Hello all. I have 2 pups coming in a little over two weeks (the waiting has really just sucked!!!). I am curious as to what foods some of you may be using. I want healthy, grain free but there are so many to choose from....HELP!!! I have a 2 yr old Rott/Shep mix that I have been feeding Blue Buffalo and recently started cooking meals for (chicken, turkey, etc). I'm not sure if I should continue with this or just feed kibble! And can puppies eat foods like that or should they have kibble only? I've read that puppies need additional protien, etc but not too much so they don't grow too quickly. It's all so confusing. Thank you for your help.

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Puppies need specific nutrition, especially during their big growth phase from now thru 5 months. I would certainly feed a kibble instead of homemade foods. Many homemade foods do not provide adequate nutrition for the dog as the essential vitamins and minerals are cooked off. You should really investigate supplements fort he dog you already have. I highly recommend against Blue Buffalo as it can give a lot of GI issues. Fromm, Acana, Wellness, Pro Plan, Earthborn, etc are all good foods.

I think your nuts for getting two puppies at once! Please make sure your breeder has done verifiable hip, elbow, heart, and eye clearances on both parents. Good luck!


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Please leave your puppies on whatever the breeder was feeding them, until they have had a chance to adjust to all the changes in their lives. Trying to change to many things at once can add up to tummy upsets and diarrhea. It seems that BB is too rich for a lot of dogs, and especially puppies. Do you know what your breeder is feeding?

I would recommend leaving them on what the breeder is feeding them for at least the first month or so, and then if you want to slowly switch them over start really slow.

Why grain free...can I ask????

And as for food I like Fromm's but ask 10 different people and you will get 10 different answers....my rule of thumb is, what they do best on is the best food for them, whether that's Pro plan, Eukenuba, Fromm's or another "higher end"

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Feed whatever the breeding is feeding to start. They will be adjusting to enough changes without changing their food immediately.

If you are going go home cook make sure it is balanced with vitamins and minerals. Veterinarian consultation would be in order.

My yorkies did fine on BB but both my previous golden and now Buddy could not eat it.

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I do what I like and like what I do. Yorkies- Cozy (4/1/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/11/08), Lucy (4/6/09); Golden- Buddy (4/13/09- Rescued 12/11) Maine Coon cats- Mika (1998) and Tallulah (2000)

I have heard you should not feed Grain-free to puppies- Not sure why though.

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I do what I like and like what I do. Yorkies- Cozy (4/1/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/11/08), Lucy (4/6/09); Golden- Buddy (4/13/09- Rescued 12/11) Maine Coon cats- Mika (1998) and Tallulah (2000)

I agree. For the first few weeks you should keep the puppies on whatever food your breeder had your puppies on.

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oops - I switched Rose to Blue Buffalo Large Puppy Formula the first day she came home. The breeder had her on Pro plan, she smelled both kibbles and decided to go with the BB. I tried mixing a little of the Pro pan in with the BB for a couple of days but she started picking at the food.

they mentioned it when we were there, but I'm not sure...I want to say purina puppy?? I have emailed to ask so I can have that on hand. Thanks.

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I was under the impression that grain free was better, but in doing research (I swear that is ALL I DO!!) i have found that some grains are almost necessary. Like I said, it's just all so confusing. I have started a list of foods and looked over their ingredients...I just need to narrow it down.

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