If you have followed the previous stage, you already know that each month in a Calupoh´s growth involves adjustments in its diet. By 4 months, its jaw is much stronger.
At this stage, feeding stops being just a transition… and begins to resemble the structure the dog will have as an adult.
Once the Calupoh puppy has adapted to the foods introduced in the previous stage, we can now introduce new options into its diet. As always, this should be gone gradually, avoiding the addition of too many new foods at the same time so as not to overload its digestive system.
At this age the puppy is already eating roughly the amount it will consume as an adult, which is between 1 kg and 1.5 kg per day. Because of this, the 10% rule no longer applies, we begin using a general reference of offering about 1.5 kg of meat for every 40 kg (88 lb) of body weight, always adjusting according to physical activity.
The foundation remains:
Introducing fruits
Ideally, fruits should be offered as occasional treats, not as part of the regular diet. The same toxicity precautions that apply to any dog should always be respected. Not all fruits are safe, and moderation continues to be key.
You can begin offering small pieces of apple, always without peel and without seeds.
Raw chicken with bone
At this stage, raw chicken leg and thigh with bone are introduced (the bone should always be raw and meaty). These types of pieces help support dental health.
New proteins: Fish and Eggs
We can begin introducing canned tuna and sardines in water. If they are only available in brine, they should be rinsed to remove excess salt.
Eggs can be offered once or twice per week. If you are not certain about their sanitary origin, it is better to cook them to avoid risks such as salmonella.
As always, if you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian.
Transition toward 2 meals per day
Between 4 and 5 months, the transition toward 2 meals per day can begin.
This does not need to happen abruptly. You can do it gradually:
- Reduce to 2 main meals.
- Maintain a small intermediate portion for a few days.
- Evaluate the puppy´s energy, tolerance, and digestion.
Some puppies will be ready sooner, while others may need a little more time.
Always observe behavior, energy level, and weight.
Do not feed by a fixed rule.
Feed according to the puppy you have in front of you.
Raw or cooked meat: Important reminder
And we will continue insisting on this point.
The digestive system of Calupoh puppies is prepared to digest raw meat. However, it is recommended to heat the meat in the microwave for at least 5 minutes to reduce bacterial load. The decision depends on the hygiene and quality of the meat. If you are not certain about its sanitary quality, it is preferable to cook it lightly or fully.
When choosing between raw or cooked meat, consider the following:
Another important factor is the fat content of the meat. If the meat contains too much fat, diarrhea may occur, so part of the fat should be removed.
Can they continue eating kibble (Dry food)?
Yes. Following the same recommendations give for 2-month-old puppies. Which are:
Kibble can be included in a Calupoh´s diet. Ideally, it should be high in animal protein and low in grains. In some cases, puppies may require a slightly larger portion than amount suggested by the manufacturer.
When-formulate kibble can provide nutrients that may not always be perfectly balanced in a poorly planned homemade diet. However, it is important to understand something:
Kibble does not replace meat. It can work as a complement, but not as a substitute.
Another important point is that kibble and meat should not be mixed in the same meal, because they have different digestion times and may cause digestive issues. They should be offered at different feeding times.
A practical advantage of getting your puppy used to kibble is that it makes travel or situations where fresh food cannot be prepared much easier.
3 Basic natural recipes for Calupoh puppies from 4 to 5 months
In the following section you will find recipes for this stage, where we begin including meaty bones, tuna, and sardines. Always remember to introduce new foods in small amounts.
Let´s look at an example of how to calculate portions when the daily total is 1.2 kg of food.
From the 80% corresponding to animal protein (960 g total):
And 20% vegetables = 240 g of mixed vegetables. If only one type of vegetable is used, research the appropriate amount your dog can safely consume.
If you decide to cook the protein, do so without salt or seasoning.
Recipe 1: Ground beef, egg, liver and peas
Ingredients:
- 860 g ground beef
- 1 egg
- 50 g beef liver
- ¼ cup cooked peas
Preparation:
- Cook the peas in water without salt or seasoning until soft.
- Serve the peas, ground beef, liver, and egg.
Recipe 2: Chicken with bone, heart, tuna and carrot
Ingredients:
- 780 g chicken leg and thigh with bone
- 50 g chicken or beef heart
- 1 can of tuna in water (approx. 130 g)
- 1 peeled and cooked carrot
Preparation:
- Wash and peel the carrot.
- Cook the carrot in water without salt or seasoning until soft.
- Serve the carrot, chicken, heart, and tuna.
Recipe 3: Ground beef, chicken with bone, sardines, sweet potato and carrot
Ingredients:
- 600 g chicken leg and thigh with bone
- 240 g ground beef
- 1 can of sardines in water (approx. 120 g)
- 50 g peeled and cooked sweet potato
- 1 peeled and cooked carrot
Preparation:
- Wash and peel the carrot and sweet potato.
- Cook the vegetables in water without salt or seasoning until soft.
- If the sardines are only available in brine or tomato sauce, rinse them.
- Serve the vegetables, ground beef, chicken, and sardines.
If you are at this stage, ask yourself:
If you would like to learn more about:
We invite you to explore more articles in our Blog and continue discovering specialized content about the care and development of the Calupoh.
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