Puppies grow at an incredible rate, with many breeds reaching their full adult size in as little as a year. During this period of rapid growth, puppies need around two and a half times more calories per unit of their body-weight than adults dogs. As such, it's vital your puppy is weaned onto suitable food capable of meeting their demanding nutritional requirements to ensure their optimum health and growth potential is reached.


From the time they begin weaning until around 20 weeks of age, puppies stomachs are too small to hold much food in one sitting. Therefore, only feed them small but frequent meals, four times a day with puppy formula milk given at night. Between the ages of 20-30 weeks cut down to three meals a day, then from 30 weeks to nine months, two meals should be sufficient though this will depend on their breed. Then from nine months of age decrease to one or two meals a day which they can stick to for life.

When choosing which foods to wean your puppy, commercially prepared pet foods are probably the easiest option. There are several which are manufactured to cater for puppies specific needs. However, check the label to make sure it's ‘complete and balanced’ and always choose a good brand. Generally the more expensive varieties will have better quality ingredients. Check the label first and try to buy products with the fewest ingredients and without any artificial additives or preservatives if possible.

If you choose to feed your puppy home prepared meals, it can be difficult getting the right balance to ensure your puppy is receiving adequate nutrition. If you do decide to wean your puppy onto a homemade diet, it's important to include a wide variety of foods such as cooked meat, fish, eggs, rice, pasta and vegetables. Check with your breeder or vet for the quantities needed to ensure they're not missing out on vital nutrition.

Puppy foods sold in the stores are available in wet (canned), semi-moist and dry forms. If you’re weaning your puppy onto dry food (kibble) straight from their mother’s milk, add a little warm water to the mix first. This turns it into a sort of dry mush with a tasty gravy, making it easier for them to make the adjustment from milk to solid food. And always ensure your puppy has ready access to a fresh supply of water.

It’s extremely important to stick to the right quantities of food and don't be tempted to feed them extras from your own plate. Labels usually have a general guideline as to how much you should feed your puppy with regards to their age and weight.

Puppy treats are fine so long as you include them as part of their daily food allowance. The most suitable treats include raw, meaty bones which your local butcher should be able to supply. Alternatively you could give them cooked bones available from pet stores. These are particularly good for keeping their teeth and gums in optimum condition.

Unfortunately, obesity in canines is now as much of a problem as it is with humans. As such it's best to refrain from giving them the sort of sweet treats often found among the pet food shelves. Many of them contain artificial ingredients or lactose which puppies find hard to digest and can give them an upset stomach.

Likewise, most foods deemed unhealthy for humans are even more unsuitable for your puppy. Therefore, don't be tempted to feed them anything resembling pastry, pizza, cakes or chips. They're all high in either fat, salt or sugar and if they don't make your puppy ill, they may well make him fat.

Foods you should never give your puppy or adult dog include chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, coffee or alcohol. All these foods can't be properly metabolized by your puppy and are likely to make them severely ill.

Whatever food you choose for weaning your puppy, try to stick to it. Any significant changes to a puppy's or dog's diet can easily upset their digestive system leading to vomiting or diarrhea. By adhering to the recommended number of meals and choosing a good quality brand of puppy food or by providing suitable homemade meals, their shining eyes, glossy coat and bounding, happy demeanor should reassure you that their weaning is a success.