Puppies under six weeks of age need four meals a day. Most people don't get their puppies until they're at least seven to 10 weeks old. By seven to 10 weeks, three meals a day is appropriate. They should be fed three meals a day until they're six months old. At six months, you can drop to two feedings a day. Two meals a day are appropriate after six months of age for the rest of their lives.

Until then, feed three meals a day because their stomachs, colons, and intestinal tracts are small. The rule of thumb is that for every stool a puppy has in a day, you should feed one meal. So if they're having four stools a day, you should feed four meals a day.

Feed the Amount on the Bag

If you're feeding dry kibble, which is absolutely appropriate, the bag provides a good guide based on the puppy's weight or the expected future weight.

I prefer puppy food over all-life-stage foods. I like to feed puppies food specifically formulated for puppies. There are large-breed puppy foods, medium-breed puppy foods, and small-breed puppy foods. These aren't just about kibble size; they also affect the calcium and phosphorus balance, caloric intake, and fat and protein content.

Treats

There's something truly magical about the bond formed when you hold a piece of food, and it disappears down the gullet of another creature, leaving them happy. Whether you're a Jewish grandmother or a puppy owner, there's something special about the act of feeding that strengthens relationships. I'm in no way going to interfere with that relationship because I believe it is absolutely critical for building strong connections.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

05 — Puppy Paws & Pro Tips: Training, Nutrition & Potty Made Easy