How to Care for a Dog in Its Growth Stage

1 Feeding and Managing a Growing Dog

Feeding and management for a growing dog.

1. Feeding Newly Weaned Puppies

Use mostly puppy kibble. Offer high-energy, high-protein, high-fat, palatable, easy-to-digest soft, moist food, and add meat and broth as supplements based on growth and weight.

2. Feeding Schedule

Feed a newly weaned puppy 4 times a day. Ensure food is nutritious, safe, and clean. Clean the bowl before each meal and disinfect it every two days with a pet-safe disinfectant; in summer, clean and disinfect more often.

3. Deworming and Vaccination

From 6 weeks, deworm and vaccinate. If no worms are seen, vaccinate first, then deworm, not at the same time. The first round is four shots: three combination vaccines and one rabies. Normally you can deworm after the third combination shot, without waiting for all four. Under 6 months, deworm internally and externally once a month.

4. Training

After 1 month, give the puppy a name. Around 2 months, start simple training, call it to come when you say its name. Also teach easy tricks like jumping or playing with a toy to strengthen your bond.

5. Growth Rate

Most growing dogs reach about half their adult weight by 5-6 months, though timing varies by breed. Large breeds mature more slowly and need more nutrition than small breeds.

6. Avoid Free-Feeding

Do not let growing dogs free-feed, to prevent obesity. Intake rises with age and weight. Around 6-7 months they near puberty, so separate males and females if kept in groups. Feed twice a day with balanced nutrition and moderate exercise.

7. Near Adulthood

At 8 months a growing dog is near adult; sex organs are mostly mature. Small breeds weigh about 5 kg, medium breeds about 15 kg.