How many times does a pup eat a day

How Often Should Dogs Eat?

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Among the many questions new and experienced dog owners face is an especially important one. How often should dogs eat? Diet and nutrition are crucial components to keeping your dog a healthy member of the family for years to come.

Though theres no hard-and-fast rule to how often a dog should eat, twice a day is generally a good place to start. However, more important than feeding frequency is meal portion size. Portion size may vary based on breed, age, and health condition, and settling on the right amount can be tricky.

Dog meal delivery services can make it easy to serve your canine companion delicious, nutritious, and appropriately-portioned meals that even humans can eat. Ollie is a service that delivers fresh, human-grade dog food customized for your pups unique nutritional needs. Ollie works with vet nutritionists to formulate a perfect plan specifically for your dog based on weight, breed, and allergies. Plus they make it easy for us humans all of Ollies recipes are pre-portioned and your pup will be set up with their own feeding schedule so you dont have to worry about overfeeding or underfeeding.

What Affects How Often a Dog Should Eat?

Veterinarians recommend feeding a dog at least twice per day. Dogs with medical issues or dietary needs may require specialized feeding schedules or restrictions on what they eat. Talk to your veterinarian about your dogs eating habits to make sure youre meeting their nutritional needs and healthcare requirements.

Breed plays a large role when deciding how often to feed your dog. Common large breed dogs, for instance, will often require more feedings and more calories per day than medium and small breed dogs.Age is also another important consideration. The caloric requirements for a two-month-old Yorkshire Terrier varies greatly compared to a two-year-old Yorkie.

How Much Should Puppies Eat?

A fresh meal servicelike Ollie helps change your feeding approachas your dog changes ages from puppy to adult so you dont have to worry about portions during different life stages.

Since puppies are growing rapidly, they need more food than adult dogs. Puppy nutrition is crucial for developing a foundation for future growth, as well as their bone and organ development. Puppies must have a specific amount of calcium in their diet, otherwise, they can develop metabolic bone disease or orthopedic conditions like early-onset arthritis. Toy-breed puppies, in particular, are prone to hypoglycemia.

Puppies need small, frequent feedings. For the first few months of a puppys life, they will need small meals of food throughout the day as they transition from their mothers milk to solid food. Starting around four months, puppies can begin eating about three times a day, and after that, puppies will quickly graduate to twice-a-day feedings.

Feeding them three or four times per day makes it easier for puppies to digest and help keep energy levels consistent. However, its important to not overfeed them, since overweight puppies are more likely to become overweight adult dogs.

Toy-breed puppies will need 4 to 6 meals per day for the first three months of their lives. Medium-breed puppies will require three meals per day, and large-breed puppies typically need 3 to 4 meals per day. Though the breed is an important consideration, metabolism and energy levels can vary by up to 30 percent. Therefore, youll need to proportion meals accordingly.

Even though puppies grow quickly, its important to keep caloric intake and food amount consistent from four to twelve months of age. Puppies use fewer calories for growth as they become older. This comprehensive puppy feeding chart has vet-recommended guidelines on how much and how often to feed your puppy.

How Much Should Adult Dogs Eat?

Dont let your dog trick you into more mealtimes with adorable puppy dog eyes. Most dogs only require two meals a day, but if you catch your dog begging, an occasional healthy treat can help.

The trick is to make sure youre not feeding your dog more than is recommended. Food labels can be misleading or confusing. Generic feeding charts may over-calculate how much to feed a dog, or use outdated information.

To determine how much food to feed your dog, you should start by knowing your dogs estimated adult weight. Most large breed dogs will weigh between 50 to 150 pounds, while small breeds weigh under 20 pounds. Knowing the weight of your dogs same-sex parent can also be an excellent guide.

From there, you can use the estimated weight to determine how many calories dogs need per day.

What Sort of Feeding Schedule Works?

Free-feeding, or leaving food available to dogs at all times, is often not recommended by veterinarians. For multi-species or multiple-dog households, free-feeding makes it difficult to account for different diets and to track each dogs intake. Additionally, free feeding can lead to obesity when dogs overeat.

Sticking to a schedule can help your canine companion avoid grazing, feel like part of the family, and can encourage good mealtime behavior. You should plan a feeding schedule by consulting with your veterinarian.

Why Ollie?

