[DrGunner]

Hey RO people-
I posted a few years ago when I started a breeder search for my next Rottweiler.
Life took a few turns that put a new pup on hold, but I'm finally in a place where I can devote the time & attention to train & enjoy my next pup.
Im thrilled to say that I've reserved a puppy from Vince @ Carrabba Haus, breedings were recent so we are looking at 19-21 weeks to get our male.
Vince only feeds raw with K9 Kraving as the main staple. I fed my last boy raw chicken, beef, Turkey, raw eggs and 1 cup of kibble daily plus vitamin supplements especially when he was young. Attila was a fit, active 135lb dog and lived almost 14 years.
I'm looking for suggestions for food present day. It looks like there's a LOT more commercial choices in raw foods for dogs... we used the "BARF" aka Bones And Raw Food diet. It was a LOT of work.
I'm looking forward to being able to buy what we used to have to make. I just don't know what food sources to trust. I will be feeding some of the K9 Kraving brand that the breeder recommends, but that can get spendy, so I'd like suggestions for alternatives.

Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated-

Drg

 

[big black dogs]

Congratulations on getting a puppy!! I'm sure you are looking forward to having a Rottie in the house again. As far as food....I would stick with what the breeder is feeding his pups for at least the first little while. Don't stress the pup by changing food. Prepared raw can be expensive to feed for this breed. If you want to feed raw the best way is to feed a variety of inexpensive meats (introduced very slowly) that you buy from a raw meat co-op, or group of like minded raw feeders.

I always say that there is only one chance to grow out a puppy....and if you screw it up with their diet and nutrition, you can screw things up for them in their growth for life. There is all sorts of information on the net about feeding a balanced BARF diet...and I suggest you learn how to do it properly if that's what you plan to feed.

For a pup, I would probably start with a high quality, balanced Large Breed Puppy food...and feed some raw. Often have to feed pups 3 times a day...I would feed one meal a prepared raw meal. As far as dry foods...here's a list of some better foods. I would not feed some of the foods mentioned on this list...but this will give you some ideas....https://www.discovermagazine.com/lifestyle/20-best-dog-food-for-large-breeds-in-2022

 

[DrGunner]

THANKS! to be clear- I DONT want to do BARF again. Too much work, and with companies like K9 Kraving, I can buy what I used to make.
My plan was to start by feeding the exact same as the pup was weaned to, which is K9 Kraving. I'll also introduce raw meats over time, one at a time, and then at around 6 months, add a high quality kibble to fill out volume as things get expensive.
I was hoping to get suggestions for:

• Other pre made raw food brands like K9K
• Recommended brands of Kibble- if you had to pick a top 3 from the list you linked, what would they be?

We have an 8 year old French mastiff now. Zöe is a sweetheart. She's on a special diet because without it, her farts get lethal!

 

[big black dogs]

Zoe is quite the cutie!! What are you feeding her? What did you feed her when she had such lethal farts?? It would be nice to eventually have both dogs on the same diet if you can. Makes life easier. Prepared raw is very expensive....I'm not sure of the companies that you have in the states. We can buy prepared raw at our local pet food store. I have fed Orijen/Acana for years...the grain free kind. Never had any problems. Now the big stink came along from the FDA that it was causing breeds that had heart problems, and that grain free foods were causing the heart problems. This has since been disputed....but everyone got off the grain free bandwagon.

Out of that list I would probably feed Orijen/Acana (same company), Instinct Raw and Wellness Complete. I did find the link to the Whole Dog Journal's 2023 recommendations....and there are also good foods suggested there. Best Dry Dog Food | 2023 Dog Food Review

 

[DrGunner]

Actually Zöe had trouble with several types of Kibble with Royal Canin being the worst, we are now feeding her Oriijen and raw chicken parts from Aldi.
She's actually on a weight loss diet, down from 180lb. She's a VERY big girl.

 

[DrGunner]

BBD- THANK YOU so much for taking the time to formulate such comprehensive & helpful replies, I can see why you're the "Top Dog" here @ RO.

 

[big black dogs]

Actually Zöe had trouble with several types of Kibble with Royal Canin being the worst, we are now feeding her Oriijen and raw chicken parts from Aldi.
She's actually on a weight loss diet, down from 180lb. She's a VERY big girl.

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Yes!! Royal Canin is nasty food!! It's expensive but full of corn, by-products and fillers....there is very little meat in it. You can't go wrong with Orijen....Acana is a little less high octane and I think a bit lower in calories...but still a high quality food.

 

[DrGunner]

This pup will be on K9 Kraving, then at about 6 months old I'll add raw meat, one type at a time, and I'll probably introduce Orijen at around 12 months old. Does that sound OK or would you recommend different?

I feed all my dogs raw eggs, I believe it helps to bring luster to their coats, but I could be deceiving myself.

DrGunner

 

[big black dogs]

K9 Kraving sounds like a good food....does it come in a variety of different proteins or is it a chicken based food?? If this was my pup to raise...I would probably feed the K9 Kraving for a month or two....then start one meal of kibble if you are feeding three times per day. Usually you feed 3 times per day till about 5-6 months of age. Then slowly start feeding more kibble meals. Even if you eventually go completely kibble when the pup is older there is nothing wrong with feeding them the occasional raw meal . Sometimes you find a good buy on chicken backs, or thighs, or beef heart, etc. at the grocery store and it's a great way to enhance a kibble based diet.

