When you first bring a puppy home there are a few things to remember in regards to their nutritional needs. Following are some general guidelines to feeding your puppy healthy, nutritious meals:

A puppy is usually weaned from his mother at 6-8 weeks. This is an especially vulnerable time for puppies as they have yet to develop their own immune system. They also undergo a number of stressful changes such as; removal from the mother Vaccination programs, diet changes, and exposure to new bacterial challenges.

It may prove beneficial not to change the diet during this 6-12 week period. Find a puppy food that is not necessarily the most expensive on the market but also not the cheapest. Talk to your vet or local pet store for advice on what puppy food is best for your puppy. Adding vegetables to the diet can only benefit the puppies as they are natural anti-oxidants and boost the immune system.

Up to 6 months of age the general feeding guide is the same for nearly all puppies. The next period of growth needs to be carefully controlled to provide a healthy future. Smaller breeds develop to adult weight more rapidly than larger breeds, and their energy requirements will reduce at an earlier age. At this stage the puppies rib cage should still be visible, but with a slightly thicker layer of fat. Their overall condition should be closely monitored as this is also the time when the puppies are most efficient at converting energy to fat.

An overweight puppy leads to an overweight adult (see our article on Obesity in Dogs). Between 3 and 7 months of age a puppy will develop its adult teeth. At this time the puppy's eating habits may change due to the sensitivity of its gums. This causes the puppy to take longer at feeding time. To increase acceptance during this time you can moisten the food with a little tepid water to soften it. Hot water should never be used as it can destroy the heat sensitive vitamins. The changeover to adult food should be made gradually over 5 days so that the puppy's digestion is not upset.

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Small Dog Carriers

You’ve seen all the latest celebrities carrying the latest ‘hot’ accessory. A small dog carrier is all the rage because it’s so convenient to tote your favorite pet around with you. Small dog Carriers come in many styles and colors so for the fashion forward pet owner it’s the perfect way to accent an outfit or even match the interior of your car!

Cat Trees

A cat tree will keep your cat busy for hours. Cats love to climb and scratch and cat trees allow them to do both. They come in many different sizes and arrangements.

Dog Bowls

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Kitten Crates

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Kitten Healthcare Products

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Kitten Food

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