CP - Feeding – Guidelines
Key Nutrition for Puppies Development and Growth
Like a complex puzzle, a complete and balanced diet offers the precise combination of the nutrients that a puppy needs to develop healthily. That's why Diamond Valley Kennels recommend and feed Hypro Premium Puppy Biscuits to all of our puppies as part of their diet.
The ingredients are a means for ensuring puppies get the necessary nutrients for healthy development and growth in the early months and can carry on with other products in the Hypro Premium Biscuit range as they get older.
Does Portion Size Matter to Puppies?
Puppies don’t know how to regulate their food intake, so it’s important you control their portions to avoid them becoming overweight. This is particularly crucial for large breed dogs, as overfeeding can cause them to grow too quickly and develop skeletal problems.
Feeding Guide – All sizes
Below you will find our recommendations of how to feed your puppy. We would suggest that you follow this guide, especially for the first few weeks whilst puppy is settling into their new home.
🐕 At the kennels:
Puppy has been enjoying a variety of RAW chicken and beef mince twice a day (morning and afternoon). Puppy also has Hypro Premium Puppy with real chicken & brown rice biscuits available for grazing throughout the day which helps them keep their energy levels up and stops their tummy from getting too empty before the next meal.
🏡 Transitioning to home life:
Puppy can continue the same schedule and feed as they have been enjoying at the kennels. However, you may wish to give them a small snack at lunchtime if you are trying to transition onto 3 meals per day schedule to aid toilet training. However, at first it’s a good idea to have Hypro Premium Puppy biscuits available for grazing throughout the day until they are a little bigger and keep them on the same schedule as they enjoyed at the kennels. Hypro Premium is available in our showroom to purchase. We’ve included some probiotic powder (ProKolin sachet) to help support their tummy while they settle into their new home. Just sprinkle a small amount over their wet food. Moving to a new environment can be a little stressful at first, and this can help keep their digestion comfortable while they adjust.
If you are one of our flight customers and you have a puppy coming to you sooner than you can arrange a supply of the Hypro Premium Puppy biscuits via an online retailer, we do recommend that you can use Royal Canin Mini Puppy, as the produce is similar in size and taste to Hypro Premium Puppy Biscuits.
💦 Water 24/7:
Please ensure they have fresh water in a separate bowl that is changed daily and always available for puppies to drink. Do NOT offer milk, as dogs are lactose-intolerant. Puppies can get dehydrated very quickly so it’s always best to monitor that they are drinking on a regular basis.
🍽️ Grazing 24/7:
Continue to have Hypro Premium puppy biscuits available in a bowl at all times. Please do not change the biscuits to another brand immediately as this will upset their tummies. (Please read introducing new foods within this guide)
🍽️ Main Meal Times - Breakfast and Dinner - Wet Feed Protein based
Average portion of protein to be given: ½ Cup for Cavoodles (or similar size) // 1 Cup for Spoodles (or similar size) both morning and night. If puppy still seems hungry after meals, it's completely fine to offer more at this stage, it's better to slightly overfeed than underfeed while they're growing and developing!
Proteins could include one of the following:
- Raw Chicken or Beef Mince - RAW not cooked we do sometimes find that beef is a little too strong for puppies tummies so switch them to Chicken mince instead
- Tuna in spring water (preferred) or oil - about 4 tablespoons or 95g tin
- Sardines in tomato sauce (the Aldi brand is the fav!)
- Shredded cooked chicken about 5 tablespoons
- Some people like to add a little cooked white rice (up to 1 tablespoon) as well.
This is totally optional and can be helpful for sensitive tummies.
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Size of mince for a |
Size of mince for a |
Photos show the amount that you should be feeding (raw chicken or beef mince) which is the same for morning and night time which is approximately the equivalent to 1/2 cup cavoodles and 1 cup for spoodles.
Remember, if puppy still seems hungry, eats their meal quickly and is looking for more, it's completely fine to offer a little extra at this stage, it's better to slightly overfeed than underfeed while they're growing and developing!
If Your Puppy Isn’t Eating at First
It is common for puppies to eat less during the first day or two in a new home. If this happens, try offering:
- BBQ chicken (a favourite!)
- Tuna with a little rice
If feeding issues continue, please contact us for further assistance — we’re always happy to help.
Puppies, especially small breeds, can sometimes become stressed when transitioning to a new home which may cause diarrhoea.
If your puppy develops diarrhoea and you are concerned:
- Stop the biscuits temporarily OR mix in a small amount of plain boiled chicken or tuna with boiled rice.
- Ensure your puppy is drinking enough water and staying hydrated.
- You can reintroduce Mince and biscuits after a couple of days once your puppy’s tummy settles.
- Contact your vet if diarrhoea persists or if you have any concerns.
What do I need to buy in preparation of puppy coming home?
Hypro Premium Puppy with real chicken and brown rice biscuits (which seems to be the favourite in the range with our puppies) You will receive a sample bag of the biscuits, available via on line pet suppliers. We make purchasing easier with bags available in our showroom for just $29.95 which you can purchase whilst you are collecting your puppy 😊 so grab one today.
Mince – you need to have a little raw Chicken or Beef mince in the fridge so that you have dinner ready for the first night – Don’t buy in bulk as it will go off before you get to use it all. This can be either pet or human grade mince. Just be careful on the beef as it can sometimes be a little too rich for puppies’ tummies if given too much.
BBQ Cooked Chicken from the supermarket – break it all up and put in a container in the fridge – you may need this – refer to ‘ if my puppy is not eating”
Brown or white rice, Tuna in spring water and sardines in tomato sauce are also excellent to have on hand just in case puppy is not eating in those first few days.
Changing Diets / Introducing different foods
You are welcome to change your puppy’s diet but do so gradually over 7–10 days to avoid tummy upsets. Transition with a 75/25, 50/50 and 25/75 ratio until fully off the original biscuits to the new.
Rule of thumb is that the food biscuits and tin food that are sold in the Supermarket are not the best quality and we suggest that you try a good pet shop brand.
With so many options to choose from our top recommendations would be: Royal Canin (kibble), BARF frozen raw food, Lyka fresh dog meals.
If you have any issues with feeding please contact us for assistance.