Food is a fundamental aspect of a dog's well-being, even more so when it comes to a growing dog. Natural weaning usually occurs around 2 months, which is why it is not convenient to separate the puppies from their mother before. In addition, a premature separation could hinder the puppy's socialization process, since it begins precisely with its mother and siblings.
After weaning, the question may arise of what to feed a 2-month-old puppy to ensure proper development. In this article on our site we are going to explain how to start feeding at this age and what alternatives we have to feed our puppy in such a way that we cover all his nutritional needs.
When does a puppy start eating alone?
Puppies, like mammals, begin their lives feeding on the milk provided by their mother. The coexistence of her with her and with her siblings, as well as the maintenance of breastfeeding, is recommended until, at least, two months of life. Therefore, it is not advised to adopt a dog before that age. Even in the case of orphaned and formula-fed puppies, the litter must remain together until at least eight weeks.
But that doesn't mean you have to spend all that time drinking only milk. From 21-28 days of life the puppies will begin to show interest in their mother's food and it is a good time for them to start feeding solid. The lactating female has to be consuming a diet for growing puppies, so there is no problem in them accessing it. If it is a hard food like dry food, we can moisten it with warm water to help the puppies eat it more easily.
In these cases, the mother will be the one that prevents them from having access to milk, so they will eat more and more solids and final weaning will take place. Therefore, when we adopt a puppy, it is not necessary that we look for milk for a 2-month-old puppy. When you arrive at our home, you must already be used to eating only your food. For adopters wondering what to feed a 2-month-old puppy, we've got you covered below.
What should a 2-month-old puppy eat?
Mainly, there are three types of food for puppies of two months and other ages: dry food, canned wet food or homemade food.
Food for puppies from 2 months
When the two-month-old puppy arrives at our home, the most important thing is to bear in mind that, if what we are going to feed him differs from what he was eating until then, we must make a gradual transition It's a good idea to give us a small amount of the food you're used to and mix it with the new one until you make the switch. This progression is necessary because sudden changes in diet often trigger digestive problems. Combined with the stress of moving home and the separation of her family, the puppy could become ill.
But if you're wondering what to feed a 2-month-old puppy, the truth is that a very widespread option is dry food. In the market you will find such a huge variety of products that it is difficult to know which one to choose. As a guide, keep these tips in mind:
- The dog is a carnivorous animal, omnivorous in practice, which needs a menu based on proteins of animal origin. This means that the first ingredient on the feed list has to be meat.
- Dried or dehydrated meat guarantees that the indicated content is maintained in the final product. Fresh meat loses water in the feed manufacturing process, so the final content will be approximately half of what is declared.
- The food must always be specifically formulated for growing puppies. Other ranges will not be able to cover all the nutritional needs of this period, which lasts at least until one year of life.
- A good diet is an investment in present and future he alth.
- The most expensive feeds are not always the best. You have to read the label and pay attention to aspects like the ones we have mentioned.
- In addition to the food, the puppy must have clean and fresh water at its disposal at all times.
Wet food for puppies from 2 months
Now, if you wonder "what to feed a 2-month-old puppy if I don't have feed" or if you directly prefer another option, the truth is that there are alternatives. Wet food or canned food is another widely used variety of canine food. It is usually given occasionally or as a supplement to feed, but it could also be a single diet. In that case, we must look at the same recommendations given for the feed. Of course, you have to know that this type of food for puppies is less economical.
There is also another alternative, less known, which is dehydrated food. Just add water and serve. In addition, as we will see now, food made at home following a balanced diet can be another good alternative.
Homemade food for 2 month old puppies
Now that you know what to feed a 2-month-old puppy, let's stop at homemade food. You have to know that opting for this option has numerous benefits, since we are the ones who acquire the fresh ingredients and prepare them, maintaining their nutrients and serving the dish at the moment or freezing it for later consumption. But for homemade food to properly feed a puppy, the menu has to be prepared by experts in canine nutrition Otherwise, we run the risk of not covering all your needs and meet a puppy with growth and he alth problems.
Because of all the above, if you consider giving your dog homemade food, be clear that it is not synonymous with giving him your leftovers. Not even to prepare dishes like the ones you would eat. Learn well and contact professionals. For this reason, we recommend you consult this other article: "Homemade food for puppies".
How much does a 2 month old puppy eat?
Quality is the basis when deciding what to feed a 2-month-old puppy, but we also have to pay attention to quantity. It is not true that a puppy has to eat large amounts to grow bigger. It should not be overfed or given supplements, but respect the quantities that the manufacturer or nutrition expert prescribes for the puppy according to its size. The daily ration should be divided into about four feedings As it grows, these feedings will be reduced. At approximately one year we will be able to feed him only once or twice a day.
So how much should a 2-month-old puppy eat? It will depend on the breed or the size that they can have as an adult, their level of physical activity and the type of food chosen. For this reason, it is not possible to set an exact amount that will serve all 2-month-old puppies, since a pug puppy, for example, can eat from 60 to 90 grams per day, while a beagle puppy can eat between 140 and 240 grams.
Finally, we must bear in mind that the edible prizes that we give, very common during education, should be deducted from the daily ration, since they involve additional calories, which could unbalance the diet and cause weight problems. Prizes can never exceed 10% of the daily food percentage.
