Puppy diet

Elocin87 · 01-29-2010, 09:58 AM

Hello people,
I was just wondering if any of you know how much protein a puppy should be getting in his diet.

Right now my puppy (11 week old black lab) is eating Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice for Large Breed Puppies but he's pooping a lot so I want to try him on a new kibble (eventually I want him to go raw but he gets sick if I give him a bit of raw meat

). I thought if he had more protein maybe he would have to go less but I was reading dog food reviews here Dog Food Reviews - Dry Dog Foods - Powered by ReviewPost
and read this (the last sentence caught my attention)...

This is written about Blue Wilderness Dog food

This food is excellent in containing only a very small amount of grain. Grains are not a natural part of a canine diet and it is pleasing to see dog foods on the market that exclude grains completely from the diet. This is a more natural food concept and combined with a complete lack of any low quality or controversial ingredients is the reason this food is placed in a class above the more conventional form dry dog foods. Some lingering doubts about the meat content meant that a 5* rating was considered for this food, but overall it slips into the 6* category. The only caution we would make on this food is that the high protein content may make it suitable for adult dogs only, particularly in the case of large breeds.

This got me wondering exactly how much protein is good for a large breed puppy and if feeding him too much before he is grown would be harmful for him.
If you know this or know where I can find this out it would be much appreciated

Elocin87 · 01-29-2010, 10:00 AM

His poop in addition to showing up frequently (4 times a day sometimes 5) is really mushy to the point where I can't pick it up with a poop back. It starts off fine but then gets like that. He also seems to take a long time to go.

Mikey · 01-29-2010, 11:59 AM

Lack of fibre is likely why it's mushy IF there is nothing else wrong with the dog. I'd go to the vet-he shouldn't be pooping that much or that mushy.

That being said-has he been properly wormed? And what kind of raw meat did you give him? Because if it was chicken or pork he may need to be wormed again. He also could be sick-or allergic to one or some of the ingredients in the food. A vet trip is in order.

On raw-you'll want to do a TON of reserach and choose what raw model you'll give (Barf, predator, etc) -if your doing a complete home made diet you HAVE to ensure it's completely and appropriately balanced. Nutritional deficiencies are COMMON in dogs on home made diets. This is an article everyone should read before considering a homemade diet (it's not that it can't or shouldn't be done-but it's OFTEN done wrong)
ScienceDirect - Topics in Companion Animal Medicine : Homemade Diets: Attributes, Pitfalls, and a Call for Action

Quote:

Homemade Diets: Attributes, Pitfalls, and a Call for Action

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Rebecca L. Remillard PhD, DVM, DACVN, a,

aMSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Available online 23 July 2008.

At one time, it was estimated that the majority of dogs and cats in the United States received 90% or more of their nutrition from complete and balanced commercially prepared foods, and this estimate was reaffirmed in a 2004 survey. However, 4 years and several pet food and treat recalls later, fewer pet owners are feeding commercial pet food products exclusively and more are asking questions and looking for alternatives. As in any market-driven economy, there are many more alternative diets and food products available today from which pet owners may select. A difficult to measure but growing number of clients are feeding homemade diets that provide 100% of their pet's nutrition, while a larger number are feeding a combination of products, treats, and home prepared meals. Most practitioners can attest to this increase in their client's interest in homemade meals and to having insufficient knowledge to assist them. At a time when motivated clients are considering homemade for their pets as an alternative, veterinarians are less than adequately versed in canine and feline nutrition and dietary options. The article addresses the two most important health issues concerning pet owners and veterinarians about homemade diets: nutritional integrity and food safety.

Elocin87 · 01-29-2010, 12:14 PM

Just called my mom so tomorrow bright and early at 8am St. Charles is going to visit the vet (my car is also going to the vet so we have to go as early as possible). He's due for his shots anyway so I'll ask them to check for worms as well. Something his breeder actually told me is that since his mom didn't have worms that he wouldn't get worms.
Thanks for the advice. I really love my puppy and want him to have the best life as possible

Mikey · 01-29-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Something his breeder actually told me is that since his mom didn't have worms that he wouldn't get worms.

Oi!!
Almost all puppies have worms-and they definitely need to be wormed-and then on a continual deworming regimen for the rest of their lives-appropriate to where you live

So that's awesome! Vet tomorrow AND I'd be more then willing to bet that it's worms

So hopefully problem solved!

Keep us posted!

Elocin87 · 01-30-2010, 05:01 PM

Okay after 3 hours of waiting at the vet

Charlie got his shots. The vet thinks that his diet isn't suiting his needs but he dewormed him too (Charlie did NOT enjoy this or the nose drops) and told us not to be alarmed if we find roundworms in his poop

ewwwww!!!!!!!

I like Charlie's vet, he seems to know what he talks about (at least health wise and he is familiar with labs) but he surprised me by telling me to feed Charlie Iams, Pedigree, Purina or Eukanuba because it'll make his poop firmer and it is more "cheap and convenient" than the organic stuff

. He also said that he wouldn't feed Charlie raw because he "will eventually get sick and won't live longer". He thinks Blue Buffalo isn't a good brand because they don't make their own food...

So I'm going to try and find Charlie something new to eat but I don't want to try the brands he suggested because they have a lot of corn in them and I don't think dogs eat corn and besides Purina made his skin itchy.

On the other hand my vet is very anti-Petsmart and wants to go tell them how terrible they are because all they want is money

Well once the snow melts I'm going to Petsmart to buy Charlie a new crate

I'm going to keep watching him and see if the deworming helps him any

Elocin87 · 01-30-2010, 05:07 PM

Oh, and he thinks that Charlie is healthy, beautiful, and is wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be 80lbs

right now he's 25

**fawkese1** · 01-30-2010, 11:01 PM

i was just at petsmart today, i don't get to go often as it is a bit of a drive... anyway, i was looking thru the dog food options and i wasn't very excited about anything they had there... only thing i saw that i liked was wellness... i think wellness has a puppy formula too, but i didn't check...

eta: glad to hear that charlie is healthy...