Ayers
Pampered Pets
F.A.Q #1 Food and Treats
What has my puppy been eating at your facility?
Diamond Naturals Puppy Food(Lamb and Rice) :
Your puppy will have been on this since about 6-7 weeks of age and love to munch on it for teething. If you are purchasing a medium goldendoodle, you will want to gradually introduce them to a large breed formula.
What Kind of Dog Food is Best?
Should I Feed My Puppy Wet Food?
No, unless otherwise instructed by a vet, wet food is unnecessary for puppies. They have needle-like teeth by 8 weeks and actually enjoy teething on the tiny kibbles. It can also give them runny stool since it would be such a dramatic change in diet. But what if your puppy really really LOVES wet food? Well that's because it has a LOT of sodium: Puppies will love wet food because it has a LOT of salt! It is also 75% water for a standard can and you will not be getting your full nutritional value for your money.
This is a complicated question but we can give you a few tips when looking at what to buy:
-
1st 3 Ingredients are Meat: and specifically not meat-by-product. Vegetables, Roots, and Fruits should be shortly behind.
-
Avoid foods with “tasty bits” as they are usually bits of salt or sugar and not very nutritionally important even if your puppy seems to love it.
-
Avoid Grain Free foods we have been told by several different vets now that they believe it to be tied to health problems specifically a Heart Problem.
-
Diamond Naturals, 4Health, and Blue Buffalo: Are all good brands that have worked well for us and our clients but there are always more out there. Be careful not to get swindled into paying too much for something that might have the same ingredients as another, cheaper version.
**One trick Dog Food Companies use is to throw in lots of healthy supplements, oils, and herbs at the bottom of the list but don’t be fooled. This means that there is VERY LITTLE of it in the product and might not even be enough to affect your pup at all.
What Kind of Supplements do you Recommend?
We use and support a brand called Missing Link that was originally recommended to us by our vet, Dr. Phillips. It is available for puppies, adults, seniors, active dogs, and dogs with more severe problems. We find that these supplements are next to magic. Since shiny coats, clear eyes, ample energy all a happy puppy make due to these vitatmins and supplements. This suggestion is our own private recommendation and we in no way get compensated for this advice. We just really like this supplement! We have seen the difference first hand when we made it a part of our daily regimine with our babies.
How Much Do I Feed My Puppy?
How do I Change My Puppy's Diet?
Once you have determined what food to feed your puppy allow at least 4 days to allow the change. Puppy tummies can be very sensitive and the smallest of changes can cause loose stool. Mix these percentages together in their feeding bowl.
Day 1: 25%New Brand 75%Old Brand
Day 2: 50% New Brand 50%Old Brand
Day 3: 75% New Brand 25%Old Brand
Day 4: 100% New Brand!
This is a rough estimation of your puppy’s dietary needs based on a Fromm Classic, active lifestyle. As always, consult with your vet and add more food to your puppy’s diet as he/she grows.
How much to feed depends on 3 things:
-
Ideal weight for your dog’s age
-
Activity Level
-
Calories (Changes with brands/types of food)
Feeding Estimates:
Cavapoo Puppies (6-8lbs) ½ Cup 2X Day
Cavapoo Adults (-20lbs) 1 Cup 2x Day
Mini Doodle Puppies (8-10lbs) ½-¾ Cup 2X Day
Mini Doodle Adults (~35lbs) 1½ Cup 2x Day
Goldendoodle Puppies (10-15lbs) 1 Cup 2X Day
Doodle Adults (50-60lbs) 2 Cup 2x Day
What are examples of good treats?
We do not recommend giving your puppy treats until he has had time to settle into his new environment and his new food routine. After about 1-2 months in your new home, we suggest very BASIC treats to give your puppy. They are still babies with very sensitive tummies (Just like human babies!) and the following has worked best for us:
Good treat ideas for rewarding good behavior:
Peanut Butter: Just a small amount, perhaps a teaspoon on a carrot.
Chicken: Cooked and shredded this will make for a much loved treat when reinforcing good behaviors.
Kibble: Use kibble from his food to reward him after doing something good (He’ll think it’s a treat! We have leash-trained and obedience-trained adults that prove this method works great!).
Special Summer Treat: Mix 100% Pumpkin Puree with Plain Yogurt and pour into an ice cube mold. Let freeze for at least an hour (better overnight) and you will have a safe (and cheap!) treat for your puppy that they will love and aids in digestion.
Hours of Fun Treat: Scoop peanut butter into a Kong Toy and put it in the freezer for at least an hour. Place it in their kennel to keep them occupied and happy while waiting in their crate/play area.
What to Know About Treats and Your Puppy:
-
Wait! Give your puppy at least 1-2 months of time to adjust to his new environment, diet changes, and routine. This is a very dramatic time for such a little guy.
-
Limit: Do not go over-board. Limit these suggestions like you would kids with candy!
-
Avoid “Cleaning” Treats: Do not use treats labeled as cleaning/brushing/fresh breath. While good for adults, baby tummies can get VERY upset with the introduction of new chemicals.
-
Raw Hides are a no-no: These treats can get stuck in their throat and are made primarily with a bleaching process that makes them very unsafe for a puppy.
-
Timing: When giving treats make sure it’s not near where the family eats and never at the family’s meal time. It will help him associate that your food is not his food. When he is playing with an appropriate toy, using the bathroom outside, going into his kennel, and walking well on a leash are PIVOTAL times to introduce a safe treat.
-
Avoid "Bully Sticks". These have been known to cause bloody stool with some of our previous clients.
-
Avoid Raw Hide Bones. Raw hide bones are a breeding ground for bacteria and can also be a choking hazard.