Move to Health
Puppies grow very fast!
Three to six months is the rapid growth period for every dog, any breed, all sizes!
During this time, a puppy will put on its greatest amount of weight, some large breeds gaining 10-20 pounds a month. This is also when the pups have fast bone growth towards adult size. One day they fit under the table, the next they are running into it!
As the puppy grows they will appear to have dramatic body changes from day to day. One day they appear pudgy and over weight, while the next day, all legs and skinny. It is more obvious with the larger breeds than the mini and tea cup sized dogs just because there is more growth to occur. Be aware of your pups stages of growth. When they start to appear pudgy, realize they are about to have a growth spurt. They seem to follow this pattern, weight gain, grow spurt.
If you have been feeding three small meals a day, you may find around 4-5 months your pup not finishing all its food or leaving a meal entirely. At this point it is time to cut out the middle meal and feed twice a day. You take that middle meal and split it into the first and last feeding of the day.
There may be days your dog really is not looking to eat at all, and picks at the food. Don't panic. Maintain your feeding schedule, offer the meal at it regular time, give the pup 20-30 minutes to eat and remove what is left. They will not starve themselves and will eat when hungry.
As the puppy grows, food will have to be increased slowly according to the size dog you have.
A tea cup breed may only eat as an adult 1/4 cup of food, while a large breed dog may eat 6 cups or more a day!
So as they grow, the amounts of food need to adjust up until maturity sets in. This is based on how the dog looks. Remember you must always be able to feel the ribs under a 1/4" padding along the backbone. So be aware of what is normal growth and food adjustment and what is over feeding and over weight!
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