Puppy growth diets are divided into those designed for pups that will be greater than 25 kg when fully grown and those that will be less than 25 kg when fully grown. This division is due to growth rates and the age at which maturity is reached. Large breeds should grow at a slower rate over a longer period.

Diets designed for these breeds are modified to have lower energy levels, thereby preventing rapid growth rates. If the energy content of the diet is correct, rapid growth phases are prevented, and the predisposition of large breed dogs to develop orthopaedic disorders (DOD) can be reduced.

Overfeeding in all puppies should be avoided, as it can lead to obesity in later life. Slight underfeeding, which does not induce a reduction in full growth potential, will aid in increasing the animal’s lifespan. Despite this, high energy-dense diets are required in growth diets due to the limited capacity of the stomach and the quantity of food able to be consumed in each meal.

Assessment of weight gain needs to be performed daily for the first few weeks of life. Once weaned and rehomed (normally at six to eight weeks), puppies should be weighed at least every two weeks, until three months, and then monthly until six months old. This conveniently aligns with the required worming regimen. The use of growth charts can be invaluable, enabling trends in weight gain to be monitored. Too slow a weight gain can reflect insufficient calories being consumed, or that the diet’s protein quality is not adequate.

Waltham Petcare Science Institute have a very good puppy growth chart solution that is free to use.

We encourage you to do regular weigh-ins in the Furry Fitness App and do a Body Condition Scoring (BCS) of your puppy. This will also provide you with good insights regarding the development of your puppy.

The introduction of treats into the diet increases greatly during this phase of life, as socialisation and training in puppies occur. Using some of the pup’s complete diet, kibbles can be utilised for treats, as it will prevent unbalancing of the diet and can help stop bad feeding habits from being formed. Also consider using other methods of positive reinforcement, such as the use of toys, social interaction, and play, rather than relying solely on treats. Creating good feeding habits and behaviour occurs at this age, and puppies should be introduced to these feeding habits at an early age.

DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) has been shown to improve cognitive function and visual acuity, and has been incorporated into commercial puppy diets. Fish oils are a rich source of DHA and are used to supplement canine diets. Due to its benefits, DHA has the potential to speed training, obedience, and socialisation.