A high quality puppy/kitten food, such as Science Diet, Royal Canin or Purina Pro Plan is highly recommended for the first year of growth. Large breed dogs should be fed a diet formulated for large breeds. Always have an ample supply of water available for your puppy or kitten.
Puppies
We suggest that puppies be fed three times daily at least until they reach 4 months of age. At some point between 4-6 months of age, you may notice your puppy begin to lose interest in one of the meals. At that point we are able to transition to two meals a day.
Continue to feed a high quality puppy food until your pup reaches one year of age. Let body condition guide you in adjusting the amount of food to feed. Obesity is common in adult dogs. We want to prevent that from happening to your puppy.
Kittens
Cats and kittens require much higher levels of protein in their diet than do dogs. Unfortunately, protein is the single most expensive ingredient in cat foods. Consequently, bargain-brand or cheap cat foods contain low-grade, poorly digestible protein. For your cat’s health, avoid the cheaper brands of cat foods.
Also, we highly recommend including canned food as a part of your cat’s diet. It is generally much higher in protein than dry foods, which have more carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not metabolized as well by cats, leaving them feeling hungry and eating more, which leads to obesity.
Another way to help prevent obesity is to feed meals rather than free choice. Cats are natural born hunters, and what they hunt is primarily their food. When we just leave food in a bowl all the time for them they tend to get bored and lazy, and some actually get stress related disorders. If you are willing to hide food in random locations or use puzzle toys for feeding, it can enrich your cat’s life.
Continue to feed a high quality kitten diet until your cat reaches one year of age. You should be aware that once your kitten is spayed or neutered, its appetite will increase by a third, while its energy requirements will drop by a third. This is one reason why we see so many overweight and obese cats. So adjust food rations accordingly.