1. Vitamins and Supplements are Key!<\/strong><\/h3>\nLet\u2019s start with the whole vitamin-mineral supplementation process. Lots of people are creating recipes that do not acknowledge a dog’s need for very specific vitamins and minerals. Likewise, if these vitamins and minerals are not given correctly, this can compromise a puppy\u2019s health. Many people who utilize these recipes end up giving their dogs unbalanced sources of vitamins and nutrients. When this happens and our puppies do not receive the correct vitamins and minerals, let me tell you what can happen. How about the lady whose new Labrador retriever ended up with 4 broken legs after 4 months of feeding from a homemade diet. Yup, she didn\u2019t realize there is a very specific ratio for calcium and phosphorus for a growing puppy.<\/p>\n
Or, how about the person who gave a heap load of rice and not enough protein. All dogs, including growing dogs, middle aged dogs, and especially senior dogs, need protein in their diets.<\/p>\n
There are several vitamin and mineral supplements on the market today. What people don\u2019t understand are these are not a complete supplement for a homemade diet. Most of the supplements will state to use in \u201caddition\u201d to your dry food or balanced diet. In other words, they do not have the correct ratio by themselves. In these cases, even though you may think you\u2019re feeding the right supplement, it\u2019s probably not enough or the correct balance.<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s get into treats. Our puppies love treats and we love buying them! However, let me caution you about 2 treats that you need to be aware of for the sake of safety.<\/p>\n
![\"Puppy](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Petworks-Pet-Care-Service-Pro-Tips-e1736622469982.png\")
2. Be Careful With Your Beef Liver Treats\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost treats also contain certain vitamins and minerals, and it is important to pick a treat that has the right balance for your dog and their diet. Our first treat to be cautious of is beef liver treats. Recently, researchers are finding harmful effects in feeding your puppy beef liver treats in combination with your dogs regular diet. Specifically, if you give your dog just four beef liver treats a day, along with the food you are feeding, your dog may be getting too much copper. Copper is a mineral our dog\u2019s need. However, if given in excess, copper can have harmful and adverse effects.<\/p>\n
![\"Puppy](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Petworks-Pet-Care-Hedgehog.png\")
3. Throw Out the Jerky Treats!<\/strong><\/h3>\nSecondly, jerky treats have had several reports to the FDA s in reference to making dogs sick. Typically, these treats are made in the USA. However, on the package in the fine print, it tells you the ingredients are from a foreign country. So, please avoid these treats. Look for treats that are a single-protein treat like heart, kidney, and lung. These are examples of high value animal nutrition<\/a><\/span> treats that your puppy will love! Don\u2019t be like the one client who gives her dog 2 hot dogs a week as training treats, and the dog is 5 pounds overweight. To justify, she told me the dog will do anything for a hot dog. I asked her if she ate hot dogs and received the response, \u201dof course not, they\u2019re not good for you\u201d! Boom, that\u2019s right: not good for you, or your dog!<\/p>\n![\"Puppy](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/petworks-logo-article-e1734545691243.png\")
<\/p>\n
Are you finding this article useful?<\/strong> <\/em>Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals<\/a><\/span> throughout the United States? Sign up here <\/a><\/span>for a free Petworks account, and we’ll email you a\u00a0 10% discount code, good towards your first pet care services booking on Petworks!<\/span><\/p>\nPuppy Nutrition Advice FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n1. What should I feed my puppy?<\/strong>
Choose a high-quality commercial puppy food that meets AAFCO growth standards. These formulas contain the right balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals for healthy development.<\/p>\n2. How often should a puppy eat?<\/strong>
Most puppies need 3\u20134 small meals per day until about six months old, then you can transition to two meals daily.<\/p>\n3. Do puppies need different food than adult dogs?<\/strong>
Yes. Puppies require more calories, protein, and nutrients to support rapid growth, so always choose a food labeled for \u201cgrowth\u201d or \u201call life stages.\u201d<\/p>\n4. Can I give my puppy human food?<\/strong>
Some plain foods\u2014like cooked chicken, pumpkin, or rice\u2014are safe in small amounts, but many human foods are toxic. Always check before offering table scraps.<\/p>\n5. How do I know if my puppy\u2019s diet is working?<\/strong>
