The Vet Nurse's Blog
Madeline Peel is our Vet Nurse Technical Claims Advisor. In her blog she offers advice and shares her experiences gained when dealing with all areas of veterinary practice and claims handling.
October 2009 - Puppy Feeding
Choosing a food to feed your new puppy can seem like a daunting task, especially when faced with row upon row of brands all claiming to be the best.
When you collect your puppy you will usually be informed what he has been fed with the breeders, this can sometimes be a confusing list of anything from scrambled egg to rice pudding and is not always completely balanced in the vitamins and minerals that your puppy needs.
Your best option is to choose a food that has been formulated to contain the correct nutrition and to use the feeding guide on the pack to ensure your puppy is getting enough food for his size.
Puppies grow quickly and lack of good nutrition early on can cause painful bone conditions that could potentially need treatment for the rest of your dog’s life. Large breed puppies that will weigh more then 25kg as an adult, such as Labradors and Golden retrievers are especially at risk and will require a food designed for large breeds. Most good quality brands will have a food specifically for large breed puppies.
Many veterinary surgeries have a nurse run clinic where you can discuss your puppies nutritional needs and have regular weight checks to check on his or her progress.