Food:
Raw:
Your puppy was weaned onto kibble, raw meat, and air-dried food. Meat is what dogs have always eaten up until 100 or so years ago when we began to manufacture kibble. Research shows a balanced raw diet is the best thing for your puppy. Many people do not have the time to study and learn how to DIY and put their own meals together. Commercially prepared raw meals are the best way to go to ensure your puppy gets quality nutrition.
A couple common concerns about feeding raw meat:
Do you need to worry about bacteria in uncooked meat? No, dogs are very well equipped to deal with bacteria. Their saliva has antibacterial properties. It contains an enzyme called lysozyme, an enzyme that destroys harmful bacteria. Plus, their short digestive tract is designed to push through food and bacteria quickly without giving bacteria time to colonize.
Will raw feeding make my dog bloodthirsty? Behaviorally, raw feeding does not lead to dogs hunting, killing or becoming “blood thirsty”. They are no more likely to worry livestock, bite other dogs, pets, children or people than dogs on kibble or cooked foods. Dogs have innate motor patterns, the completion of which is internally reinforcing – often much more so than any external reinforcement that we can offer. So, when a dog completes the hunt-consume motor pattern (eye-stalk-chase-grab bite-kill bite–crush bite–consume) it receives a feeling of satisfaction and the dog will most likely repeat the actions that lead to this feeling. In raw feeding, we remove almost all the steps (usually only leaving the dog with crush-bite – consume or in the case of ground, simply consume) and therefore do not tap into this sequence to the point where the dog will become 'blood thirsty' or a killer.
If picking up (as opposed to having a transporter bring your puppy to you), you will receive a frozen 1-lb package of complete raw ground meat along with a sample of the kibble your puppy is eating. If you are within their delivery area, you can pick up on their delivery route. They also now ship directly to your home. I recommend ordering from this company. Everything under the "Mixes" category is ok to feed as a complete food except for the organ mix, goat mix with no bone or organ, lamb meat mix (no bone), triple tripe, and boneless chicken.
Use this link for $10 off:
K-9 Cravings and All Provide area also great brands and are listed on Susan Thixton's List. She goes to great lengths to research big-name pet food companies and publishes an annual list of those who produce only the highest quality foods without dangerous additive. You can read more about it here: https://truthaboutpetfood.com/the-list/
A couple of the many articles about benefits of feeding RAW:
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/new-research-on-species-appropriate-diets/
Air-Dried Food
Many people are still uncomfortable with or are unable to feed raw. I've found a good option for those people and the puppies LOVE it: Sundays for Dogs air-dried dog food. Air-drying combines the best of cooked and raw approaches. Like raw (and raw processing methods like "freeze-dried raw"), air-drying preserves nutrients and taste better than high heat methods. But it is shelf-stable and doesn't have to be refrigerated. It smells like beef jerky.
By using our referral link you can save 50% off your first order!
https://share.sundaysfordogs.com/Tabitha3!503bc82dc5!a
Kibble:
We feed BIXBI kibble. It is the only kibble listed on Susan Thixton's List (referenced above with a link to read about her research process). BIXBI makes food from 100% fresh meat and honest ingredients. No weird by-products, no overprocessed “meat meals.” Just healthy, delicious, digestible dog food at a reasonable price. They have two lines, one which is freeze dried raw-coated (Rawbble) and Liberty. They also have canned and freeze-dried raw options, along with treats and supplements. All of their products are on The List. You will receive a BIXBI sample box when you pick up your puppy. It contains small samples of three kibble recipes, three freeze dried recipes, and a bag of training treats. If you plan to feed kibble, we recommend you go ahead and place your order now, so you will have this food on hand when you pick up your puppy.
You can use my code "tntpuppies" to receive an additional 5% off the usual 10% subscription discount! https://bixbipet.com/
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is 100% preventable by making sure puppy has plenty of calories. Small puppies require more fat and protein to support their energy needs. Please make sure your puppy eats a good quality food 3-4 times/day until around 6 months old when they can start weaning down to twice/day. It's a good idea to give your puppy about a 1-inch strip of Nutri-Cal or Nutri-Stat three times/day during the transition period. Signs/symptoms of hypoglycemia in order of severity are: refusal to eat or drink, listlessness or depression, being wobbly or shaky, disorientation, weakness or lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, stiffness, laying on side and "paddling" legs, being unresponsive. If your puppy shows signs of hypoglycemia, immediately rub some nutri-cal on the roof of their mouth. If you don't have any, you can use a sugary syrup such as Karo. DO NOT USE anything with artificial sweeteners. If the puppy doesn't improve within 15 minutes or if the puppy is unresponsive, take it to the nearest vet IMMEDIATELY! After puppy's blood sugar starts to rise and behaviour improves, offer a meal with protein--whole fat plain yogurt, meat baby food, raw food, canned puppy food. A puppy who has just had an episode of low blood sugar will rarely eat kibble as they need something to pique their appetite.
Supplements
We use three different supplements that we highly recommend you continue as they have important health benefits for your puppy: NuVet Plus, Probiotic, Omega 3.
