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Puppy:
We recommend a GOOD puppy food NOT the cheapies! When we say a “GOOD” puppy food, it means that you have to become an ingredient reader. In all good puppy/dog chows, the first ingredient will be REAL meat, not by-products or meal. Your choices typically will be chicken, beef, or lamb. Try to stay away from dog chows that contain corn, wheat, or soybeans, but instead recommend rice, barley, or sweet potatoes instead. Next, look at the protein % and the fat %. In puppy chow, we recommend in the med to high 20’s for protein and the mid to high teens for fat.
ADULT:
We recommend that you switch your puppy from Puppy food to Adult dog food at about a year old. They need to grow very, very, slowly so they don’t get growing pains, and Adult dog food with its lower fat % will help slow the growing process. Always mix your dog foods for a few days when you switch to help keep the digestive track from becoming alarmed.
Choosing an ADULT dog food using the same basic criteria as the puppy food:
- First ingredient is REAL meat-not by products, not meal –MEAT- chicken, beef, lamb. Stay away from corn, corn meal, wheat, or soybeans and look for rice, barley, sweet potato instead.
- Protein % should be in mid to high 20’s (same as puppy). Real high as in the 30’s is too much so again stay in the mid to high 20’s.
- Fat % should be in the mid to low 10’s (much lower than puppy)
DO NOT allow your dogs to get fat! Fat dogs will have problems with their breathing. Also, their bones and joints will be affected, too. Extra weight on your dog could also lead to medical conditions, especially diabetes.
REMINDER:
Whenever you switch your puppy’s/dog’s chow be sure to mix it with the last half of the current product so your puppy/dog does not get an upset tummy. If you puppy/dog does get diarrhea, just add a tablespoon or so of yogurt to their food to get the good bacteria going again. Cooked rice is also good.