Whether you select a raw or store-bought diet depends on multiple factors, including your puppy’s health, breed, and your ability to properly balance the requirements of a raw diet. Compare the following and decide which option best suits your puppy’s needs:

Raw Diet for Puppies

  • Pros:

    • Natural, unprocessed ingredients full of nutrients.

    • Can be tailored to a puppy's specific needs if properly planned.

    • Advocates claim it can promote healthier skin, coat, and teeth.

  • Cons:

    • Slight risk of bacterial contamination.

    • Difficult to balance properly for growth, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies.

    • Requires preparation and knowledge of puppy nutrition.

    • Can be highly costly and time-consuming to source quality ingredients.

Store-Bought Puppy Food

  • Pros:

    • Convenient and easy to feed.

    • Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies (balanced protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals).

    • Tested for contaminants and regulated by authorities like AAFCO.

    • Available in both dry and wet varieties to suit different preferences.

  • Cons:

    • Some brands may contain low-quality ingredients or fillers like corn and by-products.

    • Highly processed, which can reduce nutrient density.




An Alternative,

before switching your pet to a purely raw diet, consider Forever Friend Pet Co’s raw food toppers and treats.

Forever Friend Pet Co’s raw products are 100% human-grade and utilise the freeze- dried method instead of baking.

This method preserves the high-protein, nutrient-dense flavour of raw meat to keep its delicious taste.

Flavours include lamb, Beef, kangaroo nibbles, chicken breasts, NZ green-lipped mussels, Sardine Delights and salmon pieces.

Harmful Don’ts for Your Puppy’s Diet

  1. Chocolate, onions and garlic: Highly toxic for puppies and dogs. Consumption can cause anemia, seizures or even death.

  2. Grapes and raisins: Even in small amounts, these are a leading cause of kidney failure in dogs.

  3. Avocados: Signs of consumption include vomiting and diarrhea.

  4. Macadamia Nuts: Can lead to tremors and weakness.

  5. Raw Bones: Although unexpected, bones can splinter and cause serious injury.

  6. Dairy: Difficult for puppies, dogs and (arguably) humans to digest.

With the magic of a new fury-friend in our lives, we must remember to place their development and diet at the forefront of our minds.

This includes brushing up on all the ways we can support their nutrient needs through choice of diet and considering which foods are easily accessible in the home, whilst spending time with our happiest, new addition.

Enjoy Your Puppy!

 

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