A healthy start for your puppy or kitten
A Healthy Start for Your Puppy or Kitten
Bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is an exciting and joyful time. One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is what kind of food you’ll give your new companion. High-quality nutrition is essential for healthy growth, a strong immune system, and a long, happy life. But what should you look for when choosing the right food? And how can you combine feeding with training? We’re happy to share more info, advice, and tips.
What Is High-Quality Puppy and Kitten Food?
Good food is more than just a full bowl. Quality nutrition includes:
✅ High-quality animal proteins – Puppies and kittens need lots of protein for muscle growth. Choose food with a high meat content, such as chicken, beef, salmon, or lamb.
✅ Healthy fats and Omega-3/6 fatty acids – Essential for brain development, coat health, and energy. Fish oil and chicken fat are great sources.
✅ Vitamins and minerals – Calcium and phosphorus support bone development, while vitamins A, D, and E help strengthen the immune system.
✅ No unnecessary fillers – Avoid grains like wheat and corn, soy, and artificial additives. Natural food free from colorants and preservatives is best.
✅ Easily digestible ingredients – Young animals have sensitive digestion. Choose food with easily digestible proteins and prebiotics (like inulin) for a healthy gut.
Examples of high-quality food for puppies:
Examples of high-quality food for kittens:
What to Consider When Choosing Food
When picking food, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your puppy or kitten. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
Life stage & breed
• Small breeds grow faster and often need more energy per kilogram of body weight.
• Large breeds grow more slowly and require the right calcium-phosphorus ratio to prevent growth issues.
Dry or wet food?
• Dry food (kibble): Convenient, long-lasting, and good for dental health. Make sure the kibble size is suitable for young animals.
• Wet food (canned): Often tastier and hydrating. Great as a complement to kibble or for picky eaters.
How to Make the Best Choice
✔ Read the ingredient list – The first ingredients should be high-quality proteins (like "fresh chicken meat" or "dried chicken"), not fillers.
✔ Look for certifications – Food that meets FEDIAF standards or has quality labels is generally a better choice.
✔ Check ingredient sourcing – Choose brands that are transparent about where their meat, fish, and other ingredients come from.
✔ Try and observe – Not all food suits every puppy or kitten. Monitor stool, coat quality, and energy levels, and adjust if needed.
Fun tips & tricks: Feeding and training your puppy
Use food as a reward during training
• Instead of standard treats, use small pieces of kibble or healthy snacks like dried meat.
• This helps avoid overfeeding and keeps your pup excited for mealtime.
Slow feeders and sniff mats for mental stimulation
• Let your puppy or kitten work for their food. A slow feeder or sniff mat prevents gulping and offers a fun mental challenge.
Reward good behavior with food
• Want your puppy to stay calm when you put down the food bowl? Wait until they’re calm and use the meal as a reward.
• This builds self-control and prevents pushy behavior.
Be careful with table scraps
• Some foods like chocolate, onions, grapes, and avocado are toxic to dogs and cats. Be mindful!
What Are Good Snacks for Puppies or Kittens?
Besides main meals, snacks are a fun way to reward and train. Choose snacks with high meat content and no unnecessary additives. Top options include:
For Puppies:
• Dried meat (chicken, duck, or rabbit) – Natural and healthy with no additives.
Barkie’s Meat Trainers – Canagan Dog Snacks Softies
• Freeze-dried and air-dried snacks – Nutrient-rich and ideal as training treats.
I’m Different Freeze-Dried Snacks – Pala snacks
• Chew snacks (puppy-friendly) – Great for dental hygiene and chewing needs.
Barkie’s rabbit ears – goat ears – lamb ears – konijnenhuid/geitenhuid
For Kittens:
• Soft snacks or small pieces of cooked meat are usually best for kittens.
By choosing high-quality food without unnecessary fillers, with the right balance of proteins, fats, and nutrients, you’re giving your puppy or kitten the healthy start they deserve.
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