Branford Miniature Schnauzers

Veterinary authorities agree that all dogs need a complete and balanced diet - the right ratio of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals - to satisfy their need for calories and to build and maintain good health. All dogs need protein but some forms of protein are superior to others. Proteins from animal sources, such as meat and meat by-products, are most desirable proteins a dog can eat. They are easily digested and provide a balanced set of amino acids.

Care should be exercised in feeding the puppy. Most puppies are weaned at six to eight weeks of age. At four weeks, while still nursing, they may be offered a small amount of a chopped, meat-based canned diet or a moistened dry food.

A variety of foods are available for feeding your puppy. If you choose canned or dry general purpose dog foods be sure that the product is labeled as complete and balanced for growth or for all life stages. If this is not stated on the label, the food may not contain adequate nutrients for your puppy's growth and should not be used.

Canned dog foods offer high quality protein in the form of meat and meat by-products and high nutrient density. They are highly digestible and very palatable. Dry dog foods are convenient to feed and lower in cost than canned dog food.

A mixture of canned and dry dog foods may also be fed to puppies. Mixing these two types will increase digestibility and palatability over a dry dog food diet. In addition, mixing the two foods stretches the dog food dollar without sacrificing good nutrition.

Specially prepared canned and dry puppy foods are worth considering. Designed to meet the high energy and nutrient requirements of puppy growth (approximately twice that of an adult dog of the same weight), puppy foods are higher in protein and fat than general purpose dog foods. They provide all the nutrients puppies need in the smaller portion size they can eat. And, since puppy foods usually have higher quality ingredients than general purpose dog foods, they are more digestible. Puppy foods offer the convenience of not having to mix or supplement foods to meet growth requirements.

It is generally best to feed your puppy two or three times a day. Watch your puppy's weight and avoid overfeeding. Be sure to have fresh water available for your puppy at all times.

To see what Branford feeds and recommends for all of their puppies, follow this link.

Any questions that we can help you with, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Puppies, Parents and Kids

Communicating With Your Dog

Happy Home For Your Dog

Caring and Sharing

Preventative Medicine

Nutrition