Feeding Instructions
All IBIZA pups are weaned on EAGLE PACK (Small/Medium Breed in the YELLOW bag) which I consider to be one of the best pup formulas; it’s easily digested, boosts immunity and is packed full of nutrients. We’ve been using this as our initial puppy weaning brand for a while with excellent results.
For more feeding questions or details, Email Us: ibiza@bigpond.net.au
Your 10-12 wk IBIZA Puppy is currently fed: (feeding times & quantities are approximate)
Breakfast: 7.00-8.00 am
About 1/2 cup of ‘Pet’s Own’ Puppy Milk (Lactose reduced) and about 1/3 - 1/2 cup of EAGLE PACK ‘Puppy’ or ROYAL CANIN ‘Junior’ kibble. If serving kibble soaked with warm water, just covering dry food, allow to re-hydrate & cool (Do not use boiling water).
Leave any extra dry kibble out only if needed. You can try the EAGLE PACK ‘Power’ variety (Orange bag) if they are active or being run in a large yard or property.
We also use Purina ‘Bonnie’ Puppy variety and it supplements our main brand when pups are over 12 weeks old. Not all new puppy owners have access to our main brand so we try and introduce another decent brand that is readily accessible. ‘Bonnie’ is a great product which is - Additive, Preservative, Flavouring and Colouring free, available at most good Produce & Pet stores.
You may want to try the ‘Junior’ or ‘Puppy’ varieties from several of the quality, reputable products. We would also recommend the following premium brands:
- Royal Canin ‘Junior’ (used for maturing pups in conjunction with Eagle Pack ‘Puppy’)
- Purina ‘Pro Plan’ (another excellent brand that’s now easily available nation-wide)
- Hill’s ‘Science Diet’ (recommended by some vets and endorsed by the RSPCA)
Other brands include Pedigree ‘Puppy’ and Supercoat ‘Lifecycle’ which are “value”, budget brands, readily available at supermarkets but not recommended as quality brands. Other ones include Iams ‘Eukanuba’. There are links to all mentioned Pet Food manufacturers below.
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Lunch: 12.00-1.00 pm
About 1/4 to 1/2 cup of kibble (soaked in warm water and allowed to cool down). You may want to try alternating some of the above-mentioned brands and let the pup decide. Please use less quantity if not active (or very hungry) as requirements can vary significantly.
If not home during the day, ensure that enough dry kibble is left out and feed them their Dinner (below) as soon as you get home and -
ALWAYS HAVE FRESH, COOL WATER AVAILABLE.
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Dinner: 6.00-7.00 pm
About 150-200 gms of Minced Beef (with additives below) - OR - if they are being fussy eaters, offer them 1/4 of a can (700g size) of ‘PAL’ Puppy. You can mix canned food in with their dry kibble meal if they are being fussy eaters.
Most Supermarkets have a couple of mince brands. In Australia, the 1kg ‘VIP’ or ‘ProtaDog’ brands of Pet Steak Mince seem quite readily available (in the refrigerated Pet Food section). If only feeding fresh mince, add about quarter of a teaspoon of calcium powder and half a teaspoon of ‘Missing Link’ or another good quality Vitamin/Mineral/Amino Acid supplement powder.
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Supper: 10.00-11.00 pm
Some Puppy Milk - OR, if pup is on the thin side - Pedigree ‘Puppy Porridge’. If pup is kept outdoors, warm it slightly on a cold night (microwave on Medium setting for about 30-40 secs).
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All the specified quantities are a guide only. At first, whilst settling in, you may find that your whippet pup eats very little. Do not worry; they will eat when hungry enough.
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At around 3 months
Stop their supper and increase the other meals if needed. Start including (just a couple of times a week) finely chopped beef and even vegetables if they like them. You can slowly introduce small, RAW chicken wing bones & necks and if keeping them active, let them have a lamb ‘flap’ once a week (fatty rib bones).
