|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
11-27-2012, 08:29 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ...
Posts: 3
| Hi, I'm new~ Advice needed~ Hi, I'm a new owner of a 9-week old yorkie. I got him a only a few days ago, and he is absolutely adorable. However, I really need help with his food. 1) When I got him, I was also given a bag of dry food (new, unopened) among other stuff like toys, crate, dog bed, etc. I was told to feed him that bag of dry food, which is Royal Canin MINI Starter. However, I notice that it's for puppies up to 2 months old. Should I change his food right now since he is already 9 weeks? My boyfriend thinks it's a waste... But I'm really worried that he's not getting the right nutrient. Should I switch now or finish this bag? 2) I live in Taiwan, so my choice of dog food is very limited. I wanted to try Fromm or Canine Caviar, but they are not sold here. After reading tons of posts and researching what is available in Taiwan, I've narrowed it down to Orijen, Acana, Blue Wilderness, and Natural Balance. However, my issues regarding each one is as follows: Acana Read that some yorkies aren't doing well with the formula change? Another post mentioned bloody stool... Blue Wilderness Grain-free sounds appealing! However, some website wrote that since grain-free means high-protein, high-fat, high-calorie, I might end up with a fat-pup if not given enough exercise. Natural Balance Ultra Premium Small Breed is one formula for puppies and adults... Maybe a bit early for him to be eating this? Orijen Hefty price tag... I know there are lots of posts here regarding food... but after going through them, I am still so confused as to which one to choose... I would really appreciate it if I could get some input regarding the choices above. |
Welcome Guest! | |
11-28-2012, 07:36 AM | #2 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dickinson, TX
Posts: 214
| I would continue feeding him the food he has but before the bag is finished, if you want to introduce a new food (your options I think are great ones - I personally prefer the grain-free products) you must introduce the new food slowly to avoid tummy upset. Mix a little of the new food you've chosen with the food he is currently eating and gradually over a few days increase the amount of the new food you have selected. I know others will offer advice as well - congratulations on your new baby - we'd love to see a pic. |
11-28-2012, 01:20 PM | #3 |
Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida
Posts: 8,799
| Congratulations on your new baby I would switch his food slowly so as not to upset his tummy. I feed my girls Natural Balance, they get the dry Duck and Potato small bites and canned Venison with Sweet Potato. Their poo doesn't even stink, yay Their foods are "all life stages" which means that they can eat it when they are puppies also. Good luck and welcome to YT!
__________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna |
11-28-2012, 01:37 PM | #4 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member | Quote:
__________________ Teri . . . Galen Jameson Frazier Seraphina Luna Rosencrantz, Saber Tooth Tiger, Pussy Willow Pandora Guildenstern | |
11-28-2012, 01:41 PM | #5 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY
Posts: 6,582
| I agree that you need to use that food you were given to mix into what ever food you decide to switch you puppy to. You can end up with a very sick puppy if you switch over to another food without slowing changing over. The delicate digestive system cannot take fast changes in diet and usually results in severe diarrhea and stomach upset. If you are going to feed Kibble Oijen and Acana are both good brands that use good protein sources and don't use a ton of fillers like some other companies do. Just remember to mix the food you have with the new food at least half and half to start and then slowly cut down over the next 10 days. |
11-29-2012, 04:51 AM | #6 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| I agree with everything alrteady said...I would add just be certain that whatever you switch him to is a puppy specific formula. |
11-29-2012, 08:50 AM | #7 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| I just re-read my post.....I had not had my coffee yet and left out some very inportant information! While your 9 week old baby should be eating softened kibble, I do not have my babies completely weaned until they are 10-12 weeks old...so if I was you, I would be mixing a formula of 8 oz goats milk, 4 oz Pedialyte, a raw egg yolk, 2 tblsp.Karo syrup, and a 1/2 cup who;le cultured yogurt, if necessary, a little chicken baby food, warmed up, over that kibble....make a loose mush for the baby to lap up....and then at night, before you put him to bed, give him some of the formula to lap up out of a bowl....he is still a baby and benefits from milk.....as he gets older, you can thicken the mush, and by the time he is 12-14 weeks old, he can be eating dry kibble.... I think you have Royal Canin available to you over there...you can also feed that baby the puppy mousse mixed in with the kibble and formula, in place of the chicken baby food..... |
11-29-2012, 05:57 PM | #8 | |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ...
Posts: 3
| Thanks for everyone's response. I'll start the gradual change to Orijen in a week or two. Quote:
| |
Bookmarks |
|
|
Thread Tools | |
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart