Natural Feeding for Puppies 2025: Vet Guide to Healthy Growth 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Feeding a puppy isn’t just about calories—it’s about building a lifelong foundation of health. But between raw feeding, kibble claims, and homemade diets, it’s hard to know what’s truly best.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s how to feed your puppy naturally, safely, and in balance—without risking growth problems, deficiencies, or gut issues.

🍼 Puppy Feeding Priorities

• Support rapid growth with complete and digestible nutrition
• Provide proper calcium, phosphorus, DHA, and protein ratios
• Build gut and immune health early
• Avoid overfeeding (especially large breed puppies)

📆 Puppy Feeding Timeline

• 0–3 weeks: Mother’s milk only (or vet-formulated milk replacer)
• 3–4 weeks: Begin weaning to gruel (soft, soaked food)
• 6–8 weeks: Transition fully to solid meals 3–4x/day
• 12 weeks+: Feed 2–3 meals/day based on breed, appetite, and growth

✅ Natural Diet Options for Puppies

Option 1: Balanced Commercial Cooked or Raw (Puppy-Specific)

• Must meet AAFCO puppy (growth or all life stages) guidelines
• Trusted brands: Big Dog, JustFoodForDogs, Ziwi, Balanced Life (depending on region)

Option 2: Vet-Formulated Homemade Cooked Diet

• Use exact puppy-safe recipe + supplement blend from a veterinary nutritionist
• Monitor calcium: phosphorus ratio—this is where DIY often fails

🐾 What to Include in a Natural Puppy Diet

• Cooked turkey, chicken, or beef mince (protein and iron)
• Steamed pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach (fiber and vitamins)
• Cooked rice or quinoa (gentle energy sources)
• Fish oil or DHA supplements (for brain development)

🛑 What to Avoid Feeding Puppies

• Homemade diets without vet supervision
• Too much liver (vitamin A toxicity)
• Raw bones, fatty meat, raw eggs (digestive and safety concerns)
• Calcium supplements unless specifically directed—can cause growth deformities

📋 Sample Balanced Natural Puppy Meal (Under Vet Guidance)

• 50g cooked turkey mince
• 2 tbsp mashed pumpkin + zucchini
• 1 tbsp cooked quinoa
• 1⁄4 tsp fish oil + balanced puppy multivitamin (added fresh)

📈 Growth Monitoring Tips

• Weigh weekly—log changes and check against breed growth charts
• Watch stool—loose poop = too much fat or fiber
• Ribs should be felt easily but not visible

🎓 Bonus: Social Feeding Tips

• Feed in a calm environment with limited distraction

🔗 Tools from Ask A Vet

• Ask A Vet – Track weight, diet, poop, and get vet-verified growth recommendations

📋 Summary Excerpt

Growing dogs need carefully balanced nutrition—not guesswork. A vet explains how to feed puppies naturally, safely, and confidently using real food and smart vet-backed plans.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Can I feed my puppy home-cooked food?
  A: Yes—but only with a vet-formulated recipe. Puppies are sensitive to calcium and vitamin imbalances.
• Q: Is raw food okay for puppies?
  A: Only if it’s from a trusted, complete brand labeled for “growth” or “all life stages.” Avoid DIY raw for puppies.
• Q: How often should I feed my puppy?
  A: 3–4 meals/day until 6 months old. Then gradually move to 2 meals/day.