What should I feed my puppy?

I’m often asked “What should I feed my puppy? What do you recommend?” I have always researched the dog food and looked at the first few ingredients, as I was told that these were the most important and meat should always be the first one. The guaranteed analysis was the next important criteria.

Note: This blog post was previously published on Wisteria Goldens in 2014. We are resharing for our newest Wisteria Goldens families.

We had been using our brand of dog food for years and are no longer able to get it. So, my research for dog food was on again.

Wow, I have learned so much! I spent over an hour with a gentleman who has bred and shown dogs for years. His personal dogs have lived to be 18 years of age before they passed over the Rainbow Bridge!

He has a wealth of information on where what brands of dog foods were made, which ones swept up the leftover grains off the floor and put them in our foods, and which companies that specialize in household goods also make dog food. It was pretty shocking!

What should I feed my puppy Research

In my research, I discovered Life Abundance Pet Foods. This line of products was formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, DVM. She has been a holistic vet for over 20 years. Served as President of the American Veterinarian Association of New York City, earned three Presidential Citations, appointed by Mayor Rudolph Guliano to help establish one of the largest animal shelters in the world, the author of three books on responsible care and treatment of pets, and has appeared on 48 Hours, Good Morning America, CNN, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and more. She has also created a non-profit foundation where a % of her product line is contributed toward rescue and care for pets.

Needless to say, I was pretty impressed. I learned that pet food was developed around World War II. It consisted of leftover grains that were rejected for human consumption. It was recognized very quickly that grains alone were not providing adequate nutrition, so protein was added, again with the source being rejected meat for human consumption; dead, diseased, dying, disabled, or drugged animals met the criteria.

Did you know that our pets genetically can live to be 20 years old, but the current average is 13 – 15? While many factors help the longevity of life – environment, health care, etc. nutrition is one of the most important factors.

Many of the ingredients in our pets food today cause a shorter life span due to the ingredients that cause stress on their kidney and liver functions which include; wheat, corn, and soy. These are also major allergens to our pets.
By-products such as chicken heads, duck bills, fish heads, chicken and turkey feet, bones, and diseased & contaminated slaughterhouse meat can also be included in our pet foods! BHA, BHT, which harms our dogs’ liver & kidneys and is known carcinogens. Ethoxyquin, which is used to stabilize rubber can also be used. All these chemicals are added to provide a longer shelf life – 2 years or greater.

Life’s Abundance Pet Foods are made with all-natural ingredients and include meat (quality sources), fruits and vegetables, probiotics to help the immune system, as well as antioxidants like grape seed extract. They do not include corn, soy, wheat or any by-products or chemicals. They do not manufacture the food in bulk and they ship directly to the customer in order to ensure a “fresh” product vs. one that has been on the shelf for months, even possibly a couple of years.

We are now (and have been for 7 years) feeding our dogs Life’s Abundance and raising the puppies on this food to ensure a long and healthy life, as well as provide our puppies a healthy start. We also give our dogs and puppies vitamins.

All of our new puppy owners receive their first bag of dog food directly from Life’s Abundance ordered and shipped by us. We feel that nutrition (just like us humans) helps to prevent health problems, which helps to prevent preventable vet bills, and provides for a healthier, longer life for our pets.

While this dog food “seems” more expensive up front, the cost is about $.70 per day for a 50 lb dog. You feed less dog food, but they receive more nutrition! They are able to digest, absorb, and utilize Life’s Abundance Dog food more effectively, and have less waste, which is a great benefit as well!

We hope you have found this information helpful in learning more about supporting the nutritional needs and health of your puppy/dog.