Feeding dogs a diet made with natural, real ingredients can do wonders for their overall well-beingit can promote heart health, increase energy level, make their coat shinier, their breath smell better, improve eyesight and even impact poop. With Ollie, all the prep work is done for you so you dont have to worry about when, how much, or life stages when it comes to feeding. Were providing 50% off to the AKC audience for their first trial box, delivered straight to your home.

• Ingredients: Ollies food is made only with whole, human-grade ingredients sourced from reputable farms and approved by vets. They never use fillers, by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives in any of their recipes. Each recipe is cooked by hand at low temperatures in small batches in a USDA-regulated kitchen so you know your pup is getting the best.
• Easy Schedule:All of Ollies recipes are pre-portioned and stored in the freezer plus you will receive a puptainer to keep your pups food fresh in case you feed your dog before your morning coffee. Ollie also takes care of us humans, Ollie is delivered directly to your door in as little as 2 days, on your schedule.
• Health Benefits: The proof is in the results. Ollie dogs have reported shinier coats, decreased allergies, improved appetite, and more.

Ollies freshly cooked food is the simplest way to keep your dog happy and healthy at any age. Our five delicious recipes were formulated with vet nutritionists and ensure mealtime stays fresh and exciting for your pup. Visit Ollie.com, tell us all about your pup, and well create a custom meal plan just for them.

Feeding Schedule For 5-Week Old Puppy: When & What To Feed

Planning for a 5-week old whelp could be tricky.

Why?

Theyre in a crucial period where their nutritional needs are ever-changing.

And a single decision may affect their growth and development.

So, how can you make sure youre feeding them right?

Continue reading to learn:

• What you should feed to a 5-week old puppy.
• How frequently they should be fed every day.
• Whether they still need milk or not at this age.
• What the correct interval for each of their meals is.
• And a lot more

How to create a feeding schedule for a 5-week old puppy

You can create a feeding schedule for a 5-week old puppy by considering how frequently they should be fed. And knowing the right gap for every meal. This is to avoid over or under-feeding. But, ensure that the feeding plan also matches your daily routine. So that youll be able to stick with it.

How many times a day should I feed my 5-week old puppy?

You should feed your 5-week old puppy 4 times a day. Vets recommend this to support their abrupt growth and development. But, it could also be reduced to 3 times if you observed that your pup cant eat that much food.

Do this on a consistent schedule. Meaning, their feeding times must be the same every day. And prepare only small meals. Then spread them throughout the day.

By offering your pup little amounts, digestion of food will be much easier for them. And distributed meals will give them even energy boosts for the whole day.

Note: As puppies grow a week older, their feeding times will be adjusted as well. You can lower the meals to 3 a day.

Is 5 weeks a crucial stage for puppies?

At this age, pups tend to grow fast especially smaller dogs. While larger breeds have bigger bones thatll take more time to develop. So theyll need more nutrition and calories.

In a study, toy breeds growth spurt usually stops at 11 weeks old. While its 14 to 16 weeks for small and medium dogs. And theyll be fully grown as early as 9 months.

However, its a different case for giant breeds.

Because theyll grow at a slower rate which may take up to 5 months. Then reach maturity at 15 months.

Some feeding reminders

• Monitor your puppys food intake to avoid them from eating too much or too little.
• Let them eat until theyre full. (Theyll automatically go away from their food when theyre done.)
• Pick up their feeding bowl after they stop eating. And avoid leaving their food longer than 15 minutes to prevent overeating.
• Give your pup a shallow feeding bowl since theyre still small. Such as a cake pan or muffin pan if you have many puppies.
• Ensure to always leave fresh water for your pup. It must be accessible to them at all times. And make cleaning their bowl a daily habit.

How long can 5-week old puppies go between feedings?

5-week old puppies can go between feedings for as long as 5 to 6 hours. Theyre in the stage where theyre growing a lot and get hungry fast. So longer than 6 hours isnt advised.

One danger of not eating for long hours in pups is hypoglycemia. Or low blood sugar level. And this can be fatal if not given attention.

This may happen if a pup is highly active. And theres a long interval between their meals. So make sure to always feed yours at the right time.

Experts say that puppies below 3 months old are more prone to this. As they cant still manage their blood sugar level at their age.

They also point out that toy and small breeds are at higher risk. Because they have a slower process of breaking down sugar.

