If you have welcomed home a furry four-legged adorable ball of fur for the first time, then, Congratulations on being a first-time pet parent. Your new pup will be an exciting addition to your home and life, and no doubt, you will be posed with numerous questions and doubts as you start taking care of her. You have come to the right spot. Here are 10 healthy dog food tips for raising healthy puppies. Read, learn, and enjoy your new puppy love.

As excited as you are about having a new pup in your home, he/she too might be delighted with all the attention he/she is receiving. Give her gentle rubs, caress her behind the ears, shower her with hugs, and speak lovingly with her, but do not use food to show your happiness or affection.

Puppies need to eat more times than older dogs because they are in the development stage. They need nutrient-rich food for the healthy growth of their bones, muscles, and other organs, while older dogs need food to maintain themselves in good condition.

The type of food and quantity you feed your puppy depends on what breed he/she is, her metabolism capacity, and her nutritional requirements. Take the advice of a veterinarian to understand her dietary needs and follow it faithfully.

Measure the amount of food you need to feed her and divide it into smaller meals that you can spread throughout the day. Until your puppy is 12 weeks old, you could give her four meals a day, reduce it to three meals until he/she is six months old. Then slowly transition to two meals a day until he/she turns one. From then on, you could divide one meal portion into two and feed her that twice a day.

Maintain feeding schedules and stick to them. Consistency is key here, feed her at the same time every day. You could probably time it along with your mealtimes, so it discourages table-feeding habits. This is one of the most crucial healthy dog food tips one should consider.

When it is time for food, select a good spot to place her feeding bowls, one for food and one for water. He/she might make a mess, so make sure it is a floor you can clean easily.

Leave food available in her bowl for a specified time only, then remove the bowl even if he/she has not eaten. This way, he/she will understand mealtimes are not forever, and he/she has to focus on eating if he/she does not want to go hungry. Avoid free-choice feeding to keep her weight in check and prevent obesity and other related health issues as he/she grows up.

Make sure your puppy has fresh drinking water throughout the day, especially in summer. Wash her feeding bowls and change the water every day to avoid bacterial buildup.

If you are confused about which food you need to feed your puppy, consult the veterinarian and come up with a balanced diet plan for your canine baby. You could give her a combination of dry kibble, and wet food from a can or pouch. This will ensure the kibble keeps her teeth and gums strong and healthy, and at the same time, he/she gets tasty, and protein-rich wet food.

These healthy dog food tips will ensure that your puppy grows well and stays in shape.