I have a new addition to my family, a puppy named Belle.  I would like to give her the very best in nutrition so would appreciate any advice, tips and suggestions in what to feed her now as a puppy and when she is fully grown.  Commonsense says to me to steer right away from canned food, and dog biscuits.

A little off the subject - any good training tips would be appreciated too?

Warmly,
Blue Nelly

Hey Sheryl!  Belle looks forward to giving and getting a cuddle from you soon!  And she always ready for a play  .

I've been feeding her lots of different raw food, haven't really stopped and done the hunting on the web yet for the most ideal diet for her but will do so soon.

Wag wag wag and lick, 
from Belle

Warmly,
Blue Nelly

Here's some links for you - happy reading. If you could keep everyone updated on what you decide to do and how it works that would be awesome. This will be me in a year or so looking for info! There is also one copy left of Precious Pets by Ann Wigmore about her raw vegan feeding regime for her pets in the shop.

And the links....

Some great articles on modern dog 'food'
http://www.healthy-paws.ca/reading.htm

A raw food website with a page on animals with LOTS of links
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/sampleraw.htm

From Canine Nutrition http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/AustralianCattleDog.html
NOT raw, has some good species specific info about historical diet.
"AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG
Weight Standards: m/f - 40 to 45 lbs.
Height Standards: m/f - 18 to 19 inches
Coat: dense in texture, black with tan and white speckle
Common Ailments: dysplasia, hot spots and skin rashes

The Australian Cattle Dog developed in Australia in the early 1800's. This breed can trace its heritage back to being a direct descendant of four specific breeds: the Dingo, the Blue Merle Highland Collie, the Dalmatian and the Black and Tan Kelpie. It originally herded cattle in the rough outback of Australia. Here it developed not only its nutritional requirements but its legendary stamina and endurance.

Native food supplies for this breed would have been those found in the Australian outback (a high desert environment) and would have included ground vegetables, wheat, oats and meats from beef, rabbit, and kangaroo. A special note concerning the meats; all the meats from this area have a very low fat to muscle ratio. For the Australian Cattle dog I recommend low fat / high fiber commercial foods with a blend of beef, corn, and wheat. I also recommend that you avoid feeding an Australian Cattle dog any soy, white rice, beet pulp, poultry or fish. "

Harley, very nice of you to share durian with the house dog, that would be one happy dog!

Sheryl, wow! thanks for providing all that info and links, is great!  You really do look after us all really well here at RP!!!!  I'll be sure to keep you posted on Belle's progress with raw since you might be getting a puppy in a years time.

TT, thanks for sharing what you feed Drive, very helpful!

I've been feeding Belle so far different types of raw mince mixed sometimes with a little warm water and small amounts of grated celery, carrot or lettuce (whatever is on hand).  Have been recommended chicken necks are good for puppies teeth, so have been feeding her these - she loves them!  She is onto bigger bones now and really gets stuck into them with lots of enthusiasm.

I did share with her some of my green smoothie one day by pouring a little into her bowl, she sniffed and then gave me a look that said "what's this?".  Only after adding and mixing raw egg yolks to the gs in her bowl did she show some happy interest by heartily lapping it all up.

Meat eating birds here at RP HQ have been known to drop in for a bit of durian if one is left outside... I wonder what it is about durian.....

Sheryl

Hello Blue Nelly.  Sounds like everything you're doing is right!  As far as the weaving in front of you goes...dogs learn by association, so everytime she goes past the spot you want her to walk, turn away from her so that she is always behind or beside you.  Keep a steady pace.  It works best in a big field and you'll be changing directions often.  She'll soon learn that she belongs next to you.  You can also help coax her with treats right next to your side.  I use treats in training also.  They learn better when they're having fun!  Let me know if you have any other questions.  I don't mind at all!  And I'll ask you raw questions when I need it, too. 
Talk to you later,
Kt

hello,

this is my first post in this forum but the topic is close to my heart
i have 3 Vegan dogs..(not 100% raw) they love their food. healthy happy and full of life. below is a quote from Andew Knight Vegan Vet.
i see it this way that tuna in the sea is wild and may be a meat eater, Dogs & people have evolved together for 10,000 years or more. and there is no breed of dog that we keep in our homes that can be found in the wild.. they are a product of our manipulation... saying that i have to agree with Andrew Knight

thanks
Craig


The key requirements for any species are a diet that is:

-          nutritionally complete and balanced

-          bioavailable (primarily, digestible)

-          palatable (they must eat enough of it)

animal have requirements for nutrients, not ingredients. They don’t need meat or animal products as long as they get all their nutrients from other sources in a sufficiently bioavailable and palatable form.

To be safe, you need to use either a complete and balanced nutritional supplement (eg, vegedog powder you mix in with the food), or complete food (easier but more expensive). I would definitely advise adding these in. These should form the bulk of the diet; nutritionally-suspect treats are allowed but should not form the bulk of the diet.

More detailed info, incl suppliers of vegan supplements and complete diets, is available at www.vegepets.info.


Dr. Andrew Knight Vet.

thanks for the welcome,

i have been Vegan for some time just never made it far enough to become a raw vegan
although i probably eat 50-75% raw anyway