Aside from fasting, this could also happen due to:

• Stomach issues.
• Intestinal parasites.
• Low body temperature.

So watch out for other symptoms as well, like:

• Shaking.
• Lethargy.
• Disorientation.
• Becoming more sleepy.

Read next: 13 Odd Reasons Why Dogs Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night

Creating a feeding schedule for your 5-week old puppy

The info mentioned above will help you make a feeding plan for your puppy. Although there are things that you still need to consider, like,

Whens the ideal time for their first meal?

Usually, 7 am works best for pups. And this is also perfect if your work starts at 8 am or 9 am.

How about dinner?

Its ideal for puppies to have their last meal around 5 pm. This is to let them digest their food. And give them enough time to relieve themselves before sleeping.

At 5 weeks, puppies can also start to relieve themselves on their own. But, theyre still too young for housetraining. As vets say that they cant hold their bladder/bowel well.

Based on VCA, they may eliminate 10 to 15 minutes after a meal. So provide potty pads nearby.

Also, make sure that theyre in a safe pen. As theyll start to run and explore the surroundings more.

So its best to have separated but accessible areas for:

• Sleeping.
• Eating/playing.
• Peeing/pooping.

Do this as an introduction for future housetraining. But remember, theyre still young. So its possible for them to pee or poop on their bed.

Just check their spot and clean up regularly.

Finalizing the schedule

So if youre going to feed your pup 4 times a day, the other 2 meals shall be between 7 am and 5 pm.

And they shall be distributed at intervals no longer than 6 hours.

Ive also included the ideal bedtime. As pups need lots of rest. So they should have eliminated early for a night of less disrupted sleep.

And the final schedule looks like this:

But if you notice that your pup will do well in 3 feeding times:

Note: This is only a reference. So feel free to adjust ita bit. As its also important that their schedule works for you as well.

What to feed a 5-week old puppy (without mom)?

You can feed a 5-week old puppy (without mom) solid puppy food. But, soak the kibbles in warm water or milk replacer first. And do this for a few minutes to soften their food.

Aside from using water, you may also add some canned food for puppies.

Then as they grow a week older, slowly thicken the consistency of their food. To have a smooth transition to dry kibbles and other types of food.

Experts say that the weaning of puppies usually starts at 3 to 4 weeks old.

This is because their teeth will begin to grow at this age. And itll bring discomfort to their moms.

So most mother dogs will refuse to nurse their kids at 5 weeks or less.

Thats why you dont need to worry much. As its normal to introduce dry pup food to them at this stage.

However, as I said earlier, this will be a crucial stage for their growth. So make sure to feed them a completely balanced meal.

What specific food should I feed my 5-week old puppy?

Its best to give them high-quality commercial food. This comes in dry kibbles or canned goods.

But, pick only those that are:

• Specially made for puppies.
• Suitable to their age and size.
• Labeled with complete and balanced nutrition.
• Certified by the American Association of Feed Control Officials or AAFCO.

A true complete and balanced puppy food contains all the nutrients they need. And in right amounts as well, like:

• Fats.
• DHA.
• Protein.
• Calcium.
• Carbohydrates.

But, its hard to know if a product is complete or not. So to be sure, consult your vet for a recommendation. Or look for the certification mentioned above to help you decide.

Also, adult dog food shouldnt be given to your pup. As well as generic ones that dont specify if theyre for small or large breeds.

Whys that?

This is because puppies have different nutritional needs from adult dogs. And same goes for small, medium, large, and giant breeds.

Specialists warn parents with large breed dogs in particular. As theyre more prone to bone or joint issues. Such as hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis.

These problems are mainly genetic. So they may not avoid it in their lifetime.

However, vets say that you can delay them from happening.

How?

Just avoid these 3 things:

Overfeeding: Restrict their calories. Feed them suitable and quality puppy food.

Excessive calcium: Too much calcium causes abnormal bones and joint growth.

Unbalanced diet: Such as home-cooked meals. Experts say to wait until 1 year (for small to large dogs). Or 18 months (for giant breeds) before changing into this diet.

You might also like: 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Lays Down To Eat + 3 Tips

How much food should you give to your 5-week old pup?

This will depend on their weight. So the amount of food that a small dog needs could be less than what a large breed requires.

Also, puppy food usually has instructions on its packaging. And it can be used as a reference.

