introducing puppies to food and allergies
Any input - thoughts? |
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kerry wrote: There is a small discussion going on on the Newf forum about introducing young pups to food other than milk before 6 weeks of age causing allergies. I find this an interesting topic of conversation since our breed has so many allergies and i know it is common practice to start puppies on food well before 6 weeks (I think).
Any input - thoughts? My guys were started on some goat's milk with baby gruel mixed in at about 4 weeks (I think it was). No allergies to date. Their parents don't have any either, and I know how the dam was raised (the exact same way) though in her case her sire apparently had some allergies and so do some of her siblings - who were all raised exactly as she was. Maybe it's different in Newfies, but in our breed I think the bigger problem is that breeders aren't taking the genetic component of allergies more seriously, and I include these endless sensitive stomach issues that have somehow become "accepted" in the breed in that category. Funny - vet and I were just talking about that at a show this past weekend. Are they seeing a sudden surge in allegies in Newfs? Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: Are they seeing a sudden surge in allegies in Newfs? Kristine I think it is about the same as in our breed. However there seems to be a wider spread holistic and natural movement over there. The conversation was started by someone who's vet believes that puppies should be at least 6 weeks before solids are introduced (like the 6 months for human babies  )
Seemed like an intriguing idea for a boring friday afternoon to me  |
kerry wrote: The conversation was started by someone who's vet believes that puppies should be at least 6 weeks before solids are introduced (like the 6 months for human babies
)Seemed like an intriguing idea for a boring friday afternoon to me 
Having spent the better part of my life avoiding humans who can't feed themselves or take care of basic business on their own...what is the reasoning behind the waiting till six months old in babies? I'm guessing it's roughly that age their system is able to handle it - as in they won't choke on it, is that right? That's roughly the same reasoning in puppies if so. I've heard the theory about not introducing anything foreign that will challenge their immature immune systems until various ages on and off before, but have never heard a convincing argument either way. You're listening in on the conversation. What do you think? KB |
| let me say that 100 years ago when my son was born we did keep him away from solds until 6 months. and the reason was food allergies not mechanical swallowing issues.
the reason floated on the Newf forum was similar- although they used a gut doesn't close scenario and food can leak in causing allergies that I found mystifying. i am really bored  |
| Personally I think it is more a Hereditry problem. If skin allergies or sensitive guts run in the lines then no doubt some pups will have that trait.
Mine started on goats milk at 4 weeks with yoghurt, a few days later they were introduced to finely ground top quality minced beef (Raw), then onto mushed up top quality dry kibble. Bringing in chicken, fish, vegatables, rice, pasta, an array in their diet by the time they left the nest. Non had runny poops all had a piggy good appetitie and non were fussy eaters. Not had any problems with them leaving the milk bar and weaning starting at 4 weeks, skin and coats were shiny and healthy and no sensitive tummies on any of them. 
My belief is too a variety in their diet both fresh and commercial (Kibble) helps to allieviate food intolerance. Variety is the spice of life as they say
Heck they ate better & Healthier then us, the kids keep telling me that  |
| Mine are started at 3 weeks with a watery gruel of ground up, soaked puppy food, rice pablum, and puppy formula. At about 5 weeks it's just puppy food soaked. |
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