Food suggestions for puppy?

[remy]

My puppy will be 12 weeks old tomorrow. I have been feeding him the same food he had at the breeders, PPP Sport Performance All Life Stages in the chicken & rice formula.

His stool has been mostly soft since I got him, even with the addition of a probiotic and some powdered pumpkin. I think this could be because the protein is too high (30%).

He also doesn’t seem to be a fan of the taste. I bought slow feeder bowls thinking he would eat fast, but he picks at his food and rarely will eat it all at once, so I haven’t used them yet. Some days he still has leftover breakfast when it’s time for lunch. His meals are typically around 7am, 12pm and 5pm so I don’t think they are too close to each other. I give him 1 cup 3 times per day, but I think he only eats 2-2.5 cups most days. However, I am not concerned with his weight. He is 25lb at 12 weeks and doesn’t appear too thin.

 

[Gpcoguy]

Welcome from Colorado. Would love to see some pics of your pup.

 

[remy]

Welcome from Colorado. Would love to see some pics of your pup.

Thank you, greetings from South Carolina! Here are some pictures of him!

 

[Gpcoguy]

Good looking boy. 30% protein might be a bit high but not bad. Rose had loose stools even on high quality kibble(Fromm gold, Orijen) switched her to premade frozen raw patties(O.C. raw dog) no problems since. One thought( I dont know how long youve had him or if he came from a different area) could be the water in your area if he isn't used to it

 

[remy]

Thanks! I’ll have him for 1 month on the 25th! I haven’t thought about the water. He is from Michigan and I am in South Carolina. If it is the water that’s the issue, do you think he would have adjusted by now?

 

[Gpcoguy]

Probably after a monh he would have become accustomed to. Just a thought

 

[Rits]

Cute boy!! Where did you get him from in Michigan if you don't mind me asking? I'm in Northern Indiana and my breeder is originally from Michigan.

I would definitely lower the protein, might be a bit too rich for a puppy and might speed growth too much for a growing male. I feed Muenster Milling - Perfect Balance green bag and my dobes have done really well on that. 24% protein.

 

[remy]

Thank you! He is from Andella Kennels, the litter was co-bred by Melrae Dobermans.

I will look into that food!

 

[Ravenbird]

Nice looking pup! I've been feeding Diamond ALS Chicken/Rice since mine was a puppy (now 3 1/2 years) and have had no problems. Since your puppy doesn't look too thin, there is no reason to encourage him to eat more than he wants. The higher protein can contribute to softer stools. I'd put his food down like you're doing, but pick it back up in 15 minutes. Use the kibble for treats so he doesn't get spoiled on big flavor treats that don't have balanced nutrition.

 

[Ddski5]

Co-bred with Melrae? Do you know which Doberman?

My Freyja is a Melrae Doberman and she is fantastic. Easy to train, eager to learn, protective, loyal…..checks all the boxes for sure.

I fed Fromm large breed puppy.

Beautiful Doberman you have too. You did the posting yourself- great job!

 

[Deborah]

Must mention that it wouldn’t hurt to test a stool sample if you haven’t already. The “getting used to the water” reminded me. Giardiasis is common in puppies (and even adult dogs) from breeders and dogs transported from other states. Inexpensive test, easy to treat all parasites at once. Just a check in case. Not sure, but I think he might be a little young for a probiotic, depending on which one you are giving him.

 

[remy]

Co-bred with Melrae? Do you know which Doberman?

My Freyja is a Melrae Doberman and she is fantastic. Easy to train, eager to learn, protective, loyal…..checks all the boxes for sure.

I fed Fromm large breed puppy.

Beautiful Doberman you have too. You did the posting yourself- great job!

Thank you! Freyja sounds wonderful! It’s my first time posting, so I’m getting better each time lol, but he is very patient with me.

Selleck is his Sire! Originally I was on the wait-list for a litter with Vlad, but the breeding didn’t take.

 

[remy]

Must mention that it wouldn’t hurt to test a stool sample if you haven’t already. The “getting used to the water” reminded me. Giardiasis is common in puppies (and even adult dogs) from breeders and dogs transported from other states. Inexpensive test, easy to treat all parasites at once. Just a check in case. Not sure, but I think he might be a little young for a probiotic, depending on which one you are giving him.

He actually just got back from the vet and he had the fecal test done, everything was negative!

I have been giving him the probiotic for about 2 weeks now. It is the Vetnique Labs Profivex 5-strain probiotic powder. I don’t recall seeing an age minimum on there, but I will double check! Do you think I should hold off on giving it, or continue as long as it’s appropriate for all ages?

 

[EricA]

My puppy will be 12 weeks old tomorrow. I have been feeding him the same food he had at the breeders, PPP Sport Performance All Life Stages in the chicken & rice formula.

His stool has been mostly soft since I got him,

Takes a lot longer than 12 weeks to get a Doberman 'regular' on their potty stuff.

At that young as their bodies grow and change, so will their potty schedules and the consistency of what they put out regardless of if the food remains the same.

Food schedules and consistent / regularly timed potty breaks and all of that lead to you being able to set your watch as to what comes out and when much more so when they are adults than when they are puppies.

 

[Rits]

Thank you! He is from Andella Kennels, the litter was co-bred by Melrae Dobermans.

I will look into that food!

I suspected so! Small world. He is a cutie! I'd definitely go with the Muenster Milling, that is what Melissa feeds and her puppies do very well on. No loose stools with the low protein. You can also add a little pumpkin as you transition but definitely want to get those loose stools cleared up so he can get the proper nutrition during these major growing periods.

I would soak his food too. This should encourage eating and makes the kibble more readily digestible. He may not need 3c of food yet, especially if his weight looks good and he is leaving some. My puppy just turned 6 months and is now eating 4c.

Has he had a fecal exam and deworming to double check that it isn't worms? They can easily pick these up anywhere being puppies with noses to the ground and exploring the world with their mouths! Edit: woops missed the test was negative, that's great!

 

[remy]

I suspected so! Small world. He is a cutie! I'd definitely go with the Muenster Milling, that is what Melissa feeds and her puppies do very well on. No loose stools with the low protein. You can also add a little pumpkin as you transition but definitely want to get those loose stools cleared up so he can get the proper nutrition during these major growing periods.

I would soak his food too. This should encourage eating and makes the kibble more readily digestible. He may not need 3c of food yet, especially if his weight looks good and he is leaving some. My puppy just turned 6 months and is now eating 4c.

Has he had a fecal exam and deworming to double check that it isn't worms? They can easily pick these up anywhere being puppies with noses to the ground and exploring the world with their mouths! Edit: woops missed the test was negative, that's great!

Thank you for all the advice! I agree he may not need that much food yet. He just turned 12 weeks today and is 26lbs, so I think he is good in terms of weight.

 

[Kswoodssue]

Hello from Ohio! Our girl liked just enough warm water to soften her kibble for her first few months. Your pup is really nice looking!

 

[JanS]

Welcome from Minnesota! We have had 2 Melrae pups now and one sire was Vlad.

I agree the Muenster Milling food is good for pups, even though you have to special order it.

 

[Kaiser2016]

What a handsome little guy! He looks really comfy in that chair I especially like the middle pic with the crazy eyes

 

[Unityspirit]

Thank you, greetings from South Carolina! Here are some pictures of him!

pumpkin itself can cause soft stool. its what I give my dogs if they seem constipated