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Puppy Feeding Questions

1K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  dobegal 
#1 ·
Hiya~ This isn't really my first rodeo with owning and raising a puppy, however my first and only time started out with me feeding my Husky Purina Puppy chow, which is soft food so I never had to think of rather or not I should 'moisten the food' and when to 'stop moistening the food'. This was the food the breeder started her out on, and though I had planned to switch her to a high end food, I was never able to for the longest time (finally was able to later on) because her stomach can't handle a LOT of dry foods, even if they say they are for sensitive stomachs.
The question I'm trying to ask here is: My puppy I'm getting the 29th (6 days) will be 2 days away from being 8 weeks of age, so I'm wondering how long I should keep moistening his food, and when to stop doing so? Surprisingly I can't seem to find a lot of answers about this, while surfing the web, so I'm asking here.

Sadly he started out on Purina Puppy Chow, too, and I understand the importance of slowly (very slowly) introducing a new food to them, but I plan to because I've had a bad experience with Purina from feeding it to my Husky for years. The new food is hard, yet it is very small pieces, but I figured it should still be moistened. From the only thing I could find about on the web suggested that they stay on moist food until they are 9-10 weeks of age?

Any puppy tips you all have would be highly appreciated, too, since the lot of you are familiar with Dobermans :)
 
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#3 ·
One of the biggest mistakes people make with puppies is changing their food in the first couple of months. I strongly recommend continuing to feed exactly as the breeder is feeding, even if you don't really care for the food, at least for the first couple of months. Do exactly what she is doing. There's already a lot of upheaval with a pup transitioning to a new home, so keeping their food consistent (what they eat, same number of times per day, same everything) really helps with the transition and avoiding tummy troubles). After that, you can start to change foods if you so choose.

As to "wetting" the food, that's up to you, really. My girl is 16 months old and I still add a bit of water to her food, because it makes her eat just a little slower and otherwise she pukes up her meal. My boy didn't get his food wetted at all (he came home as an older pup).
 
#4 ·
One of the biggest mistakes people make with puppies is changing their food in the first couple of months. I strongly recommend continuing to feed exactly as the breeder is feeding, even if you don't really care for the food, at least for the first couple of months. Do exactly what she is doing. There's already a lot of upheaval with a pup transitioning to a new home, so keeping their food consistent (what they eat, same number of times per day, same everything) really helps with the transition and avoiding tummy troubles). After that, you can start to change foods if you so choose.

As to "wetting" the food, that's up to you, really. My girl is 16 months old and I still add a bit of water to her food, because it makes her eat just a little slower and otherwise she pukes up her meal. My boy didn't get his food wetted at all (he came home as an older pup).
First off, thanks for the reply :) it's appreciated and it makes sense about what you're saying about not changing the food. I wouldn't care to do that, if it wasn't purina.
I don't like the food because 'it's cheap' or anything trivial. I don't like it because it gave my dog seizures, and has been known to kill many dogs over the years, with many lawsuits against the company for it. I didn't even know about the lawsuits until my Husky started having seizures.
As soon as I was able to switch her to a better food, she pretty much stopped having them. Others haven't gotten so lucky.
Honestly.. chancing an upset stomach vs the possibility of death (even if it might not happen) is a risk I'm willing to take. Which I still plan to do slowly.

But the tip about continuing to add water for a longer period of time I may do, if it really slows him down with eating.
 
#5 ·
I got my pup far too young at four weeks old and fed him softened kibble til he was about 12 weeks I would say. I also used a slow feed bowl as he would inhale his food, now he is 14 months and he eats slowly actually savoring his food. I have no idea what he was eating before I got him but I fed Blue Buffalos large breed puppy variety for quite some time and he flourished. Now I feed the dogs different stuff all the time, they get a very varied diet and love it plus they don't get the tummy upsets like dogs that are accustomed to eating the same thing all the time do. I buy them a different kibble variety each time and they also get acceptable leftovers, meats and vegetables. Do slowly acclimate your pup to a new food, but he is your dog ultimately you feed him what you can afford and you feel is best. I do still moisten the dogs food as it turns into a gravy and they just can't wait to eat their meals.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Hiya~ This isn't really my first rodeo with owning and raising a puppy, however my first and only time started out with me feeding my Husky Purina Puppy chow, which is soft food so I never had to think of rather or not I should 'moisten the food' and when to 'stop moistening the food'. This was the food the breeder started her out on, and though I had planned to switch her to a high end food, I was never able to for the longest time (finally was able to later on) because her stomach can't handle a LOT of dry foods, even if they say they are for sensitive stomachs.
The question I'm trying to ask here is: My puppy I'm getting the 29th (6 days) will be 2 days away from being 8 weeks of age, so I'm wondering how long I should keep moistening his food, and when to stop doing so? Surprisingly I can't seem to find a lot of answers about this, while surfing the web, so I'm asking here.

Sadly he started out on Purina Puppy Chow, too, and I understand the importance of slowly (very slowly) introducing a new food to them, but I plan to because I've had a bad experience with Purina from feeding it to my Husky for years. The new food is hard, yet it is very small pieces, but I figured it should still be moistened. From the only thing I could find about on the web suggested that they stay on moist food until they are 9-10 weeks of age?

