Need help with food/weight issue for my new puppy..

[Jade1149]

Hi, I have just gotten my new puppy after much research on the breed. I absolutly love him but am concerned about his weight and the type of food to give him. Let me start by saying that when I got to the breeders whch was a 7 hour drive I was highly unimpressed with the condition she was keeping her dogs in and needless I have a bleeding heart so I would have taken them all if I could have afforded it, but I took the one I had reserved, so he looks skinny, like I can see hip bones and ribs skinny, he's been wormed 1 time and had his first set of shots and has gained 2.5 lbs since arriving at my house 4 days ago. I currently switched him off the food she had him on which was somrthing that was $20 bucks for 80lbs and was a large breed puppy food. Here he gets fed Natures recipe, but I am planning on transferring him to a raw diet, since I've heard so many good things about it, and he is happily munching away on a chicken leg right now, so I put him on the scale today and he's only weighing in @12.5lbs, and he's 8 weeks!!! I need any advice and/or suggestion that you may have for me to help him gain some weight.What should I do keep him on the dry food, if so what kind do you recommend? and if raw is it ok for me to start him on chicken/beef/lamb peices? How much? I have also had to bathe him 3x's since we've been home just to try to get all the fleas off him, and am not sure about putting Frontline or something like it on him since he is so small already. Any suggestions would help, I just want my new baby to be better, and on track. Thanks all.

[Angela Thompson]

I would seek veterinary advice re: flea control.

[birdman]

hi jade, so sorry to hear that your introduction to the breed was not so inspiring, its a shame that some breeders if thats what they are, can allow such possible neglect.
as Angela has said i would seek veterinary advice on the parasite infestation, also they will expertly advise on his future dietary needs, its down to personal choice as to whether feed the raw food diet or the complete kibble, personally I'm rearing my new mastiff on the raw, i had great success with my st Bernard and one of my bull mastiffs on it but another bull mastiff could not so he had the kibble.
i would not try to increase his weight too dramatically as his frame might not be as strong as a typical pups and poss side affects could result with damaged tendons etc etc, best to increase it gradually.
it would be wise to inquire with the vet the possibilty of underlying probs, as this could be a cause of his condition.
well all best and put some pics up if you like would like to see the we fella.
regards dave

[Mastiff]

Hi Jade
I would still advise you to seek help in your own country, as our products may be of different make up to ours. You rarely hear of heart worm in this country but I know in much of America you treat for it all the time. Our vaccinations are different to yours.
You will find hints on raising a mastiff puppy on the main website.
As I said in my other reply send the photographs and I will put them up.
Have a good day

[Angela Thompson]

Hi,

I'm surprised the vet didn't advise you on flea/worm control when you took in your baby for vaccination. As you've probably gathered, feeding is personal choice and depending on how tolerant each individual dog copes. We've 2 Mastiffs and a Bullmastiff. We feed all 3 on dry food although they all have their seperate needs in one way or another. Our Bully and male Mastiff are fed the Adult and our Mastiff bitch who is 14 months old is still on the puppy food until she reaches 18 months old. She'll then advance onto the adult formula. By this time, the Bully will be pushing up for 6 years old and we will have to consider feeding her on the Senior food. It all depends on brands again - some manufacturers make a junior feed for pups between 6 and 18 months old. Again, it all depends on what you find easiest, cost, and the dog's personal dietry needs.