| FEEDING
GUIDELINES FOR SIBERIAN PUPPIES
There are two main schools of
thought for feeding puppies. The first school
says that puppies need to be fed at specific times and the
second school teaches that the food should be left down
all day. Both of these ideas will be discussed.
How your puppy was feed prior
to coming to your new home mostly depends on how the puppy
was housed and raised. Large kennels, pet stores,
and puppy mills usually leave the food down all day due
to lack of time for individual feedings. The major disadvantage
to this type of feeding is obvious – the alpha puppies
will eat first, faster, and will growl at the other littermates.
This type of behavior can cause puppies to be food aggressive
and food protective at later dates. It can also cause a
reserved and shy puppy to become fearful of other dogs.
The problem to the pet owner is that puppies whom have the
food available all day tend to be fussy picky eaters. There
also can be a problem in housebreaking. There is a reflex
in a puppy that causes a bowel movement after eating a large
meal. If the puppy is continually eating smaller meals,
this reflex may be diminished and housebreaking may be harder
to complete. In the warmer weather, the food has to be protected
against insects and flies.
The more popular method of feeding
is set meals three times a day until the puppy self weans
to two meals a day, usually at about 12 to 16 weeks of age.
The puppy will begin to nibble at the afternoon meal and
this meal can be discontinued at that time. Set meals make
housebreaking easier since the puppy will defecate approximately
3 to 15 minutes after the meal is completed. The food is
usually left for no longer than 15 minutes than taken up
whether the puppy eats or not. The meal is than offered
at a later time.
Siberian puppies should never
growl at the owners when the food is taken away,
and this problem needs to be corrected immediately if present.
The food is continually taken away from the puppy until
the puppy is adjusted to the task. The same is to be learned
for chew toys and treats. Also, puppies should be taught
to sit before any meal or treat is given (ask the breeder
if this is acceptable with a show puppy).
The most important growth phase
for Siberians is from 2 months through 9 months,
so feeding a good quality food is important. Do not feed
cheap food. Bargain Brand X should not be in your kitchen
– it belongs in the trash. Garbage in equals garbage
out. Feeding cheap food is feeding fillers, which will cause
a puppy to defecate 3 to 5 times a day, have soft stools,
weak bones, and poor coat and structure. Puppies should
not have a bowel movement every few hours. If they do, it
is either the food or a medical condition such as parasites.
Siberian puppies do not need
canned food especially at 12 weeks of age. They
are not Chihuahuas – they are working dogs that need
strong teeth and bones. Most breeders wet the dry food with
water to cause a softer food for puppies. SIBERIAN PUPPIES
ARE MILK INTOLERANT AFTER 12 WEEKS OF AGE. Do not give milk
in the food and do not select a puppy food with milk as
an ingredient. Stay away from feeding them the kitchen sink
– they do not need baby food, baby cereal, cottage
cheese, yogurt, rice, etc. after 12 weeks of age unless
a specific medical condition is being treated.
If you select a name brand dry
puppy food, your puppy will grow to the full potential.
A few major brands have medium breed puppy food. This is
acceptable to feed. Feed the puppy food until the dog reaches
9 months of age or until the dog is neutered at 6 to 9 months
of age. At this time, an adult food can be selected. Siberians
can be very fussy eaters and do not become upset if your
dog does not eat every meal presented. Adult Siberians are
notorious for not eating for several days, which absolutely
drive their owners insane.
Kathleen Stryeski, DVM
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