When can your puppy eat? Most puppies can gradually start switching from mother's milk to dry puppy food at around 3–4 weeks of age. Ask your vet for a feeding plan that suits your dog's breed. By 7 or 8 weeks, she'll be thriving on dry food alone. Some ideas to help her make the change: [LIST][*]Practice portion control: Overfeeding can cause a puppy to grow too fast, creating bone problems.[*]Moisten the dry food: Doing so may help encourage your puppy to make the switch. Use no more than one part warm water to four parts dry food, changing frequently to ensure freshness.[*]Check food labels for protein: A young dog needs more (about 25% to 30% more) than an adult one.[*]Limit treats: Rewarding good behavior starts early, but don't let treats make up more than 5% of your pup's diet.[/LIST] |