THE FOOD WE FEED
Everybody always asks me, "What do you feed your dogs!? They look so good!"
I am a distributor for Life's Abundance, we feed their food and use their pet products! www.LifesAbundance.com/jdvbeaucerons (*currently feeding Life's Abundance, All Life Stages dog food)
WHY?
I got involved with Life's Abundance (I will refer to as LA) because after years of research and trial and error, I was not satisfied with the dog food I was feeding at the time. We had tried many of the top rated high quality brands and found they just did not mesh well with our dogs. This was evident with each new bag of food resulting in either poor body condition, loose stools, excessive gas, and/or dull coats. The best results I could get were with Pro Plan Sport but I never felt good about the byproduct on the label or the high amount of corn.
A fellow breeder had been raving about the food she feeds her dogs and it got me curious. The food hit all my criteria and then some:
Ideal protein to fat ratio and macros (important for Beaucerons)
Ideal phosphorous to calcium ration (critical in growing puppies/dogs)
No byproduct, only high quality protein
Quality digestible whole grains
No corn, wheat, or corn/wheat glutens
No artificial flavors or colors
Added probiotic and prebiotic fiber (supports healthy digestive and immune system = firm poops!)
Guaranteed taurine, omega 3, omega 6, and other vitamins (definitely check out recent FDA investigation on high DCM disease in canines linked with grain free taurine deficient foods, LA is on top of that with the added Taurine and healthy grains!)
Food is delivered fresh to your door since it's made in small batches by a family operated USDA APHIS approved facility
Holistically formulated by the renowned veterinary expert Dr. Jane Bicks
No recalls EVER (compared to over 1,100 safety dog food recalls in other brands since 2005)
So with all of that I really wanted to give it a try. Taking a look cost wise I had to realize that my dogs would be eating less quantity per serving of the LA food (while still staying full, but less poop... win win!). I calculated that my current food at the time was 74 cents a pound and only delivered on 1-2 of those benefits listed above, while the LA food has ALL OF THAT and would only be around 62 cents a pound. And they'd be eating less. No- brainer!!
Since starting this food, we've been thrilled with how much our dogs love it, less poops, coat shine, great body condition, feeding less, peace of mind with the quality of their nutrition and more. The shipping is fast and customer service unparalleled...so we became distributors! Life's Abundance also has a 30 day money back guarantee, so if for some reason you don't love it, you can get 100% refunded.
VITAMINS
After considerable research and trial/error we have found the most success with a special vitamin called NuVet. It is safe for all ages, cold pressed so as not to destroy any nutrients from heat, and made in a facility that is FDA human grade. I give this to all my dogs, and double-does pregnant and nursing females. We start giving them to puppies as soon as they are weaned and I expect all new owners to continue giving it daily at least until 6 months old. This vitamin has optimum levels of calcium and other minerals that really support and aid the ear cartilage to heal and harden quicker than average. The calcium in the vitamin is actually sourced from crushed oyster shells. Prior to using this vitamin my puppies were requiring approx 6-8mos of ear posting time, and now in puppies that stay on the vitamin they are at 3-4mos of ear posting time. This vitamin also does a lot more than help with ears, you can read all about it on their website. They are tremendously benefical to their immature developing immune systems!!!
http://nuvet.com/670014 or call 1-800-474-7044 with order code 670014
(Nuvet Plus K9 Wafers)
FISH OIL
Fish oil supplements contain two essential fatty acids: EPA and DHA (or eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Both are omega-3 fatty acids that can only be made in a limited capacity in dogs. These two fatty acids come straight from fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, black cod, herring, anchovies, and albacore tuna.
Dechra Snip Caps Fish Oil https://amzn.to/2OsFaYr
5 GREAT BENEFITS OF FISH OIL FOR DOGS
EPA, one of the two omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, acts as an anti-inflammatory. It will help with any condition that causes inflammation of the heart, kidneys, skin, and joints—such as arthritis.
It will ease inflammation due to allergies, and reduce itchy skin and dandruff. This can also be an effective way to potentially decrease the incidence of hot spots.
Like many fat supplements, it promotes a shiny, healthy coat, and reduces shedding.
DHA, the other omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil, is important in brain and eye development in puppies. Giving fish oil to pregnant or nursing pets can benefit the babies once they're born. We give these to all our dogs and double-dose pregnant females.
In some studies, fish oil has slowed the growth of cancer. Though more studies are needed to reach conclusive results, some veterinarians recommend it for any pets with cancer.
TREATS
Life's Abundance Treats (our dogs are absolutely crazy for all their treats but especially the Porky Puffs and the Turkey and Berry Chewies which are the perfect training treat as well) www.LifesAbundance.com/jdvbeaucerons
Cheese Sticks
Plain Jerky
Hot Dogs/Deli Meat/Sausage/Pepperoni
Peanut Butter
Any Muscle Meat or Organs - Raw, Cooked, or Freeze Dried
Raw Meaty Bones - If you or anyone you know is a hunter, get their scraps!!!
DO NOT FEED - THESE ARE POISONOUS!!
Alcoholic beverages
Apple seeds
Apricot pits
Avocados
Avocado pits
Cherry pits
Candy (particularly chocolate—which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets—and any candy containing the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
Coffee (grounds, beans, and chocolate-covered espresso beans)
Garlic
Grapes
Gum (can cause blockages and sugar free gums may contain the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
Hops (used in home beer brewing)
Macadamia nuts
Mushroom plants
Mustard seeds
Onions and onion powder
Peach pits
Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
Raisins
Rhubarb leaves
Salt
Tea (because it contains caffeine)
Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
Walnuts
Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to pets)
Yeast dough