A Suggested Menu…
 

Morning:

  1 cup Premium Puppy Food soaked in boiled water, then cooled
  1 tablespoon plain yoghurt (with acidophilus)
 

Midday:

  1 cup Premium Puppy Food (prepare as above)
  1 tablespoon plain yoghurt

Dinner:

  1 ˝ cup Premium Puppy Food (prepare as above)
  ˝ cup of either lean mince or diced beef.
  1 tablespoon plain yoghurt
  1 teaspoon kelp granules
  1 teaspoon cold pressed flaxseed oil
  1 garlic capsule squeezed onto food

Sardines in spring water with no added salt can also be given once a week added to the last meal of the day. (This can be stopped if you are feeding Tuna/Sardines with your vegetable mix, see below)

Vitamins:

• Calcium is essential in your puppy's diet for healthy bone growth. (Giant Puppies are fast growing heavy boned dogs)
• Garlic helps keep worms at bay, good breath and general good health
• Kelp helps maintain good pigment
• Multivitamins are also recommended
• Cold pressed flaxseed oil is rich in essential fatty acids. It is available from health food stores and requires refrigeration.

Bones:

Your puppy's diet should be supplemented with bones such as lamb flaps, brisket bones and lamb shanks. This will help in the development of their teeth. At no stage should you feed your puppy cooked bones as these can splinter and damage your dog internally. Raw is the only way to go.

Fruit & Vegetables:

Vegetables should be added gradually to your puppy's diet. We recommend carrots, spinage, celery, apples, beetroot (raw) mixed in a blender. Slowly add the mix of vegies to each of the three meals. There are many vegetables that can be fed to dogs and some that should not be. Onions are a perfect example of what NOT to feed as they can cause a dog to become anemic. Fruits such as banana and apple are always enjoyed and can even be given as healthy treats.

If your puppy or older dog doesn't like the vegetables on their own, mix in a portion of a can of Tuna or Sardines to their meal. (make sure to use fish in natural oil or spring water.

If in doubt on feeding contact your vet or breeder and ask.

Travel:

Prepare the puppies vegetables and meat in take away or plastic containers and freeze them if you are traveling. On arrival defrost the mix and simply add the dry food to the mix after it has been soaked. What you are trying to do is minimise the chances of your puppy having an upset tummy from a change of food.

Utensils:

A metal feeding bowl is the most suitable. Ensure this is cleaned each meal to avoid food contamination.

Water:

Plenty of clean, fresh water available all day long. Bottled water or water from home should be taken with you if you travel to different cities where water quality could become an issue…and not just with a young dog. A sudden change in water quality can cause diarrhea in a dog of any age.

Please do remember that Giant Schnauzers are VERY BIG water drinkers and have a towel ready to wipe their beard if they are going back indoors. I find doing this from an early age the puppy soon learns the procedure for gaining entrance.

Added Calcium:

Your puppy may require added calcium, there is debate on whether a calcium supplement should or should not be used.. If you are advised to use one try in the form of Dolomite calcium powder or Calcium Orotate (both available from health food stores). Remember if in doubt ask your vet or breeder.

In general…

In a growing dog, especially from three to six months you must be sure not to let it become either too thin or too fat, as both are harmful to the eventual health and soundness of the adult dog.

Depending on your schedule you can change the order that you feed the diet and/or the times you feed as long as your puppy is fed the correct amount for its age.

As the dog grows older (over 12 months) I find minimising the dry food and switching to a full natural diet works very well for the dog.

Footnote…

The menu above we use and is included as a guide only. Variations should be introduced gradually and if you puppy's or grown dogs weight fluctuates please refer to your vet or breeder.