Congratulations on becoming a brand-new puppy parent! Now you’ve brought your squirming, wriggling bundle of joy home, one of the first questions you’re probably wondering is how to feed your puppy. 

The sheer number of dog food options is overwhelming. The choice of what and how to feed your puppy is critical to their development, making it one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a dog owner. We’ve learned that a belly full of nourishing, age-appropriate food is the best recipe out there for a happy, healthy pup. 

A personalized, human-grade meal plan, like Ollie, is the best food choice for growing dogs. Among all of the fresh dog foods on the market, we discovered that their natural, vet-formulated, high-quality meals plans contain the best balance of nutrition, taste, and ease of access for puppies and their owners. 
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Turn To Ollie For Help And Advice

Ollie’s expert Canine Care team is an invaluable resource for nervous pet parents. They can answer all of your puppy-related questions about doggy nutrition, portion sizes, feeding schedules, health, and more. Ollie understands that every dog is different, and they’ll help you choose the best meal plan and work to adapt it as your puppy grows.  

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Start Healthy Habits Early On

Starting out on the right foot can mean everything to your puppy’s long-term health. Puppies grow and develop rapidly, and a balanced diet provides the nutrients they need to grow strong bones, healthy teeth and vision, a shiny coat, and a robust immune system. Plus, getting your pup started on a well-balanced diet early in life can prevent serious health problems down the line.

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Quality Is King

Search out options that are made from whole foods, are fresh or gently cooked (no hot extrusion nonsense), are protein-first, and of course, contain no sprayed-on nutrients, no byproducts, no fillers, and nothing artificial such as flavors or preservatives. Ollie ticks every box. 

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Make Sure You’re Feeding Them Enough…

Puppies need almost twice as many calories as adult dogs. Ensuring they’re getting the right amount of food to meet their high energy needs is crucial. This can be confusing to figure out on your own as your pup’s needs will likely change frequently as they grow. Seek out additional information between vet visits, such as from weight and digestion screenings, for reassurance. 

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…But Not Too Much!

Portion sizes depend on breed, body type, metabolism, and activity levels. Many puppies will need several small meals a day. If your pup starts skipping one of their meals, they could be ready to eliminate a feeding. Keep an eye on their body condition over the food left in their bowl, however. Some puppies tend towards greed!

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Track Your Puppy’s Weight And Growth

Tracking progress is essential for watching out for excess weight gain or failure to thrive. Use a weight chart to track your dog’s growth. Weighing your puppy every week means you can deal with problems as they arise, keeping them on track to achieving their ideal size. Our weight screenings are a great way to monitor your puppy’s health with help from our experts, who provide reassurance and guidance on your puppy’s growth journey. 

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Stay Away From Bad Feeding Habits

Avoid falling into negative feeding habits, such as overfeeding or food refusal. What dogs experience as puppies tends to stick with them so think healthy habits, long term. Ensure your pup has a quiet, undisturbed place to eat and avoid feeding them directly before or after exercise or before travelling in a car, as this can cause bloating and illness. 

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Don’t Fall For ‘Puppy Eyes’

Those big, wide, soulful eyes can be extremely persuasive…to prevent begging or whining for food scraps becoming a lifelong habit, don’t fall for this evolutionary survival strategy. Allowing your dog to guilt you into feeding them unsuitable food could make them sick and obese long-term, or create a nutritional imbalance in their diet. Some human foods, such as grapes and chocolate, are even toxic for dogs. Instead, feed them health-forward, human-grade food like Ollie. 

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Treat Responsibility

Turn to nutritious, high-quality dog treats that prioritize protein and benefit your dog’s health rather than feeding them scraps from your plate. Treats made from beef, salmon, and chicken will keep your pup nourished and happy. Just make sure to adjust your pup’s overall portions accordingly to account for the extra calories. 

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