NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW MUCH/WHEN TO FEED

I recommend feeding a Doberman two meals a day. For a young puppy you may feed three times a day (add a lunch). By the time the puppy is 12-16 weeks you can discontinue that and go to two meals a day. Do not free feed (leave food out for them to help themselves) and do not bulk into one meal for a Doberman. They are at risk for bloat, and allowing that type of feeding schedule increases the risk as well as making it difficult to determine how much an individual dog is eating.

The quantity you feed will depend on the age, weight/phsyical condition, and activity level of your Dobe as well as the type of food you are feeding. Generally on the back of the bag of whatever food you feed it will say the recommended amount per the dog's bodyweight in pounds. You can adjust this to their needs/appetite.

On a Doberman you should see the waist area tuck up and slenderize. They should be narrower in the gut area but of course not emaciated! The last two ribs should be visible when playing, running, or panting. If more than that shows, feed more/supplement more. If there is a fat layer around the ribs and excess weight, you can feed less and/or substitute part of the evening meal for green beans, lighten the calories in their treats/training snacks, and exercise more. Life's Abundance also makes a weight loss formula that may be beneficial for your dog. When you first get your puppy, ask the breeder how much they are feeding the pup. New home transitions may cause the puppy to temporarily lose appetite in new surrounding, but they should be hungry soon and eating as normal.

If you are transitioning foods it is always recommended to do it gradually by mixing the new food in.

FOOD/WATER BOWLS

STAINLESS STEEL DISHES

• Only use stainless steel for your food and water dishes because other materials such as plastic or ceramic harbor bacteria and cause puppy or chin acne.

PORTABLE

• Keep a collapsible portable water dish in your car, training bag, and hiking bag.

SLOW FEED BOWL

• If your dog eats too fast and needs a special dish to slow them down.

WATER/FOOD MAT

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

FISH OIL

I add these fish oil capsules to my dogs food (just drop the capsule in their bowl with the food), 1 capsule in AM meal and 1 capsule in PM meal. Benefits of giving fish oil:

• Increased inflammation and the immune response, blood clotting, and cell growth
• Anti-inflammatory in conditions like allergies, arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases
• Improves skin and coat health, joint health, and energy
• Aids in cognitive development in puppies and may improve cognitive function in older dogs

VITAMIN

After considerable research and trial/error we have found the most success with a special vitamin called NuVet. It is safe for all ages, cold pressed so as not to destroy any nutrients from heat, and made in a facility that is FDA human grade. I trust this vitamin for my own dogs and send all my puppies home with samples of it (3 tablets) and advise they continue. This vitamin has optimum levels of calcium and other minerals that really support and aid the ear cartilage to heal and harden quicker than average. The calcium in the vitamin is actually sourced from crushed oyster shells. Prior to using this vitamin my puppies were requiring approx 6-8mos of ear posting time, and now in puppies that stay on the vitamin they are at 3-4mos of ear posting time. This vitamin also does a lot more than help with ears you can read all about it on their website if interested (huge benefits to their immature developing immune systems).

Ordering info is: http://nuvet.com/42109 or call 1-800-474-7044with order code #590021 (The Nuvet Plus canine wafers)

TREATS

• 
  
• carrots
• snap peas
• string cheese
• plain jerky
• hot dogs/deli meat (good quality, not the cheap stuff)
• minimal bit of peanut butter
• minimal amount of freeze dried meat
• plain cooked chicken breast (or liver, beef, etc)

FRESH WATER

Keep fresh water available at all times. Water consumption may need to be restricted at evening hours for puppy in potty training.

DO NOT FEED - POISONOUS!!

• Alcoholic beverages
• Apple seeds
• Apricot pits
• Avocados
• Cherry pits
• Candy (particularly chocolate—which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets—and any candy containing the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, and chocolate-covered espresso beans)
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Gum (can cause blockages and sugar free gums may contain the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
• Hops (used in home beer brewing)
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy foods
• Mushroom plants
• Mustard seeds
• Onions and onion powder
• Peach pits
• Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Raisins
• Rhubarb leaves
• Salt
• Tea (because it contains caffeine)
• Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Walnuts
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to pets)
• Yeast dough