Puppy Feeding And Nutrition

One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is:

“What puppy food should I use?”

We personally love Life’s Abundance “All Life Stages.”

The truth is that quality ingredients matter tremendously, just like they do for humans. At Vogelsberg Family Farm, we encourage families to focus on clean ingredients, healthy digestion, balanced nutrition, and portion control.

Why Quality Puppy Food Matters

Healthy puppy food supports:

• Brain development
• Healthy skin and coat
• Strong growth
• Better digestion
• Energy levels
• Immune system support

A healthy gut is one of the most important foundations for a healthy dog.

Our Recommended Feeding Schedule

Young puppies do best with 2 meals throughout the day.

We typically recommend:

• Feeding 2 times daily while young.
• Adjusting slightly based on puppy size and age.

Some puppies will continue eating even when full, so portion control is important. If your dog food recommends 1 cup per day, divide that amount evenly between the 2 meals.

Transition Puppy Food Slowly

One of the biggest causes of upset stomachs in puppies is changing food too quickly.

If you decide to switch foods:

1. Slowly mix small amounts of new food into the current food.
2. Gradually increase the new food over several days.
3. Watch for digestive upset.

Sudden food changes can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort.

Don’t Overdo Treats

Treats are great for training, but too many treats can create picky eaters or reduce appetite for balanced meals. Puppies still need proper nutrition from high-quality puppy food first.

Preventing Food Aggression Early

We strongly encourage families to gently work with puppies around food from a young age.

While your puppy is eating:

• Place your hand near the bowl.
• Add or remove a few pieces of food.
• Calmly pet them.
• Reward calm behavior.

Children can also safely participate with supervision so puppies become comfortable around family members while eating.

The same principle applies to chew toys and treats:

• Hold the chew for a few moments.
• Calmly take it away.
• Praise your puppy.
• Return it.

This helps teach trust, boundaries, and confidence while reducing the risk of food guarding behaviors later.

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