to death.

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THE FEEDING FOUNDATION: YOUR PUPPY’S FIRST YEAR
6–12 weeks
Growing pups should be fed puppy food, a diet specially
formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal develop-
ment. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important
nutrients. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nu-
tritional demands. Large breeds should be fed unmoistened dry
food by 9 or 10 weeks; small dogs by 12 or 13 weeks.

3–6 months
Sometime during this period, decrease feedings from four to
three a day. A pup should be losing her potbelly and pudginess
by 12 weeks. If she is still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed
puppy-size portions until body type matures.

6–12 months
Begin feeding twice daily. Spaying or neutering lowers energy
requirements slightly; after the procedure, switch from nutri-
ent-rich puppy food to adult maintenance food. Small breeds
can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13,
even 14 months. Err on the side of caution: Better to be on pup-
py food a little too long than not long enough.

After age 1, most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a Like human babies, puppies start out needing many small meals a day, of a food
day. formulated for their special nutritional requirements. Golden Retriever/Isabelle Francais for AKC

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BIG PUPPY, LITTLE PUPPY
There are general rules for feeding any puppy, but there are Adult dogs who weigh less than 20 pounds are considered
differences between small- and large-breed dogs. Each has small-breed dogs. Puppies of these breeds grow quickly and
special nutritional needs. may reach adulthood at 9 months.

The range of sizes among dog breeds is greater than in any Some dog food companies make a mini-size kibble for small-
other animal. For example, a 150-pound Newfoundland is 50 breed puppies because their mouths are so little. And because
times the size of a 3-pound Pomeranian. their tiny stomachs don’t hold much, small-breed puppies
require high-calorie foods to provide them sufficient nutrition.
To put it in perspective, picture a 150-pound human being and
then imagine a fully-grown person who weighs only 3 pounds! Also, small dogs need more calories to maintain body heat:
They produce less heat and radiate more of it from their skin
Large-breed puppies will weigh than do large dogs.
more than 50 pounds when full-
grown. It takes these big guys But small-breed dogs tend to be more
about 18 to 24 months to reach pampered and less active than larger
their adult size. If they grow too breeds, so owners who feed a high-cal-
quickly, they can develop prob- orie food formulated for small breeds
lems with their joints and bones. should be careful not to overfeed.
Reduced-calorie foods with less A number of companies have worked
calcium help support the proper with canine-nutrition scientists to devel-
rate of growth in large-breed op special formulas for both large- and
puppies. small-breed puppies.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
n If your puppy occasionally skips a meal or picks at food, n When medically necessary, you can purchase canned or
don’t worry. It could mean she is ready to eliminate a feeding dry prescription diets from veterinarians to feed dogs with
or that you have given her too much, in which case simply kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious
reduce the quantity served. conditions. These foods should never be fed without a pre-
scription.
n Most, but not all, dogs finish meals quickly. To discourage
picky habits, feed at regular times in regular amounts n Some vitamin or mineral supplements, when utilized incor-
and don’t leave food down for more than 10 to rectly (such as extra calcium given to a large-breed dog on a
20 minutes. good diet), will do more harm than good.

n Feeding your pup the moment you get home may encourage n Before making a major change in your dog’s diet, consult
separation anxiety. Play or grooming is a more positive way with your veterinarian and, when possible, the breeder. Once
to say hello. the formula is chosen, stick with it. Sudden changes in food
may cause digestion problems.
n If you are working with
your pup in treat-based n Small portions of carrot or apple chunks are healthful
training, adjust the low-calorie snacks most dogs love.
amount you feed at
mealtime accordingly. n Fresh water should be available at all times. During the sum-
Whenever training with mer months, consider setting up multiple indoor/outdoor
treats, keep the treat as water stations. To avoid a buildup of bacteria, wash the water
small as possible. bowl daily.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi/Isabelle Francais for AKC

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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

CHART YOUR PUPPY’S CONDITION

A young dog carrying too much weight has an increased risk of
orthopedic problems, due to stress on immature joints.

n Obesity can also lead to diabetes, diseases of the heart and

other organs, and general lethargy.

n There are growth-and-weight charts available in print and

online. Weigh the puppy weekly and record his progress,
comparing him to breed-appropriate weight charts. Adjust
his food intake to achieve an average rate of growth.

n Weighing a dog, even a squirming puppy, is easy. Just weigh

yourself, then weigh yourself holding the puppy. Subtract the
difference—that’s the puppy’s weight.

n Don’t worry about an ounce or two either way; no two dogs,

even within breeds, are built exactly alike.

Parson Russell Terrier/Isabelle Francais for AKC

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 HOLD THE FRIES
One little French fry will invariably lead to
another, and another. Before long, an obese
dog will be crowding you off the love seat.

Also, a steady diet of table scraps can create

a nutritional imbalance, and certain ingre-
dients and spices in your favorite dishes
can cause upset stomach in dogs.

