What Dog Food To Feed My Puppy

Best Foods For A Dog With Kidney Disease

The good news, especially for the overwhelmed pet parent, is that you probably won’t have to get too deep into the weeds to figure out the feeding process. There are dog food brands on store shelves that are formulated for dogs with kidney disease and dog brands that are available by prescription, so you don’t have to set up a corner of your kitchen for food prep, where you’ll be making special doggie meals. You can do that, of course, but you and your veterinarian may decide that you don’t need to.

Still, whatever approach you and your vet decide on, one thing is clear:

“The goal is always going to be high quality foods with low protein. High quality protein but low protein,” says Dr. Julie Bailey, a veterinarian and a professor and dean of Becker College’s School of Animal Studies in Leicester, Massachusetts.

Why is that important?

The kidneys job is to rid the body of toxins, Bailey says, so when the proteins break down, you don’t want there to be an excess of it.

Low phosphorus levels are also important, Dr. Bailey adds.

Phosphorus is an essential mineral, but too much of it can lead to hyperphosphatemia, an electrolyte disturbance in which abnormally elevated levels of phosphate appear in the dog’s blood.

What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed My Dog With Kidney Disease

Our dogs walk a bit on the wild side when it comes to snacks as they love thin apple slices, banana chunks, carrots, whole unsalted peanuts in the husks, and dehydrated sweet potatoes! Dog’s with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore doing friendly fruit and veggies for treats like we have. We still on occasion will offer Hooch bully sticks or a jerky treat, but it is better for him if we limit his intake due to the levels of phosphorous that those treats contain.

Pro Pac Performance Puppy

This recipe is designed for puppies from weaning until the 12th month. Its also billed as an excellent feed for pregnant or nursing canines.

We dont find anything wrong with the ingredients because it starts with chicken meal, an animal protein. Ground yellow corn as the second ingredient may be a little bit off, but still not bad. Whats more concerning is the recent recall of this product.

The maker of this recipe is Midwestern Pet Foods, the same manufacturer of Sportsmix, Nunn Better, and Splash Fat Cat.

The company is currently embroiled in one of the worst pet food recalls to date concerning aflatoxin, a possibly fatal type of toxin that was found in Midwestern Pet Foods Sportsmix products.

Included in the recall are two Pro Pac recipes. This particular formulation and the Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk.

Recall Info: On January 11, 2021, and FDA alert was issued on the Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk, 40 lb. bags and Pro Pac Performance Puppy, 40 lb. bags manufactured in Midwestern Pet Foodss Oklahoma plant with expiration dates of July 9, 2022 or earlier.

This is an expanded recall that was issued out of caution since the Pro Pac recipes were produced in the same plant as the Sportsmix foods that have caused the deaths of more than 70 dogs and the illness of around 80 at least.

Problem Ingredients: none

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Dry Food For Puppies: What About Wet Food

Dry food has the advantage of being more affordable and less messy when feeding and cleaning up after your puppy at mealtimes. It also has a longer shelf life than wet food . According to PetMD, dry food has been found in some cases to help maintain dental health in dogs . Keep in mind that dry food tends to have a higher carbohydrate content than wet and, especially for small breed puppies, kibbles can be harder to chew .

According to the Clinical Nutrition Service , wet food can be easier for dogs to chew and swallow and is also a good option for picky eaters. Canned food also has higher water content, which can be beneficial for doggos with certain health considerations. Fat and protein are more prevalent in wet food, so this may be a good option if your puppy requires a higher protein diet, but not a good choice for puppies who need to watch their fat consumption.

When used occasionally or at the recommendation of your vet, wet puppy food can be a great supplement to dry puppy food.

Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight

Curious to know how much should I feed my puppy? How much food to feed a puppy depends on his age and weight. Most dog and puppy food packages have a feeding chart on the label, similar to our chart below. Be sure to check your puppys specific food bag for the label, so you know how much to feed him. While this chart is a good baseline, we recommend double-checking with your vet as all dogs dietary needs are unique.

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What Are The Most Important Nutrients For My Puppy

Providing your dog with a nutritious diet is important at all stages, but its essential during the early years of a puppys life. Puppies grow very quickly their growth in the space of a year or two is comparable with how much a 15 year old human has grown.

Your puppy needs specially formulated puppy food that contains a high percentage of proteins, fats and carbohydrates compared to adult dog foods. This services their need for a nutritionally complete and balanced diet while they are growing fast and, at the same time, it lays the foundation for a long and healthy life.

