Concerned about puppy's weight
- Thread starter Box Boys
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Why I hope Independent Pet Stores
Your are much more likely to find decent food at the smaller independent pet stores. I always like to support the smaller stores. If we don't, all we will have is the likes of Petsmart and will have to buy what they choose to sell. One of the reasons I like the smaller stores was certainly brought home to me yesterday. I went in to get a small bag of kibble. I normally feed a raw natural diet, but I like to have a small bag of kibble on hand. I often get a lamb based food as that is a meat source that my dogs don't normally get. Unfortunately, the pet store didn't have a small bag of what I wanted. I told the owner it was the Performatrin Ultra that I really wanted and asked when he would have it in. He said I will solve your problem. He went and a pulled a large bag of the food off the shelf, opened it and gave me a plastic bag of food and wouldn't let me pay for it. He said that a lot of his regular customers would we wanting that food. Now that he had opened the bag he would be able to give them some to tide them over until he got the food in. He said he would just write off the bag and have satisfied customers. I was very impressed. You wouldn't get someone at Petsmart or Petco doing that.
So I spent my money on some expensive dog biscuits instead.
Your are much more likely to find decent food at the smaller independent pet stores. I always like to support the smaller stores. If we don't, all we will have is the likes of Petsmart and will have to buy what they choose to sell. One of the reasons I like the smaller stores was certainly brought home to me yesterday. I went in to get a small bag of kibble. I normally feed a raw natural diet, but I like to have a small bag of kibble on hand. I often get a lamb based food as that is a meat source that my dogs don't normally get. Unfortunately, the pet store didn't have a small bag of what I wanted. I told the owner it was the Performatrin Ultra that I really wanted and asked when he would have it in. He said I will solve your problem. He went and a pulled a large bag of the food off the shelf, opened it and gave me a plastic bag of food and wouldn't let me pay for it. He said that a lot of his regular customers would we wanting that food. Now that he had opened the bag he would be able to give them some to tide them over until he got the food in. He said he would just write off the bag and have satisfied customers. I was very impressed. You wouldn't get someone at Petsmart or Petco doing that.
So I spent my money on some expensive dog biscuits instead.
CMWhite
Boxer Pal
So what I'm getting from the posts is that "skin and bones" isn't really something to worry about in a young puppy? Brutus is very active and loves to play and his coat looks good so I'm not to worried, but his ribs are visible. I'm also concerned with the quality of the food he's eating. The breeder had him on Purina Puppy Chow and suggested that I leave him on that. When I brought him home the first day he wouldn't eat and the vet said to mix some Hill's canned in water to make a gravy and poor that in with his kibble. He eats it up, but I don't think either one is very nutritional. When is a good time to switch from one food to another?
LILYLARUE
Boxer Insane
I just switched all 3 of my pups to Natural Balance. I still had about 10 lbs of science diet left, so I just mixed 1/2 cup of SD with 1 cup of NB and some canned mixed in for fun. I will continue to do that until all the SD is gone.
You can do it anytime, just taking a few days to ween them to the new food. Doesn't upset the tummy or give them the runs.
Oh, and don't worry about the weight so much. You should see a couple ribs and a very tapered waistline on boxers. Everyone that saw my Lily would comment how small and thin she was. They had no idea about the breed or they would comment on how sleek and healthy she is.
You can do it anytime, just taking a few days to ween them to the new food. Doesn't upset the tummy or give them the runs.
Oh, and don't worry about the weight so much. You should see a couple ribs and a very tapered waistline on boxers. Everyone that saw my Lily would comment how small and thin she was. They had no idea about the breed or they would comment on how sleek and healthy she is.
How ribby are you talking about? If it's just seeing the outline of ribs, then the puppy is FAR from just skin and bones (if you can't see the outline of the last couple of sets of ribs, the dog is actually overweight or fat - this is a lean breed we're talking about, whose ribs should always be visible).
If, on the other hand, you're seeing prominent hip bones and the vertebrae of his spine as well - well, that is closer to skin and bones, and the pup is underweight.
As youngsters, it is very common for pups to be a little bit underweight. As long as it's only a little bit (like being able to see all sets of ribs, not just the last 2-3 sets) then it's healthy (FAR more so than losing sight of those ribs altogether, which is an overweight boxer).
You're right that the food you're currently feeding isn't high quality. Generally it's best to stick with whatever the breeder was feeding for the first week, before making a gradual change. The canned food addition is also a good idea (but again, a higher quality version would be better).
CMWhite
Boxer Pal
OK I feel better. I'm just talking ribs. I can't see any vertebra at all, and like I said he's full of vigor! Thanks to all.
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