March 2018//Feeding and Nutrition
Lagotto Lady Pups are raised on a variety of food… by doing so, your puppy should adapt just fine to what ever you decide to feed. My dogs may get varied proteins… such as beef for breakfast and chicken for dinner as well as “different brands”, what one protein or brand lacks, the other provides. So switch it up. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. Think of it this way…If you fed your children “cheerios” for breakfast and dinner, every day of their life, how healthy would they be? Like us humans, dogs are living creatures and thrive on variety. Staying away from processed foods combined with variety is key to thriving health for all living creatures. Healthy puppies and dogs thrive on a species appropriate, raw pet food. Carnivores need a high meat diet, quality fats and a small amount of appropriate fruits and vegetables in their diet to thrive. Thrive is an important word when talking about pet food. Yes, a dog can live on a low-quality pet food, but their bodies are deteriorating from the inside. Raw puppy dog food is pure, fresh, and moisture dense. Moisture plays an important role in your puppy’s health. Your puppy’s vital organs (brain, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys) need a large amount of moisture to function properly. Just adding water to their diet, is unlikely to meet his moisture needs. You can prepare your dogs meal from home and ensure the best ingredients and handling procedures are used. However, it is important to understand that your puppy’s meals must be balanced properly. Raw diets are a combination of “ground meat, bone and organs” to achieve a balance of Calcium and Phosphorus. How to Balance the Calcium and Phosphorus in a Raw Diet for Dogs. You can learn how to balance your dog’s food in the book Dr. Becker’s Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats: Simple Homemade Food. Raw Food Delivery Services: Save time and money with raw, human-grade pet food delivery. Get healthy, fresh, and USDA-approved meals tailored to your pets needs delivered directly to your door. Never run out of food again with free repeat dog food delivery. Voted the best in 2020 are as follows: Olllie, If our food doesn’t make your pup’s tastebuds do backflips, we’ll refund your first box; The Farmers Dog,Farmer’s Dog currently offers three different protein options, which you are able to mix and match in order to create some diversity in your dog’s meals; Nom Nom, Every one of our recipes is overseen by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist — using only ingredients you know and gently cooked to perfection. Not mush. Frozen Raw and Dehydrated Food from Pet Store: A fresh or frozen raw puppy food is by far the healthiest option for your new canine. If you aren’t quite there, our next suggestion is an air-dried or freeze-dried puppy food. A high-quality, high-meat dehydrated food still is leaps and bounds healthier than a dry kibble-type food. When you are evaluating a dehydrated pet food, look for one that is high in muscle meat and organ meats with some added fruits and vegetables for fiber and antioxidants. Some dehydrated puppy foods to consider include Primal Pet Food, Stella and Chewy’s, Sojo’s, Bravo, Vital Essentials. The great thing about Dehydrated food options, when you travel or are unable to feed RAW, this is a great substitute Quality Kibble Foods — All Life Stages: Shown above, these are the only Kibble foods we recommend. From left to right: Natures Logic, 100% natural formula made free of chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals or amino acids; Farmina Natural and Delicious, Every Farmina food is made with the best ingredients with the correct amounts of protein, fats, limited carbohydrates and advanced long life vitamins and minerals; The Honest Kitchen (lower left), The Honest Kitchen is a family-owned company that makes healthy pet food from minimally processed, human grade ingredients. Quality Puppy Specific Kibble: We recommend only feeding puppy specific up to 6 months old, then switch to an all life stage food. Lagotto Lady Pups are raised on a mix of all the above (Raw Included), by doing so, your puppy should adapt just fine to what ever you decide to feed. The Honest Kitchen Food Clusters Whole Grain Chicken & Oat Recipe Puppy Blend Dehydrated Dog Food is our current top pick. Made without feed grade ingredients, meat meals, fillers, potatoes, legumes, GMOs, or artificial flavors and preservatives. To order go to Chewy.com. ALWAYS stay away from ingredients such as peas, corn, soy, artificial preservatives, colors, byproducts, etc. Also watch out for to high protein levels, we try not to feed any thing higher than 34% Protein as we do not want to promote “fast growth” in young pups. This is extremely important: FDA names 16 brands of dog food linked to canine heart disease. Add More Value to Kibble: Below are some suggestions to “add more nutritional value to feeding kibbles, and your dog will love the variety. A strong and healthy immune system is the foundation of a healthy dog: Avoiding chemicals, Incorporating a healthy diet, safe exercise, lots of water and nutritional supplements, your dog can be an immunity powerhouse. The immune system is the body’s first line of defense against radicals, toxins, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and pathogens. Every toxin that breaks through your dog’s immune system, makes your dog less able to fight illness. Give Immunity protection for life: We add NuVet Plus to our pups food starting at 3+ weeks old. Continuing this daily regimen is the best way to keep your pup on the path to perfect health! We suggest purchasing NuVet Plus immune system builder prior to getting your puppy for this reason: This is a powerful immune support supplement to keep your puppy healthier, 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. Made with natural ingredients; no artificial flavors, artificial fillers, artificial binders or grains, giving it superior absorption and utilization in the body, allowing the ingredients to more effectively absorbed through the cellular walls. Healthy cells = healthy dogs! 