On Switching Your New Puppy to Raw
Posted by sfraw on Jan 7th 2015
Below please find some past email inquiries regarding the topic of switching puppies to a raw diet and answers to common questions. I hope this is helpful for all the happy households with New Year/Christmas puppies and will inform those expecting new puppies in the spring (which, btw, is the ideal time of year to whelp and rear puppies & kittens!)
Note: Some personal details were withheld out of consideration for the person submitting the question. These exchanges are dated from 2005-2010. I have reviewed the answers to ensure that the information given remains accurate as for recommendations on how to proceed and what to do, however some products referred to, prices/costs listed are not current.
These two absolutely stunning girls have been raw fed their entire lives, since weaning — on SFRAW foods and following Kasie’s recommendations with great success. They are beautiful ambassadors for SFRAW and for raw feeding!
QUESTION: “I look forward to you meeting my new puppy and wonder if you might have time this week. I also have an ulterior motive in that I got holy (your favorite swear word) from her breeder yesterday that I am neglecting her nutrition and not allowing her to grow properly. This was followed by an email this am begging me to put her back on puppy kibble. I’d love it if I could get your opinion on if she’s too thin and if there is anything else I can be doing to support her growth. Thanks for all your help- (name withheld)”
ANSWER: Just want to get back to you real quick before we meet…
1) Raw fed puppies stay healthiest when they are kept lean. This is especially critical during the growth phase. In fact, besides not feeding the correct ratio of Ca:P, exercising too much (over-exercise); feeding too much or letting the puppy get heavy (over-nutrition), are the only real things that can cause serious growth problems (there has also been a link associated with the distemper vaccine and HOD in puppies – but this is for another discussion). Staying lean is most critical in giant breed dogs, but it’s important for all puppies.
2) Raw fed puppies enjoy slower, more even growth compared to kibble fed puppies. Kibble fed puppies will experience spurts in growth while raw fed puppies will normally have nice, even and slow growth.
3) All puppies that are getting their basic nutrient requirements met will end up the size and conformation they are genetically programmed to end up having/being. They have to be literally starved or fed a grossly imbalanced diet to have diet impact their growth or adult size. Raw fed puppies will absolutely grow at a different rate than kibble fed dogs, but they will end up whatever size they were meant to be (genetically) in the end.
I hope this helps. I have noticed that many conformation show dog people generally prefer for their dogs to be more full figured or heavier than pet or athletic/working type dogs can be for the show ring. However, I would recommend keeping your Bulldog puppy at what you feel is a healthy weight, and keeping her lean and fit. This is the best thing for her long term health and development. I agree that we should meet soon so I can see how she’s developing, and also go over what it is she is eating precisely to make sure nothing is being missed and we’re on the right track. She may be smaller than her siblings right now (specifically, they probably have rounder tummies – which kibble puppies are apt to have and raw fed puppies do not), but she will end up the correct size in the end. Is there a raw feeding Bulldog breeder your breeder can consult with for reassurance that your puppy will dazzle in the show ring at a healthy weight and size in the end?
More observations here: http://shapingchaos.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/puppy-growth-patterns/
See you soon!
Kasie
Sofie has been an SFRAW member since she was a wee puppy (her person’s first contact with us can be found below). She is a vibrantly healthy, elegant and refined lady Great Dane who has become a dear and close part of the SFRAW family. Kasie is her “auntie” and is honored to be her trusted walker, when needed. Her dad, Nik, can be found helping out at SFRAW on a regular basis. She’s doing fabulously well, pictured here at over 6 years of age.
QUESTION: I might be getting a great dane puppy in a couple of months and am very interested in feeding raw. Would like more information (costs) and would like to chat with others about their experience.
ANSWER: Welcome to the group! Excellent of you to be doing all this research *before* bringing home your new puppy – well done!
I’m the founder/owner of the group and I’ve had raw fed Great Danes since 1991. I have two healthy, active (touch wood), 10 year old Great Danes that were put on raw when I adopted them from rescue (Minna at 12 weeks old, Ben at just over a year old), and have recently helped to plan the raw diet menu of a dear friend of mine’s Great Dane that she got from a breeder when he was 8-9 weeks old. She started him on raw pretty much on day one and he is now a big, healthy, gorgeous 2 year old.
You will find several Great Dane people in the group here – welcome to the club! 