I actually recommend two sizes. Initially, you’ll need a 12” (or small) collar to bring pup home. That will quickly be outgrown and replaced by an adjustable, adult size collar. Don’t forget a leash too!

Ultimately, you’ll want a size large kennel for an adult dog. Most kennels, when purchased new, come with a divider to make it an appropriate size for a pup.

Your pup has been taking NuVet Plus ever since he/she was weaned from mama. Contact NuVet at 1-800-474-7044 and use my code 805810 to order your dog’s NuVet Supplements. For about $20/month you can have peace of mind that you’re giving him/her every opportunity for excellent health. Order Now

I recommend a fresh food, raw diet. Figuring out, sourcing, balancing a raw food diet yourself can be overwhelming and scary. I totally get it, that’s why I recommend purchasing a commercially prepared, balanced food. Start there. Then as your dog gets bigger and food needs increase, your education increases, if you want to explore other options (like DIY) then contact me and I can point you in the right direction.

TOP BRANDS: Steve’s Real Food, Primal, Bones & Co, VivaRaw.

When evaluating a raw food product, if you see more than two of the following high glycemic ingredients within the top five ingredients, then that is not the best food for your pup: POTATOES, SWEET POTATOES, PEAS (or any form of peas – pea starch, etc), CARROTS, CORN.

I will send home some of the same raw food I will be feeding your pup. I use a product called Titan Red from Ross Wells. It runs approximately $2/pound. There is a co-op Facebook group called Northern IL Raw Feeders that places bimonthly orders, or you can order from RawRations

This product is fully balanced for all life stages, meaning it already has the correct portions of meat, bone, organ in it. Just thaw, portion and feed. It’s truly that simple.

If you cannot afford or are unwilling to feed a fresh food, raw diet adding fresh whole foods to your dog’s bowl of kibble is great. Kibble is highly processed. We don’t feed our children a highly-processed diet, we feed fresh, real food. Same for us adults. Same for your dog. Your dog will not thrive on a highly processed diet. He/she will eventually have health challenges. The most common is itchiness.

My recommendations for regular additions to the diet: blueberries, sardines, farm-fresh eggs, brocolli, green beans, pumpkin, chia seeds, omega 3s are excellent ways to improve the nutritional content of a bowl of kibble.

Probiotics: My favorite company to purchase probiotics is Adored Beast. I also feed homemade kefir as a source of probiotics. You can purchase kefir grains from our shop to make your own; kefir is good for humans or canines.

TOP KIBBLE BRANDS: Earthborn Venture (rabbit), TLC, Farmina N&D Pumpkin Lamb/Blueberry

WORST BRANDS: Science Diet, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, IAMS, Purina. These will NOT meeting your dog’s nutritional needs and will likely result in chronic, degenerative diseases.

The worst thing you can do for your dog is feed kibble and never give him/her fresh food. Marketing folks have duped us into thinking that a highly processed, yet CONVENIENT, bag of dog food is enough nutrients for your dog to live a long, healthy life. That is not true. Think about how ridiculous that sounds if talking about your child….if your pediatrician said you can feed a bag of dried, hard pellet of “people food” to your child, never feed fresh food, and they will be great and healthy….you’d find a new doc.

I encourage you to become educated and then make your choice. Watch the following videos to learn more. Choices. Reading Pet Food Labels.

I am ALWAYS here to point you in the right direction and give you resources. Ultimately this pup is yours and all I can do is encourage you to become educated. But ultimately, the choice of what to feed is yours.