And remember: There is room for only one

alpha dog in your house, and that’s you.
Allowing a dog to beg at the table under-
mines your status as pack leader, resulting
in training and behavior problems.

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GIVE HIM THE GOOD STUFF
Premium food has higher nutritional density, so you can feed
your dog less to achieve the same results. Also, premium foods
have stable ingredient profiles; the composition of bargain
brands can vary from batch to batch.

The major dog-food companies invest heavily in product

development and research, constantly upgrading formulas to
keep up with their competitors. This means that feeding pre-
mium food puts you on the cutting edge of canine nutrition.

Parson Russell Terriers/Isabelle Francais for AKC

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FIND THE CORRECT PORTION SIZE
Body condition, not the amount eaten or left in the
bowl, should determine portion sizes. (There’s a
saying in canine feeding: Watch the dog, not the dish.)
Portion sizes to achieve peak body condition depend
on individual metabolism and body type. Nutritional
requirements vary from dog to dog.

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MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS
WITH THE PROGRAM
Your entire household must be committed to
your dog’s feeding regimen. If there’s a soft
touch for a handout in your family, your dog
will find it and exploit it, thus undoing the
good you are trying to do. Keeping a dog trim
takes a conscious effort from everyone on
your team.

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 GIVE A DOG A BONE? CAREFUL!
As for bones, our best advice is caution.
Poultry and pork bones, or cooked bones of any
kind, are strictly forbidden. They splinter into
shards that can cause choking and serious dam-
age to the dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines.

Any bone, in fact, once chewed into small

pieces, can block the intestines and lead to a
nasty bout of constipation, can cause lacerations
of the mouth and internal organs, or can lodge
in the throat with fatal results. It is important
to note that bones have little if any nutritional
value.

There are other ways to satisfy a dog’s craving

to chew. Commercially available chew
toys and simulated bones are made for
dogs of all sizes.

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DRY FOOD, WET FOOD, OR BOTH?
Manufactured dog food is widely available in three types: n Kibble is the most economical, and the major makers
canned, semi-moist, and dry (kibble). offer a complete and balanced diet for dogs of all sizes
and ages.
n Canned food is the most expensive to feed, and dogs often
find it most palatable. Be careful of “all-meat” claims. Your n There is an oral-hygiene advantage in hard kibble:
dog should have a complete, balanced diet to fulfill nutrition- The friction produced helps to keep gums and teeth healthy.
al requirements. Meat alone won’t do it.
n Kibble can be moistened, either with water, broth, or canned
n Semi-moist food is available in one-serving packets. It is usu- food. Although unnecessary, such supplementation may
ally manufactured to look like hamburger. make food tastier.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There is a small library’s worth of books on the topic of
canine food and nutrition — everything from raw-food diets
and homemade recipes to feeding the senior dog and studies
that require a research scientist to understand. This guide
is meant to give you general information and tips to add to
your personal database of dog knowledge. If you have any
questions or concerns about your dog’s food, feeding regi-
men, or nutritional health, you should always consult your
veterinarian.

As the preeminent food writer M.F.K. Fisher wrote,

“First we eat. Then we do everything else.”

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THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

WHO AND WHAT WE ARE:

The AKC is a not-for-profit organization and the largest
purebred dog registry in the world. We are the
sports-governing body for over 22,000 dog events a year,
including conformation (dog shows) and exciting sports like
agility, obedience, rally, tracking, lure coursing, earthdog,
herding trials, among others.
 THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

But the AKC is so much more! Here are just some of the ways we support and enrich the lives of dogs—purebreds and
mixed-breeds alike—and their families. We:

n Created the AKC Humane Fund, which supports breed donated over $24 million to the CHF. (The AKC is the only
rescue activities, assists shelters that permit domestic-abuse registry that incorporates health-screening results into its per-
victims to bring their pets, and educates dog lovers about re- manent dog records.)
sponsible dog ownership.
n Conduct thousands of kennel inspections annually to mon-
n Offer the Canine Good Citizen® program: A 10-step test itor care and conditions at kennels across the country and
that certifies dogs who have good manners at home and in ensure the integrity of the AKC registry.
their community. Over 725,000 dogs across the United States
have become Canine Good Citizens , and 42 states have passed n Offer the largest, most comprehensive set of DNA programs
resolutions recognizing the program’s merit and importance. for parentage verification and genetic identity to ensure reli-
able registration records.
n Founded AKC Reunite, which has brought more than 400,000
lost pets back together with their owners. n Support one of the world’s largest collections of dog-related
fine art and artifacts at the AKC Museum of the Dog, and we
n Created the AKC Canine Health Foundation, which funds have the world’s largest dog library at AKC headquarters in
research projects and clinical studies. Since 1995 the AKC has New York, both of which are open to the public.
 THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

THANK YOU FOR READING!

We hope this information was valuable to you in helping your puppy live a long, healthy, happy life. Below, find additional
books in our Owner’s Manual series designed to strengthen the bond between you and your furry family member.

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