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GROTON CITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

"Caring For Pets And Their People"
Providing Care For Horses, Alpacas, Llamas, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, Cats & Pocket Pets

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Puppies 6 weeks to 6 months of age should be fed three times a day. When puppies reach 6 months of age, they can be fed twice a day. Puppies can be fed as much as they will eat in a 20 minute period. Any uneaten food should be removed after 20 minutes. If the puppy appears thin or fat or consistently does not finish a meal or finishes a meal quickly and does not appear satisfied, then increase or decrease the amount you offer accordingly. Large breed puppies especially should not be allowed to become overweight. Occasionally diarrhea may be seen if a puppy is overeating. If this seems to be the case, try decreasing the amount of food offered.
We generally recommend staying away from generic or "bargain" foods, as most do not have a consistent formulation and are not tested by feeding trials. Premium dog food brands such as Science Diet is consistently formulated with high-quality meat ingredients rather than meat byproducts and do not contain as many fillers and beef fat as some of the cheaper diets. Because of this, some owners notice that they feed less volume and see less stool produced. This company also gives a money-back guarantee if the dog does not eat their food.
When a puppy is 5-6 months old, the food should be gradually switched from puppy food to an adult maintenance food. This is especially important in large breed dogs to help prevent orthopedic problems.