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Puppy Basics: Feeding Tips for the First 6 Months
Puppy Basics: Feeding Tips for the First 6 Months-mob

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Puppy Basics: Feeding Tips for the First 6 Months

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The timeline for feeding your new puppy changes rapidly over the first six months. Learn what and how you should feed your puppy based on the key development milestones she will experience.

 

Why Is It Important to Know Milestones for Puppy Development?

Due to breed differences and animal individuality, it is impossible to predict exact dates for a puppy’s growth and development milestones. However, by using the following milestones as a guide for healthy growth, developmental problems can be spotted — and possibly prevented — early on. By knowing these milestones, you’ll also know when your puppy is ready to begin weaning.

 

Puppy Developmental Milestones

Age Milestone
7-10 days old Puppies double their birth weight.
Puppies begin to urinate and defecate on their own.
10-18 days old Puppies attempt to stand.  
Puppies’ eyes begin to open.
Puppies’ ears begin to open.
18-21 days old Puppies hear and respond to noises.
Puppies begin to walk.
3 weeks old Begin weaning process for orphaned puppies.
Puppies begin responsive vocalization.
Deciduous (baby) teeth will begin erupting.
4 weeks old Begin weaning process for mother-fed puppies.
3–6 months old Puppies’ adult teeth erupt.

 

How to Wean Puppies with IAMS™

When your puppy is ready to begin weaning (at around 4 weeks for mother-fed puppies and 3 weeks for orphaned puppies), use this step-by-step process:
 

  1. Introduce a small amount of water in a shallow dish. Most puppies will play in the water; however, within four or five days, your puppy will begin to develop drinking skills. Some animals might require longer periods for training, so don’t be discouraged if your puppy resists bowl training.
  2. Begin mixing an IAMS ProActive Health™ Smart Puppy Original food with water. Be sure to provide a separate dish for fresh water.
  3. Gradually increase the amount of soft food while decreasing the amount of water in the mixture until your puppy is eating soft food only.
  4. Repeat the process, mixing the appropriate dry IAMS puppy food with the soft food, and then increase the solid food while decreasing the soft food until the transition is complete.
     

The entire process should take approximately three weeks.

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article feeding tips for the first 6 months header
  • The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?
    The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?-mob
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    The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?

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    So as a pet parent, how do you make sure your Lab is eating well-rounded meals? One way to do that is to find dog food that is tailored to suit the Labrador diet. The best dog food for Labrador Retrievers will always contain the following elements…

    Animal-based protein

    Labrador food should always include lean and quality proteins from sources like poultry to help strengthen and maintain their muscles.

     

    Vegetables and grains

    Ingredients like beet pulp, corn, wheat, barley and maize are not only packed with nutrients but they also aid digestion. Labrador food that contains digestible ingredients helps when it comes to supporting a healthy gut.

     

    Healthy fats

    Moderate and controlled amounts of fat in addition to Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids are necessary to support a healthy coat as well as healthy skin. These ingredients are important for Labradors to ensure they do not suffer from issues like flaky and itchy skin.

     

    Supplements that support weight management

    Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to obesity. Therefore, an important supplement to look for in Labrador food is L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine is known to help with metabolism and also supports healthy weight management.

     

    Supplements that support healthy joints

    Labradors are fun, playful and active dogs. To facilitate these characteristics, the labrador diet must consist of supplements like Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate that support healthy joints.

    If you’re looking for dog food that is specific to the Labrador diet, IAMS™ Labrador Retriever dog food will not let you down. It is a premium-tailored recipe that contains all the ingredients that support the unique nutritional requirements of a Labrador Retriever. By switching to this dog food, you are ensuring your Lab is at its healthiest and best, always!