I figured someone here would have the answer! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lee B · 01-31-2008, 03:48 AM

We got another baby the other day, a 17-week old little girl we named Isabella (Bella for call!). My hubby took her to the vet for her purchase check up because I had to work. The hospital I take the dogs to has several vets, and the one we got is older, and the owner of the hospital.

At any rate, things were going very well until he tried to discuss diet. She's a little girl, 2 lbs. 6 oz., and he was concerned that she would have a good diet. Barry to him that we were feeding raw (Nature's Variety + their Prairie for kibble, which they rarely touch). He was very stern that she needed a lot of protein, and that we should be feeding a good puppy chow like Purina for at least the first year of her life.

Barry understands why I chose to feed raw, but didn't feel he could argue the case, so he just passed the info on to me. I'm really not sure how they can get more/better protein than all meat, but there you have it. However, it DID make me wonder: are they getting all they really need for healthy, growing bods?

The dog food manufacturers have food for "stages" of life, i.e., puppy, adult, senior, etc. Is a puppy getting everything they need, or should I be supplementing with something?

patty58 · 01-31-2008, 06:21 AM

I don't have any answers for you but wanted to welcome you and your new baby. Good luck.

Lee B · 01-31-2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patty58

I don't have any answers for you but wanted to welcome you and your new baby. Good luck.

Thank you! It appears that Yorkies ARE like potato chips: you can't have just one

. Hopefully, we'll be able to stop with two

. Our house is just SO much more *alive* with these two ... we really enjoy them. It's amazing how fast a couple of little fur balls can reduce grown, normally dignified adults into cooing, baby-talking puddles of mush

patty58 · 01-31-2008, 06:34 AM

I agree with you. I knew I would be bad but was surprised at my big ole hunk of a man. Murfee has him wrapped around his little paw.

bbrewser · 01-31-2008, 07:09 AM

I don't feed raw but I have heard others who do say they add vitamins.... hmm I would like to see what everyone says!!

bjh · 01-31-2008, 07:33 AM

Definitely do not go with Purina, it is junk food. Yorkies do not do well on a high protein diet. I don't use anything that is over 28% protein. I do not feed raw so I cannot comment on that. If you are using the Nature's Variey raw then I think it has every thing in it you puppy would need. I have used it in the past on my adults but not for a very long period and they were also getting dry Canidae. Hopefully, there will be someone else on YT that has fed their puppies raw diets that can comment. I have alway just used Canidae and Chicken Soup Puppy for my puppies.

Lee B · 01-31-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

Definitely do not go with Purina, it is junk food. Yorkies do not do well on a high protein diet. I don't use anything that is over 28% protein. I do not feed raw so I cannot comment on that. If you are using the Nature's Variey raw then I think it has every thing in it you puppy would need. I have used it in the past on my adults but not for a very long period and they were also getting dry Canidae. Hopefully, there will be someone else on YT that has fed their puppies raw diets that can comment. I have alway just used Canidae and Chicken Soup Puppy for my puppies.

The NV raw foods run 11-13% crude protein. Is that enough?

jeanietoo · 01-31-2008, 10:16 AM

Your vet is right about the protein. Puppies need at least 20-25% protein. I never fed raw so don't know anything about that but 13% protein is NOT enough

Ellie May · 01-31-2008, 10:23 AM

http://www.naturesvariety.com/conten...7155wXmO9EF262
If these are the ones you're talking about they are for All life stages. They are 13% protein with moisture added. It needs to be converted to dry matter which is about 41% protein.

bjh · 01-31-2008, 10:40 AM

This is what they say on the NV website about the raw:

Raw Frozen Diets
Nutrition the way nature intended.

Your pets are meat eaters, so raw food is the most instinctive and natural form of nutrition they can eat. A diet consisting of raw, fresh meat, organs, ground bone, and fat reflects what they would eat in nature. With natural proportions of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, and amino acids, raw diets provide wholesome nutrition for the health of your pets. The natural results of such high quality nutrition include increased energy, toned muscles, and a soft, glossy coat!

================================================== ==
Now....this is me speaking....I have read many review on NV raw and personally if I had only one dog I would certainly give it a try. I think is has plenty of protein. I would not start supplementing because this food is already complete and balanced. What I don't understand, because I am not a scientist, they say it is 90% meat so you would think it would have a higher protein count. I guess all the water in it is what makes the protein count lower. I have also read that you can feed it solely or in combination with dry food. I know not all dogs can take it but most of the reviews are very good. I know my vet sells it and speaks highly of it. He also sells Solid Gold. I would recommend you keep doing what you are doing and maybe find another vet that is a little more knowledgeable about nutrition.

MyFairLacy · 01-31-2008, 11:32 AM

RAW is the best thing for your puppy so keep it up

I have fed NV raw medallions for over a year and a half now with great results. Unfortunately, most vets know next to nothing about nutrition and are very missinformed so your vet probably just doesn't know any better than to recommend low quality foods like Purina and Science Diet. Stick with raw and you can't go wrong

pennypoo · 01-31-2008, 01:27 PM

Can you get samples of NV's products?

pennypoo · 01-31-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennypoo

Can you get samples of NV's products?

