Start puppies out on the right paw

A few months ago, my column about fresh foods touched on how clean fresh foods were both good for puppies and made them better “students” at puppy school.

This past week, several people have come in seeking advice on feeding puppies. Refreshingly, some have been to veterinarians who did not condemn the thought of feeding raw, and a few who actually encouraged the idea, as long as the client did the proper research to make sure that they were doing right by the pet.

There are pet nutritionists out there, some trained though veterinary channels, some through independent institutions, and most have very solid training. Finding one whose beliefs align with yours regarding fresh foods in your pet’s diet is the first step on your journey to a long, healthy life for your pet, and fewer health issues caused by diet.

Just like there are kibble pet foods that are labeled “kitten” or “puppy”, there are raw foods for puppies and kittens. These take into account the minimums your puppy needs for development but, still, using a variety of different formulas is an even better way of ensuring balance.

You may notice that recently many high-end dry foods have gone away from separate products for puppy, adult and senior in favour of the “all life stages” formula. Because these are generally more digestible and balanced, they will address the needs of all life stages, with the different calorie needs addressed by portion sizes.

There are, however, no rabbits or cows or goats labelled “puppies only”, and the closer we get to a species-appropriate diet, the less adjustments need to be made to address the needs of puppies. There are a few general guidelines, but a puppy’s diet should be balanced (protein/fat ratios) and contain a good calcium source. These are very general, and depending on the breed, there may be other concerns to address. Consulting a canine nutritionist can fill in the blanks for your particular pup.

My concern, as always, is whether manufacturers use a nutritionist to formulate the products and test the product regularly to assure the recipe meets the nutritional needs of our pets. Some companies do provide limited testing results, others offer much more comprehensive reporting, and some even give tips on how best to use their foods to address a puppy’s special needs.

Some books suggest adding a vitamin tablet to ensure puppies are getting everything they need and, sure, supplementation never hurts, as there are few vitamins that are dangerous. Some minerals may not be needed in a supplement, and some breeds may be susceptible to certain minerals, so be careful of that.

As I mentioned in the previous column, Omega 3 supplementation is huge for puppies, and gives your pet a much better ability to be the star in puppy school. The fact it also helps their coat, heart and joints is a bonus.

Probiotics are the other big add-in that is a worthwhile investment. Whether these are your own fermented veggies, a goat’s milk kefir, or a high-quality probiotic powder blend made specifically for your type of pet. Most “probiotic treats” have very low levels, and I’m not sure how they stay effective in treat form, especially after opening. Keeping probiotics refrigerated keeps them viable longer.

Starting our pets out on the right foot, nutritionally, pays great dividends throughout their lives.