Awaiting arrival of new puppy

[Sharon Whitford]

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I am picking up my shorkie puppy on 1st March and here to try and gather as much information as possible prior to that

 

[JoanneF]

Anything in particular?

The book Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy is getting good reviews.

 

[Sharon Whitford]

I have done a lot of research I feel the food pup is on is not the beat she is on pedigree puppy so I want to try and wean her to a different one but it’s an absolute minefield I don’t no where to start

 

[JudyN]

The All About Dogfood website is good: AllAboutDogFood.co.uk

Basically you want a high meat content and ideally no grain. Also consider raw feeding.

 

[Mayblossom]

Exciting times! May I ask what a Shorkie is?

 

[Finsky]

Exciting times! May I ask what a Shorkie is?

Hmm...I reckon it is Szitsu (or how ever it is spelled) X Yorkshire terrier.

 

[Finsky]

I have done a lot of research I feel the food pup is on is not the beat she is on pedigree puppy so I want to try and wean her to a different one but it’s an absolute minefield I don’t no where to start

Yep, pedigree pup food is very common grub and in my opinion and going on with my experience with the stuff, it ain't the best stuff for them.
Both of mine were fed with it when I got them, and immediately I started the swap over progress for something bit more 'real' and wholesome type of food. It was just a addition of spoonful of the 'new' food in its current food and slowly increasing the ration over coming days. Also adding some variety to the diet is a good thing.
I would recommend little bit of raw food (mince) too.
Your dog might be only a little sort but it still has all the same needs that its larger cousins. It doesn't need to be treated any differently for food wise, it just comes down to the quantity.
For first year it is all about nutrition and giving it enough energy for its development. Once it is fully grown and start next phase in its life...eg. first season etc..you will have to adjust again. The actual puppy diet is not that different to what the adult would eat. Puppies need smaller quantities per meal (small tummies) and little more often as they need lots of energy and cannot take it all in 'one' go...and the food has to be in smaller pieces as well as their teeth are not quite up to the job yet and it will help the digestion too (and smaller pieces fill the available tummy space better, leaving less gaps).
Have a look at Gold - @Excuseme Pregnancy Diary how she reared all those pups and what she fed to them.
Now, you might not want to go full on to that route, but you could certainly use some of the meats as a add on to give more 'omf' to your pups diet.
Yorkies tend to suffer with bad teeth and I would avoid giving dry food as that will help the teeth issues forming.
If you go to your local pet stores and if they sell frozen dog foods....have a look what they have to offer. These days there tend to be all sort of meats available and blends of them. If you are not sure about giving any of it raw, you could start by just slightly heating it so only the surface of the mince is changed colour and get the pup used to the real meat with hint of rawness still in it. If it likes it...well, it is down to you if you carry on like that or not bothering to warm it all.
Raw food minces are no more expensive than tin food so you are not challenged financially neither. I pay about £1 for 400g of various types frozen mince. With yours, once thawed, one block would feed your dog as 'additional incredient' for few days. Even as adult that would be its entire daily need if not less, depending your pets activity level.
Once your pup has started to explore variety of different meats, you start to know your pet and what it likes to eat and what not. You could also add bit of crunch..chicken wing tips..(ohh, they love those!)...maybe some frozen raw chicken hearts. (another OOOOH...mine LOVE those). They are easy to 'prepare' out of freezer by just pouring some boiling water over and giving a minute and they are ready to munch. What is best...there is no preservatives, colourants etc, involved..your pet is unlikely to have issues with food allergies, skin issues....etc.

 

[excuseme]

Try a raw product as mentioned above by @Finsky and @JudyN, it is easy and not messy. It's simply the best.
My last puppy that we bought was on a kibble when she arrived, she was changed completely to raw within 2 days, she had no tummy upsets or problems with the quick the change over, she is almost 8 years old now.

 

[excuseme]

Sorry @JudyN I have done an update.