hi whats the best food to feed a young puppy i know it has to be to be low in protien,and ive heard that puppys go straight to adult food and miss puppy out completly ???
Taken out of Everything Neo-site "Feeding your Neapolitan Mastiff is a bit of a controversial topic. Hopefully when you purchased your Neapolitan the breeder outlined their recommended feeding protocol. Most breeders know their bloodlines and they know what works for them. So, you should always discuss changes with your breeder.
Having said that, there are a few points most will agree as NO's :
**Do not feed puppy food, it tends to be too high in protein.
**No higher than 27% protein and at least 16% fat content for kibble based food.
**Do not give pure calcium supplements by themselves.
**Do not "free" feed - meaning don't just leave big bowls out all day.
A few points most will agree as YES's :
**Adding pasta or bread is great source of carb's and good for the Neo.
**Break feedings into two times daily.
**Feeding real meat protein such as chicken, beef - cooked and de boned, although there are quite a few "BARFERS" in the Neapolitan community.
**Do not over feed, there is no need to rush the growing process. Better to keep young dogs lean - meaning you shouldn't see the ribs but be able to easily feel them under the skin.
That is where the agreements tend to end.
So from there, you must do some research. Read your dog food labels, look at some canine nutrition books and of course books about the Neapolitan Mastiff specifically. Neo's love chicken - many breeders\owners use the BARF diet and feed raw, fresh chicken, bones and all. Others will pressure cook the chicken w\bones until the bones become mush, some will grind the chicken into a nice mush with a meat grinder. Research and figure out the best method for you and your Neo. Remember to rotate meat proteins - use Tuna, Beef and other high protein sources as well. This photo was sent in by Ildrago Neapolitans. Pictured here is a 3 year old male at over 230 pounds. He was clearly over fed - Never allow your Neapolitan to become over wieght, it causes undue stress on joints, can lead to organ damage and is just disgusting ! Ildrago took the dog back and has since put him on a serious diet. If you would like to learn more about BARF - you must begin by reading Give your Dog a Bone by Dr. Billinghurst and visit BARF World online at: Click me
Whatever you do...Feed him right or he won't reach his potential ! Raising a dog on cheap kibble is like raising a human baby on fast food his whole life - think about it...we are both mammals! Visit Sojourner Farms, and learn more about their fresh foods program for dogs and cats, and how you can make all-natural, homemade pet food in minutes." That being said I fed my dogs adult dog food-"eagle pack" mixed with meat, rice, veggies--Now I use Eagle Pack with a raw mix--they love it and are very healthy. I use Oma's pride raw and have been very pleased with price and quality.
Also here are my 3 dimes. I would use adult food vice puppy. I would also keep the pup on the kind of light side IE skinny due to the growing joints and so on. Jessica hit it all so good luck!
[ Edited Thu Feb 14 2008, 10:34AM ] Doc Allevamento Del Vincenzo Click me
What advice I have received from the breeder, is to feed my puppy with Junior Food with Calcium. But she didn't want to eat. Tell me please if you consider that is ok to mix this food with milk in the morning, and with rice soup + meat in the evening.
Just a thought, but may want to try adult food with cottage cheese or plain cheese, chicken & rice or pasta. Mine also really likes bread with slices of sandwich meat for a snack. Anthony
What advice I have received from the breeder, is to feed my puppy with Junior Food with Calcium. But she didn't want to eat. Tell me please if you consider that is ok to mix this food with milk in the morning, and with rice soup + meat in the evening.
Do not mix with cows milk. It will give it the runs. Dry food mixed with chicken/ground beef and rice will work.
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