What Should I Feed My Mastiff Puppy?
- 1). Begin by feeding your puppy the same food he was fed by the breeder. If you will be feeding him a different food, gradually switch over to the new food. Gradually switching to the new food avoids upsetting his stomach and/or digestive system.
- 2). Feed your Mastiff puppy only premium puppy food specially formulated for giant breed dogs. There is a difference between large breed and giant breed dog foods. Feed him giant breed puppy food until he is one year old. At that time you can switch to a premium adult giant breed dog food.
- 3). Choose between dry, kibble-type premium giant breed dog food and soft, canned premium giant breed dog food. Or you can use a combination of the two. Each type of food has its own benefits, so it comes down to a personal choice.
- 4). Feed your puppy three times a day until he is between four and six months old. Fewer, smaller feedings are recommended since a puppy's stomach can not accommodate the same quantity as the stomach of an adult dog. In addition, it is believed that more frequent feedings helps to prevent Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), more commonly known as bloat.
- 5). Give your puppy the recommended amount of food based on his size, age and activity level. Use the dog food packaging instructions as a guideline. Your veterinarian can help you determine the proper quantity to feed your Mastiff puppy each day.
- 6). Give your puppy treats in moderation. Treats should be counted as part of his total daily intake. Fruits and vegetables are a healthy, low-calorie snack and can be given in place of commercially packaged treats. Apples, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots are a few fruits and vegetables to try.
- 7). Avoid chocolate, dairy products, grapes, raisins, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms -- all of which can be harmful and even fatal in dogs. Table scraps should also be avoided since they are not nutritionally balanced.
