How much do I feed my puppy?

[Latestarter]

I once again do not mean to sound rude or uncaring. And once again there is no "easy" way to put this. If you can't afford to feed the animals that you have now properly, how can you justify breeding and bringing more mouths into the world that you can't afford to care for/feed properly? Honestly... you really need to do a serious evaluation of where you're at, where you're going, and how you plan to do so. You should NOT be breeding dogs. You simply can't afford it. The cost of raising puppies is very high with shots and vet visits and food... If you can't afford a few more dollars a month for quality food, you sure can't afford puppies.

 

[OkieChickenGal]

I still don't understand why I've had dogs eat the cheaper brands like purina, gravy train, etc... And they're just as healthy and happy as other dogs! My 4 year old Min pin has never had to be taken to the vet for an illness or not enough nutrioun, And she eats the cheaper stuff! Plenty of people give their dogs the cheaper brands and they're perfectly healthy. These are animals remember! I've been a dog owner for years and mine were perfectly happy and healthy with the cheaper brands.. I absoluetly LOVE my dogs, I'm not an animal hater! I take great care of each and everyone of them, I just think that dogs these days are a little TOO spoiled...

 

[dainerra]

because a dog is surviving on Purina (meaning Dog Chow formula, not necessarily the entire company), Gravy Train, etc doesn't mean that they are healthy. A human can survive perfectly well living on a diet of Chicken McNuggets and bologna sandwiches but that doesn't mean that they are "healthy". Or that they are in as good a shape as they would be if they ate a better diet.

The cost balance of feeding a higher quality food (don't call it more expensive because it's not necessarily) comes out remarkably even in the end ESPECIALLY if you are planning on breeding. You have a longer life span from a better diet. Less health issues that many people consider part of "owning a dog" such as doggy body odor, shedding and age issues such as arthritis. Also a decreased chance of injury due to better over-all health. As a potential breeding animal, a healthy diet increases sperm count in males, higher ovulation in females (more eggs released = more potential puppies), easier conception, higher likelihood of carrying litter to term and a lower risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. A healthier female then equals healthier puppies at birth. That equals lower chance of having low-birth weight pups, good milk production in the female, higher quality of milk, and other benefits.

The reason that many dogs seem to prefer cheaper foods is that sugar and artificial flavors are added to make them more enticing to dogs. It's a matter of simple logic - on a basic level every accredited dog food has to meet certain minimal requirements. Many of the cheaper brands achieve this by adding vitamin supplements and chemically enhancing the kibble. Quality brands achieve this by using good ingredients, a healthy balance of ingredients at proper ratios and a bit of supplements to recoup natural vitamins always lost when you cook food. Many also contain extra supplements to help promote health such as glucosamine and others that aren't naturally found in food.

 

[dainerra]

also, many problems are only observed (even by a vet) if you are looking for them. IE hip issues require that you do x-rays not just say "the vet doesn't see a problem" because a dog can have horrible hips and never show a symptom. A dog can limp and bunny hop (often considered to be signs of issue) and have excellent hips. A dog can have a heart that sounds good in the quick office visit of the vet and have clogging, poor muscle tone or other things that can be caused by poor diet.

Also, the cost difference in the end isn't going to be as great as you think by moving up a bit on food quality simply because you are going to be feeding so much less quantity.

 

[Latestarter]

I've tried to be helpful. Take what I've shared or leave it. I'll close by simply stating that the wealthy do not eat the same foods or at the same places as 90% of the population. Ask yourself why. Because they can afford to eat RIGHT as opposed to subsisting/surviving eating crap. They don't live on fast foods and processed foods.

Your animals will "survive" and "appear" to be healthy and happy as what you've been feeding them is all they've ever known. They are adults and have become the most that they COULD become based on how you raised them. The pup you are raising now will also grow to become the best dog she can, based on what YOU do moving fwd.

Continue to starve her or increase her food but continue to feed her crap and you'll end up with "happy, healthy" undersized adult dog.

I (and others) have done what I can, tried to help and point out the problems and solutions. What you do from here on out is up to you. I'm done, I'm out. Good luck.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Just animals? Spoiled?

I think not.

I THINK what these people are doing and trying to tell you is that they are CARING about what there animal's are eating.

Think, in the wild, are wolves eating grains and crap all the time? No. They are eating meat.


Just like wolves, dogs should eat HEALTHY, MEAT FILLED food, Not crappy food like Dog Chow.

Honestilly, If you can't afford to feed the dogs you own, don't breed more!

I reccomend feeding a raw diet, Chicken, turkey, fruits, raw egg and more.

 

[OkieChickenGal]

I'll try to see what I can do about buying the good brand like you all said. I appreciate all your help! I can afford to feed my pets.. I just didn't know that buying the better stuff made that much difference. How much less food do I give them if I bought the good stuff?

Sorry everyone! I didn't mean to sound rude, I just wanted some answers to my questions.. (And I got them) Thanks everyone!

 

[dainerra]

honestly, if you don't know that better food would make a difference in the health and well-being of an animal, you are light years away from even considering breeding. Do you know what health tests you need to do before they are bred? How to tell if a female may be having trouble in her pregnancy? You may be surprised but few vets (unless they are reproductive specialists or active in the breed club for a certain breed) are going to even know that there ARE tests you need to perform before breeding a dog. Their verdict of a dog being healthy enough to breed begins and ends with a male being physically able to impregnate a female. A female is ruled healthy if she is showing nothing that is likely to impede her becoming pregnant and is showing no symptoms that would make it more likely that she will miscarry the litter or issues that would make her more likely than average to die during the birth.

It depends on your dog, their metabolism, activity level and genetics. Also on what body condition you maintain.

 

[Athena2344]

I’m feeding my red Heeler about the same. He’s 5 months old. 2x a day. No food at night. So far so good.

I ended up having to give him away as I had school, my mom had work, and he was in a kennel, not a good mix, but we found a home with lots of cows for him, and we get to see him every so often....