Feeding Puppies: What, When, How

Puppyhood is a time of rapid growth and development. Puppies require different levels of nutrients than do older dogs. Because of their special nutritional needs, your puppy should only receive puppy food for the first year (giant breeds, several months longer). Many dog food manufacturers offer a special formula for puppies and sometimes, large breed puppies, for whom the protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels may be more critical.

Feeding the first few days

For the first few days you have your new puppy home, it is a good idea to continue feeding the same type and brand of puppy food and use the same feeding schedule the puppy was on before he came to you. Then you can slowly start using the food you have chosen based on information you received from the breeder and veterinarian. A pet needs to be switched to a new food slowly to prevent intestinal upset. By 'slowly' we mean over the course of 7-10 days go from feeding 100% of the previous food to 100% of the new food. For example, make a mixture that contains 25% of the new food and 75% of the old food and feed that for several days. Then make it 50-50 for several days, then 75% new food to 25% old food for several days. Then you can start feeding 100% new food. If at any time your puppy starts vomiting, or has loose stools or appears constipated, slow the rate at which you are switching him over.

Puppy Feeding Top Tips

Puppy Diet

Puppies grow 20 times faster than adult dogs and so require a special diet to aid their physical development. A specially formulated growth food is recommended which needs to be fed at evenly spaced intervals to avoid over stretching their small stomachs. A responsible breeder will have given you advice about your puppy’s diet.

Feed your puppy four meals a day up until the age of four months, and then reduce its feed to three meals a day until it is six months old, when you can change to two meals a day, and keep it on this regime for the rest of its life.

It is better not to leave food down (so throw away any uneaten food after 20 minutes) and not to give your puppy any variety, which could cause havoc with its digestion and toilet training regime. However, make sure that water is always available to your puppy, so never take its water bowl away.

What should I feed my puppy

Puppies are largely carnivores that eat some omnivorous foods. Puppies naturally wean off their mother's milk at around 8-12 weeks of age. Wild dogs feed their young with prey animal carcases. In the wild, when young dogs are old enough (around 7-8 weeks old) they start to eat on their own whilst simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother.

Puppy feeding guide:

• Talk to your veterinarian for advice
• Feed high quality balanced premium commercial puppy food that is appropriate for the life stage and health status of your puppy. Check that it complies with the Australian Standard: Manufacturing and Marketing Pet Food AS5812:2011

Dog Breeds That Don't Bark

Most people don't think of dogs as being a non-barking animal, however there are actually several different breeds of dogs that don't produce a regular dog bark. This is not to say that these dog breeds don't make a noise, some are very loud and vocal, but they really don't bark, at least not the ordinary sense. 

Non-barking breeds can be found from around the world. Not all are common dogs and many are not recognized by all Kennel Clubs, although they may be recognized by other groups and organizations. Some of the common northern breeds as well as the hounds all have their own unique types of sounds, however these dogs also have the ability to bark as well as make the alternate sound. 

Perhaps one of the best known "barkless" dogs is the Basenji. This is one breed that is not rare although it is also not extremely common. It is recognized by the American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club and the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom. It is actually from Africa and is one of the oldest domesticated breeds of dogs, highly recognizable because of its very specific coat coloration and physical appearance. They are typically a copper, red, brindle or black with significant white markings on the chest, face and bottoms of the legs and feet. They have a very alert appearance with large, pricked triangular ears and wrinkles across the forehead. Most Basenji's are described as having a fox-like face and very athletic body appearance. The tail makes a tight curl over the hips and is a requirement of the breed standard.

Reasons Why Your Dog Can't Bark

Some dogs bark too much, whereas other dogs don't bark.

If your dog can't bark it may be the result of several factors. Some dog breeds don't bark in the typical sense. Some medical conditions can cause a lack of barking. Some owners intentionally de-bark their dogs.

Post-Surgery

If your dog has undergone surgery, she may not bark for a while, or her bark and voice may sound different. This is the result of the tube placed in the dog's windpipe during surgery. This generally resolves itself in a few days.

Hoarseness and Laryngeal Paralysis

Sometimes a dog will stop barking because he is hoarse from constantly barking. Dogs can suffer from a condition called laryngeal paralysis, which occurs when the larynx doesn't open correctly. Labradors are commonly afflicted with this condition.

A tumor on or near the larynx can cause a dog to stop barking.

Dogs who can't bark

Imagine walking into a room filled with caged dogs. One would expect to be greeted by a chorus of barking erupting from the caged canines. However, in some test laboratories the dogs devocalized.

Devocalization is a surgical procedure whose only purpose is to prevent the patient from barking. The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) classifies the devocalization of any dog in the same category as other non-therapeutic surgeries such as "declawing, ear cropping and tail docking."

Devocalization is unlike the other non-therapeutic procedures in that it is an invasive surgery and as such carries risk of complications and pain. The HSVMA states devocalization is an "invasive procedure with the inherent risks of anesthesia, infection, blood loss, and other serious complications."

Given the complexity, the obvious cost, and the potential complications that devocalization can create, one would think it is only performed on lab animals when a major benefit is perceived to occur.Why else would this procedure be performed on lab dogs?

Make Sweet Potato Dog Chew Treats

After making and sharing two variations of natural dog treats for Basil (apple treat recipe here and carrot & banana treat recipe here), we had a few requests for some gluten and grain free natural variations. We've pined here on the blog before over our love for Sam's Yams natural sweet potato dog treat chews, and this past weekend we tried our hand at making our own version.

