Expert: Delores Beck - 3/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I am thinking of changing my puppy's diet. He is almost 7 moths old and has a funny stomach which would not exactly accept any kind of food (especially chuky one, he seems to get diarrhea). He is currently on Butcher's Natural Nutrition, but I have been advised that this is not providing him with all necessary nutrients and protein. I am a bit sceptical about dry food, as I believe dog is supposed to eat real meat (they are not designed to eat kibbles by nature). I looked into 'better' brands of cannned food, which seems to contain at least 40% of meat in them, but unfortunately I am afraid I cannot afford paying these sky-high prices for my dog's food, so I was wondering if there is any way I could lower the bill but still provide my dog with necessary ingeedients for his health. I heard some people miz canned and dry food, would this be any good, doesn’t it destroy the ph balance?
How much protein should a dog recevie in its food to maintain a healthy development?
Thanks


ANSWER: I tried to get an ingredient list of Butcher's but oddly, their website provides nothing.  Which makes me wonder about the food.
If you have some, can you give me the label information?

You're in the UK which means what's available to you is quite different but there are 3 brands I've heard are very good.
Burns - James WellBeloved and Naturediet.

And yes, you certainly can combine canned and dry food.

At 7 months your puppy isn't finished growing so really does need a superior diet.  And some puppies seem to need a bit extra fibre which you can do by adding a tbsp. of pumpkin to his meal.  NOT pie filling...100% pure pumpkin.  Most supermarkets carry it and it'd be in the canned fruit section.

So first let's see how bad or good Butcher's is - but remember that saving money on nutrition is a false economy because it's the key to good health and avoiding vet visits.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

unfortunately I cannot access the inof right away, but what I remember at the top of my head is - meat and meat derivatives min 4% (which I think it's too low), rice 4%?,moisture 81%, protein 8%, fibre 0.3%)

ANSWER: I can tell you right now this is an inferior food.  And I'm betting it's sold in your supermarkets?
Delores

P.S.  After looking at what's available to you, I'd highly recommend naturediet.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

This is what I thought when I did a bit more research and am desperately trying to have him changed until it's too late. :) What whould I be looking into while choosing food for my 7 month pup? How much protein does he require for a proper growth and development at this stage?

Thanks

Answer
The amount of protein in NatureDiet is more than enough.  But remember puppies eat more per lb. than an adult dog.  So follow the feeding guide for puppies.  

Always switch foods slowly by adding a bit more of the new food every day.  If he has any loose stool, try the pure 100% pumpkin.
Delores