Guide to feeding a puppy

Feeding and the amount of food can be difficult and overwhelming for a new puppy owner. There is a jungle of tips and advice, and there is a lot to think about when getting a new four-legged companion. In this article, we have gathered as much of the knowledge as we believe is needed when feeding your puppy.

Raw dog food – the natural choice!

Over thousands of years, the dog's ancestors adapted to a life of searching for prey and carrion. Despite us humans breeding dogs for their good looks and excellent working properties, we have never bred with the intention of changing what lies within them. Therefore, easily digestible animal-based food, to which the dog's ancestors adapted in the wild, will still provide the best foundation for a healthy and active life.

Raw dog food is natural and nutritious, and is easily absorbed by the dog's body. The raw materials are minimally processed, so the nutrients are in their natural structure and easy for the body to recognise and use as energy and building blocks. 

VOM PUPPY has been developed as a complete food, and takes special account of a puppy's development and nutritional needs. The mixture is made from chicken, beef tripe, salmon, egg and beef liver. Salmon is a source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These fatty acids are particularly important for the puppy's development of the brain, vision, immune system and nervous system. Chicken is a good source of high-quality protein, and ox liver is rich in vitamins and minerals. In VOM PUPPY and all our complete feeds, chicken bone and cartilage are a natural and nutritious part of the food. Bone is a good source of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and cartilage is a source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which contribute to healthy joints. 

Feeding the puppy

VOM Puppy can be introduced to the puppy from as early as 3-4 weeks of age. Our tip when weaning very small puppies onto solid food is to mix the food with a little water to make a soupy mixture. For the very smallest puppies, it may also be advisable to blend the food together in a food processor or blender to create a smoother mixture. We recommend not removing the bones or cartilage before serving, as this will affect the balanced calcium and phosphorus content of the food. 

If the puppy has been fed VOM PUPPY with its breeder, you can continue feeding this immediately after collection. If you wish to switch to VOM PUPPY from another puppy food, we recommend a gradual transition. Offer small amounts at a time over a period of approximately 1-2 weeks to ensure the transition goes smoothly. 

During its development, it is natural for a puppy to have periods of both firm and loose stools. Many new impressions and experiences can affect its body and the appearance of its stools. It is completely normal for a puppy to have smaller, firmer and drier stools on VOM PUPPY. This is because the absorption of the food is high, and the puppy makes good use of all the nutrients. 

Advice and tips on feed quantity

Every single puppy is different, and even two puppies from the same litter may need different amounts of food each day. A puppy's energy requirements depend on several factors, including breed, age, size, stress and activity level.

Our recommended feeding amount of VOM PUPPY is 4-5% of the puppy's body weight daily for complete feeding. This is a general and theoretical amount, based on an average energy requirement. It is therefore important to experiment and adjust the amount throughout the growth phase. If the puppy is exposed to environmental enrichment, mental stimulation or is very active, it will likely need more food.

When the puppy begins to approach the halfway point of its growth phase, it is often advisable to adjust the amount down to approximately 3.5% of the puppy's body weight per day. When the puppy is nearing full growth, you can gradually reduce the amount to approximately 2% of the dog's body weight per day, which is our recommended feeding amount for adult dogs.

The number of meals a puppy needs in a day will vary. Meals should be spread evenly throughout the day. We recommend three to four meals a day until the puppy is around 3-4 months old. After that, you can gradually reduce this to three meals a day. When the puppy is approaching one year old, it can have two meals a day.

Hygiene – handling of raw dog food

All our foods, including VOM PUPPY, are made from raw, animal ingredients. You can therefore handle VOM in the same way you would handle a raw chicken fillet. Use the same hygiene rules you would use in your own kitchen: 

• The products should be stored in the freezer and defrosted in a suitable container in the fridge. This is important to maintain their good quality until serving. The product will generally have a shelf life of 2-3 days in the fridge. 
• Use your own utensils, such as a knife and chopping board, and wash your hands, equipment and food bowl thoroughly after use. 

The transition from puppy food to adult food

Our recommendation is that the puppy is fed VOM PUPPY primarily until it is fully grown and old enough to start the transition to adult food. Our puppy food is specially formulated for growing puppies, taking into account their developmental needs and requirements for nutrients. However, it is possible to use our other blends from time to time to provide a variation in flavour.

When the puppy is nearing full growth, it can start the transition to a VOM adult food. As a rule of thumb, you can start with an adult food when the puppy is one year old, but small breeds may also be fully grown earlier and large breeds can continue to grow until they are 24 months old. So, this is therefore dependent on the breed you have. 

We have a simplified product range with both complete and supplementary feeds in various pack sizes for adult dogs. These blends are suitable for most dogs, regardless of breed, size or activity level.
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