What to feed 8-week poochon pup?

[Sammsxx]

Hi all,

Becoming pup "parents" for our first time in 2 weeks when we'll collect our 8 week poochon puppy and wondered if I could get some advice on what to feed her.

A lot of the YouTube videos I've been watching on the subject seem to have an affiliation angle which I am finding difficult to look past.

The breeder hasn't been super forthcoming in the pup's menu in her 8 weeks of existence, but has remarked that they're feeding her cooked chicken and yoghurt. We baulked at this, but maybe it's not so bad.

In any case, given this news, how is it advises we proceed, from collection day?

Our budget would cover the "real food" brands who prepare and send "meal plans", but we do acknowledge the benefits on kibble.

Where do we begin?

Thanks!

A reputable 'breeder' wouldn't be cross breeding and selling pups at 8weeks old.

Or feeding a pup yoghurt
? I thought dogs can't digest lactose?
Is 8 weeks not young to be removed from mum?

Ideally you want to know what the breeder is feeding and then you can gradually introduce a new food.

I would choose a small breed puppy kibble, then mix in bits of chicken/yoghurt(!) and then try and phase that out.
You can feed a puppy wet food too but this will increase the cost so something to consider.

The brand of food will depend on your budget, you could look at Lilys Kitchen, James Wellbeloved etc. I feed Skinners to mine.

This.

Sounds like a puppy farm.

Legitimate breeders don't let pups go until 12 weeks old and give you all the information you need relating to the correct food.

8-12 weeks is fine

The "breeder" isn't reputable. You don't feed dogs yogurt nor should they leave their mum until 12 weeks.

You will have a rather expensive mongrel with behavior problems. Please don't buy as this is clearly someone fronting a puppy farm or someone who should not be breeding dogs.

Not forthcoming eh 🤔⛳

This puppy is from a puppy farm, didn't you do any research or don't you care?

Everything about this sounds wrong

Thanks for your informative reply!

Coming home at weeks is fine!

I doubt that the puppy is thriving with a limited diet.

Have you seen the puppies & mum? Is the "breeder" sending you updates on the puppy?
I'd cut my losses and walk away.

🤦🏻‍♀️ should read 8 weeks!

8 weeks is fine to get a puppy. Gives you a good window to socialise and habituate to everyday people, objects and experiences. That diet is not good. I'd be a little wary if they were feeding the puppy that that they weren't sure what they were doing generally.

Little concerned about some of the messages here suggesting a front for a puppy farm. Especially the sincere responses.

We haven't paid the full deposit yet. Upon our visit, the "breeder" said not to worry and instead pay on collection.

We're able to walk away at this point.

However, might the insistence of the "breeder" organising the microchipping be a good idea on our part, in a bid to determine if they are indeed reputable or not?

If they do agree, how do we know it's ever actually done? E.g. if the only way to prove chipping is through the vet upon the puppy's healthcheck, then it'd already be too late.

Is there some way of digitally /remotely verifying that the chipping was done?

Anyone can organise a microchip if they need to it's no proof of Providence it's just an ownership registration.
If they think they'll lose the sale they'll likely manage that.
To know it's not a puppy farm you'd need to at least see the mum with the pups and see if the home set up is one where it seems the mum genuinely lives there (and not just staged).
I think in your shoes I'd Google puppy farming and advice on how to be sure of not supporting this ghastly trade.
Some of the fronts are very crafty and good at seeking to be kind and reasonable they don't want your guard up.
Puppy farm pups can have horrendous health issues which could be expensive/fatal and that's before you consider what conditions the poor mother is living in.

It's a business with long tentacles maybe this programme will have good advice on how to avoid supporting these people
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/14kyvHvZytdpbXx4k2j0v04/puppy-farming

Or this one
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0010tyt/spotlight-undercover-pups-for-sale

Hi - we saw both the mum and dad and both parents were so well behaved and playful. Certainly the parents showed no signs of neglect. The mother's belly was still slightly swollen fromm the pregnancy (we saw the pupps at 1.5 weeks old.

I'm not saying these allegations are unfounded, but the checklist seems OK.

People here have suggested something untoward based on the diet of cooked chicken and yoghurt, but if that's such a clear sign of a puppy farm, why would they do this and share this practise? Also, wouldn't it be cheaper for them to give her kibble anyway?

I am taking the allegations here seriously BTW. I of course want to everything I can

Was there a waitlist for puppies? Has the breaded checked out your living situation/kids/work /visited you at home? What is the puppy come into to you with in terms of information and supplies? How much does it cost? What medical information have you been given? Have you got to sign contracts around breeding or first return choice etc?

Have you visited the pups since 1.5 weeks to see where they are housed, checked health of yours etc?

These are all signs

Playful parents is a good sign at least, and the bitch was feeding the pups then?
Maybe they're just clueless on nutrition cos yogurt for puppies especially that age is just crackers.

WTH is a 'poochon'

It's a poodle Bichon. Not really a breain teaser I wouldn't have thought.

All breeders have to microchip and give first injections and also worming tablets. Breeder should send you a link to enter your details on microchip website. Just feeding chicken and yoghurt is not a balanced food for puppies, I would be worried about this, puppies need a lot of calories, maybe the mum is still feeding milk. I feed Butternut Box to my dog, it’s as near to home cooked wet food as I can get and it’s balanced so you don’t need to add anything. Here’s a referral code if you want to try some at 50% off.
butternutbox.com/Mandy460?share_source=copylink

Chicken and yoghurt is not a balanced diet and they should be on high meat good quality puppy food that they should be sending puppy home with to get you through a few days to save upset stomach, the mum should of also been on the puppy food when pregnant and feeding. Doesn’t sound like a good breeder imo. Did they interview you about your suitability? A good breeder will do that too!

Isn’t it a legal requirement now to chip all puppies?

if they don’t do it or suggest you do it they are not reputable.

fwiw I got a “puppy pack” with vaccination and worming records, name of the vet, a months supply of the food they were on, details of chip and instructions on changing it to my name.
all that should be standard.

The breeder hasn't been super forthcoming in the pup's menu in her 8 weeks of existence, but has remarked that they're feeding her cooked chicken and yoghurt. We baulked at this, but maybe it's not so bad.

This is a huge red flag. A breeder should be telling you everything you need to know about feeding to ensure the puppy has the best possible start. Id walk away.