Royal Canin Starter Mousse Mother & Babydog Wet Dog FoodWeaning to 2 months, and the mother

Weaning is easier with a mousse than with anything else. A three-week-old puppy has milk teeth that barely function and no idea that the stuff in the tray is food — a smooth mousse she can lap is the gentlest possible bridge from milk to solids.

Protein at 10% is the highest of any wet product in this range, and milk and milk derivatives are in the recipe, which is what makes it recognisable to a puppy who has only ever had one thing. It also works for the bitch through lactation, when she needs concentrated energy in a stomach with no room.

• Healthy Growth
• Fussy Eaters
• Complete Nutrition

Ingredients

Meat and animal derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, minerals, milk and milk derivatives, oils and fats, yeasts. Additives (per kg) — Nutritional additives: Vitamin D3 100 IU · E1 (Iron) 6 mg · E2 (Iodine) 0.28 mg · E4 (Copper) 2.3 mg · E5 (Manganese) 1.7 mg · E6 (Zinc) 17 mg. Technological additives: Clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin 2.2 g.

Looking after it

Refrigerate any opened can and use within 24 hours. Serve at room temperature — cold mousse gets ignored. Use a wide flat tray rather than a bowl so the whole litter can reach, and expect the first few attempts to end up on their faces. Watch the smallest puppy; littermates will crowd her out. Weigh each puppy daily for the first fortnight.