NuVet Plus:
As a reputable breeder, the health of my dogs is my top priority. That’s why I highly recommend NuVet Plus immune system builder to all of my customers. Simply put, it is the best nutritional supplement available today.
Check out the ingredients and all their benefits here: https://www.nuvetlabs.com/order_new2/nuvet-plus-ingredients.asp
To assure your puppy gets off to the right start, they have been enjoying NuVet Plus every day as a treat (they love the taste). Continuing this daily regimen is the easiest and best way to keep your pet on the path to perfect health!
Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are using NuVet to support their immune system and provide optimal health. A strong immune system will protect them from environmental and food toxins such as back yard pesticides, hormones, germs from public places, and even toxic formaldehyde in furniture and carpeting. NuVet Plus will not only protect but also help them maintain a beautiful skin and coat.
This is not just a vitamin. It’s an immune system builder with a precise balance of vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, amino acids and high-potency antioxidants. That’s why it works so well through all three stages of a dog’s life.
For puppies - Fills the immunity gap all puppies experience. Shortly after birth maternal antibody effectiveness is greatly reduced. By 8 weeks your puppy’s immune system is at a vulnerable point. Once in their new home, the immune system is weakened by the stress of adoption and exposure to novel bacteria and viruses in their environment. This is also when the vaccine series is started. Vaccines are most effective if the immune system can respond properly. Starting NuVet Plus now is important to helping your puppy grow into a healthy adult.
For dogs in their prime - Improves the luster of their skin and coat while providing the necessary antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, mineral and more to sustain their body’s peak performance during the prime of their lives.
For older dogs – Helps provide the nutritional requirements to help them live long, happy, and productive lives in their senior years.
NuVet is not available in stores, and is only available to the general public with an order code from an authorized pet professional.
You will receive a 3-pack of NuVet Wafers when you pick up your puppy. This is an "emergency supply". Please go ahead and place your order now to prevent an interim period without the supplement.
For your convenience, you may order directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-474-7044 and using Order Code: 102177, or ordering online at www.nuvet.com/102177. You can also save an additional 15% and assure you never run out of NuVet by choosing the “AutoShip” option at check out.
Soil-Based Probiotic:
Why are probiotics important? Because 90% of chronic diseases are caused by an unhealthy intestinal system, primarily the colon.
https://www.thehealthycavalierkingcharlesspaniel.co.uk/articles/sbo-probiotics-whats-the-deal
Purchase here: https://thenaturaldogstore.com/products/four-leaf-rover-safe-sea
Omega 3 Supplement
Omega 3 supplements include the following benefits: protects the heart, supports healthy skin, slows down kidney disease progression, aids arthritic joints, improves neurological development and cognitive function, and lowers blood triglyceride levels.
https://www.thehealthycavalierkingcharlesspaniel.co.uk/articles/choosing-the-right-source-of-omega3
We alternate between the following two supplements:
Purchase here: https://thenaturaldogstore.com/products/four-leaf-rover-safe-sea
Purchase here: https://baierun.com/collections/canine/products/canineomega3
Vaccinations
There is an increasing awareness that over-vaccinating suppresses the immune system rather than builds it. Over-vaccinating our pets causes many chronic health problems. Based on that fact and many veterinarian recommendations, our puppies only get one vaccination at 8 weeks of age. This vaccination is the Ultra Duramune DAP. It contains a modified live virus for Parvo, Adenovirus, and Distemper. We recommend that they receive another vaccine at 12 weeks and again at 16-18 weeks. You can either have your vet draw a titer (blood draw to check for antibodies) or do one adult booster at one year of age. After this, your dog has LIFETIME IMMUNITY and does not need more vaccinations!! We recommend that you DO NOT vaccinate for Leptospirosis as it often causes reactions.
The recommendation for the rabies vaccination (as it is required by law in most states), is to wait as long as possible to get the rabies vaccine, separate it from other vaccines by at least one month, and only do the 3-year vaccine. Some states will allow a positive titer in place of having to vaccinate every three years.
Please review the links below to understand more about our stance on vaccinations.
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/vaccinosis/
https://ckcsc.org/vaccinations
https://mercola.fileburst.com/PDF/HealthyPets/DrBecker-VaccinosisandYourPet.pdf
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/vaccination-reactions-can-mimic-disease-symptoms/
https://s3.amazonaws.com/dogsnaturally/Core+vs+Non+Core+Vaccines-DNM.pdf
https://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/articles/vaccinosis
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/vaccinating-dog-cat/
https://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/AnimalWellness/Petvacc
https://www.thedogplace.org/VACCINES/Vaccinosis-1_bloomer&Thomason.asp
Links for additional learning:
https://www.revivalanimal.com/category/learning-center
Dr. Judy Morgan's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU_Bcxa0cl6A9t9xe2qGw2g
Dr. Karen Becker's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MercolaHealthyPets
https://www.thehealthycavalierkingcharlesspaniel.co.uk/articles