All the Rottweilers I've ever raised or fostered or lived with had strong stomachs. I could change proteins on them, or give different foods or things...without any digestive problems. I have always added a spoonful of natural plain yogurt to one of their daily meals for the last 20 or so years. At one time we had chickens and eggs were plentiful...the dogs often got raw eggs also. Sometimes you can get a good buy on canned sardines...and they would be added to a meal a few times per week. I also gave mine veggies as treats, as well as fruit (melon, berries, banana, etc.). I'm a believer in sharing...lol If there is a bit of healthy leftover from my dinner...it can be added as a topper to my dogs meals. A bit of lean meat, a spoonful of rice, or cooked veggie, etc. As long as it's not greasy, or covered in some sauce. We have also shared a bit of pizza crust or a toast corner....but I've noticed that bread products like to produce deadly gas.

You have awhile to see what you plan to do.....but for sure we will be waiting for puppy pics.

 

[DrGunner]

Wow! We have almost 100% identical feeding habits.
Table scraps? Only meat or healthy veggies, and certainly rather than throw them out! Yogurt is one I forgot to mention.

K9 Kraving has a huge variety of protein sources & organ meats:

Raw Dog Food - K-9 Kraving

K-9 Kraving AAFCO Approved Complete & Balanced Diets “For all life stages”, including large breed puppies over 70 lbs. K-9 KRAVING DIETS ARE FREE OF:Preservatives, Processed Meal Ingredients, Dyes, Added Sugars, Cereal Grains, … Raw Dog Food Read More »

www.k-9kraving.com

I'll do something similar to what you laid out, I'm still debating on when to add kibble.
The hardest part will be keeping Zöe from scarfing the puppies K9K goodies. She's very passive, but can be incredibly sneaky for her size!
Litters were conceived (hopefully) a few weeks ago.
19 weeks is a LOOONG wait!!!

😃

 

[big black dogs]

I'm not sure how much they charge for K-9 Kraving ??....but I'm sure it's not going to be cheap with the price of meat now days. All those prepared raw foods are really expensive. If you can afford to keep him on the K-9 Kraving for longer...then do it. Feeding a large breed pup prepared raw is ok while they are still small....their need for a larger amount as the pup grows may just not make it affordable. Spending $300- 400. + a month to feed one dog would be spendy for me!!!

I would suggest you start feeding puppy his meals in his crate. This way he will come to enjoy his crate and it will be something positive and it will also keep Zoe from sneaking in a meal if the pup is distracted or slow to start.

 

[Admin]

I know you!

Welcome!

Jeff

 

[DrGunner]

I'm not sure how much they charge for K-9 Kraving ??....but I'm sure it's not going to be cheap with the price of meat now days. All those prepared raw foods are really expensive. If you can afford to keep him on the K-9 Kraving for longer...then do it. Feeding a large breed pup prepared raw is ok while they are still small....their need for a larger amount as the pup grows may just not make it affordable. Spending $300- 400. + a month to feed one dog would be spendy for me!!!

I would suggest you start feeding puppy his meals in his crate. This way he will come to enjoy his crate and it will be something positive and it will also keep Zoe from sneaking in a meal if the pup is distracted or slow to start.

We tend to free feed our puppies until they're 6 months old...

K9K is $6.29/5lb for chicken/veggie patties, and it goes on up to $10.29 for beef.
Zöe costs $160/month to feed a healthy diet. We expect the pup to cost more, for the first 2 years. We will save by buying in bulk...

 

[DrGunner]

I know you!

Welcome!

Jeff

Hey Jeff! How you doing, Chief?

Off to work. Pick this up later...

 

[big black dogs]

We tend to free feed our puppies until they're 6 months old...

K9K is $6.29/5lb for chicken/veggie patties, and it goes on up to $10.29 for beef.
Zöe costs $160/month to feed a healthy diet. We expect the pup to cost more, for the first 2 years. We will save by buying in bulk...

You may want to rethink about free feeding. It's really hard to free feed if you have two dogs in the house....also hard to free feed raw. The idea is that you want your dog to know that the food comes from you. It can really aid in training...especially a puppy. Teach them to "sit" "stay" "wait" before you give them their food. It also helps to time the feedings with a puppy because most pups have to poop/pee after eating and this helps with house training. If they are allowed to be eating any time they feel like it makes it hard with housebreaking. If they free feed you also don't know if they are under the weather....you may not notice for a time that they have skipped a meal.
Last point...most Rottweilers have good appetites and would eat themselves sick if allowed. A timed regular feeding for this breed works great. Feeding a pup in the crate for the first while also makes their crate a positive place.

 

[DrGunner]

Sorry- should have qualified, free feeding is kibble only. If my YOUNG pups get hungry between feedings, they have a choice. I feed raw at intervals, with some meals fed bowl to hand to mouth- to make it clear to them that it is MY food and that I'm sharing it with them. I use these opportunities to train them to take food from the hand gently, and to train them NOT to bite if I touch them while feeding- you get the picture. Trying to free feed raw would not work, Zöe might steal his food. She's very passive & never "guards" her food.

 

[DrGunner]

Yes, I don't just feed in the crate, I play with them inside to show them it's safe. I hate it when people treat the crate like a jail. It's their den.