A pup needs balanced feed for proper growth and health. It should contain proper balance of proteins carbohydrates, mineral and vitamins which are different from human diet.

Choice of food: Pups less than 25 days should be strictly fed on mother’s milk as it is nature’s most balanced formulation .It contains antibodies which protect pups from different infections.

 As puppies grows older than one month weaning formulations should be incorporated in pup’s diet .Weaning formulations are two types a)Powdered formulations( usually cereal and milk based) b)dry pellets. Powdered formulations should be mixed with water as labeled. Pellet food should be soaked in water for at least one hour before feeding as it absorbs water in stomach after being fed. For the same reason water should always be provided to the pups whole day whether they consume it or not especially when they are on dry food.Feed should not be soaked in very hot water or boiled in water to make it soft as it will destroy many vitamins. Some pet owners prefer to make paste of pet food in grinder using milk or water.

 Homemade food should be avoided as it is generally imbalanced and pups loose opportunity to register fastest growth during that period .Many common ingredients of homemade food are allergic to many pups of that age like wheat and milk(in later years intolerance may reduce). Homemade foods would be always deficient in vitamins and minerals unless taken care of with proper supplements.

Timing of feeding: Pups should be generally fed 4-5 times a day up to 2-3 months of age. From 3 months onward feeding can be done3 times a day. From 6 months onward feeding can be done 2 times a day. As pups grow some milk, fruits (properly peeled off small pieces), bread or chapatti, boiled eggs etc. can be incorporated in the feed slowly. As the amount of home ingredients increase in food supplementation of food with feed supplements becomes necessary to make feed balanced. Totally stopping commercial diet at a later age is a question of personal preference provided diet fed is balanced. Pups fed on diet deficient in micro nutrients have compromised growth, immune system and can develop diseases like Rickets (Pup with bent bones and thick joints).

Quantity of food depends on breed, age and weight of the pup. What is right amount of feed to be given to a pup can be personally discussed with a vet or read from label of feed .Still most important judging for amount of feed can be done by commonsense as for fast growing puppies right amount of food is a little less than which causes stools to become little  loose.

On demand feeding: I personally feel that this is best method of for feeding pups. The method is to feed sufficient amount of food and let puppy play and sleep and give puppy next feed only when he is visibly hungry or asks for it! It has following advantages

1)    1)  Animal will get feed only when it is required. It will be better relished

2)    2) A common complaint that my pup is very choosy or fussy about his feed can be avoided. Probably this problem is due to untimely and without demand supply of food.