Healthy weight gain, shiny coat, good energy, and normal stools are good signs. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, dull coat, or slow growth, consult your vet or a dog nutrition specialist.<\/p>\n6. When can I switch from puppy food to adult food?<\/strong>
Most dogs switch around 12 months, but large breeds may need puppy food for up to 18\u201324 months. Ask your vet for breed-specific guidance.<\/p>\n\u201cProper puppy nutrition is about more than choosing a premium food. It\u2019s about selecting a diet formulated for growth that has been through rigorous feeding trials. Growing dogs have very specific nutrient requirements, and meeting them consistently is essential for lifelong health.\u201d – Dr. Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), Tufts University<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, paraphrased from her published guidance on puppy and pet nutrition.<\/em><\/p>\nProper Puppy Nutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\nSo, if you have a new puppy or an old dog, here 3 things to remember: don\u2019t try and do a balanced diet for your new puppy<\/a><\/span> without a professional\u2019s expert knowledge on balancing their diet, please don\u2019t feed liver treats, especially beef, and throw out the jerky treats. Always think single-protein, high value treats for your pup. To all my new puppy owners, make sure you follow these tips and start the road out right! With these tips in your mind and your dogs health at priority, maybe the recently discovered 30 year old Guinness Book of Records World\u2019s Oldest Dog<\/a><\/span> could be YOUR dog. Now, wouldn\u2019t that be fantastic!<\/p>\n
\nAbout the Author<\/h5>\n
![\"debbie](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/debbie-brookham-150x150.png\")
<\/p>\n
2. Be Careful With Your Beef Liver Treats\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost treats also contain certain vitamins and minerals, and it is important to pick a treat that has the right balance for your dog and their diet. Our first treat to be cautious of is beef liver treats. Recently, researchers are finding harmful effects in feeding your puppy beef liver treats in combination with your dogs regular diet. Specifically, if you give your dog just four beef liver treats a day, along with the food you are feeding, your dog may be getting too much copper. Copper is a mineral our dog\u2019s need. However, if given in excess, copper can have harmful and adverse effects.<\/p>\n
3. Throw Out the Jerky Treats!<\/strong><\/h3>\nSecondly, jerky treats have had several reports to the FDA s in reference to making dogs sick. Typically, these treats are made in the USA. However, on the package in the fine print, it tells you the ingredients are from a foreign country. So, please avoid these treats. Look for treats that are a single-protein treat like heart, kidney, and lung. These are examples of high value animal nutrition<\/a><\/span> treats that your puppy will love! Don\u2019t be like the one client who gives her dog 2 hot dogs a week as training treats, and the dog is 5 pounds overweight. To justify, she told me the dog will do anything for a hot dog. I asked her if she ate hot dogs and received the response, \u201dof course not, they\u2019re not good for you\u201d! Boom, that\u2019s right: not good for you, or your dog!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Are you finding this article useful?<\/strong> <\/em>Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals<\/a><\/span> throughout the United States? Sign up here <\/a><\/span>for a free Petworks account, and we’ll email you a\u00a0 10% discount code, good towards your first pet care services booking on Petworks!<\/span><\/p>\nPuppy Nutrition Advice FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n1. What should I feed my puppy?<\/strong>
Choose a high-quality commercial puppy food that meets AAFCO growth standards. These formulas contain the right balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals for healthy development.<\/p>\n2. How often should a puppy eat?<\/strong>
Most puppies need 3\u20134 small meals per day until about six months old, then you can transition to two meals daily.<\/p>\n3. Do puppies need different food than adult dogs?<\/strong>
Yes. Puppies require more calories, protein, and nutrients to support rapid growth, so always choose a food labeled for \u201cgrowth\u201d or \u201call life stages.\u201d<\/p>\n4. Can I give my puppy human food?<\/strong>
Some plain foods\u2014like cooked chicken, pumpkin, or rice\u2014are safe in small amounts, but many human foods are toxic. Always check before offering table scraps.<\/p>\n5. How do I know if my puppy\u2019s diet is working?<\/strong>