Nutrient-rich puppy foods contain high levels of docosahexaenoic acid , which is an omega-3 fatty acid. Puppies with high levels of DHA in their diet benefit from enhanced brain, muscle and vision development. In fact, the link between a DHA-rich diet and smarter, more trainable puppies has been scientifically proven.

What Is Wet Dog Food

The fundamental difference between wet and dry food is the water content. Dry food has a moisture content of between 3 – 12%, while wet food is between 60 – 84% moisture.

Wet foods are either canned or sealed in pouches, while dry foods usually come packaged in big waxed paper bags or packaged in cardboard boxes.

Whilst dry food brings many advantages in terms of ease of storage, price and cleanliness, wet dog food can be a good choice for puppies with poor appetites as the smell and texture is more likely to appeal.

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Your Best Puppy And Dog Food Options

Remember, having a dog who has his dietary needs met will be happier and healthier as a result. Not eating enough can lead to malnutrition, and overeating makes your pup obese .

Are you looking for more dog food articles? Weve got plenty of resources on various dog diets and nutrition, including our recommended foods for any age, diet type, and health concern, the best dog food delivery services for puppies and adult dogs, and homemade dog food recipes.

How To Set Healthy Food Habits For Your Pup

When it comes to food shopping for your puppy, opt for a high-quality commercial kibble thats specifically designed for its growing needs. Most brands list puppy breeds and size details on the packaging, making it easier to narrow down your options. But before you add your pups food to your cart, scan the back of the bag, box or can for an AAFCO seal of approval, which means it has been thoroughly researched and tested for nutritional adequacy. Large, commercial-grade companies employ full-time veterinarians, full-time Ph.D.s, and its their job to make sure their diet meets all your pets needs, says Dr. Fox.

If youre planning on introducing your puppy to table food, Dr. Fox warns its a complete no-no! I wouldnt recommend that as a normal diet, she says. Its not a complete and balanced diet, and its not something that should be used to feed your dog throughout its life because your dog will definitely be deprived of nutrients and vitamins it needs. Table food can also cause gastro-intestinal upsets and pancreatic issues that can inadvertently lead to toxicity over the course of your puppys life, so youre better off sticking with wet and dry food options from large pet food brands.

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Sportmix Premium High Energy 26/18

This makes the top of our worst dog foods list because of the sheer number of dogs that were affected by the aflatoxin levels found in several Sportsmix products, including this one.

Many pets have died and many more were left ill.

But even without the aflatoxin situation, this recipe was not a particularly good one to begin with. We normally like dog foods that start with a meat ingredient because that shows that meat makes up the most volume in the recipe. However, we arent sold on byproducts, and this recipe starts with one.

When byproducts are mentioned, it means this is what is leftover after the meat is removed. So a chicken byproduct meal is essentially dried out chicken leftovers that may include organs but also other stuff like hide, hair, or intestinal contents .

Are these harmful to your dogs? No. Are these nutritious? They can be. But are these high-quality ingredients? Definitely not.

Aside from the byproduct meal ingredient, this recipe also contains meat meal. But that ingredient is ambiguous. What animal was used? Which part/s?

The thing about unnamed ingredients is that it could mean anything. The meat could be sourced from one animal or it could be sourced from several. Its not a quality ingredient, thats for sure.

The recall involved 50- and 44-pound bags of Premium High Energy with an expiration of either March 2 or 3, 2022. The recall was later expanded to include more recipes and the updated toll numbered over 70 dogs dead and at least 80 more ill.

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Now Let’s Break Down The Recipe For My Easy Homemade Dog Food Shall We

The recipe box below contains a printable version of my go-to recipe for homemade dog food, which consist of lean ground sirloin, brown rice, carrots, hard boiled eggs, parsley, and a few tablespoons of oil that is high in Omega’s. But sometimes, especially since social distancing, I’ve found that it is helpful to have a list of easy substitutes for when ingredients run low. Plug in or swap out any of the items below based on what foods your pup likes/needs and what you have on hand to create your pup’s ideal dog food flavor profile.

Meat || Lean ground beef, ground chicken, ground white or dark meat turkey, & ground pork are all great options. Just be sure to make sure that any meat you feed your animals is free of seasonings when purchasing! Dog’s living with a kidney disease diagnosis need meals that are lower in phosphorus – so for us a lean ground beef like ground sirloin is best the way to go!

