FEEDING GUIDE

 WHAT TO FEED MY ?

Having had “Sausages” for over 25 years, I can tell you that they can be greedy. They are little beggars and willgive you those big eyes as if to say they are ‘starving’ all the time! Don’t fall for it! What you don’t want is anoverweight “sausage’ Dachshunds are already predisposed to certain conditions such as intervertebral discdisease (IVDD), it’s best to err on the side of caution. You need a healthy pup and so it’s best to establish goodhabits from the beginning. Puppies need foods that are at least 22.5% high-quality protein

It’s a minefield right? With so many different types of puppy food on offer and so many conflicting opinions. Ican only tell you what has worked for me and my pups. For me, I always try to keep it simple whilst notcompromising the health and development of my babies.

One tip: whatever you have decided whether dry food or a wet food, ‘complete’ or ‘complementary’ stick to it. Don’t skip and change. Puppies have sensitive tummies and you don’t want tummy upset as that’s verystressful for you and your pup in the early days. If you have to swap foods then do it slowly introducing the newfood into the existing diet over a period of weeks.

‘Complete’ This food can be found in both dry and wet food varieties. You don’t need to add anything else tothis diet. ITS SIMPLE! It’s the only required source of nutrition for your pup.

‘Complementary’ A complementary diet is designed to accompany the complete food and should not be usedas the only source of daily nutrition. 

By the time you get your puppy home he/she will have been eating a ‘complete’ diet of dry food “puppy kibble” Like I said, I like to keep it simple so all my pups have been taught to GRAZE. Not to be greedy! When food isalways available to them they have no need to constantly be on the look out for food. My puppies bowls arealways full. With a bowl of freshwater always available and easily accessible to them.

Best advice : buy quality dry puppy food. Some of the best are;

BETA Puppy

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Whilst your puppy will be used to ‘grazing’ throughout the day, the early days are so important to ensurehe/she is eating enough. Anxiety can be a big thing in the early days and your puppy may not eat as much ashe/she usually would. For this reason, I always give my babies breakfast and supper to ensure they haveeaten something first thing in the morning to set them up for the day and last thing at night to go to sleep on anice full tummy. You can carry this one for as long as you think its required. I usually will do this until my babiesare 4 months, then drop to just breakfast until 6 months. It can be sooner if I am satisfied they are eating freelyand enough throughout the day.

So:

Breakfast:

 A handful of Kibble mix with boiled water until it is like soup and leave until its is warm to the touch and then ifyou want to, as a treat, you can mix in some egg or little bit of chicken or ham

Supper:

Same again.

The little bits of meat or egg aren’t required for nutritional reasons but are just enticing for those early days.

IF THIS DOESN’T WORK FOR YOU

2-4 months old           4 meals a day     8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm       Complete Puppy Food, 45g a serving.

4-6 months old           3 meals a day

6- 8 months old          2-3 meals a day

8 months old               2 meals a day

TREATS

Giving treats is a great way to reward your pup for good behaviour. There are loads of different treats availableto buy, always check the ingredient’s to make sure you aren’t giving your pup sugar and colourings which canbe found in some of the commercial treats. Great snacks are raw veg and fruit. A carrot is a super snack andcan be a good distraction when your pup starts looking for things to chew, like the furniture!

Just avoid some of these potential toxins;

Chocolate, coffee, grapes, raisins, onions, chives, garlic, yeast and dough, some garden and household plants, macadamia nuts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, swede and turnip.

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