new bulldog puppies

Question
My husband and I are adopting two bully pups (male &Female from the same litter) They are 13 weeks. We have owned a APBT, English mastiff, and he was raised with Labs. Is there anything different I should know about this breed(other than the personalities) I'm kinda leery about the whole food situation. I fed my dogs Purina One but am seriously questioning that after the things I've read. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks so Much!

Answer

I like the INNOVA PUP Wow***  Two new Bullie PUPS.. Have fun!  They will keep you very busy but a FUN busy....
As for advice on the new kids, make sure they know you are pack leader right away.  Earn the respect of the two new kids and you will be fine.  I can suggest a good book on the subject.  Also, there are loads of experts here to offer behavioral help when needed.

As for food, yes, Purina One is not too great : here are the first 10 ingredients:
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PURINA ONE PUPPY-  very poor ingredients... lamb looks good and that is about it... out of the firt 10 ingredients.

Lamb, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, oat meal, fish meal (source of DHA), whole grain corn, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), poultry by-product meal, calcium phosphate, animal digest, potassium chloride, salt, caramel color, calcium carbonate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite
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As you can see the ingredients have very little meat for your puppy.
There are many other flavors but I used this one as an example for you.

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NOW here is a good food for your baby:

Innova PUPPY Food / LOOK at what you get!  

Turkey is the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey or a combination of thereof - exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.

Turkey is an excellent source of highly digestible protein. Natura uses high-quality turkey in many of our formulations.

The turkey Natura uses is tested to be free of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, as well as chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. This is an important distinction because manufacturers are not required to list substances that are present in the ingredients when they go into the pet food.

Chicken     

Chicken is the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken - exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.

Chicken is an excellent source of protein.

The chicken Natura uses is tested to be free of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, as well as chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Natura does not add these harmful ingredients, and they are not present in the ingredients we use. This is an important distinction, because manufacturers are not required to list substances that are present in the ingredients when they go into the pet food.

Chicken Meal     

Chicken meal is the dry rendered (cooked down) product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts of whole carcasses of chicken -- exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, or entrails.

Chicken meal is considered to be the single best source of protein in commercial pet foods. Natura uses high-quality, low ash chicken meal extensively. This ingredient is very digestible, very palatable, and very expensive.

Barley     

Barley is a major food and animal feed crop, a member of the grass family Poaceae.

Ground barley is the entire barley kernel, ground or chopped.

Ground Barley is a good quality source of carbohydrates. Because Natura uses the entire barley kernel, it contributes additional protein, barley oil, bran, vitamins and minerals to the diet.

Brown Rice     

The whole rice kernel containing the nutrient-rich bran with only the rice hull removed.

Rice bran is rich in numerous nutrients like B-vitamins, magnesium, and fatty acids.

Rice     

Rice, unless listed as brown rice, is the de-hulled rice kernel, without the bran -- known as white rice.

Rice, in its whole form, is a high quality source of carbohydrates, protein and fiber. This is in contrast to fractionated grain ingredients used by some manufacturers such as rice polishings, rice bran, or brewers rice which have been leeched of much of their nutrient value.

Natura uses whole rice, which is the most easily digested grain and the least likely to cause allergic reactions. It is an antidiarrheal and helps lower cholesterol. Natura also uses brown rice, which is the same plant with the bran intact.

Chicken Fat     

Chicken fat is obtained from the tissues of chickens in the commercial process of rendering or extracting.

Chicken fat is the highest of all animal sources in linoleic acid (over 23%), an important element for skin and coat health. Because Natura uses such high-quality chicken, this is a high-quality source of fat.

Herring     

Herring is the clean tissue of undecomposed whole herring or herring cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oils.

Herring is an excellent single-source protein. It is also an excellent source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Natura uses whole, high-quality herring, which are ground and added to the ingredient mix.

Flaxseed     

Flaxseed is the whole seed of the flax plant.

What makes flaxseed so outstanding is its mix in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Together these fibers aid in digestion and help to prevent constipation, thereby offering protection against cancer. Flaxseed is also an excellent source of Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty acids. These fatty acids help produce the soft, luxuriant coat on your pet for which Natura is known. The richest source of alpha-linoleic acid is found in flaxseed.

Natural Flavors     

Natural flavors are minimally processed flavor ingredients that do not contain synthetic or artificial components.

In the Natura products that include "natural flavor" in the formula, the exact composition is proprietary. However, it is always made from the same animal species on which the formula is based. For example, the "natural flavor" used in the original EVO formula contains a reduction of chicken meat - much the same process as is employed to create a chicken stock in your home kitchen.

Apples     

A member of the rose family, the apple has a compartmented core and is thus classified as a pome fruit.

Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber. About 81% of the fiber is soluble; most of it is of a type called pectin. Apples provide both soluble and insoluble fiber, some vitamin C and beta carotene, and potassium and boron.

Natura uses this nutritious fruit in its whole form to obtain all of its wholesome nutrients.

Tomatoes     

Tomatoes are the edible berry of the tomato plant of the nightshade family.

Aside from their high Vitamin C content, recent research suggests that cooked tomatoes contain nutritional factors that are necessary for prostate health in human males. Like other recent health discoveries, these benefits may also apply to cats and dogs.

