Feeding
It is definitely fair to say that if you asked twenty people for their opinions on the best way to feed a dog, you would likely get twenty different answers and with that in mind we will try to discuss the basic options that are available to you. It is also important to point out that a good breeder will provide you with a small amount of the food that their puppies have been weaned on and it is sensible to continue with that while the puppy settles in its new home.
You will find that some breeders prefer to rear their puppies on dry food, or kibble specifically formulated for babies and others like to introduce them directly to a raw food diet. Either way, it can be a messy business!
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By the time you collect your puppy, it should be plump and well-rounded and definitely not thin or scrawny. You should aim to keep it that way and always remember that a growing puppy needs a lot of quality nutritious food to allow it to grow and develop as it should. An eight-week old puppy is fed four times a day, reducing to three times at twelve weeks of age, and at six months, down to two meals daily.
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You must remember to provide your puppy with water at all times.
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So what is the best? Dried food, raw food or a combination of both? The decision is really based on the dog's individual health needs, your lifestyle and of course, your budget. Dried food offers convenience, affordability and a long shelf life, but can contain unsatisfactory 'filler' ingredients as well as losing its nutritional value during processing. A raw food diet provides a much higher moisture content (better for the kidneys!), and can result in shinier coats and better digestion, but undoubtedly requires more preparation, more freezer space and often more expense.
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Dried Food Diet: There are literally hundreds of dried food options ranging from very cheap to extremely expensive. It is a good idea to closely investigate what each food contains - usually the more expensive varieties contain much higher quantities of meat, but not always! Look for a food that lists a protein as its first ingredient, not a grain.
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Raw Food Diet: can be homemade or shop-bought and will usually include organ meats, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and a dairy product such as yogurt. Advocates of raw food diets site these benefits: shinier coats, healthier skin, improved dental health, increased energy, and smaller stools.
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Please take a look at the following UK-based website that will help to guide you in your search for the ideal diet for your dog. Hundreds of different diets, both dried and raw are investigated and ranked depending on nutritional values, daily cost and ingredients.
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