top left Dog Forums

Go Back   Puppy & Dog Forums > General Dog Forums > Dog Food Forum
DogForums.com Donates $200.00 to Dog Shelter!

Dog Food Forum Dog Food Forums - Come here to talk about what type of dog foods different people recommend for their dogs. Find tips and tricks about what certain dogs may enjoy eating.
Popular Threads: Best Dog Food, Healthy Dog Food.


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 05-22-2008, 07:05 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
DogMomma's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 14
DogMomma is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to DogMomma
Question When can I start making food for my pup?

I've done a lot of reading on making my own food and raw diets, it's ridiculous. Books upon books and website upon website.

The one consistency I've found is that they stress not making food for puppies. None of them seem to say when it is ok to do so, and the ones that do all vary. I gather that it's more about meeting nutritional needs than anything else.

I'm guessing it's ok to make Sam treats. I plan to do that this weekend. Nothing fancy, just some banana-based treats.

So when is it ok to start making him food -- raw or otherwise?

I should add that I'm in no way looking to make kibble... just a moist food, either cooked or raw.

Right now, he's on Solid Gold WolfCub and supplemented with AvoDerm (currently... not sure I'm in love with the Avoderm). And in this regard, any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks!
DogMomma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2008, 06:55 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
flipgirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 214
flipgirl is on a distinguished road
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

I'm not sure what you would have available in your area but I feed my dog Canine Life which comes in muffins or you can buy the mix and make your own muffins. I buy the mix and add meat, oil, 2 eggs, an orange vegetable (like sweet potato or butternut squash or carrot), a green vegetable (broccoli, green beans, zucchini), an apple and blueberries. Then I bake into muffins. There is a puppy and an adult formula. I like it because you can change up the meat, veggies and berries. You can also use the pre-mix if you feed raw (with bones) or if you feed vegetarian. They can also customize the food for whatever condition like cancer, gluten allergies, diabetes, liver and/or kidney support, etc. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund as well. Here's the url for Canine Life; www.theskyesthelimit.com - it only distributes the pre-mix in the U.S but you can contact them for more information.

There is also Urban Wolf which is basically the same idea but you just add raw or lightly cooked meat, an egg and oil and serve. I think it says to add 1/2 pound more meat if feeding a puppy. Here's the url for Urban Wolf: http://www.urbanwolf.cc/.

The issue for me is that I find it hard to find medium ground beef, chicken or turkey. The pet store where I buy the mix sells medium ground chicken or turkey but it's more expensive. With puppies, they need more fat than adults to support their growth, plus more protein as they don't process it as efficiently as adult dogs.
flipgirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2008, 09:50 PM   #3
Super Moderator
 
briteday's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,160
briteday is on a distinguished road
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

There are a few members here who have weaned pups directly onto raw. I've never seen a raw site that discouraged this, just that you are sure to feed enough for proper growth.

Have you checked out the websites listed at the top of the food forum for raw feeding?

http://www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm
briteday is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2008, 12:32 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
DogMomma's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 14
DogMomma is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to DogMomma
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

Flipgirl - I just saw Canine Life the other day when I was at Pet Goods, but I didn't see Urban Wolf. Thanks for the info. I'm fortunate to have a decent butcher about 2 miles away -- but trust me, that's a rarity where I am.

Briteday - I did check out the websites listed above, and I have a few books I've been reading. The problem I found was that most of the material I have been reading have been less specific when it comes to puppy feeding. I read something in one of my books about not feeding puppies on your own -- use commercial food -- so it just threw up a red flag for me.

Anyway, I appreciate your help!
DogMomma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2008, 03:14 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Wimble Woof's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 1,387
Wimble Woof is on a distinguished road
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

Karmas breeder weans every litter straight to raw, I dont see why you couldnt. Do they give any reasons as to not do it?
If I ever bred, I would wean straight to raw, Idont see how commercial would have any benifit honestly.
Wimble Woof is offline   Reply With Quote
Advertisement
 
Advertisement
Sponsored links


To avoid seeing this ad in our forum please register at DogForums.com

By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.
Old 05-25-2008, 06:02 PM   #6
Super Moderator
 
briteday's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,160
briteday is on a distinguished road
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

I think if I was doing raw for the first time I might wait until the dog is about 4 months old to start raw. By then they have enough weight on them and their immune systems are a bit more mature.

The material I've read on feeding pups stresses that you should be feeding 5-10% of their weight in raw. And be sure to evaluate weight gain and growth every few weeks. You want to see good growth in both muscle and bones. And you should be able to feel the ribs with moderate pressure.

The only other caveat is the breed of your dog. If it is a giant breed I would consult with a dog food nutritionist to help you arrange a proper diet plan.
briteday is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2008, 09:34 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Spicy1_VV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pitville USA
Posts: 1,746
Spicy1_VV is on a distinguished road
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

How old is your pup? You have him on good feed so thats a plus. Whenever you are comfortable I'd switch him over to raw.

This is my pup, she's now 4 months old. She's been on raw since around 9 weeks. I don't see how kibble would have been better for her. She hasn't ever had problems from raw. She is very healthy. Puppy hood is a crucial time with growing and all, I want them to have the best possible start.
Spicy1_VV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2008, 12:54 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Shalva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: *here* pointing to palm of right hand
Posts: 3,051
Shalva is on a distinguished road
Re: When can I start making food for my pup?

I wean directly to raw.....
have done so with three litters without problem and dogs have grown up healthy and happy.
s
Shalva is online now   Reply With Quote
Advertisement
 
Advertisement
Sponsored links


To avoid seeing this ad in our forum please register at DogForums.com

By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Dog Forums

dog sponsors





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:21 AM.

dog forum - dog grooming forum - dog health forum - dog training forum - dog food forum

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.1.0
All Dog Forum Content © 2006 DogForums.comAd Management by RedTyger