Puppies have specific nutritional needs that are a bit different from those of adult dogs. That’s why it is important to start them on a high-quality commercial kibble that has been specially designed for puppies. A puppy food should be made to fit their pint-sized bodies, contain the essential vitamins and minerals they need, and be easy on their developing digestive systems.

What to feed puppies at 4 weeks  important to keep in mind that your pup’s diet should be healthy, which means avoiding certain foods that are toxic to dogs. Some common food items that can make puppies sick include avocados, chocolate, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts; pits and seeds (like peach, plum, and persimmon); raw dough made with yeast; onions and chives; milk and large amounts of cheese; salty foods such as chips or pretzels; candy or gum made with the sugar substitute xylitol; and tomatoes.

Nurturing the Tiniest: A Guide to Feeding Puppies at 4 Weeks Old

Toxic foods may cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, or even death if eaten in large quantities. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The best puppy foods to look for are those with an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy for puppies. These will be formulated with puppies’ needs in mind, such as the addition of calcium to help protect against skeletal problems; the presence of probiotics to aid digestion; and higher critical levels of EPA and DHA that are found in their mother’s milk for eye and brain development.

When feeding newborn puppies, be careful to hold them upright as they don’t have a fully developed gag reflex. Placing them on their backs could cause fluid to go down the windpipe into the lungs, which can be life-threatening.