Feeding Instructions
Since April 2009 all IBIZA pups are being weaned on ‘NUTRO - NATURAL CHOICE’ Puppy formula – in the pale green bag, which (after 25 years of evaluating all available dog food brands) we consider to be the best dry puppy food; it’s easily digested, boosts immunity and is packed full of nutrients.
After two years of product developement, ‘NUTRO – NATURAL CHOICE’ is now being produced in Australia by “MARS Petcare” and uses local produce such as Chicken from Tamworth, Lamb from Goldburn and Salmon from Tasmania.
NO BY-PRODUCTS are used and meat ingredients are all locally sourced here in Australia. They use wholesome rice and not ground corn or other “fillers” such as Barley and Sorghum. It’s fully balanced with all required nutrients and has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. We’ve been using this new product for our current puppies with excellent results.
All the specified quantities below 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.
Your 10-12 week old 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 free) and about 1/3 – 1/2 cup of NUTRO ‘Puppy’ or PRO PLAN ‘Performance’ kibble. If serving kibble soaked with warm water (just covering dry food), allow to re-hydrate & cool for at least 30 mins (Do NOT use boiling water).
Leave any extra dry kibble out only if needed. You can try the PRO PLAN ‘Puppy Lamb’ variety (Pink bag) as a change, but if they are active or being run in a large yard or property, stick to the NUTRO Puppy &/or ‘Performance’ formulas.
We have also used Purina ‘Supercoat’ Puppy variety and it can supplement your main brand when pups are over 6 months old. Not all new puppy owners have access to our main brands so we try and introduce another brand that is readily accessible. ‘Supercoat’ is a decent value product which is Meat based (by-products) and Additive, Preservative, Flavouring and Colouring free, available at most supermarkets & pet stores.
You may want to try the ‘Junior’ or ‘Puppy’ varieties from several of the quality, reputable brands. We also recommend the following premium products:
- Eagle Pack ‘HOLISTIC’ (an excellent brand that is All Organic and completely natural)
- Eagle Pack ‘Power’ (another good variety that is now easily available but does contain corn)
- Royal Canin ‘Junior’ (meduim variety in the RED bag is suited to less active maturing pups)
Common ‘Puppy’ brands include Pedigree Natural Plus and Optimum which are both meat based and may also be considered. Other dry food brands include Chum, Lucky Dog as well as Beneful varieties, but these are all grain based “value” budget brands, readily available at supermarkets, but we do not recommended them as part of a quality diet.
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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 quality 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 “Vet’s All Natural” Premium Choice PUPPY - OR – Minced Kangaroo (with additives below) – OR – if they are being fussy eaters, offer them 1/4 of a can of ‘NUTRO’ or ‘Advance’ brands Puppy food. Some dry food left out is fine and you can mix mince or canned food in with their dry kibble meal if they are particular with dry food.
Most Supermarkets have a couple of mince brands available but Kangaroo meat is the best source of protein. 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 (approx) half a teaspoon of “Vet’s All Natural” ‘HEALTH BOOSTER’ & ‘Omega Blend’ Oil (as well as their Complete Grains Mix) or some ‘Missing Link’ or other good quality multi Vitamin/Mineral/Amino Acid supplement powder. Always follow the manufacturer’s direction when including additives to your puppy’s mince meat.
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Supper: 10.00-11.00 pm
Some “Pet’s Own” 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 20 secs).
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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 kangaroo 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 alternative (to dry dog food)
300g (up to 400g) of meat; if possible feed in chunks so that they can chew on it.
100gms of “Vet’s All Natural” Complete Grain Mix or bran/rolled oats (for digestion)
1 teaspoon of Omega Blend &/or Flax Seed Oil
1/4 teaspoon of Calcium powder
1/2 teaspoon of “Vet’s All Natural” Health Booster, “Missing Link” or multi Vitamin powder
(sprinkle and mix all together into mince meat)
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From 1 year & over
Feed the main meal once daily if appropriate, preferably in the evening and leave kibble out during the day, 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 - (if not feeding kibble)
Meat; minced or cubed, up to about 400 – 500g with
150gms of “Vet’s All Natural” Complete Grain Mix or bran/rolled oats (for digestion)
1 teaspoon of Omega Blend &/or Flax Seed Oil
1/2 teaspoon of “Vet’s All Natural” Health Booster, “Missing Link” or quality Vitamin powder (if not feeding dry 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 very competitive, so many brands are of a good standard (‘click’ on the various brand names below in blue to see their websites).
Some basic information on the various other brands used by us -
“Vet’s All Natural” Premium Choice PUPPY Mince -
Ready made minced Kangaroo Puppy food available in 800gm packs, or you can prepare your own mince with their ‘Complete Mix’ balanced grains, ‘Health Booster’ powder and ‘Omega Blend’ Oil.
Eagle Pack -
Their ‘Holistic’ range is considered a great product and they are also regarded internationally as a quality leader in super premium pet foods (previously fed to our dogs, prior to our current brand)
Royal Canin -
We had been using their “Medium” range for a while with good results. It’s available Australia-wide in most Pet stores (avoid any varieties containing ‘maize’ which is corn)
Optimum -
It’s a decent, chicken based product of good value and is a great alternative to the super premium brands. A locally produced product available at supermarkets, pet and produce stores country-wide.
Supercoat -
This is a meat based brand, however their Puppy variety contains beef. Dr Harry endorses this one, but we feel it’s not as high a quality as above brands (use the blue ‘Junior’ variety after 1 year of age)
Most of the imported, “Super Premium” brands offer ‘Rewards Programs’ so keep your receipts and any required “Weight Cirles”, “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. Avoid any corn based dry foods and don’t feed beef if your dog reacts adversly. 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.
DARK Chocolate is the worst and it can even kill your dog!! Please avoid this all together and NEVER have these lying around in the house.
For any further feeding questions or details you can call 0418 318 888 or
Email us: ibizawhippets– no func acronym –gmail.com
