At one month old, puppies are actively growing; they require proper nutrition to support their rapid growth and development. Their digestive systems are still quite delicate at this age, you need to know that it is best to feed soft, easily digestible foods.
The key is providing a diet with the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Lean animal proteins provide amino acids for building muscle and organs. Healthy fats supply energy and aid brain and vision development. Carbohydrates and fiber support digestion. Vitamins, like A, B, C, D, and E, and minerals also play crucial roles in immune function and growth.
Since their stomachs are quite small, puppies need to eat small, frequent meals, about 4 or 5 a day. This prevents stomach upsets and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Feed about 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time, then, adjust the amounts as needed to maintain a healthy weight. Most importantly, Avoid overfeeding. That said, here are food resources a 1 month old puppy can safely eat:
1. Milk and Dairy
At one month old, puppies still need milk in their diet as their digestive systems are still developing. However, cow’s milk may be difficult for some puppies to digest, give goat milk instead. Goat’s milk is generally easier on a puppy’s stomach and provides similar nutritional benefits.
Small amounts of plain yogurt without added sugars can also be given to puppies at this age. The probiotics in yogurt help support healthy digestion. Avoid giving puppies any dairy products high in lactose like ice cream or cheese, lactose can cause diarrhea. Stick to small amounts of goat’s milk and plain yogurt for the healthiest dairy options.
2. Wet Puppy Food
Wet or canned puppy foods are a great way to provide moisture and nutrition for 1 month old puppies. Here are some wet food options:
– Canned puppy formula: These complete and balanced canned foods designed just for puppies are an easy option. Look for a high-quality brand with real meat as the first ingredient. Also, take a second look at other ingredients and the expiry date.
– Homemade purees of chicken and beef: Making your own purees is another good choice. Cook meat like chicken or beef until very tender. Let it cool and puree it in a blender or food processor until smooth. Mix in some of the cooking liquid for moisture.
– Adding warm water or broth: You can also mix dry kibble with warm water, formula, or unsalted chicken or beef broth to create a mushy wet food. The liquid will help keep your pup hydrated.
Wet foods provide extra moisture to help puppies stay hydrated. They’re also easier to chew and digest than dry kibbles. Mix wet food with dry or offer it on its own. Transition slowly if switching foods to avoid digestive upset.
3. Dry Kibble
Dry kibble is a convenient and balanced way to feed your puppy. At one month old, your puppy may still have some trouble properly chewing dry kibble. There are a couple of ways to make it easier for them:
– Soak the kibble in water or goat milk before feeding. This will soften it up and make it easier to chew and digest. Soak for about 10-15 minutes.
– Grind the kibble into a coarse powder or “gruel.” You can use a food processor or blender on low speed to break up the kibble into smaller pieces. Adding some warm water or milk while grinding can help get it to a mushy consistency your puppy can lap up.
Start with a ratio of about 1 part water or milk to 2 parts kibble and adjust as needed. The ground kibble should be thick enough to cling to a spoon but soft enough for your puppy to eat.
Grinding kibble makes it easy for young puppies to eat while still providing complete nutrition in their puppy food. Just be sure to transition slowly to whole kibble over the next few weeks.
4. Fruits and Vegetables
At 1 month old, puppies can start to eat small amounts of cooked, pureed fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and peas. These provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
You can offer your puppy a small amount of mashed banana or applesauce. Bananas are high in potassium and apples provide vitamin C and fiber. Only give 1-2 tablespoons initially to make sure your puppy tolerates it well. Too much can cause diarrhea.
Fruits should be pitted, peeled, and mashed or pureed. Cook and puree any vegetables until they are soft enough for the puppy to chew and digest. Introduce new foods slowly and one at a time. If any cause stomach upset, stop giving it.
Only give fruits and veggies occasionally as treats. The bulk of your puppy’s diet should still come from a complete and balanced puppy food. Excess fruits and vegetables can lead to an imbalance. Always monitor your puppy’s reaction to new foods.
5. Meat and Fish
Puppies can start eating small amounts of cooked, unseasoned meat and fish at around 1 month old. Lean meats like chicken, beef, and turkey are good options. Make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Salmon is another healthy protein source for puppies. Look for wild caught salmon and cook it until it flakes easily. Then you can mix small chunks of salmon into your puppy’s regular food.
Some key things to remember when feeding meat and fish:
- Avoid raw meat and fish, which may contain bacteria. Always cook thoroughly.
- Don’t add any seasoning, oil, butter, or salt. Plain cooked meat is best.
- Introduce new proteins slowly and watch for signs of an upset stomach or allergic reaction.
- Limit portion sizes since too much protein can be hard for a puppy to digest. Around 1-2 tablespoons is a good amount to start.
- Meat and fish should always be just a supplement to your puppy’s regular puppy food. The primary diet should still be milk and puppy kibble at this age.
6. Water
Fresh, clean water should always be available to 1-month-old puppies. The water should be changed frequently throughout the day to ensure it stays clean and appealing to the puppy. Avoid water that contains additives like chlorine or fluoride; this can upset a puppy’s sensitive digestive system.
