March 3, 2025
Puppy Nutrition Basics: The First 12 Months
Puppy nutrition is fundamentally different from adult dog nutrition — puppies are not simply small adults. Growth phases demand specific nutrient ratios, and getting them wrong has consequences that can persist throughout the dog's life.
Energy Density
Puppies require approximately twice the calorie density per kilogram of body weight compared to adult dogs. They have small stomachs but high energy demands, which means food must be calorie-dense and highly digestible.
Protein and Calcium
Protein requirements are high — 22–32% of dry matter for most breeds. Critically, calcium and phosphorus must be carefully balanced: too much calcium in large breed puppies accelerates bone growth unevenly and is associated with developmental orthopaedic disease. Large breed puppy foods are specifically formulated to address this.
Feeding Frequency
- 8–12 weeks: 4 meals per day
- 3–6 months: 3 meals per day
- 6–12 months: 2 meals per day
- 12+ months: transition to adult feeding schedule
Breed-Specific Notes
Puppies of breeds with known dietary sensitivities — such as the Veldtspitz — should have their fruit restrictions established from the very first week. The fructo-amylase deficiency is present from birth and does not resolve with age.
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