Here you can find out what makes a balanced diet for dogs and how to switch your dog onto a new food. Learn how dogs' dietary needs change over time and how to deal with a fussy eater.
What’s different about puppy food?
Meeting your puppy’s special nutritional requirements
At 6–8 weeks, puppies will be fully weaned and eating 4–5 meals a day. For your puppy’s first few meals, make sure you give them what they’re used to. A sudden change in diet could lead to an upset tummy, so if you change your puppy’s food, do it gradually over several days.
(If the stress of your puppy’s adoption does lead to an upset tummy, just give them water to drink for a couple of mealtimes, followed by a few meals of plain boiled rice until they’re ready for proper puppy food again. If vomiting or diarrhoea continues, take them to the vet.)
Because your puppy is very active, and growing, they need more than twice the calories found in adult dog food -- all packed into puppy-sized meals. The food also has to provide all the right nutrients in just the right quantities for their growing bones, joints and muscles. And your puppy’s smaller mouth may not be able to handle chunks or kibbles (biscuits) designed for fully-grown dogs.
40 years of research have gone into ensuring that Pedigree puppy food has just the right nutritional balance for a growing puppy, with the ideal ratio of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. It’s also easier for their young tummy to digest than home-prepared food.
With Pedigree, your puppy has a choice of wet food (in cans or pouches) or dry food. It’s also common to combine them. With dry food, soak it in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes at first before feeding. And whatever your puppy eats, make sure that fresh water is available all the time.
If your puppy doesn’t wolf down their food straight away, don't lure them with treats or offer them their food from your hand. This will only reinforce fussy habits. If they haven’t finished their food after 30 minutes, remove it and give them fresh food at the next mealtime. Your puppy will quickly learn to eat the food you put down.
You can also give your dog a limited amount of training treats between meals, like Pedigree Puppy Markies. But only give them food supplements like in case of illness or according to your vet's advice.
See our selection of Pedigree puppy foods