Natura uses only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables such as you would find in the supermarket produce section. Fresh ingredients are mixed together in small batches and cooked by a special process to ensure the natural flavors and nutritional values are preserved.

Carrots     

Carrots are the roots of the carrot plant, and a member of the parsley family.

Innova dog and cat foods contain whole steamed, carrots which are free of pesticides.

When ingredients are fresh and not pre-processed, they retain all their flavors and important nutrients (including 'protector' antioxidants). Natura uses only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables in our foods.

Potatoes     

Potatoes are whole, freshly cooked, Idaho russet potatoes, that include the skins.

Natura uses only whole, freshly steam cooked potatoes. They are not pre-processed, so they retain all of their important nutrients (including 'protector' antioxidants).

Potatoes provide B vitamins, carbohydrates, zinc, vitamin C, copper, iron, magnesium, niacin and potassium. Natura uses only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, just like you would buy at the grocery store.

Pumpkin     

Pumpkin is a rich source of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, and pantothenic acid.



Potassium Chloride     

A chemical compound, KCl, a colorless or white, cubic, crystalline compound that closely resembles common salt (sodium chloride). It is soluble in water, alcohol, and alkalies.

Potassium plays various roles in metabolism and body functions. It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance and water balance in the blood and the body tissue. It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.

Herring Oil     

Herring oil is the oil extracted from whole herring.

Herring oil provides a rich source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Because the herring that Natura uses is of such high quality, the herring oil helps produce healthy skin and lustrous coats.

Sea Salt     

Sea salt is used in Natura's food to provide the essential nutrients sodium and chloride.

Not adding a source of sodium like sea salt could rapidly lead to problems with the heart and kidneys. Feeding a food deficient in chloride could lead to problems with the nervous system.

Alternative sources for sodium were explored by Natura nutritionists, but were rejected since a natural source like sea salt was preferred over a chemically-made ingredient. In addition, other good sources of sodium like raw kelp were not used as they were found to have comparatively low levels of sodium compared to sea salt.

Natura never used excessive levels of sodium to increase our food's palatability, but relies on the inherent wholesomeness of our ingredients to make foods dogs and cats love to eat.

Sunflower Oil     

Sunflower oil is obtained by extracting oil from sunflower seeds.

Sunflower oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid (73%), which is important for good skin and coat health. Natura uses sunflower oil that has been cold-pressed and protected from exposure to heat and light. This very high quality, very palatable fat is used in California Natural and Innova formulations.

Cottage Cheese     

Cottage cheese is the result of separating milk or cream into curds and whey. The curds are drained and pressed to form the soft, white, spoonable cheese.

Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, protein and vitamins. Natura uses high-quality cottage cheese, straight from its retail container. The cottage cheese has only trace amounts of lactose and because of its limited inclusion in the formula, the ultimate amount of lactose in the finished product is insignificant and would not be in sufficient supply to cause an intolerance problem.

Alfalfa Sprouts     

Alfalfa sprouts are a member of the pea family.

Alfalfa sprouts are rich sources of antioxidants, anti-carcinogens, phytochemicals, enzymes, trace minerals and numerous other living nutrients which work against toxins, resist cell mutation and invigorate the body's immune system. One of the phytochemicals contained in alfalfa sprouts is 'saponins'. Saponins lower the "bad" cholesterol and fat but not the "good" HDL fats. Sprouts are good sources of vitamin C, folate, beta carotene and niacin.

Dried Chicory Root     

Dried Chicory Root is the dried, non-roasted root Cichorium intybus L., used as a source of inulin, as soluble, fermentable fiber. It shall contain no less than 50% inulin and no more than 13% moisture. Chicory Root is a thick-rooted blue-flowered European perennial composite herb widely grown for its roots and as a salad plant.

Commonly known as a "prebiotic," the inulin derived from the Chicory Root is a fructooligosaccharide added to accomplish the same purpose as supplementing probiotics. The prebiotic feeds the "good bacteria" and hinders the growth of bad bacteria in the pet's digestive tract.

Direct-Fed Microbials     

This is the regulatory term given to probiotics.

Probiotics are living microbes that can be found in a healthy digestive tract. As cooking would kill these microbes, Natura adds them to the outside of the kibble after the dry food has been gently cooked. Since the entire contents of our canned foods must be cooked as part of the canning process, we are unable to add viable probiotics to our canned products.

Lecithin     

Lecithin is a specific phospholipid and the principal constituent of crude phosphatides derived from oil-bearing seeds.

Lecithin is essential for normal fatty acid transport within cells. It is obtained chiefly from soybeans, corn and egg yolk. Natura uses whole grains, fresh fruits and natural protein sources which provide all the essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals necessary for the life and health of our pets.

Rosemary Extract     

Rosemary is an evergreen shrub of Rosemarinus Officinalis.

Rosemary, along with its cancer prevention properties, is a highly effective preservative.

Vitamins/Minerals     


Well, that was long but I think you go the idea...Right?
Place the kids on Innova Puppy and mix it with the old food they have been eating ....do a 50/50 mix for a few weeks.  AS to AVOID loose stool from a food change over.
If they get loose poops add a teaspoon of cannded pure pumpkin to the food 2 x per day.
That will Firm things up.

Send me a photo of the kids...


Also, check out the NuVET vitamins:  it is great to start them off young on NuVET
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html


I am here to help:
JUST ask

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net


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