The arrival of a puppy at home always brings excitement, laughter… and lots of questions. One of the most important is how to feed them, from their first solid bites until they reach adulthood. Choosing the best food for puppies is not a whim: it’s a decision that directly affects their energy, growth, and the overall functioning of their body. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to support your puppy through this crucial stage, with clear explanations and practical tips you can start applying today.
1. The decisive moment: from weaning to nutritional independence
During the first weeks of life, everything is simple: the puppy only needs its mother’s milk. But before you know it, weaning arrives and it's time to teach them how to eat solid food. This natural transition can seem confusing, although it’s actually an instinctive process. Ideally, it should begin between the fourth and sixth week of life, when puppies start showing curiosity about what their mother or littermates are eating.
The way the puppy experiences this transition directly influences their future well-being. If it is carried out calmly and patiently, with appropriate nutrition, their digestive system will adapt better, their growth will be more balanced, and their energy will remain stable. During these early months, their body works like an accelerated machine: they need more calories per kilogram than an adult, highly digestible proteins, and key nutrients such as minerals and DHA, which are essential for development.
2. Why specific puppy food is essential
Choosing balanced puppy food tailored to their needs is crucial. This life stage is the most important of all, which is why it’s vital to build a strong nutritional foundation for the rest of their life. Adult food—even high-quality—simply isn’t designed for the intense growth pace of puppies.
Puppies need higher energy density to meet their needs without eating excessive quantities of food. They also require highly bioavailable proteins, which their body can easily use to build tissues. The calcium–phosphorus balance is key to ensuring strong but controlled skeletal development, while DHA supports brain and visual development, both highly active during these stages.
Using adult food too early can result in nutritional deficiencies, bone problems, or lack of energy. That’s why, before choosing the best food for puppies, it’s important to check the label and make sure it is specifically formulated for this delicate phase.
3. How to adapt nutrition based on breed and growth rate
Not all puppies grow the same way. A Chihuahua has nothing in common with a Labrador or a German Shepherd—and their diet shouldn’t be the same either.
Small-breed puppies have a very fast metabolism. They need more energy-dense food and kibble adapted to their small jaws for optimal chewing. In this category, Ownat Ultra Mini Junior offers a recipe suited to their size and growth rhythm.
Medium breeds need a balance between energy and weight control. For them, Ownat Ultra Medium Junior is a solid and complete option.
Large breeds grow more slowly but place more stress on their bones and joints. They need very specific formulas with controlled calcium and phosphorus levels. Here, Ownat Ultra Maxi Junior stands out, designed for stable and safe growth, and complemented with glucosamine and chondroitin for good joint health.
For those seeking a gourmet option based on fresh ingredients, Author Junior Fresh Chicken offers an appealing recipe with 100% fresh chicken as the main ingredient and a formulation with more than 90% natural ingredients, with no meat meals.
4. Portions: precision that makes a difference
Determining how much a puppy should eat can raise doubts, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The amount depends on age, current weight, expected adult weight, and daily activity level.
The feeding tables on the packaging—and on our website—are a useful guide, but you should observe your puppy to adjust the portions. If they lose weight, gain too much, or seem low on energy, you may need to adapt the amount. As they grow, their needs change: between 2 and 3 months, they require more frequent meals; between 4 and 6 months, things stabilize; and between 7 and 12 months, they start adopting adult-like patterns and needs.
5. Routines that build long-term well-being
Puppies thrive on routine. Feeding them at the same times helps regulate their appetite, maintain their energy, and improve digestion. At first, dividing their food into three or four meals a day is ideal, gradually transitioning to two meals as they grow older.
Introducing new food gradually helps prevent digestive upset. As mentioned earlier, puppies should have access to solid food from 4–6 weeks of age so they can instinctively begin tasting and ingesting small amounts. If a specific starter food has been used during lactation, a gradual transition to the new food is necessary, increasing the proportion step by step. Consistency is key: sudden changes can cause digestive stress and lead to unnecessary diarrhea or vomiting.
6. Common mistakes to avoid
Many mistakes come from affection, not neglect. Even so, it’s important to keep an eye on them:
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Giving leftovers from human meals can destabilize their nutrition and even be dangerous.
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Changing food without a good reason is one of the biggest “enemies” of a puppy’s digestive system.
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Offering too many treats can cause calorie overload.
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Overfeeding them “because they’re hungry” can lead to overweight.
