Feeding

Puppies need to be fed small portions at frequent intervals, since they are growing and their activity level is high. You must ensure that your pup gains weight steadily.

At 3 months of age, puppies need to be fed four times a day. When shopping for dog food for your puppy, always choose a brand that caters for the large breed. No point in giving food value that is more suited for a small breed e.g. Yorkshire Terrier. Your Saint Bernard pup may be small now, but will grow, grow and grow some more, and eventually you will have a BIG dog.

When using puppy dry food, soak them for up to half an hour before feeding. Doing this makes it easier for digesting, and prevents their teeth from chipping.

As the pup reach the age of six months, increase its portions and you can now feed twice daily. At one year old, one meal per day is sufficient. At this time you can supplement with a few dry biscuits in the morning and evening.... (snacks).

Remember to always supply fresh drinking water with all meals, including snacks. Try and get your pup into regular feeding habits, when finished, take the dish away. Never leave the dish as the pup will get into bad habits, or better known as ’free feeding’. This is not an ideal way of feeding any growing puppy. You must have set times per day for feeding and stick to it.

When selecting a feeding dish for your pup, remember that pup's grow at an incredible rate. Purchase one that will be a bit big for him now, later you will be getting an even bigger one. The dish must be big enough to hold each meal. Hard plastic or Stainless steel is ideal. Discard the leftover food immediately and thoroughly wash and dry the feeding dish, as a dirty dish is a breeding ground for harmful germs. Feed your pup at the same regular intervals each day. Never over feed, use the feeding guidelines on the pack of dog food to guide you, or ask your vet.

Saint Bernard's need to have their dish off the ground (Raised) when they get older. At about 4 to 6 months old, raise the dish. This is to help with digestion. For example, get a tall bucket, place a piece of wood over it with the size of the feeding dish cut out in the centre. Or a tall bucket with the top opening the same size as the feeding dish to sit in it comfortably. But not for the dish to fall into the bucket when its full.

If you decide to offer your pup a bone, wait until it is at least three months old. Never give cooked bones, as these will splinter and can be very harmful to your dog. Only give uncooked bones. A little raw meat attached will not turn your dog into a vicious dog.