The first feeding of puppies: an important stage in a dog's life

14 March 2023

📌 HOME FOOD Blog: First Complementary Feeding for Puppies: When to Start and What to Give?

First Complementary Feeding for Puppies: When to Start and What to Give?

«Proper weaning from the mother is not just a transition to solid food, but the foundation of health and harmonious
development for every puppy» — Kelly Roper, dog handler and breeder.

First Complementary Feeding for Puppies: A Scientifically Proven Start to a Healthy Life

The first weeks of a puppy’s life are a period of intensive development when the foundations of health are laid, functional body systems are formed, and future disease resistance is established. One of the key stages in this process is the proper introduction of the first complementary foods. Mother’s milk remains the most valuable source of nutrients at the start of life, but from a certain point, it can no longer fully meet the growing needs of the body. That’s when it’s time to gradually expand the diet.

First complementary feeding is not just trying new food. It is a controlled, scientifically based process of adapting an immature digestive system to a different type of nutrition. Mistakes at this stage can cause diarrhea, allergic reactions, growth disorders, and behavioral eating problems. Properly selected complementary foods — taking into account age, breed, and physiological condition — ensure harmonious development, promote the establishment of healthy intestinal microflora, and strengthen the immune system.

This article will help you approach the first complementary feeding stage with love and knowledge: determine the optimal time to start, choose safe products, and avoid common mistakes. After all, the best care is a combination of science and heartfelt warmth.

When to Start Complementary Feeding?

A dog’s mother’s milk is a unique source of nutrients, immunoglobulins, and enzymes that provide not only nutrition but also passive immunity. The average duration of lactation is 5–8 weeks, but milk volume already begins to decrease after the 4th week. The critical minimum is the first 3 weeks of life — this period must not be shortened. If it is absent, veterinary milk replacers are used. The optimal time to start complementary feeding is 3.5–4.5 weeks, when the digestive system is mature enough for the gradual introduction of more solid food.

Main Goals of Complementary Feeding

First complementary feeding has two key objectives — biochemical adaptation of the digestive system and meeting the growing needs of the body.

Biochemical aspect: synthesis of pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease) is activated, which were previously present in minimal amounts. A new profile of intestinal microflora is formed, capable of efficiently processing complex proteins and carbohydrates.
Nutritional aspect: complementary foods compensate for deficiencies in energy, iron, zinc, vitamins A, D, E, B-group, and essential amino acids.
Zootechnical goal: development of the chewing apparatus, tongue coordination, and formation of proper eating behavior.
Immune adaptation: reducing the risk of food allergies through gradual development of tolerance to new proteins.

Which Products Are Suitable for Complementary Feeding?

Complementary feeding is introduced gradually, taking into account age and the digestive system’s adaptive capabilities. The optimal scheme is 5 stages of 3 days each:

Stage 1 (days 1–3) — milk replacers: veterinary formulas with an optimal composition or sugar-free infant formulas with probiotics (as a temporary option).
Stage 2 (days 4–6) — semi-liquid porridges (rice, oatmeal, corn), preferably with prebiotics, probiotics, immunoglobulins, and bioactive peptides.
Stage 3 (days 7–9) — adding protein: pureed boiled meat (turkey, chicken, veal), introduced in small portions with tolerance monitoring.
Stage 4 (days 10–12) — stimulating motility: finely cooked grains + mashed vegetables (carrot, zucchini, potato).
Stage 5 (days 13–15) — combined dishes of porridges, vegetables, and meat, with gradual transition to a full diet. At around 6 weeks, the puppy is ready for commercial food.

Alternative: Ready-Made Commercial Complementary Foods

Another effective option is to start complementary feeding with ready-made veterinary foods designed for the weaning phase:

pre-starter and starter canned foods or pastes;
dry pre-starter/starter food for soaking. These products have a balanced composition and reduce the risk of digestive disorders. Both home-made and commercial approaches are scientifically justified. The choice depends on the puppies’ health, availability of quality foods, and veterinary supervision.

Approximate Complementary Feeding Volumes (ml/kg/day)

	
			Age (weeks)
			Small breeds
			Medium
			Large
		

	
			3–4
			10–15
			8–12
			6–10
		

			5–6
			15–20
			12–16
			10–14
		

			7–8
			20–25
			16–20
			14–18
		

			9–10
			25–30
			20–25
			18–22
		

			11–12
			30–35
			25–30
			22–26
		

Age (weeks)	Small breeds	Medium	Large
3–4	10–15	8–12	6–10
5–6	15–20	12–16	10–14
7–8	20–25	16–20	14–18
9–10	25–30	20–25	18–22
11–12	30–35	25–30	22–26

Volumes are approximate and depend on individual needs and growth rates.

Should You Add Salt and Fats?

Salt is not added to complementary foods until 12 weeks — the kidneys are still immature for sodium excretion.
Fats are a mandatory component: especially omega-3 (DHA), which support brain development, vision, and immunity. Sources include fish oil and other high-quality lipid supplements.

Feeding Organization

To monitor the amount eaten, each puppy should have its own bowl. This allows precise tracking of appetite and reaction to new food.

Possible Digestive Disorders

When transitioning to complementary foods, diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting may occur. Most often, this is the result of introducing products too quickly or using low-quality ingredients.

Introduce new ingredients gradually.
In case of disorders — return to the familiar diet, let the stomach “rest,” and if necessary, use probiotics/prebiotics, humic acids, complex supplements, and consult a veterinarian.

Feeding Frequency (3–6 weeks)

	
			Age
			Times/day
			Night feedings
			Comment
		

	
			3–3.5 weeks
			6–8
			1–2
			Liquid complementary food + milk
		

			4–4.5 weeks
			5–6
			0–1
			Thick porridges, reducing night feedings
		

			5–5.5 weeks
			4–5
			—
			Stable adaptation
		

			6 weeks
			4
			—
			Transition to a diet without night feedings
		

Age	Times/day	Night feedings	Comment
3–3.5 weeks	6–8	1–2	Liquid complementary food + milk
4–4.5 weeks	5–6	0–1	Thick porridges, reducing night feedings
5–5.5 weeks	4–5	—	Stable adaptation
6 weeks	4	—	Transition to a diet without night feedings

Monitoring the Effectiveness of Complementary Feeding

Stool: soft, porridge-like, without pathological impurities.
Weight gain: daily weighing. On average, body weight increases by 300–500% over the 3–8 week period.

Mother’s Milk and Complementary Foods: Combination

Milk remains the basis of nutrition until 4–5 weeks, and sometimes until 7–8 weeks. Combining milk and complementary foods facilitates digestive adaptation, reduces stress risk, and supports immunity. From 6–8 weeks, lactation is gradually reduced, transitioning puppies to a full diet.

Immunity and Complementary Feeding

Colostrum and milk contain antibodies that protect the puppy until its own immunity is formed. Early weaning without complementary food and probiotic support increases the risk of infections. A complete diet enriched with functional ingredients (omega-3, prebiotics, immunomodulating components) helps the puppy confidently pass the period between the end of lactation and vaccination.

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