Feeding A Great Dane Pup

[Cyn]

I have just recently purchased a great dane pup. He is 3 months old. I am feeding him special food as I was told and have read about them getting to much protien as pups. I am feeding Diamond Brand Lamb and Rice. It is very expensive. Does anyone know of a less expensive alternative? I have no problem with buying it I was just curious if their was one of equal quality less expensive.

This is him with my 3 year old.

[sambucca/whiskey]

I feed nutro natural not sure of the price of diamond but nutro is about 37.00 for 30lbs. canadian

[HeartSong]

Wow, that's a big pup for a little girl, I bet they're best friends.
How do you feed him? Do you put the bowl on the floor or do you have it elevated? I was just curious because I heard that great danes can bloat if fed on the ground and won't if their food is raised up but i don't know anyone personally that has great danes to ask them about it.

[Cyn]

They really do love each other. I feed on the ground. My vet is reccommending when we get him nutered to have his stomach stapled to the wall of his abdomen so it wont flip over. Have you heard of such a thing??

[sarnichur]

Iams dog food works for my dog. I have several friends who said that was the best dog food they've ever given to their pup.

[dobermom]

I started mine on nutro as a pup, and now feed nutro large breed. He likes it, and his coat is healthy.

[BabyElephant]

I didn't know that they did stomach stapling but I know that in the larger breeds (anything from labrador upwards really) they can get a condition called bloat. In some cases it is fatal. Perhaps this is why your vet is recommending it.

As for the food, you can get special foods for large breeds, like dobermom says. But you need to introduce it over the space of about a week so they don't get an upset stomach. Go to your local pet store or visit the websites of some companies and see if you can get some samples - that way you can see what he likes as well - mmm, food tasting, nice

[weimlover0816]

This is an old post, but I wanted to add that there is sufficient evidence to show that raised food dishes on large dogs prone to bloat (those with "big chests" like the dane, weim, boxer, etc.) actually INCREASES the likelihood of bloat AND the severity of the condition should it occur. Another way to prevent bloat is (like mom said!) do not feed within 30 minutes of vigorous exercise, either way. Wait 30 mins. if your pup has just exercised before feeding and wait 30 mintues after feeding to exercise your pup.


as for the stomach stapling, never heard of such a thing, but I plan to look it up and will post some links in a few mintues....

[weimlover0816]

This link has a lot of useful info on bloat and treatments for bloat...


http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/gdv/treatment.shtml

[Dax]

Great site Weim (as if you would list any other kind LOL). It has been added to the health link. Thanks for sharing this with us.