Feeding a 3-week-old puppy can be daunting for new pet owners. This guide covers everything you need to know about proper nutrition for a puppy.
Caring for a 3-week-old puppy is an exciting new chapter! As a new pet parent, you want to make sure your puppy gets the best start in life.
Proper nutrition is crucial at this young age when puppies grow incredibly fast. This article will provide in-depth information to help you determine the ideal diet for your 3-week-old puppy.
We’ll cover key factors like nutritional requirements, feeding schedule, proper formulas, and brands, amount to feed, and more so that you can buy online pet products.
Key Considerations For Feeding a 3-Week-Old Puppy
Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Puppies have very different nutritional needs compared to adult dogs. Their diet should be specially formulated for growth.
- At 3 weeks, puppies are still nursing but ready to start weaning. You’ll need to gradually introduce solid food while continuing some milk feedings.
- Feed a high-quality puppy formula. Look for a reputable brand that meets all nutritional guidelines.
- Feed small, frequent meals. Puppies have tiny stomachs and need to eat often.
- Make changes gradually. Switching foods too fast can upset sensitive young tummies.
- Consult your vet. They can provide tailored advice based on your puppy’s specific needs.
Now let’s look at how to apply these tips when determining what and how much to feed your 3-week-old fur baby!
What To Feed a 3-week-old Puppy?
At 3 weeks, your puppy’s diet should consist of a combination of milk and puppy formula.
Here are some optimal options:
- Puppy milk replacer: This commercial formula provides complete nutrition when nursing from the mother isn’t possible. Goat’s milk is another alternative.
- Wet puppy food: Introduce high-quality canned food gradually. Look for meat as the first ingredient.
- Dry puppy kibble: Soak to soften for young teeth. Reputable brands include Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Iams.
- Homemade food: Cooked meat, bone broth, egg yolk, cottage cheese. Check with your vet first.
Avoid cow’s milk – it can cause diarrhea. Goat milk is more digestible.
How Much To Feed a 3-Week-Old Puppy?
The amount to feed will depend on your puppy’s size, breed, and activity level. Here are some general feeding guidelines:
- Small breed: Feed 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup per day, divided into 4-6 meals.
- Medium breed: 3/4 cup to 1 cup per day, divided into 4-5 meals.
- Large/giant breed: 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day, divided into 3-4 meals.
Weigh your puppy weekly and adjust amounts based on their growth. Let your puppy eat until satisfied at each feeding.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important to avoid issues like developmental disorders and obesity later on.
Feeding Schedule
Puppies should eat small meals frequently throughout the day. At 3 weeks old, your puppy has a tiny stomach so can’t eat much at one time.
Feed every 2-4 hours during the day. Follow this schedule:
- 7 am
- 10 am
- 1 pm
- 4pm
- 7 pm
- 10 pm
Gradually phase out the 10 pm feeding as your puppy grows. Free-feeding dry food available at all times isn’t recommended for young puppies as they can overheat. Stick to set mealtimes instead.
Transitioning Foods
When changing your puppy’s diet, introduce new foods slowly over 5-7 days. This gives their digestive system time to adjust.
Try mixing a little wet or dry kibble with the milk replacer, gradually decreasing milk over the week.
Avoid sudden switches that can upset their stomach. Monitor stool consistency closely when transitioning foods. Diarrhea or constipation are signs the change was too fast.
Consult your vet if these issues persist. Be patient and expect some tummy troubles. Puppies have sensitive stomachs. Changing foods requires an adjustment period.
