Just wondering what you wean your pups onto???

__________________

Www.heychihuahuas.com

Not a breeder but I will answer in the hope it may prompt more responses

If it were me, I'd wean on to a good quality kibble, combined with a bit of raw and then keep pups I wanted on raw either for new homes or for me.

I wouldn't wean pups onto raw if it's not something you are sure the new owners would be willing to follow - so I would put them all onto a good quality kibble - that doesn't mean you can't introduce them to raw meats or other foods - my pups have a varied diet from the off.

I have now got all mine on grain free kibble and add oily fish / brown rice / eggs / goats milk to their food every now and again days - but I would be wary of weaning my litter onto a grain free food - as I would have concerns that they go throw up a sensitivity to it if it is introduced later.

So yes - introduce them to raw - but particularly for those going to pet homes who may not be willing to do so, I think a good quality kibble is a must.

PS - this is just my personal opinion - but intertwined with that is the fact that I've suffered from a life of allergies - and certain allergens can irritate through 'late' and over exposure.

__________________
What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

I was just wondering.

I would never feed kibble. One of my girls has bad colitis and hunts food like she's not fed. 1 kibble and she is very ill (were talking blood pouring out her bum even when she's not having a BM!) so I won't ever have it in the house. It's just not something I agree with personally, I plan to raise as naturally as possible so won't be going down a kibble route at all.

All my litters will be raised on raw I was just wondering what others use as first meals. I plan on using a finely ground pre made as from experience chi pups struggle to get through bones enough to consume them until about 12 weeks, they don't make enough of an impression on the bone to consume enough to keep stools firm.

Honestly I think if prospective owners are informed of the benefits of a raw diet and how cheap and easy (especially for a breed such as mine) they would be more willing. I personally think education is the key as it is with everything.

__________________

Www.heychihuahuas.com

It's not that easy for everyone though - I used to feed my eldest two raw - it was extremely expensive - I've also got two here who simply won't eat it (very unusual for Labs).

I'd never fed kibble until we got to number three - but all my dogs were raised on it.

Also, a lot of Veggies struggle with handling raw meat - and for others it's simply not practical - sadly we don't live in an perfect world

__________________
What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Maybe not but for my breed it's not expensive. I spend £5 a month feeding my girls they are the picture of health and they eat about 4%plus their body weight which is double the recommended amount!

I personally just feel there are healthier better alternatives out there and frankly if someone wanted to feed one of my pups royal canin I wouldn't let them Have the puppy, I'd rather keep the pup myself. Our litters aren't big, keeping an entire litter until i found someone who would feed them a species appropriate diet wouldn't be a problem. Even Something like ziwipeak (which I rate v highly) I would be happy with. I can't force people to
Continue to feed raw and the day I got my dogs I took them straight off what the breeders were feeding and fed them raw but I can certainly do my best to give them the best start in life nutritionally. If I'm doing the best by my pups by showing & testing their parents (or parent in my case as there's no health tests for my breed I chose to do knees & eyes) then surely I should give them what I believe to be the best nutritionally?

If someone sold me a puppy with fresh breath, a shiney soft coat and smell free poos the size of a small Fingernail I'd happily continue.

Anyway I didn't want to get into the should I raise a litter on Rae because for me there's no answer other than YES!! But I wanted to know what people use do they use a specific thing with finely ground bones.

__________________

Www.heychihuahuas.com

Obviously it may be different for you with small pups and small litter sizes, but basically, if I do ever get into this breeding malarky, pups would be weaned onto a readily available but good quality kibble, so that people could make their own minds up. My preference is always to raw feed, but you can't expect every person in the world who wants to own a dog to feel the same way.

Kibble. I'd much rather change my keep to raw rather than have puppies reared on raw then swapped to kibble. Unfortunately, not enough people would rather feed raw

__________________

SOMETIMES YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR IS MERELY AN IDIOT WRAPPED IN TINFOIL

So you wouldnt let your pups go to a home that wasnt going to feed raw? I would say that is a little harsh imo. I know to alot of people raw feeding is just out of the question and talking to most people I know with dogs unheard of. I think a good quality kibble or wet food is very nearly as good as raw.

__________________



So why don't you stay for the night? Or maybe a bite?
I could show you my favourite obsession.
I've been making a man with blond hair and a tan
And he's good for relieving my tension[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR]

I think Ceearot feeds her pups raw, so why don't you PM her?