Puppies have a lot of growing up to do in a short space of time: in just 12 months (up to 24 months for larger breeds) they'll become fully-fledged adults. Their bodies have to develop incredibly quickly, so it's hardly surprising that they need the highest quality nutrition to get there - and plenty of it too. A healthy, energetic puppy can burn through between two and three times more calories than an adult dog!

Puppy nutrition
Puppies are full of curiosity about the world around them, but they need lots of energy to explore it. Manufactured puppy foods are designed to provide complete nutrition, without the bulk. Puppy formulas contain good levels of high quality protein to support healthy tissue and organ development, and higher levels of essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and iron, as well as vitamin D to help build strong bones and teeth.

Puppies also have smaller mouths than adult dogs, so the smaller bite-sized kibbles in most manufactured puppy foods make it easier to chew and release all the essential nutrients.

Weaning
Needless to say, a mother's milk makes the ideal first food as it's naturally rich in all the required nutrients. Although puppies get ready for weaning between six and eight weeks old, most will start to take an interest in solid foods at three to four weeks - usually by romping through their mother's bowl and licking the food from their paws!

This is the best time to start offering a puppy food formula. If you choose a dry food, it should be moistened and mashed. With less adventurous puppies, you may need to spread a small amount their lips to encourage them to give it a try. Don't be tempted to wean too early. Switching exclusively to solids too soon can harm young stomachs. For dry foods, gradually reduce the amount of moisture up to about eight to ten weeks.

How much to feed
Puppies have small stomachs but large appetites, so feed them small amounts on a frequent basis depending on their age.

• 2-3 months: four meals a day
• 4-6 months: two to three meals a day
• Over 6 months: two meals a day

Don't be tempted to overfeed your puppy to speed up the growth process. Most of the food will be wasted. And as the volume will be too much for a developing digestion, it could lead to painful bone problems in the future. Also, be aware that overweight puppies turn into overweight dogs with all the problems that may cause.

It's best to keep to the feeding recommendations of commercially produced puppy foods, but also try training your puppy to stay out of the kitchen whenever you're cooking. And make sure you ask friends and family not to share scraps, however sorry your puppy looks for itself!

Try not to feed your puppy immediately before or after exercise and allow an hour to pass between feeding and activity. This helps to prevent the risk of swelling or twisting of the stomach.

Puppies naturally enjoy crunching their food, which also helps keep their teeth strong and healthy. Consistency in the diet is also important, so unless there is an obvious problem, it's best to stick with the same brand of food.

Where to feed your puppy
Your puppy should be fed in a quiet place away from interruptions and from where you eat. Don't allow children to interrupt the meal or they may be mistaken as a 'predator' trying to steal food, which could lead to an aggressive reaction. If you have other dogs in the household, feed them separately to avoid bullying and fighting.

How to feed
Serve food at room temperature to ensure your puppy can taste and smell it properly. If you are feeding canned food, this can take up to two hours from being taken out of the fridge. If you (or your puppy) can't wait, just pop the food into a microwave-safe container and heat it up for a short time, being careful not to let the food re-cook, and mashing to avoid hot spots. It's also good idea to put your puppy's bowl on a surface that can be easily cleaned, like a tiled floor or a mat, and always provide fresh clean water.

As your pup grows bigger…
As puppies grow bigger, so does their appetite. They need more energy to support fast bursts of growth and build up muscle mass. Depending on breed, a six-month old puppy can require up to twice the daily calorie intake of a two-month old. After six months, however, the rate of growth will decline.

What not to feed
Despite those pleading, puppy dog eyes, try to avoid feeding table scraps and titbits. To do so will upset your puppy's nutritional balance, and can often be dangerous. Raw meat, in particular, can be infected with bacteria, and despite tasting so good, chocolate is a toxic to their system and should always be avoided.

Making the change to adult food
Even though most breeds look fully-grown at between six and eight months, they're still puppies on the inside. Their bones are becoming stronger and their bodies are continuing to fill out. Only after 12 months (up to 24 months for larger breeds) are they ready to make the transition to an adult food formula, when they no longer need the extra calories and nutrients.

To avoid upsetting a sensitive digestion, start by mixing the new adult food with the
puppy food you usually feed and gradually increase the proportion over 7 to 10 days.