Question about dog food for 4 months old JA pup
Can anyone please tell me what kind, brand of dog food did u feed ur JA after 4 months old? I heard some people said after 4 months old, JA should stop Puppy tagged food because its nutrition is too much for them, which may cause unhealthy physical development. I know that sounds kinda odd, but what do you recommend? Thk u in advance.
Comments
As far as what to feed... I think decided how much protein is a good start. Some will say that too much high protein kibble for a young puppy is bad because it can cause problems in the way the bones develop, and some will say otherwise. I'm not really at that point with Toki anymore, so I can't really say which way I believe, but I think if you went with a kibble that derived its protein from a high grade meat protein source, I think you would be doing good for your puppy. Lots of people feed their puppies RAW at that age and they do very well, so i guess make you're own judgement.
Our pup's 5 months old now. Our breeder started our puppy on the same kibble as the mommy did, so we never even tried puppy kibble.
When she came home at 8 weeks old, we started introducing raw dehydrated and goat milk to her diet.
When she started puppy class at 10 weeks old, she is mostly fed raw dehydrated in a bowl and we reserved kibble for training sessions or stuffed toys.
When she was 3 months old, we started introducing raw frozen to her diet. Raw frozen is much cheaper than raw dehydrated.
We rotate kibble brands for both dogs (senior shiba & JA puppy) whenever they finish a bag. We only feed grain-free kibble. I usually keep to brands that have protein levels around 25% b/c closer to 40% causes soft stool in puppy (no issue w/ older dog) I'm also a strong advocate of exposing puppy to as many different kinds of protein sources early on so they don't develop an intolerance or allergy to a certain kind of protein later on. Let me know if there are specific brands you're interested in trying on your 4 month old.
Cheers!
I would consider an Akita a large breed puppy, and feed him as such. Feed a puppy diet specifically for large breeds and keep him lean. Do not feed adult food, and do not feed a food that claims to be 'for all life stages'.
Excessive calories and inappropriate amounts of calcium have both been shown to negatively influence optimal skeletal development in puppies. Protein content is not the problem.
For example,I looked at Orijin's website. The adult 6 fish has 1.4-1.6% but the large breed puppy has up to 1.7%.
Maybe I am misunderstanding, but sounds like too much calcium is detrimental to bone growth, and judging calcium in Orijin products alone, it seems like the adult 6 Fish would be better instead of the large breed puppy. From the quick internet research I just did, sounds like 3% calcium and higher is extremely bad.
For me - of course, I could be wrong, puppy food and all the other types of special food are designed to respond to the demand but don't make a real difference.
I feed raw diet so when I get my Hokkaido pup or whatever breed I get it'll be getting raw diet too coarse meals appropriate for a puppy size wise.. Coarse I'd keep bone balance don't want to over due it on things.
I never owned a large breed so not too sure on nutrition wise on kibble dogs need be on.. I know you want the pup to grow steadily and not fast.
Fat 12%
Calcium ~1%
Calories 300-400 kcal/cup
Ca:Phos ratio of 1.2
As mentioned above, the protein content is not implicated in the development of orthopedic disease, but it is difficult to find a high protein kibble that does not have excess calcium or high kcal/cup.
Always measure a large puppy's meals per day and feed an amount to maintain a body condition score of 4/9 (do NOT allow them to 'free feed'). I'd keep an Akita on the large breed puppy diet for 1 year. Extra large breeds like Great Danes or Mastiffs, I might extend that to 18 months.
Here are some references:
1. Nap, et al. Growth and skeletal development in Great Dane pups fed different levels of protein intake. J Nutr 1991; 121:S107-S113.
2. Hedhammer, et al. Over nutrition and skeletal disease: an experimental study in growing Great Dane dogs. Cornell Vet 1974; 64:1-159.
3. Lavelle. The effect of overfeeding of a balanced complete commercial diet to a group of growing Great Danes. In: Nutrition of the dog and cat. Burger and Rivers (eds). Cambridge Univ Press, 1989:303-316.
4. Hazewinkel, et al. Influences of chronic calcium excess on the skeletal development of growing Great Danes, J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1985; 21:377-391.
5. Goedegebuure, Hazewinkel. Morphological findings in young dogs chronically fed a diet containing excess calcium. Vet Pathol 1986; 23:594-605.
6. Hazewinkel, et al. Calcium metabolism in Great Dane dogs fed diets with various calcium and phosphorus levels. J Nutr 1991; 121:S99-S106.
Both the nurse and vet said Meichan is a very good weight despite being on the small end for an Akita (32.3# at 5.5 months). The vet nurse said she should be fed only twice a day starting at 4 months, and be off puppy kibble and on adult kibble by now. I had Meichan eating 3x a day, I'll start transitioning to 2x going forward.
Now this is completely opposite input from @TeamLaika, so the best thing is probably to check w/ the vet who has physically examined your pup for advice.
I think I might have to stick with the Nature's Domain while in Japan.