What should we do about food when she comes from breeder to us. I really want to get her started on Canidae. Do i buy a small amount of the food she is eating now and mix it in over time or is it ok to try just the Canidae aslong as she likes it??
What should we do about food when she comes from breeder to us. I really want to get her started on Canidae. Do i buy a small amount of the food she is eating now and mix it in over time or is it ok to try just the Canidae aslong as she likes it??
-- Edited by brroland at 17:42, 2007-09-20
Ideally you should keep your new puppy on the same food the breeder is feeding now. And of course not bring her home until at least 8 weeks old. What is the breeder feeding the puppies now?
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
I'm not sure the food they are using now. I did see what looked like 3 different types of food in the home but not sure which types or which the puppies were eating. I will give the breeder a call and find out. How many days/weeks should the switching of brands span over?
I'm not sure the food they are using now. I did see what looked like 3 different types of food in the home but not sure which types or which the puppies were eating. I will give the breeder a call and find out. How many days/weeks should the switching of brands span over?
Seriously, you need to find out what the breeder is feeding now before you even consider changing the puppy's food. You don't want to change simply for the sake of change. It can have horrible results on your poor young one.
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
you can't just stop at horrible results....please elaborate. What kinda effects can happen? LOL, you got me all bugered up now!
Indigestion problems, diarreah and vomiting. A young puppy has a very delicate stomach and you do not want to slam it with anything new unless there is a good reason.
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
What if the breeder tells me the puppy is being fed a food that i feel is unsuitable? I have been reading a lot online about brands of food and seems there are more "BAD" brands than "GOOD". People list a bunch of "Dont use Foods" and few reccommend brands.
What if the breeder tells me the puppy is being fed a food that i feel is unsuitable? I have been reading a lot online about brands of food and seems there are more "BAD" brands than "GOOD". People list a bunch of "Dont use Foods" and few reccommend brands.
You cross that bridge when you come to it. For now, simply find out what the breeder is feeding the puppy. Do not desire change just for the sake of change :)
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
You can post links, just remember not everyone that makes such a list is God. There are a ton of different opinions out there. The prevailing opinion on nutrition is less fillers and less preservatives. Just like with humans. But, there are a ton of different dog foods out there that everyone is doing great with on some level.
Some you want to avoid because they are simply crap. But even some middle level ones can be good with some dogs. Case in point: Pedigree. Not the best overall food but not a bad one either. Some dogs have had problems with it while others have prospered. I fed it for over 10 years to my Champions. Combined with home cooking and quality treats, my dogs did great. I am on Pro Plan now for no reasons to do with Pedigree. And I still do home cooking along with kibble.
You just have to be aware, use common sense and let your dog help tell you if they are doing well :)
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
I'm searching for the sites i saw earlier, but in the mean time you can go to the FDA website and they list all the recalled foods atleast. I think the reccommended foods were on a forum.
Again, I caution you, do not change just to change. There are so many other issues you should be researching in prep work for your new puppy. Researching diet when you don't even know what the breeder is currently using or recommends is unnecessary at this point.
If I were selling a puppy to someone and I found out they were already lining up a new food to switch their puppy to without discussing with me first, I would be very worried. Talk to your breeder first :)
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
I must admit the food thing freaked me out at first too. Not all of us are breeders or have owned boxers for years. I understand that when you get that first boxer you are eager to do everything right so you do research,research, and more research! It's so easy to get sucked in. It's not always easy telling the difference between factual info and opinionated info either.
Just remember to stay calm take a little info in at a time. If you really start to get overwhelmed stay away from searches for a little while. And sometimes the best thing is to talk to an actual current boxer breeder.
I'm going to the vet today, and am going to ask them what they think about her weight, and what they think I should feed them. After your thoughts on Purina puppy chow and a few others, they are telling me it's no good. Also I'm having issues crate training, and someone mentioned, that if I put her on more of a lean diet...it might help her in the kennel. As it was told to me the purina just passes right through. Either way, I think I'm going to change over to something more favored by dog lovers, but I will gradually. What is this home cooking I hear about, I was planning on not feeding her human food, but now I would like to hear about this home cooking deal. Is this on occasion, or a weekly thing?
Once again, I would like to say, this site is great, and I thank you for you time and knowledge! I can't wait to let y'all know what the vet tells me, and I'm curious how much she weighs?
There are some great boxer books out there too that might help put your mind at ease and help with some general training tips. They are a little easier to digest then some of the stuff online.
I am getting you two confused. LOL---Nevik, how about you start a separate thread about your particular puppy. That way myself and others won't be confused with advice offered. You two have different situations.
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
Found out today that have been using Pedigree puppy chow. Any thoughts about the quality of that brand? We bought it 2nite while we were out getting all of our supplies for "Barley". I guess the transition to us will be hard enough and while we were visiting the breeders she was enjoying the puppy chow just fine...Its tough because we only want the best for her!
I am hoping it is called Pedigree Puppy Food and not "Puppy Chow". Ask to see the bag the breeders are feeding to be sure. If it is Pedigree, I would keep the puppy on it when you bring them home. It will do in the short term :) But I would also add a bit of real cooked egg and chicken to their meals. When I have a litter, it is added to their kibble with almost every meal.
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
Nope, its puppy "chow" i wrote it down and just double checked it.......we bought a small bag so i wont have to worry about wasting. But the egg or chicken will be added at each feeding session. I did notice that the first listed ingredents on the bag are "Corn" products and i didnt think it was a good thing. Like i said once she gets settled i feel like we owe it too her to make the change! This site is a life saver!
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