What You Should Know Before You Buy a Puppy
Buying a puppy can be likened to buying a used car. When the cars history is not known, smart shoppers demand a Car Fax report. Whether you are buying a used car or a puppy, the less educated you are, the more likely you will have expensive problems. The only way you will know for certain how a puppys mother was cared for; before, during, and post litter is to know the Breeder. Alas, buying direct from a Breeder is no guarantee that your puppy will be healthy! Breeders are often as ignorant of how to properly feed and supplement, as is the majority of MDs and Veterinarians in this country.
Just how high is the risk when you buy from a Pet Store and Rescue Facility? Most of the animals sold in rescue facilities were poorly cared for. Feral females are often impregnated when they are quite young, and are often impregnated while caring for a litter! Feral dogs must scavenge for food, which usually is loaded with bacterium that causes diarrhea. Diarrhea quickly causes dehydration, and leads to more advanced illnesses, which compromises the milk the pups rely on to develop strong immune systems.
One of the fastest growing and highly profitable businesses since the mid-80s is Puppy Mills, which have been fueled by Empty Nesters, who are lonely for companionship. Even though one can spend a lot of money for a puppy purchased at a pet store, money is no guarantee of getting a healthy pup. If people actually knew what the living conditions are for breed dogs and pups they would be outraged! Puppy Mill dogs are treated like cattle, sheep, chickens, and hogs. Breed mothers are fed poorly and bred before they have fully recovered from the last litter. Pups can only be as healthy as their mother’s milk. Many are weaned too soon, subjecting them to development and health problems. It can all be summed up as stress.
The living conditions in the puppy mill are highly stressful, but that is not the end of a puppy’s stress. Premature weaning compromises the puppys developing immune system. Puppies are transported like cargo, in all kinds of adverse weather conditions; often going days without light, food or water, and living in their own feces and urine. Arrival to the pet store is also stressful. If they acclimate at all, the stress starts all over again coming to your home.
Bringing Your Puppy Home One of the common signs of stress is diarrhea. Unfortunately, the common treatment prescribed for diarrhea is antibiotics, more complicated cases also get steroids. This is a poor treatment plan for a healthy dog, let alone a stressed out puppy. The 21st Century approach is to administer the opposite of antibiotics, or probiotics. Dogs instinctively know they are digestive aids, and eat them by pulling at the roots of grass, where soil-based probiotic organisms (SBOs) thrive. SBOs are clinically proven to quickly and safely resolve diarrhea, as well as most digestive disorders.
One of the most popluar searches on the internet is What is The Best Food to Feed a Puppy? Hint, you will not find it on most pet food isles, unless you are shopping in a holistic pet store, and even then Buyer Beware! Raising a healthy pup becomes easy when you understand that 90% of your puppys total immune system is located in their digestive system, and that 80% of all chronic disease is caused by an unhealthy digestive system. The food that is natural to your pups ancestory is human-grade animal protein, however, this protein is difficult to digest and assimilate. Additional nutrients are necessary.
Your puppy is a meat eater. Manufactured dog food lacks human-grade animal protein and digestive supplements any dog needs to grow up healthy, and stay healthy. If your puppy is already weaned, the best food to help their young bodies and immune systems to develop properly is food that comes as close to their wild relatives diet as possible- high-quality animal protein. People who have switched to a raw diet report improvements in health, energy, and behavior: however, no matter what diet you choose, it needs to be supplemented with digestive enzymes, soil-based probiotic organisms (SBOs) and a complement of omega 3-6 oils; all are essential to develop and sustain a strong digestive/immune system.
Due to a lack of education as to the importance of diet to health, pet owners are paying a very high price in long-term care, and lowered life expectancy. Although this article seems to paint a dismal picture, by introducing an all-natural nursing and wean support formula as soon as you bring your puppy home, you can help kick-start their immune system, minimize their health risk, and optimize the enjoyment of your new companion !
