feet splaying???
- Thread starter Mayasmydobe
- Start date
From what I understand, large breed puppy food can cause a number of growth/structure problems.
I took the Structure in Action (Pat Hastings) and I was amazed to see photos of large breed pups during their first 6 months who were fed a puppy food and who had hugely noticable growth issues. The same puppies only weeks after being switched to a high quality adult formula showed incredible transformations.
This was covered time and time again with all different stages of puppyhood....Pat BTW is a judge and Dobie breeder who after years of study and research presents her results.
Something to consider anyway.
There are great raised bowl setups but even a foldup bed table would work.
I took the Structure in Action (Pat Hastings) and I was amazed to see photos of large breed pups during their first 6 months who were fed a puppy food and who had hugely noticable growth issues. The same puppies only weeks after being switched to a high quality adult formula showed incredible transformations.
This was covered time and time again with all different stages of puppyhood....Pat BTW is a judge and Dobie breeder who after years of study and research presents her results.
Something to consider anyway.
There are great raised bowl setups but even a foldup bed table would work.
I take my pups off puppy food by 3 months of age, before that it is mixed with a high quality adult food. Although I have a small breed, I am very wary of puppy foods and DOD's (Developmental Osteo Deformities)
The horse industry learn about 20 yrs ago about NOT feeding high proteined diets to youngstock or infoal mares, as it lead to DOD's. Dogs aren't horses but with the latest info on dog foods, Do they really know what is best for dogs or growing puppies??
Take care
Lynn
The horse industry learn about 20 yrs ago about NOT feeding high proteined diets to youngstock or infoal mares, as it lead to DOD's. Dogs aren't horses but with the latest info on dog foods, Do they really know what is best for dogs or growing puppies??
Take care
Lynn
Wow, I never switched my bitch to puppy food and all of my puppies were fed adult dog food. I think puppy food for the most part is a gimmick, and I really do not reccommend it for larger breeds.
If you feed her in a crate you can buy clip on food bowls that will help you elevate the food. The idea is to keep her standing on her tip-toes to really use those muscles. Also how short are you keeping her nails? This can affect her feet, even if she has proper foot shape and muscle tone. You must keep the nails short. As in not clicking on the floor as she walks.
If you feed her in a crate you can buy clip on food bowls that will help you elevate the food. The idea is to keep her standing on her tip-toes to really use those muscles. Also how short are you keeping her nails? This can affect her feet, even if she has proper foot shape and muscle tone. You must keep the nails short. As in not clicking on the floor as she walks.
My Dobe breeder usually recommends "one bag of puppy food", then on to adult food. My puppies have always gotten Vitamin C. My foster Dobe puppy last year was terribly down on her pasterns with VERY splayed feet due to malnutrition, but Vitamin, dremeling, and a decent diet (she was getting Canidae when she was with me) helped immensely.
Any new photos of Maya? Ear pics? Feet pics?
Any new photos of Maya? Ear pics? Feet pics?
so after we finish this bag of puppy food should I switch her to adult food?
lol.. no new pictures... I have been really busy with my vacation (just got back tuesday) but I have a new camera (well it's borrowed from my dad's company) so I should get some tonight, but I can't put them on my computer for some reason with this new camera... so I might have to pull out the old digi camera and see if the battery is charged...
will definatly get pictures this weekend and have them posted by monday
Sizzle- it's good to see you on, I havent noticed you on in the past couple days...
lol.. no new pictures... I have been really busy with my vacation (just got back tuesday) but I have a new camera (well it's borrowed from my dad's company) so I should get some tonight, but I can't put them on my computer for some reason with this new camera... so I might have to pull out the old digi camera and see if the battery is charged...
will definatly get pictures this weekend and have them posted by monday
Sizzle- it's good to see you on, I havent noticed you on in the past couple days...
Agree, Pat Hastings is an excellent referance. One week Kohl was up on his toes, the next week flat as a pancake. It can be rather ugly. Age, hormonal changes, diet, level of exercise (make sure you're not crating too much) can contribuite to changes. He was put on Ester -C, 1000 mg. tab. He's also fed 1/2 Canidae, 1/2 raw diet with Solid Gold seameal/prozyme.
Although I am not Dr2, I thought that I would answer your question. Research has now shown that puppy food is formulated for fast growing puppies, and large and giant breeds are suppose to grow slowly to prevent joint and other health problems that fast growing puppy food (or as my vet calls it-Jet Fuel for pups) can cause. A good adult diet promotes slower growth which in turn leads to a healthier growth rate for big pups. For example in my breed- Saints, we want them to grow SLOWLY, some people will say that they have a 160lb pup at a year and I cringe thinking about all of the potential growth related problems the poor dog is going to suffer from. In the end, an adult male that weighs in at an optimal 180lbs is better off reaching that full potential at 2 1/2 years than in a year and a half. But by no means just because the dog grows faster in early puppyhood does it mean that the dog will be bigger because it didn't take him so long to grow. A healthy diet and genetics determine this.
I think in the case of your golden pup that had joint issues the adult food was not the cause. As you know joint health is genetic and environmental, perhaps they over stimulated the pup during growth causing damage to the joints. Adult food would have promoted slower growth rates, not faster. Either way, some swear by puppy food and if that is what they feel most comfortable with- then well be it! But you'll never find a bag of puppy food in my home.
I think in the case of your golden pup that had joint issues the adult food was not the cause. As you know joint health is genetic and environmental, perhaps they over stimulated the pup during growth causing damage to the joints. Adult food would have promoted slower growth rates, not faster. Either way, some swear by puppy food and if that is what they feel most comfortable with- then well be it! But you'll never find a bag of puppy food in my home.
Have you tried the store locators on the foods websites?
Here is Canidae: http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html
Natura: http://www.naturapet.com/where-to-buy/
TWO: http://timberwolforganics.com/United-States
try those and see if anything comes up near you
Here is Canidae: http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html
Natura: http://www.naturapet.com/where-to-buy/
TWO: http://timberwolforganics.com/United-States
try those and see if anything comes up near you
Have you tried the store locators on the foods websites?
Here is Canidae: http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html
Natura: http://www.naturapet.com/where-to-buy/
TWO: http://timberwolforganics.com/United-States
try those and see if anything comes up near you
Here is Canidae: http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html
Natura: http://www.naturapet.com/where-to-buy/
TWO: http://timberwolforganics.com/United-States
try those and see if anything comes up near you
the other two didnt come up with anything....
So my next question is.... what Canidae should I look for?
I plan on switching Maya when we get to the end of the IVET... so probably in a couple weeks.