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From the time you receive your puppy from us we suggest feeding a product produced by Dick Van Patten (the old actor). He was
a very strong advocate for dogs and their healthy nutrition. These products are labeled "Natural
Balance" (Limited Ingredient Diet). There are two types that we like best. One
is Lamb Meal and Brown Rice. It contains only ONE PROTEIN and ONE COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATE.
This is a real plus. There are no fillers nor other carbohydrate mixtures that can cause skin problems.
It is a 21% protein foods, which is the best protein level for any house (non-working) type dog. Simple is
best! Another very good food is "Nutro" Venison and Brown Rice Formula. We used this food
for several years with good results. Sometimes, the food content needs to be adjusted to certain ingredients to fit
the particular dog. Another food that we are trying and is looking very good is "Wellness" Duck and Rice.
What ever you do, keep the protien level no higher then 23% MAX. All-in-all, at this time, March. 2010,these
are the best foods we know of. As time goes on and I continue to research new, up-coming foods, I will place up-dates
if I find other equal or possibly better foods. The world of dog nutrition, as with everything, continues to evolve. . . FEEDING SCHEDULE . Until your new puppy reaches FOUR MONTHS of age, we suggest "Free Feeding". This means food and water should be made available all
or most all the time. Puppies need a lot of food and cool water during these months. If free-feeding is not practical,
offer a reasonable amount of food atleast five (5), evenly spaced, times per day. . FOUR
through SIX MONTHS of age. Food should be available four times per day. 1/2
cup per feeding. . DURING
THE FOURTH INTO POSSIBLY FIFTH MONTH, YOUR PUPPY WILL BE LOOSING HIS/HER BABBY TEETH. THIS PROCESS WILL TAKE
ABOUT ONE AND A HALF TO THREE WEEKS AND YOU WILL NOTICE YOUR PUPPY MOVING HIS/HER MOUTH STRANGELY OR RUBBING THE
MOUTH WITH A FRONT PAW AND YOU MAY FIND LITTLE PUPPY TEETH AROUND ON THE FLOOR. ALL OF THIS WILL PLAY OUT IN DUE
TIME BUT, DURING THIS TEETHING PERIOD, IT IS BEST TO ADD A LITTLE WARM WATER TO THE DRY FOOD AND ALLOW IT TO SOAK FOR 10
- 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO OFFERING IT. THE GUMS ARE QUITE SORE AT THIS TIME AND THE SOFTER FOOD MAKES IT MUCH EASIER
TO CHEW. . SIX through TWELVE MONTHS of age. Three times per day.
1/2 cup per feeding. . TWELVE MONTHS throughout ADULTHOOD. Twice per
day. 1/2 cup per feeding. . . BEDTIME
SNACKS . We have found this very helpful in the prevention of the build-up of excess stomach acid/bile
during the long period of night sleep. . Excess acid/bile, if regurgitated, will appear as a creamy-yellow colored
(may even have a greenish hue), will be slimy, and have a very foul order. . We suggest at bedtime (10-11
p.m.), offer your puppy/dog 10-15 pieces of their regular food. This will aid them in not becoming excessively hungry
during the night. Generally, this will solve the acid problem. . Being exposed to excess outside temperatures
in the summer time, may also cause Westies to regurgitate, even into the night. If it is uncomfortable for you to be
outside, it is too hot for your Westie to be out there for long periods also! Remember to supply PLENTY OF COOL WATER
EVEN ON WARM DAYS! Dogs can suffer heat stoke the same as humans. Excess heat in summer is just as bad on
your dog as freezing cold in winter. Either can kill or severely injure! . .
SUPPLEMENTS . Twice per week AND ONLY TWICE PER WEEK, you'll
take APPROX. 1- teaspoon of "Active" type yogurt (try to keep sugar content to around 10-12 gr.
per serving (listed on the container) NOT HIGHER IF POSSIBLE. Many times, we've found the cheeper yogurt brands
contain less sugar and are otherwise of the same content. Mix in 1/8 teaspoon of the calcium powder, add to
that, approx. 1/8 tsp. of the Cod Oil. Mix well, place this by itself, in the food dish and allow the
puppy to clean it up. This mixture, twice per week, ensures strong bones, aids in sight development, offers
plenty of vit. "D", enhances coat quality, and the "Active" yogurt offers excellent digestive enzymes.
Use the calcium as prescribed until it is gone. At that point, he'll not need it any longer. . After
calcium powder has totally been consumed as directed, and from that point forward, we feel it is
a very good idea to continue the Cod Oil and yogurt for ever. This can now be offered at approx. two to three times the
volume (you can just guess at the amount at that point), but still, offer it ONLY twice per week. The vit. "A"
for the eyes, the vit. "D" for bones, the oil's BHA & DHA for the coat, skin, heart and entire circulatory
system, and the yogurt, just like for you and I, offers those good digestive enzymes. We do this with all
our dogs. . Until I have time to re-write "Westie Ti-Bits", a paper I wrote many years ago that I
may have sent you, you will notice within it's pages I suggest a different recipe for the calcium and cod oil. DO
NOT use that formula. USE THE ONE ABOVE. Just disregard that section. We changed the formula several
years ago and it has been working much better. . Rodger & Joyce Morales La Terra Dios Ranch . Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us at (208) 266-1586. Joyce
and Rodger Morales at La Terra Dios Ranch. Home of Fine Westies. Up-dated 10/26/09
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