What to feed my new fur baby

CATS

Hi All,

So I finally got my new puppy and I cant wait to bring her home. She is a tiny little maltishu and I cant wait. I am looking at what I am going to feed her and I was thinking I would like to mix her food. I really like the look of the applaws dry food, but I was thinking of mixing this with a little mince pork, chicken or beef, raw for some moisture. Will this work? I dont want to upset her belly but I also dont want to just give her dry food. also can the raw mince be stored for a few days without going off? air tight container?

Thanks

GwylimT

You could portion the mince in freezer bags and just take it out to defrost the night before. Our dog eats taste of the wild at the moment, he has a very sensitive tummy and currently it is the only thing that doesn't give him the runs I awful farts.

If you are worried about her tummy you could feed her current food and slowly add in the applause and meat.

Paradigm

!!!!!! is a Maltishu? Sounds like a tropical holiday destination

vroombroom

Maltishu = mongrel/crossbreed. I am guessing a maltese cross shih tzu?!

CATS

yes exactly what it is, a cross between a maltese and a shitzhu, after reading all the health problems pure breeds have I decided to go for a hybrid breed so hopefully no genetic problems and the best of both dogs. I have a pure British blue and he has genetic issues so no pure breeds for me

thorsoak

CATS wrote: »

yes exactly what it is, a cross between a maltese and a shitzhu, after reading all the health problems pure breeds have I decided to go for a hybrid breed so hopefully no genetic problems and the best of both dogs. I have a pure British blue and he has genetic issues so no pure breeds for me

It is unfortunate that you have fallen for the hype that a cross breed is healthier than a pure bred dog; sadly this is incorrect - you can also have all the problems of two breeds - and with the cross that you have chosen, you may well experience any or all of them See http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/maltese and http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/shihtzu.htm )

However be that as it may, it is your choice - hopefully the breeder will be a genuine one, and will give you ongoing support - which is what a good pedigree breeder should give you. You shouldn't be collecting your puppy before it is 13 weeks old, by which time it should have its first vaccination. Listen to what the breeder says about diet - if you wish to change it for your convenience, then do it gradually as your puppy will only have a small digestive system and which will not take to change quickly.

Can I suggest that you get a copy of The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey - this is an extremely useful tool in raising your puppy - who, by the way, is not a fur baby!

vroombroom

I have a designer dog too. Stollie or colaffie.

Whichever you prefer :money:

CATS

Thanks Thorsoak, of course I realise that the dog, any dog can have problems, however I am hoping to limited the risk by introducing a new gene pool, rather than the same over breeding of the same genetics. Any who I have fallen in love with my puppy, regardless of what breed she is. At this point she is my fur baby, I will have 3. Although obviously I do realise she is an animal in case you think I am actually thinking I am bringing a baby home. Thanks for the advice, I have owned dogs all my live so quite familiar with them, however what I have not done was feed them raw food, hence my original question. Thanks for the input

thorsoak

I'm still waiting for the cross between a Lhaso apso and a collie ....a colhapso!:rotfl::rotfl:

Paradigm

CATS wrote: »

yes exactly what it is, a cross between a maltese and a shitzhu,

Really? Good lord, I would ask why would someone do that but...

Anyway, make any changes to her diet very slowly. As you said, you don't want any upset tummys, the runs can quickly dehydrate a puppy.

Take it especially slowly if you are introducing raw food, give her plenty of time to adapt.

CATS

aww paradign she is beautiful, I will post pics when she comes home. I will def do very slowly and will be mixing with the food she is eating now and slowly take her off it. The breeder will provide me with a bag of her current food so I can introduce new food slowly