158 THE DOG IN HEALTH. 



quantity varying with the breed, conditions of Hfe, the in- 

 dividual, etc. A diet of meat alone is too stimulating for 

 a puppy of any age, while one destitute of it will never 

 develop a dog of the highest quality. A little raw meat, 

 cut very fine, has a tonic effect on the digestive system ; 

 but, as a rule, the greater part of the meat given dogs 

 should be cooked, for reasons previously given (parasites). 



The older the puppy, the stronger its food should be in 

 nitrogenous or albuminous material — the more meat. But 

 puppies of the larger breeds usually require more meat 

 from the first. 



After six or eight months, or when the puppy has got 

 its second teeth, it may be fed, Hke older dogs, on table 

 scraps ; in fact, after this period the feeding may be much 

 as in mature dogs. 



How often should a puppy be fed ? Since its needs 

 are so great and digestion feeble, a young puppy must 

 get its meals often. It is surely better to give food more 

 frequently, than to feed so seldom that the puppy must eat 

 to distention to satisfy his appetite. 



For puppies under three months, ^ve or six times a 

 day is not too often, the last meal being given late at 

 night and the first early in the morning. 



For those from three to six months, four times daily 

 may suffice, and from six to eight months three times; 

 after that two good meals will answer. It is best to feed 

 each puppy separately. 



OTHER MANAGEMENT OF PUPPIES. 



If we could only imitate Nature's ways, we should be 

 eminently successful. We find that the carnivora, the dog 