To encourage the puppy to drink water frequently, place multiple water bowls around the house so there’s always one in reach. Limit access to water around mealtimes so the puppy eats instead of filling up on water. Also, keep the water bowls away from the food bowls to avoid spilling and contamination.
Proper hydration is extremely important for young puppies as they are growing rapidly. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, dry gums, and, loss of skin elasticity. If you notice any of these signs, increase the puppy’s water intake immediately. Providing fresh, clean water at all times will help keep a 1-month-old puppy healthy.
Foods To Avoid
Puppies have sensitive digestive systems, so it’s important to avoid foods that may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, or other issues. Here are some foods to avoid feeding a 1-month-old puppy:
– Raw meat and fish: Raw meat and fish contain bacteria like salmonella that can make a puppy sick. Cook meat and fish before feeding to kill any harmful bacteria.
– Hard foods that may cause choking: Hard kibble, bones, rawhides, and other hard foods can pose a choking hazard for puppies who are still learning how to chew. Stick to soft, mushy foods that are easy to swallow.
– High-fat foods: Too much fat can lead to diarrhea and pancreatitis in puppies. Avoid feeding high-fat meats like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs.
– Sugar, salt, and spices: Sugar can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues. Salt and spices are too harsh on a puppy’s developing digestive system and may cause irritation. Avoid adding any seasoning or salt to a puppy’s food.
Puppy Feeding Schedule
At around 1 month old, puppies should be fed 4-6 small meals per day. This is because puppies have small stomachs and high metabolisms, so they can’t eat large quantities at once.
It’s important to monitor your puppy’s appetite and weight during this stage. Weigh them regularly to ensure they are gaining weight appropriately. If their appetite decreases or they seem to be losing weight, contact your vet, as this could signal an underlying health issue.
Some tips for feeding schedules:
- Space out meals evenly over the day. For example, feed breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between.
- Don’t free-feed. Measuring portions allows you to monitor intake.
- Feed on a consistent schedule. Puppies thrive on routine.
- Make adjustments based on appetite and weight gain. For example, add an extra meal if your puppy acts hungry.
- Transition to 3 meals per day at around 3-4 months old. Their stomach capacity increases as they grow.
What’s important is to meet your puppy’s individual needs while providing nutrients for healthy growth and development. With a proper feeding schedule, your puppy will continue to thrive.
Puppy Feeding Chart (1 – 3 months old)
| Weight (lbs) | Quantity of food per day (cups) |
| 1 – 5 | ½ – 1½ |
| 6 – 10 | 1 – 3 |
| 11 – 23 | 3 – 5 |
Transitioning Puppy To New Foods
When it’s time to transition your puppy to new foods, it’s important to do so slowly over the course of 5-7 days. This gives your puppy’s digestive system time to adjust to the new ingredients.
Abruptly changing your puppy’s diet can lead to gastrointestinal upset like vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. Follow these procedure to transition puppy foods:
- Start by mixing a small amount of the new food (25%) with the old food (75%).
- Gradually increase the ratio of new food over the next several days.
- By day 5-7, your puppy should be eating 100% new food.
- Watch your puppy’s stool – loose stool or diarrhea is a sign you may be switching foods too quickly. Slow down the transition if this occurs.
- Make sure your puppy has constant access to fresh, clean water.
Doing the aforementioned reduces digestive upset and ensures your puppy stays healthy. Always, consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns during the transition.
Dog Food Formula for Puppy Between 1 – 4 Months
Purina Beyond Chicken, Beef and Cod Ground Entree Grain Free Wet Dog Food Variety Pack
Price: $26.76 ($2.74 / lb)
Features :
- This is a grain-free wet dog food that contains natural prebiotic, fiber, real veggies, and chicken.
- It does not contain corn, wheat, soy, poultry-by-product meal, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice 30-lb
Features :
- Blue Buffalo Foods contains real meat as the first ingredient; as well as wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit
- Contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to help meet the energy needs of adult dogs, and features omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and healthy skin
- Contains a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals carefully formulated by animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs, and a healthy oxidative balance.
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food Salmon and Rice Formula – 30 lb. Bag
Price : $71.98 ($2.40 / lb)
Features :
- Contains digestible carbohydrates like oatmeal. This dog food is gentle on the digestive system
- Formulated with a high protein formula, with real salmon as the first ingredient
- The dog food is fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health
- It contains no corn, wheat, or soy. No artificial colors or flavors.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Chicken Recipe, 30 Lb Bag
Price : $79.99 ($2.67 / lb)
Features :
- This dry dog food contains balanced nutrients to promote digestive health while nourishing skin
- It contains prebiotic fiber to support a balanced gut microbiome.
- Formulated with highly digestible nutrients for optimal nutrient absorption.
- Contains vitamin E & Omega-6 fatty acids to help your grown dog get a lustrous coat and healthy skin