Dog Feeding and Nutrition Guide
People always ask me what kibble they should feed their dog. My answer is that you have to find out what works best for your specific dog because every dog is different. Some dogs have allergies, like being allergic to chicken. Some dogs cannot hold weight well, and others might get too much yeast in their feed which causes ear issues. Personally, I feel all kibble is junk because of the way it is processed and cooked, but I have tried everything from the most expensive brands to the cheapest. Because I have multiple dogs and have to consider costs, I choose to supplement my feed. I am home all the time, so this setup works for me, but I know others might not have the same time or setup. You have to see what your dog does well on.
I send home puppy food with them, along with supplements for a day or two. I will write down the names of the supplements for you. I also make notes on which treats your specific puppy is more fond of, like if one likes bananas really well. Make sure you transition your puppy to the food that you choose slowly.
I also tell everyone: do not worry too much about your puppy weight while they are growing. They are going to grow up, then grow long, and then grow out. They are going to go through a lanky and ugly stage, but that is normal. Just let them grow slow.
At my kennel feeding time is about more than just a bowl of kibble. I believe in giving my dogs and puppies the best start possible by adding high quality nutrients to every meal.
When I transition my puppies from mama milk to solid food, I start at three weeks old. I use a universal milk formula mixed with goat milk powder and pumpkin powder to moisten the kibble. This is not a substitute for their mother milk as they are still nursing on Mama to get all their nutrition. I take each puppy individually and put a little bit on my finger to teach them how to eat and get used to the feel of food in their mouths. Once I notice that they are handling and able to start chewing that hard food, that is when I take the formula away. Even then, I still sprinkle the pumpkin powder onto the food because they are used to it, it makes for an easier transition, and it is still good for them. By the time they reach four weeks they are really starting to eat on their own.
When they wake up and are hungry, I make their food. I feed them at least four times a day. If I have it in my mind that my puppies are hungry, I feed them and they eat.
When they get older, around six to eight weeks, I start to slowly introduce different treats. One day it might be a spoonful of peanut butter or fruits like blueberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, and bananas. For vegetables, I give them carrots, sweet potatoes, and sometimes pumpkin or squash. I always make sure the peanut butter has no Xylitol in it since that is toxic to dogs. I also give them Yak milk chews as they grow, and once in a while as a special treat, I will give them beef liver.
When it is hot out, I make frozen treats with ice and put their fruits, vegetables, or meats inside. Sometimes I even make them a dog friendly doggy ice cream to help them stay cool.
For my adult dogs, I do the same thing with the different chews and nutrition. I will substitute in various meats like beef or venison, or whatever is ready at hand, along with organ meats. For the adults, I also feed fresh fish or tuna once in a while to get those omegas in their diet. They love dehydrated apples, squash, and pumpkin as treats. I also use vegetables like broccoli, collard greens, and kale. Green beans are another safe vegetable I like to use. I will also give them certain dog friendly nuts as a snack.
I also feed raw chicken to the adults, but I do not feed pork. They get raw bones as well, but you have to be careful not to give them load bearing bones because those can break their teeth. They also get joint supplements and sometimes a flea supplement. I know people worry about garlic, but a small amount does not hurt them. It takes at least eight cloves or more to be toxic for a dog. I also use pumpkin seeds for the adults because they are great for natural deworming.
I continue using pumpkin powder throughout the whole time. I buy the large bucket of human grade pumpkin powder from the food grade section on Amazon. If you cannot find the powder, you can use canned pumpkin. However, you must make sure it is not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling has cloves, nutmeg, and other ingredients that are very bad for dogs.
For supplements I sometimes use Vitasorbits or a 25 in 1 vitamin formula. I also use Vitamin C to help prevent HOD from developing. It is an old trick that works. I usually give one chewable tablet a day, but if I notice any limping, I increase it to two a day.