"Puppy Feeding"

	Puppies need higher levels of nutrients that are not available in regular dog food. Because of their special nutritional needs, your puppy should only receive puppy food for the first year. Most dog food manufacturers offer a special formula for puppies that is higher in protein (28%-30%), and enriched with the fat soluble and water soluble vitamins, minerals, fats and other essentials your growing puppy needs. Once your puppy reaches 12-18 months of age, then you can put him on an adult formula.
	For the first few days, it is a good idea to continue feeding the same type and brand of puppy food and use the same feeding schedule the puppy was on before he came home to you. Then you can slowly start using the food you have chosen based on information you received from the breeder and veterinarian. By "slowly" we mean over a course of about 7-10 days go from 100% previous food to 100% new food. Mix 25% of the new food with 75% of the old for several days. Then make it a 50-50% for several more days, then 75% new food to 25% old food for the last few days. After that he should be on 100% new food.
Type of Food:
	Your new Puppy will be given a premium diet while still in our care. Victor Hi Pro (All Life Stages, Teal Bag) is what we feed. This diet is only available at Tractor Supply, Chewy, Your Feed or Co-Op Stores, etc). This diet is free from poor fillers and other harmful agents. it will consist of real meat, real ingredients. You will receive a sample of food to take home with you when you pick up your puppy. If you choose to change his diet to better fit your needs, please keep in mind of his sensitive stomach and please follow the slow guidelines listed above in slowly switching his diet over. 
Premium vs. Grocery:
	Now the fun begins. Do you know the difference between premium foods vs. grocery foods? Premium foods use real ingredients and have less or no poor fillers (such as corn, wheat, soy) compared to grocery foods. This means that he will retain (absorb) more of what he eats, and poop less waste. He will also eat less food as its more filling. Grocery foods use by products and artificial meats and LOTS of fillers. That is why is appears so cheap. But be warned, in the end, its NOT cheaper. In the long run, if you compare 2 dogs of the same breed and put one on a premium diet, and one on a grocery diet, I can assure you, you will see a difference in the dogs appearance, his waste cleanup, and your pocket book! The dog that eats grocery brands will eat MORE food to maintain his needs and fullness, which in the end will cause you to spend more money on food. His coat will be less glossy, tend to be dry and flaky, and he will poop ALOT. Also, 1 and a half cups of premium food is equivelant to 3 cups of grocery (so add it up and see the savings in the long run). The dog that eats the premium foods will appear healthier, show better weight, glossy coat, and alot less poop cleanup in the yard. Also, another benefit, his poop will have less odor. No more stinky yards!
	Also, another important note.. Don't keep switching his food. If you do, you will develop a picky eater. I see more problems with this and its so easy to prevent. You decide what your dog will eat, and stick with it! If you think he's getting "bored" with his food, just add a topping and mix it in. Most pet stores sell "Toppings" or gravy's to mix with your food to give the occasional change without the harmful effects of switching his diet. NOTE: Never offer table scraps or table foods. What we eat is NOT healthy for your dog. It will upset his stomach. The real chicken or beef in his food is the same as what we eat, however its processed differently to remove those harmful fats, sodiums, and sugars that upset a dogs stomach. Our food is just too rich for his digestion. It also causes obesity and again, that picky eater. One EXCEPTION is: Yogurt and cottage cheese. You CAN offer a tablespoon of Plain Yogurt and plain Cottage cheese to his food to "spruce it up". It adds calcium and nutrients that wont harm your pet. Talk to your veterinarian about this first.