A growing puppy requires lots of energy and a specialised diet to fulfil all its nutritional needs. Knowing what to feed your puppy will lead to one happy companion.

Puppies have a lot of growing up to do in a short amount of time. They become fully fledged adults in just 12 months or, up to 24 months for larger breeds. As their bodies rapidly develop, puppies need high quality and nutritious food.

A healthy puppy can burn more than three times the calories of an adult dog! Manufactured puppy foods are specifically tailored to provide complete nutrition. They contain high quality protein to support healthy tissue and organ development as well as essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and iron, and vitamin D to help build strong bones and teeth.

The smaller bite-sized pieces in most manufactured puppy foods also make it easier for pets to chew.

A mother's milk is ideal for a puppy's first food as it's naturally rich in all the required nutrients. Puppies are usually ready for weaning between six and eight weeks old. However, most will start to take an interest in solid foods at three to four weeks - usually by romping through their mother's bowl and licking the food from their paws!

This is the best time to start offering a puppy food formula. If you choose a dry food, it should be moistened and mashed. If your puppy is less adventurous, you need to spread a small amount his lips to encourage him to give it a try. 

Don't be tempted to wean too early. Switching exclusively to solids too soon can harm young stomachs. For dry foods, gradually reduce the amount of moisture up to about eight to ten weeks.

Puppies have small stomachs but large appetites, so feed them small amounts on a frequent basis depending on their age.

• 2-3 months: four meals a day
• 4-6 months: two to three meals a day
• Over 6 months: two meals a day

Don't be tempted to over-feed your puppy to speed up the growth process. Too much food for a developing digestion may lead to painful bone problems in the future. Also, be aware that an overweight puppy turns into an overweight dog, which is best to avoid.

Try not to feed your puppy immediately before or after exercise and allow an hour to pass between feeding and activity. This helps to prevent the risk of swelling or twisting of the stomach.

Puppies enjoy crunching their food, which also helps keep their teeth strong and healthy. Consistency in the diet is also important, so unless there is an obvious problem, it's best to stick with the same brand of food.

Your puppy should be fed in a quiet place free of interruptions and away from where you eat. Don't allow children to interrupt the meal or they may be mistaken as a 'predator' trying to steal food, which could lead to an aggressive reaction. If you have other dogs in the household, feed them separately to avoid bullying and fighting.

Serve food at room temperature to ensure your puppy can taste and smell it properly. If you are feeding canned food from the fridge, you may need to leave it out for a couple of hours. If you or your puppy can't wait, pop the food into a microwave-safe container and heat it up for a short time. Be careful not to let the food re-cook and mash it up when it's done to avoid hot spots. It's also a good idea to put your puppy's bowl on a surface that can be easily cleaned, like a tiled floor or a mat, and always provide fresh clean water.

As your puppy grows bigger, so does his appetite. He will need more energy to support fast bursts of growth and build up muscle mass. Depending on breed, a six-month old puppy can require up to twice the daily calorie intake of a two-month old. After six months, however, the rate of growth will decline.

Despite those pleading puppy eyes, avoid feeding table scraps as it will upset your puppy's nutritional balance and can often be dangerous. Raw meat, in particular, can be infected with bacteria. Chocolate is also toxic to their system and should always be avoided.

Even though most breeds look fully-grown between six and eight months, they're still puppies on the inside. Their bones are becoming stronger and their bodies are continuing to fill out. Only after 12 months (or up to 24 months for larger breeds) are they ready to make the transition to an adult food formula, when they no longer need the extra calories and nutrients.

To avoid upsetting a sensitive digestion, start by mixing the new adult food with the puppy food you usually feed and gradually increase the proportion over seven to ten days.