The amount stated there might only be the starting point. So give them the least portion in the beginning.

Using the recommended amount, divide it into 4. To come up with evenly distributed small meals in a day.

Note: If your pup seems hungry all the time, gradually add more. And see if there are any changes in their appetite. Stop adding more once their food intake returns to normal.

In some cases, other pups may also find it hard to eat soft food. As they were only used to drinking milk.

So

How can you make a 5-week old puppy eat?

You can make a 5-week old puppy eat by mashing the soaked kibbles. And make a gruel out of it for easier chewing.

Then:

1. Pour it into a shallow pan.
2. Dip one of your fingertips on the food.
3. Then put a small amount on your puppys nose. To make them smell it and eventually lick the food off.
4. Do the same thing again. But try putting your soaked finger near their mouth instead.
5. Wait until they lick it.
6. Repeat step #4. But move your finger a little bit farther away from your puppys mouth.
7. Then touch their bowl using your soaked finger. To lead your pup to it.

Avoid using force and be as gentle as possible. And after many repetitions, your pup will start getting used to the taste of their new food.

Note: Be more patient especially when it comes to cleaning. As youll expect your pup to create a mess while eating.

Can I give my 5-week old puppy some treats?

It isnt advised to offer your pup commercial treats at 5 weeks old. As well as any human or table food.

Even if they use their secret weapon a.k.a puppy eyes. And look at you while youre eating.

This is because puppies are prone to diarrhea and stomach upset. And ingesting these may cause trouble to their tummies.

But wait

If you want to give them some treats, prepare healthy ones instead. For example, tiny bits of apples or carrots.

These are safe for dogs and also low in calories. Plus, theyre rich in vitamins too.

Puppy diarrhea

Ive said that puppies are more likely to get stomach issues. And whats linked to it?

Diarrhea.

Seeing your pup having loose stools is quite alarming. And the common causes of it are:

• Food intolerance.
• A sudden change in diet.

At 5 weeks old, pups tummies are more sensitive. So switching their pup food may cause watery poop.

But according to AKC, puppy diarrhea isnt usually serious. And mild cases can be resolved by making them drink enough fresh water.

Warning: If your pup has diarrhea for long hours. And they also show other signs, have them checked by a vet at once.

In connection with stomach problems, you might also ask

Can I give probiotics to a 5-week old puppy?

PetMD says you can give puppies probiotics.

But like their food, buy ones that are made for dogs as well. And discuss this with your vet to avoid any side effects.

This is because human probiotics will not be effective on canines. With a simple reason that theyre specifically made for us.

What do they do?

They have good bacteria. And these help in better digestion. As well as in keeping the immune system healthy.

So these can avoid:

• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Digestive tract infections.

One study found that these help in treating diarrhea in dogs.

As Fidos given with probiotics cured as early as 3 days. While those who didnt take any had diarrhea for up to 8 days.

And also, there were no reported cases of dehydration in dogs who took probiotics.

Where can they get these?

Dog probiotics are in different forms. Say, chews, tablets, or powders.

Other dog foods also include probiotics in their products.

And pups may also get this from some human food. But only those that arent sweetened. Like plain yogurt and kefir.

Does a 5-week old puppy still need milk?

Ideally, a 5-week old puppy doesnt need much milk anymore. As itll not be enough for their current nutritional needs.

This is according to the National Research Council. So puppies at this age require another source. Say, puppy-formulated kibbles to get all the nutrients they need.

But my pup still doesnt want to eat soft food.

What should I do?

If it seems like your puppy isnt completely weaned off

You can give them a milk replacer first. Then gradually, introduce solid pup food to them again. And do this after 2 or more days.

Wait, what is a milk replacer?

Dogs cant be fed any other types of milk. Aside from their mothers or commercial milk replacers.

As goat, cow, and infant formula may cause serious stomach upset to a puppy.

So if your pups mother isnt around. Or theyre refusing to nurse your whelp, a milk replacer will do.

Because it has the right amount of:

• Calcium.
• Fatty acids.
• Amino acids.

And these will help a growing puppy. Especially in their brain and eye development. As well as in keeping them away from tummy problems.

Note: But before giving it to them, VCA says to heat the milk replacer first. In 95F to 100F (35C to 37.8C). And test the mixture on your skin to make sure its cold enough.