Just found the Sticky on food samples, question is how long does it take to get them. I want to switch soon.

MyFairLacy · 01-31-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennypoo

Can you get samples of NV's products?

Here is a coupon for NV. With any NV purchase, you can get a free bag of raw or dry. http://www.naturesvariety.com/tryit/index2.lasso

hha · 01-31-2008, 06:51 PM

You have to remember too much protein is not good for them..I don't feed raw, I look at the wolves that eat raw, and I've never seen a healthy looking one yet..

01-31-2008, 03:48 AM	#1
Lee B YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Land O' Lakes, FL Posts: 735	I figured someone here would have the answer! We got another baby the other day, a 17-week old little girl we named Isabella (Bella for call!). My hubby took her to the vet for her purchase check up because I had to work. The hospital I take the dogs to has several vets, and the one we got is older, and the owner of the hospital. At any rate, things were going very well until he tried to discuss diet. She's a little girl, 2 lbs. 6 oz., and he was concerned that she would have a good diet. Barry to him that we were feeding raw (Nature's Variety + their Prairie for kibble, which they rarely touch). He was very stern that she needed a lot of protein, and that we should be feeding a good puppy chow like Purina for at least the first year of her life. Barry understands why I chose to feed raw, but didn't feel he could argue the case, so he just passed the info on to me. I'm really not sure how they can get more/better protein than all meat, but there you have it. However, it DID make me wonder: are they getting all they really need for healthy, growing bods? The dog food manufacturers have food for "stages" of life, i.e., puppy, adult, senior, etc. Is a puppy getting everything they need, or should I be supplementing with something?

01-31-2008, 06:21 AM	#2
patty58 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: texas Posts: 5,272	I don't have any answers for you but wanted to welcome you and your new baby. Good luck. __________________ Decide To Make It A Good Day

01-31-2008, 06:34 AM	#4
patty58 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: texas Posts: 5,272	I agree with you. I knew I would be bad but was surprised at my big ole hunk of a man. Murfee has him wrapped around his little paw. __________________ Decide To Make It A Good Day

01-31-2008, 10:23 AM	#9
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	http://www.naturesvariety.com/conten...7155wXmO9EF262 If these are the ones you're talking about they are for All life stages. They are 13% protein with moisture added. It needs to be converted to dry matter which is about 41% protein. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

01-31-2008, 10:40 AM	#10
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	This is what they say on the NV website about the raw: Raw Frozen Diets Nutrition the way nature intended. Your pets are meat eaters, so raw food is the most instinctive and natural form of nutrition they can eat. A diet consisting of raw, fresh meat, organs, ground bone, and fat reflects what they would eat in nature. With natural proportions of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, and amino acids, raw diets provide wholesome nutrition for the health of your pets. The natural results of such high quality nutrition include increased energy, toned muscles, and a soft, glossy coat! ================================================== == Now....this is me speaking....I have read many review on NV raw and personally if I had only one dog I would certainly give it a try. I think is has plenty of protein. I would not start supplementing because this food is already complete and balanced. What I don't understand, because I am not a scientist, they say it is 90% meat so you would think it would have a higher protein count. I guess all the water in it is what makes the protein count lower. I have also read that you can feed it solely or in combination with dry food. I know not all dogs can take it but most of the reviews are very good. I know my vet sells it and speaks highly of it. He also sells Solid Gold. I would recommend you keep doing what you are doing and maybe find another vet that is a little more knowledgeable about nutrition. Last edited by bjh; 01-31-2008 at 10:42 AM.

01-31-2008, 07:09 AM	#5
bbrewser Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 162	I don't feed raw but I have heard others who do say they add vitamins.... hmm I would like to see what everyone says!!

01-31-2008, 07:33 AM	#6
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Definitely do not go with Purina, it is junk food. Yorkies do not do well on a high protein diet. I don't use anything that is over 28% protein. I do not feed raw so I cannot comment on that. If you are using the Nature's Variey raw then I think it has every thing in it you puppy would need. I have used it in the past on my adults but not for a very long period and they were also getting dry Canidae. Hopefully, there will be someone else on YT that has fed their puppies raw diets that can comment. I have alway just used Canidae and Chicken Soup Puppy for my puppies.

01-31-2008, 10:16 AM	#8
jeanietoo YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 783	Your vet is right about the protein. Puppies need at least 20-25% protein. I never fed raw so don't know anything about that but 13% protein is NOT enough

01-31-2008, 11:32 AM	#11
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	RAW is the best thing for your puppy so keep it up I have fed NV raw medallions for over a year and a half now with great results. Unfortunately, most vets know next to nothing about nutrition and are very missinformed so your vet probably just doesn't know any better than to recommend low quality foods like Purina and Science Diet. Stick with raw and you can't go wrong __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

01-31-2008, 01:27 PM	#12
pennypoo Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boothbay Harbor ME Posts: 57	Can you get samples of NV's products?

01-31-2008, 06:51 PM	#15
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	You have to remember too much protein is not good for them..I don't feed raw, I look at the wolves that eat raw, and I've never seen a healthy looking one yet..