Eggs || Eggs are one the top 5 allergens for dogs and the yolks are very high in phosphorus -which you want to limit in dog’s with kidney disease. But, eggs are also one of the highest quality forms of protein you can feed your pet! Ultimately, a hard boiled egg is Hooch’s favorite thing on the planet so, with our vets approval we opted to leave them in his food.

Special Dietary And Nutritional Concerns

Because the Corgi was developed as a working breed, they have very high needs for exercise and energy. Looking at the Corgi with his short, stubby legs you might not think that he is much of a sporting breed but he can run with the best of them! To support your active or working Corgis high-energy needs, you should select a commercial dog food product with plenty of quality protein to support his lean muscle mass with moderate to high levels of quality fats for concentrated energy. Make sure that the product provides a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, as well as other essential fatty acids for a strong immune system and healthy brain development. The best place to start looking for this type of diet is a small-breed or working-breed specific formula.

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We Aren’t The Only People That Have Converted To Making Homemade Dog Food And Are Loving The Results Check Out The Links Below For More Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Pup Will Love

Easy Crockpot Dog Food from Damn Delicious || This simple homemade dog food recipe combines ground beef, brown rice, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots, and peas in the slow cooker so you can set it and forget it!

Homemade Dog Food Recipe from College Housewife || Elizabeth’s sweet dog Rascal suffered from all sorts of health issues which led them to having him allergy tested. Turns out Rascal was allergic to all sorts of things – even beef! So, Elizabeth developed a homemade dog food recipe that is just perfect for Rascal’s sensitive belly that is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles!

DIY Homemade Dog Food from Damn Delicious||Chungah’s dog Butter’s battle with stomach issues led her to start making dog food at home. This recipe is easy to make and super good for your pups too! It combines a delicious blend of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains and is made of ingredients like ground chicken, brown rice, shredded zucchini, spinach, carrots, and peas.

About Chicken Soup For The Soul Large

Formulated with safe levels of calcium for growing large breed puppies, this dry food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for large puppys joint health.

Chicken Soups classic recipe contains chicken and turkey as its top two ingredients. Made in the U.S., this recipe contains zero corn, soy, or wheat.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Dry Dog Food

This chicken-forward dry dog food is supplemented with brown rice and sweet potato.

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Nutro Natural Choice Dry Dog Food

• Type: Dry formula with chicken
• Design: Puppy
• First 3 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice
• Best for: Puppies that will grow to less than 70 pounds
• Price: $$

Nutro serves up this dry dog food thats perfect for puppies, so what makes this formula stand out?

The 15-pound is a smart size for puppies. While you can get better value with larger packs, puppies dont eat much. Many bags dont effectively reseal, so this kind of size is a good solution.

The non-GMO ingredients in this stuff allow your dog to feast on a taste of the wild. Real chicken is the first ingredient, supplying a delicious food that also provides your puppy with the protein he needs from a premium source. You can watch his muscles develop as he grows.

Puppies need plenty of calcium to support bone and joint health. Your furball will get plenty of that in this food.

Aside from a few niggles about fussy eaters turning their nose up at this food, the vast bulk of user reviews are effusively positive. Give Fido a treat and some real farm-raised chicken with this dry dog food from Nutro.

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Why Are Large Breeds More Prone To Hip Dysplasia

Hip disease in large breeds is caused by at least one of 3 proven factors:

So, since theres nothing you can do to change your puppys genetics

Be sure to avoid feeding too many calories or too much calcium factors that can significantly increase your puppys risk of hip dysplasia.

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Canidae Pure Puppy Recipe

• Type: Dry formula with chicken and lentils
• Design: Baby
• First 3 ingredients: Chicken, fish meal, lentils
• Best for: Puppies of all breeds
• Price: $$$

Canidae market their products as pet food made by pet people, and youre getting the attention to detail you would expect from a brand like this.

Of the array of flavors at your disposal, this is the chicken formula. This also contains lentils.

Puppy foods with as few ingredients as possible not only eliminate cheap and bulky fillers, but will also reduce your puppys risk of allergies and sensitivities. This formula has less than 10 key ingredients, kicking off with real chicken as the first of these.

Your puppy will benefit from both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These will work wonders for your dogs skin and coat health as he stops yapping and starts growing.

While we could find few complaints concerning this dog food, we dislike the fact the bag doesnt reseal. This is a bumper 24-pound pack, so you may want to consider decanting the contents into an airtight container. Overall, youre getting a first-class dry dog food for puppies, even if its not the cheapest option up for grabs.

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