Note: NEVER feed cooked bones and avoid feeding pups bones without meat on them. Smoked bones are fine but you must take ALL bones away (and splinted fragments) as soon as they have chewed-off the ends of the bone. Don’t leave them lying around; throw them in the trash, as most bones will splinter and break into small, sharp pieces. These can do serious damage to a young pup’s throat, stomach, intestines, digestive system & anus.
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From 6 to 12 months
Breakfast
1 cup of full cream Milk & Dry kibble as needed (only leave out if no weight problems)
Dinner (mix well)
300g (up to 400g) of any meat; if possible feed in chunks so that they can chew on it.
1 tablespoon of bran or rolled oats (for digestion)
1 teaspoon of Flax Seed Oil
1/4 teaspoon of Calcium powder
1/2 teaspoon of “Missing Link” or Vitamin powder (sprinkle and mix into mince)
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From 1 year & over
Feed just once daily if appropriate, preferably in the evening and leave kibble out, as needed.
A good indication of correct weight is the visibility of the final rib, as it should be showing slightly. If undefined and final rib is not decipherable, reduce feeding and don’t leave any kibble out during the day. You are the best judge of their requirements by now.
Dry Kibble (quantities as needed) OR -
Meat; minced or cubed, up to about 400 - 500g with
1 teaspoon of Flax Seed Oil (if not feeding kibble)
1/2 teaspoon of “Missing Link” or quality Vitamin powder (if not feeding kibble)
100-200mls of Milk if they like it. Make sure they get enough water as well.
The quantity of meat and Adult kibble should be varied to keep dogs in good condition. Vegetables may be added after 3 months. Some household food scraps can be used. You can give them the hard cartilage ends of bones, but no cooked bones and avoid feeding rich or fried foods. When feeding scraps, you can check with us or with your vet, but use your discretion with what’s offered.
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Included in our IBIZA ‘Puppy Pack’ are some dog food manufacturers “Puppy Kits” which include some good hints on raising your pup.
The brands used and mentioned below are all considered as decent quality. I am not endorsing any brand, just trying to provide relevant information so you can make an informed decision.
The pet food industry has become a very competitive business, so most brands are of a good standard (’click’ on the variuos brand names below to see their websites).
Some basic information of the various brands -
Royal Canin -
another imported brand, it’s considered a great product and they are regarded internationally as a quality leader in pet foods (fed to our maturing dogs as needed, in conjunction with main brand)
Purina ‘Pro Plan’ & ‘Bonnie’ -
a good local product and many breeders use this better value brand, now available at most pet and produce stores Australia-wide. They also manufacture ‘Bonnie’, a decent, very well-priced and “good value for money” brand, currently being used as the main product fed to our mature dogs.
Eagle Pack -
is what we have been using as our main puppy brand for a while with very good results. It’s now becoming more available in Australia and most larger Pet stores may order it in for you.
Hill’s ‘Science Diet’ -
is a popular brand in the USA and has had some good reports. This is a RSPCA endorsed product and now readily available at most pet shops and local vet clinics.
Eukanuba -
This is one of several brands manufactured by the Iams company. Being a popular product among pet owners, it is readily available at many pet stores.
Supercoat ‘Lifecycle’ -
this is a ‘budget value’ brand and is available in Supermarkets everywhere. Dr Harry endorses this one, but it’s not as high a quality as above brands.
Some manufacturers are starting to offer ‘Rewards Programs’ so keep your receipts and any “Proof of Purchase” tags or “bar-codes” from the dog food bags.
Most healthy and happy pups are not fussy eaters, so you can try a couple of brands and read-up before making your eventual decision. Ultimately, get them on the same food as any of your previous dogs; I’m sure they’ll love it. You may want to keep 2 or 3 brands and alternate.
For variety, meat quantity mentioned may be reduced, adding cooked rice and pasta, or try a combination of some mince & kibble or feed smaller quantities, twice a day.
Never feed any food with Onions and DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG CHOCOLATE of any kind (chockie bars, biscuits, cakes, smarties, lollies, etc.) as they can’t digest it and apparently, it can even kill them !!
DARK Chocolate is the worst. Please avoid this all together and NEVER have these lying around in the house.