Any puppy tips you all have would be highly appreciated, too, since the lot of you are familiar with Dobermans :)

Re. Purina Puppy Chow:


^^ All your feeding is daily poison, in small concentrations that have a cumulative effect, over dogs lifespan.
- so switch to high end ASAP
Kibble that stays soft is laced with 1-3 chemicals, known to cause cancer.
- I'd be switching to a 4-5 star feeding program...ASAP...treats included

The new food is hard, but I figured it should still be moistened.

^^ Had Dobermans puppies since 1977 / we never moisten their kibble.

Acana Lamb and Apple singles is very good quality kibble / but has a lower meat-protein count than the more expensive Orjen brand.
- both brands, owned & manufactured by the same company / just different price points

I never feed puppy food / only "All-Life-Stages" (ALS) since 10 weeks old.
- by adult weight, on feeding guide / puppies get fed 50% more kibble (# Adult cups times 1.5)

Our girl was also skinny as a puppy & stayed that way till after her first heat.
- now we feed Orijen Regional Red & happy with it...5 Star
Orijen Dog Food (Canada) | Review | Rating | Recalls

And for 5-Star treats: BENNY BULLYS LIVER CHOPS®
Benny Bullys Liver Chops® | Pure 100% Natural Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
I never feed puppy food either / all-life stages, from 9-10 weeks old here.
And I have refused to take home kibble from top show breeders twice.
- I explain nutrition, in a polite & educated way
- I only own one dog / and feed the best quality, we can find (after much research)
- breeders feed several dogs & look at expenses much closer / often clouding judgement of optimum diet choice, to recommend a new puppy buyer

Also, I feed expensive kibble & 100% organic treats ONLY.
PAY ME NOW or PAY ME LATER - quality ingredient kibble, is cheaper than Vet bills / and can add longevity
- I am not going to feed lesser priced foods, that many breeders use (containing by-products)
- likewise, Vets are not going to sell me Royal Canin or Hills Science Diet crap, either
Currently, we home cook 1st meal of the day / 2nd adult meal is kibble.
 
#7 ·
Hiya~ This isn't really my first rodeo with owning and raising a puppy, however my first and only time started out with me feeding my Husky Purina Puppy chow, which is soft food so I never had to think of rather or not I should 'moisten the food' and when to 'stop moistening the food'. This was the food the breeder started her out on, and though I had planned to switch her to a high end food, I was never able to for the longest time (finally was able to later on) because her stomach can't handle a LOT of dry foods, even if they say they are for sensitive stomachs.
The question I'm trying to ask here is: My puppy I'm getting the 29th (6 days) will be 2 days away from being 8 weeks of age, so I'm wondering how long I should keep moistening his food, and when to stop doing so? Surprisingly I can't seem to find a lot of answers about this, while surfing the web, so I'm asking here.

Sadly he started out on Purina Puppy Chow, too, and I understand the importance of slowly (very slowly) introducing a new food to them, but I plan to because I've had a bad experience with Purina from feeding it to my Husky for years. The new food is hard, yet it is very small pieces, but I figured it should still be moistened. From the only thing I could find about on the web suggested that they stay on moist food until they are 9-10 weeks of age?

Any puppy tips you all have would be highly appreciated, too, since the lot of you are familiar with Dobermans

Re. Purina Puppy Chow:


^^ All your feeding is daily poison, in small concentrations that have a cumulative effect, over dogs lifespan.
- so switch to high end ASAP
Kibble that stays soft is laced with 1-3 chemicals, known to cause cancer.
- I'd be switching to a 4-5 star feeding program...ASAP...treats included

The new food is hard, but I figured it should still be moistened.

^^ Had Dobermans puppies since 1977 / we never moisten their kibble.

Acana Lamb and Apple singles is very good quality kibble / but has a lower meat-protein count than the more expensive Orjen brand.
- both brands, owned & manufactured by the same company / just different price points

I never feed puppy food / only "All-Life-Stages" (ALS) since 10 weeks old.
- by adult weight, on feeding guide / puppies get fed 50% more kibble (# Adult cups times 1.5)

Our girl was also skinny as a puppy & stayed that way till after her first heat.
- now we feed Orijen Regional Red & happy with it...5 Star
Orijen Dog Food (Canada) | Review | Rating | Recalls

And for 5-Star treats: BENNY BULLYS LIVER CHOPS®
Benny Bullys Liver Chops® | Pure 100% Natural Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
I never feed puppy food either / all-life stages, from 9-10 weeks old here.
And I have refused to take home kibble from top show breeders twice.
- I explain nutrition, in a polite & educated way
- I only own one dog / and feed the best quality, we can find (after much research)
- breeders feed several dogs & look at expenses much closer / often clouding judgement of optimum diet choice, to recommend a new puppy buyer

Also, I feed expensive kibble & 100% organic treats ONLY.
PAY ME NOW or PAY ME LATER - quality ingredient kibble, is cheaper than Vet bills / and can add longevity
- I am not going to feed lesser priced foods, that many breeders use (containing by-products)
- likewise, Vets are not going to sell me Royal Canin or Hills Science Diet crap, either
Currently, we home cook 1st meal of the day / 2nd adult meal is kibble.
Oh I know it's poison, that's why I do want him off of it, and I am moving him over to a high-end better kibble. Though Purina has been known to cause more than just cancer, and has killed dogs rather quickly, opposed to the slow ones others suffer from prolonged use of.
Just because someone's dog doesn't appear to be getting any harm for it, doesn't mean they aren't.

I still plan to do it slow, though what I have to switch him to is actually really good for sensitive stomachs, and my highly sensitive husky had no issues at all switching, and I didn't switch as slow as you're supposed too x.x
 
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