What should I feed my puppy?

Diet is extremely important in the growing months of a dog's life and their two important criteria that should be met in selecting food for your puppy.

1. The diet should be nutritionally adequate for puppies.

2. The diet should have physical qualities (texture,abrasiveness) that will help control plaque and maintain oral health.

We recommend a premium dry food (puppy formula) only available from vets or pet shops. The brands we use are Blackhawk or Advance puppy. We recommend to give this to your puppy in the mornings. It can be left in the bowl however, please keep in a safe spot away from birds as they love puppy food. We do not use or recommend supermarket dry food as they contain mainly cereal and very little meat.

Moist food is usually given at night along with their vitamins. We recommend pet meat and not supermarket human grade mince. Liver is truly a miracle food for dogs, contributing many minerals and vitamins that other foods cannot match. A small amount mixed with mince 3-4 times a week is recommended and on the alternate days add a small amount of either heart, brains or kidneys (approx. 300 grams). Puppy Beef mince, kennel mince or a mix are great. Chicken wings or necks can also be used. All of the above must be given uncooked. Your pup will also need bones 5-6 times a week (We recommend meaty lamb necks). Please do not give your pup canned foods they will cause very loose stools and puppies do dehydrate very quickly. Canned foods contain about 75% water and very little meat. Your pup deserves the best you can afford and fresh food is a lot cheaper than canned food. There are now many companies on line that will deliver your weekly food to your door fresh.

We also recommend fresh vegetables. Spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, corn sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, carrots, mushrooms are very healthy for your pup. Please prepare them raw by grating your veges and adding this to your night time meal.

One raw egg 4 - 5 times a week is also recommended. DO NOT feed your dog onions as they can be very toxic to a dog and can kill them.

A great dog rearing diet book we recommend is The Barf Diet by Dr Ian Billinghurst & Grow your pups with bones (same author)

Secrets of successful puppy rearing.

1. Feed your pup a wide variety of food.

2. Do not base your pups diet on raw steak &commercial dog food.

3. The only exercise allowed is play.

4. Pups must spend most of their day outside in the fresh air on clean earth and grass in the sun with ample fresh water available.

5. Feed foods suitable for growth, that is high in good quality protein, fats, vitamins & minerals.

6. Give your pup heaps of raw meaty bones.

7. Feed your pup mainly raw foods.

8. Raise your pup with all the love you can give him.

Vitamins; You will need to administer the following 2 items for at least 18 months but the fish oil has other qualities that will help them right throughout their life so you may want to continue with the fish oil.

1. Dolomite Calcium Powder

2. Pernaease Powder

Both of these need to be administered on a daily basis

As your pup grows at a fairly fast rate he will need calcium and a range of vitamins and minerals. We use Dolomite Calcium Powder to help their bones grow strong and Pernaease Powder helps as a natural anti inflammatory. 


And finally I thought I would include a great doggie treat recipe:

2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

½ cup powdered dry milk

½ tsp. Garlic powder

1 tsp. Brown sugar or honey

6 tbs. Meat or bacon dripping cold from the fridge

1 egg slightly beaten

½ cup ice water

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour, dry milk, garlic powder and sugar. Cut in meat drippings until mixture resembles corn meal. Mix in egg. Add enough water so that mixture forms a ball. Using your fingers, pat out dough onto cookie sheet to ½ " thick. Cut dough into squares appropriate to your dog size. Prick each cookie with a fork. Bake 25 - 30 minutes. Remove from tray and cool on rack. Store in air tight container.

Your dog will absouletely love these great bickkies!