We've LOVED dehydrated sweet potatoes as a treat option for Basil for many reasons. They are completely natural and made from a healthy whole food for starters. Other benefits include the fact that they actually take him a while to eat (he has to work at them) and they can "regulate" his system in times of need, if you catch our drift... Sam's Yams brand sweet potato chews have been our choice so far since they are the straight up sweet potatoes — no added fillers or supplement claims. They also come in large packages with the giant thick chews. All of this being said, these packaged sweet potato treats are pretty expensive — enough so that we get them in limited quantities and every single time we do buy them we ask ourselves why we couldn't make them ourselves.

Pet Talk: Is your pet suffering?

Our pets do not live as long as we do and it is hard to say goodbye

People ask me ‘How do I know if my pet is suffering? And what can I do for him? Is he arthritic? Is he in pain? Is he trying to tell me something?'

Unfortunately, our pets do not live as long as we do and it is hard to say goodbye. Likewise, pets do not communicate like humans do either, therefore we need to try and understand their condition to determine what is best for them.

As your senior pets age, they exhibit various symptoms of old age, like trouble getting up. If he has heart problems, then he may be coughing a lot or have breathing issues. If his kidney's are failing, he may feel nauseated or dehydrated, etc. Pain in a dog can be hard to detect, but here are a few symptoms that you can look for. First of all, when some dogs are in pain, they will not want to eat or move around. But some of our animals will eat no matter what so we need to look for other signs. Another common sign is shaking or shivering. If your dog stands there and shakes or is lying down and shaking without a reason, then he may be in pain. Panting is another common sign of pain. Make sure that your dog isn't panting for other reasons; older dogs tend to have some lung issues (thickening of the bronchii) that will cause excessive panting.

Once you have treated these possible problems associated with pain and your dog is still not improving or is still in pain, then there is the inevitable question “When is it time to put my dog to sleep?”

This is not an easy question, but I try to help people make the right decision for their animals. No veterinarian can tell you what to do. You are the owner, the person who has spent the dog's life loving him and caring for him. Your veterinarian can tell you if your pet is suffering, if his problem is treatable and what the outcome of treatment might be. The most important things to ask yourself at this point is “What is my pet's quality of life right now?” and “Am I keeping him alive because I can't say goodbye?”

If your pet can't get up to go urinate or defecate and starts to do this right where he is laying down; if he doesn't get up to eat his meals; If he doesn't seem happy to see you and can't get up to greet you; If he is losing weight and strength; or if treatment fails to help him anymore, then it might be time to say goodbye.

I have had to put many animals to sleep and it is the hardest thing to do, but remember that you are also ending your loved one's suffering.

Some people wonder if they should get a new puppy while their older pet is still alive. If your senior dog is still able to get around, and a new puppy won't make the last few weeks or months of your senior pet miserable, then by all means, get a puppy. Sometimes it even gives some renewed life to your older pet. Make sure that your older pet is strong enough to fend off the puppy. Also, consider if your older pet would accept a new pet or if it would upset him before bringing a new animal home.

Lyme Disease: When Your Dog is Suddenly Limping or Won't Get Up

Last night your dog was his playful normal self before you went to bed . This morning he won't get up. He appears lethargic and tired. When you coax him to try and get up, he makes a minimal attempt and it appears that he is in some pain. He might not try to get up all together. You panic, this valued member of the family is laying there helpless and he can;t explain to you how he feels. The vet doesn't open for a few more hours, which seems like an eternity when this helpless little guy is obviously in need of medical attention.

You do have to get your dog medical attention as soon as possible, but calm down while you are waiting for your vet to open. It is most likely Lyme Disease that has rendered your dog suddenly weak in the legs. Lime Disease is more prevalent with each year that goes by. It is found almost anywhere in North America. It is caused by a tic bite. A tic is a parasite that will attach itself to your dog. While attached it transfers a bacteria called , Borrelia Burgdorferi , through your dogs blood stream and Lyme Disease results.

Dog question for you

When should I withhold food the night of surgery? If your dog or cat is under four months of age, you do not need to withhold food. If your pet is over four months of age, they should not eat any food after 8pm.

Should I apply flea control prior to my pet's surgery?
Fleas are present in Southern California all year round. It is important to use flea control once monthly on all of your pets. We carry both Advantage and Frontline in our clinics (sold by the single dose or with discounts available when purchasing four and six doses). Your pet is exposed to areas with fleas every time it leaves your house. If your pet comes in close contact with animals that have fleas, as it may during its surgery appointment, we recommend that you visit our clinic and purchase flea control. We are happy to apply the flea control at time of purchase in one of our clinics.

Should I take my dog for a walk prior to surgery?
Yes! If you are able to get your dog to urinate and defecate prior to surgery it is very helpful. This will help prevent them from getting dirty because many dogs will go to the bathroom in their kennels, when they get nervous.

Should my cat come in a carrier?
Yes! All cats MUST come in a separate carrier. Even if you have a great, manageable cat, it must be in a secure carrier. Our lobby will be filled with dogs and people that can frighten your cat and could potentially even attack your cat - bringing your cat in a carrier in the safest thing for you, your cat, and our clients. Do not carry your cat in your arms into our clinic, as it could potentially jump out of your grasp when frightened and run away. We cannot release more than one cat in the same carrier. After anesthesia, cats can be dysphoric and can fight with other cats - especially in confined areas; therefore, you must bring a separate carrier for each cat you bring into the clinic.