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 toxins 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: Helps improve 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. Can help increases energy and help with mood, sensitivities, and quality of life. For older dogs: Helps provide the nutritional requirements to help them live long, happy, and productive lives in their senior years. Supports blood sugar levels within normal levels. Improves glucose production. NuVet is not available in stores, and is only available from an authorized pet professional, such as Lagotto Lady Kennels. NuVet Plus is relatively inexpensive as a 3 month supply, however, you will save significantly by requesting your order as auto ship. For your convenience, you may order directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-474-7044 and using Order Code: 24800. Click here to order: www.nuvet.com/24800 You can also save an additional 15% and assure you never run out of NuVet Plus by choosing the “Auto ship” option at check out. If you have the means add NuJoint Plus as the secondary to cover the growing joints. This is a great lifetime product and why I recommend staying on auto ship for the savings and for your dog. I recently found out that you get additional discount for multiple bottles of the same type placed on auto ship as well. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Dr. Peter Dobias – Natural Healing for Dogs Apples: An apple a day doesn’t necessarily keep the veterinarian away, and a whole apple would be a bit much for a dog anyway, but they are good for dogs just like they are people! Full of nutrients and fiber, these are great snacks. Just be sure not to let your pup have the seeds or the core. Green Peas: Frozen or fresh, green peas are good treats, and most dogs love them. Hand your dog a couple as training treats or even put some in their bowl. Easy-peasy! Carrots: Loaded with beta carotene and other vitamins, carrots are almost guaranteed to be in your kitchen anyway. Why not cut up some bite-sized pieces and use them as a healthy reward? Some dogs can be bad about swallowing without chewing (we’re looking at you, labs and beagles), so if yours is one, be sure that the carrot pieces are an appropriate size. Green Beans: Dogs can eat green beans too! Just be sure that cooked green beans aren’t seasoned. Plain, please. These are a great source of greens and fiber. Watermelon: Just like humans, most dogs love watermelon as a tasty, hydrating, and beneficial snack. Be sure to remove any seeds, and don’t give your dog the rind. Cooked Sweet Potatoes: Cooked sweet potatoes may not seem to smack of convenience, but since they keep well in the refrigerator, it’s actually really simple to roast up some extra to share during the week with your furry family member. It’s best to keep them plain. Do not give dogs raw potatoes of any kind. Bananas: We all know that bananas are loaded with healthy nutrients. Most dogs love them, too, so they are a natural choice that you probably keep handy all the time. Just be sure not to overdo it. Given their high sugar content, it’s best to give bananas to dogs in moderation. Broccoli: Cruciferous veggies have well-known health benefits, and broccoli is a good choice for pups. Feel free to give them a few small pieces as a treat. These can be raw, roasted, or steamed, just unseasoned please. Like humans, dogs often have an easier time digesting high-fiber foods that have been cooked, but either is safe. Cooked Squash: Cooked squashes are great natural treats for dogs! And since there are several kinds of squash that are safe for dogs, this is a good option year round. Butternut squash, yellow squash, or zucchini are all great. Even pumpkin! Just be sure to remove seeds, and for the butternut, the rind, as well. Strawberries: Strawberries are sweet little vitamin C nuggets that dogs love. Like bananas, they are high in sugar, so just keep that in mind when you decide how many to give. Blueberries: Like strawberries, blueberries are great, healthy, and easy little treats to share with your pup! You Should Know…When trying out new treats for your dog, it’s always best to start with small portions, and see how your dog’s GI tract responds. Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science Of Feeding Your Dog For Optimum Health: Secrets to Feeding Dogs for Optimum Cellular Health and Longevity Revealed in Groundbreaking New Book. Order Book HereTOP CHOICE: RAW & FREEZE DRIED FOODS
SECOND BEST: FROZEN RAW & DEHYDRATED FOODS
THIRD CHOICE: QUALITY KIBBLE PICKS
ADDED SUPPLEMENTS: NUVET PLUS IMMUNE BOOSTER
enhancing cells, glands and organ functions. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
11 Healthy, Natural Treats for Dogs in Your Kitchen
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