Puppy Diet

Recommended Puppy Diet   

Dogs should be fed the highest quality diet, supplemented as described in this document. If the owner wishes to feed a raw diet, it is recommended that a complete diet (Nature’s Variety, Primal) be purchased.

Kibble:

Human grade ingredients and no soy, corn gluten, by-products, added salt or sugar. Eagle Holistic Large Breed,, Innova Large Breed, and Orijen are examples of excellent kibble diets. Protein level must not exceed 24% if the puppy is fed a kibble containing grain.

Quantities listed are a guideline. As the puppy grows you will increase the amount, keeping the pup at the proper weight. It is always best to error on the side of a thin puppy in order to protect joints during the first year.

 At 4 months I eliminate the mid-day meal, add the yogurt to breakfast and feed the meat meal at dinner. Increase Vit C to 500 mg and Vit E to 400 IU. A Glucosamine supplement may be added at 6 months to protect joints and Vit C is generally increased to 1000 mg. This diet can be followed for the life of the dog.

 If you don’t wish to do a daily meat mix, 3-4 times per week make one meal a hamburger, egg, vegetable combination or a prepared raw diet. The importance of fresh, not heat processed food as a component of the diet cannot be over-emphasized.

 The dog should have a raw bone at least once a week. Get a marrow bone from the butcher or a quality dog food store. Always feed bones raw and take them away when they begin to splinter or become dry and brittle.  This will keep teeth sparkling clean – no brushing needed!

Other healthy snacks are apples, carrots, string cheese, quality dried meats and biscuits.

 If the puppy develops a loose stool, decrease the amount of food for a few days to see if it resolves itself. You may of course call me at any time for advice in such a situation. 

Additional Notes: 

People often ask me what I feed my own dogs. Because I work in a canine nutrition based business I am fortunate to be exposed to many new products and to see results of different feeding programs on a daily basis. Thus, I do routinely change what I feed and the supplements I use. However, what is listed below is what I currently feel is the most nutritious and practical feeding routine for my dogs. 

Puppies are fed a raw diet for at least the first 10 months of their life. I buy several different brands of ground raw food prepared for canines. To that I add probiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamin C and E, cold pressed salmon oil. This diet is basically grain free although once or twice a week I do include some cooked or soaked grains. Of course they enjoy the occasional biscuit. At 6 months I add a glucosamine supplement. I keep the puppies thin and believe this contributes to a slow, even growth pattern. If I notice any growth irregularities I can adapt the diet immediately. 

My adults eat a base diet of a quality kibble, generally grain free. I add all the supplements the puppies receive. Breakfast usually has the addition of fruit and yogurt. Dinner generally includes some raw meat. On Sunday I like to cook a big kettle of meats, vegetables, brown rice or oatmeal and feed them all that home cooked stew for dinner.

They get beef marrow bones at least twice a week to keep their teeth clean.