Healthy weight gain, shiny coat, good energy, and normal stools are good signs. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, dull coat, or slow growth, consult your vet or a dog nutrition specialist.<\/p>\n6. When can I switch from puppy food to adult food?<\/strong>
Most dogs switch around 12 months, but large breeds may need puppy food for up to 18\u201324 months. Ask your vet for breed-specific guidance.<\/p>\n\u201cProper puppy nutrition is about more than choosing a premium food. It\u2019s about selecting a diet formulated for growth that has been through rigorous feeding trials. Growing dogs have very specific nutrient requirements, and meeting them consistently is essential for lifelong health.\u201d – Dr. Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), Tufts University<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, paraphrased from her published guidance on puppy and pet nutrition.<\/em><\/p>\nProper Puppy Nutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\nSo, if you have a new puppy or an old dog, here 3 things to remember: don\u2019t try and do a balanced diet for your new puppy<\/a><\/span> without a professional\u2019s expert knowledge on balancing their diet, please don\u2019t feed liver treats, especially beef, and throw out the jerky treats. Always think single-protein, high value treats for your pup. To all my new puppy owners, make sure you follow these tips and start the road out right! With these tips in your mind and your dogs health at priority, maybe the recently discovered 30 year old Guinness Book of Records World\u2019s Oldest Dog<\/a><\/span> could be YOUR dog. Now, wouldn\u2019t that be fantastic!<\/p>\n
\nAbout the Author<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Are you finding this article useful?<\/strong> <\/em>Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals<\/a><\/span> throughout the United States? Sign up here <\/a><\/span>for a free Petworks account, and we’ll email you a\u00a0 10% discount code, good towards your first pet care services booking on Petworks!<\/span><\/p>\n 1. What should I feed my puppy?<\/strong> 2. How often should a puppy eat?<\/strong> 3. Do puppies need different food than adult dogs?<\/strong> 4. Can I give my puppy human food?<\/strong> 5. How do I know if my puppy\u2019s diet is working?<\/strong> 6. When can I switch from puppy food to adult food?<\/strong> So, if you have a new puppy or an old dog, here 3 things to remember: don\u2019t try and do a balanced diet for your new puppy<\/a><\/span> without a professional\u2019s expert knowledge on balancing their diet, please don\u2019t feed liver treats, especially beef, and throw out the jerky treats. Always think single-protein, high value treats for your pup. To all my new puppy owners, make sure you follow these tips and start the road out right! With these tips in your mind and your dogs health at priority, maybe the recently discovered 30 year old Guinness Book of Records World\u2019s Oldest Dog<\/a><\/span> could be YOUR dog. Now, wouldn\u2019t that be fantastic!<\/p>\nPuppy Nutrition Advice FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Choose a high-quality commercial puppy food that meets AAFCO growth standards. These formulas contain the right balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals for healthy development.<\/p>\n
Most puppies need 3\u20134 small meals per day until about six months old, then you can transition to two meals daily.<\/p>\n
Yes. Puppies require more calories, protein, and nutrients to support rapid growth, so always choose a food labeled for \u201cgrowth\u201d or \u201call life stages.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some plain foods\u2014like cooked chicken, pumpkin, or rice\u2014are safe in small amounts, but many human foods are toxic. Always check before offering table scraps.<\/p>\n
Healthy weight gain, shiny coat, good energy, and normal stools are good signs. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, dull coat, or slow growth, consult your vet or a dog nutrition specialist.<\/p>\n
Most dogs switch around 12 months, but large breeds may need puppy food for up to 18\u201324 months. Ask your vet for breed-specific guidance.<\/p>\n\u201cProper puppy nutrition is about more than choosing a premium food. It\u2019s about selecting a diet formulated for growth that has been through rigorous feeding trials. Growing dogs have very specific nutrient requirements, and meeting them consistently is essential for lifelong health.\u201d – Dr. Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), Tufts University<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, paraphrased from her published guidance on puppy and pet nutrition.<\/em><\/p>\nProper Puppy Nutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nAbout the Author<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n