Where and When to Eat? Feeding Areas and Schedules
As soon as your puppy is settled into your home, introduce her to her eating
place and begin her regular feeding schedule. If the food you choose for your
puppy differs from the food she received during weaning, transition to the new
food gradually over several days to prevent stomach upsets. Here are some feeding
guidelines to follow:
- Feed your puppy in the same place and at the same times, each day. If you plan
to meal feed your puppy, allow her 15 to 20 minutes to consume her meal and then
remove the dish. This will establish regular eating habits and will also aid with
your puppy’s house training.
- Always provide fresh water to your puppy in several areas of your home. Bowls
should be cleaned and refilled daily.
- If you are meal feeding your puppy, she should be fed at least three times
daily until she is five to six months of age. After six months of age, twice a
day feeding is recommended.
- If you provide food to your puppy throughout the day, fresh food should be
offered daily. Any food that remains in your puppy’s bowl after 24 hours should
be discarded before cleaning and refilling the bowl.
- Begin to teach good mealtime manners as soon as your puppy arrives home. Prior to
placing your puppy’s bowl in front of him, take a piece of kibble from his bowl and hold
it slightly elevated above him as you quietly ask him to “sit”. Most puppies will naturally
sit as they reach up towards the food. Reward him with the food piece as he sits, and place
his bowl in front of him. As your puppy learns to sit on command, always require that he sits
quietly immediately before he is fed.
- Allow your puppy 10 to 15 minutes to eat. Any food that is not eaten within that time should
be taken up. Offer food again later in the day, noting the amount that is fed and whether or not
your puppy leaves some of the food.
|