Nutritional Requirements of Puppies

Nursing puppies receive all of their nutritional needs from their mother, but they should be eating puppy food by 2 months of age. Food should be of high quality, packed with the nutrients their little bodies need to supply their seemingly boundless energy. Puppies require more calories than older dogs and need to be watched closely to ensure that their diet allows them to thrive as they grow.

  1. Protein

    • Protein comprises 23 different amino acids; dogs can naturally manufacture 13 of those in their own bodies. The remaining 10 must be obtained through meat and vegetable proteins, with meat being the highest provider. Though dogs can survive on either food source, they need meat for exceptional health. A diet of 30 percent or more protein is not harmful to a puppy's kidneys in a well-rounded diet and will benefit his overall health.

    Fats

    • While supplying necessary energy for wiggly puppies, as well as providing healthy coats and skin, fats also make food taste better. They contain essential fatty acids that dogs cannot produce naturally. Adding Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to a puppy's diet promotes overall health and discourages learning disabilities and impaired vision. These important fats should make up no less than 5.5 percent of a puppy's daily diet.

    Carbohydrates

    • Providing even more energy than fats, carbohydrates are made up of sugars, starches and fiber. As the puppy's body burns carbohydrates for quick energy, proteins are saved; when carbohydrates are absent, proteins must be changed to glucose to burn for energy. Though carbohydrates are not required in a puppy's diet, providing a diet consisting of 30 percent carbohydrates protects a puppy from burning through its growing muscle mass.

    Vitamins and Minerals

    • The right combination of vitamins and minerals, which cause and control numerous chemical reactions in the body, is essential to a puppy's health and immune system. Having too much or too little of a particular vitamin or mineral can cause a litany of health issues. Commercial puppy food includes these essential nutrients, but veterinarians may recommend a supplement if a puppy is showing signs of physical distress that indicate a deficiency. Do not give your puppy a supplement without the advice of your veterinarian; they can cause problems if they are not medically necessary.