Feeding Schedule

This schedule is an Addendum to our Sales Contract.

The head of Orthopedic Surgery at Colorado State University, along with other veterinarians and breeders, suggest that puppies of large breeds should be fed adult-formulated food (NOT high performance - an adult-formulated food should be 26% or less protein and between 12% and 16% fat. Do not feed this puppy any food that does not meet these guidelines or the hip and elbow guarantee will become null and void.

Puppy-formulated foods encourage too much growth in the large breeds, and this is one of the contributing factors of most of the bone diseases that appear in our large dogs: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, etc. Please note: diet is not what causes the bone problems, (it is known that dysplasia is genetic) however, more recent studies suggest that diet and environment have a role in a puppy developing dysplasia, if the puppy would have been a border-line candidate for it. Studies have shown that after four months of age, puppies will reach their full potential of growth while on the adult-formulated food, but their bones will have the proper chance to grow strong and healthy.

However, recent studies have shown that it is equally important what goes in the dog not just the protein to fat ratio. Therefore, we highly recomment and feed only Healthy Pet Life's Abundance to our dogs and puppies.

Do not feed your puppy by the “free-choice” method (i.e., fill his bowl up and let him eat as much as he wants, whenever he wants). The amount of food will vary from puppy to puppy, but what you want is a puppy that stays on the thin side (not so he looks unhealthy!). You do not want him fat or even pleasingly plump!! DO NOT ADD CALCIUM TO YOUR PUPPY'S DIET, UNLESS DIRECTED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN. What you want to avoid is promoting too much growth too soon.

Make any switches in dog food gradually -- over a period of about three weeks. For example: 1/4 cup of new food mixed with 1 3/4 cups of old food for about 3-4 days, ½ cup of new food mixed with 1 ½ cups of old food for about 3-4 days, 3/4 cups of new food mixed with 1 1/4 cups of old food for about 3-4 days, etc. (Any time you switch dog foods, this process should be used.)

During the house training period, it will be easier to feed the puppy at scheduled times.

Give the puppy water after each meal. This not only makes for easier house training, but prevents the puppy from gorging himself with water before he eats. Allow the puppy 15 - 20 minutes to finish his meal, then remove his dish. Do not allow him to return to the same meal. If his does not finish a meal, remove his food and feed the rest to him at his next scheduled meal.

For more information on dog food and other products, please click here to visit Healthy Net Life's Abundance web site. I had my dog's make the taste test and they love the food!

Return to Top