Food/Supplement Question - Page 1

The reason why I'm asking this is because of my breeders "guarantee".

I feed my dog holistic food and I give her a vitamin as required by my breeder contract. My vet says my dog doesn't need any supplement because of the food she eats and that over-abundance of vitamins can be harmful. My vet recommends I take my dog off the vitamin.

I'm not sure how I can do that when my breeder contract states my dog must be on a vitamin. Should I just get a letter from my vet and send it to the breeder?

How will the breeder know if you feed the required vitamins or not?

What is it?

I'd be hard pressed to take a vet's opinion over a WELL-INFORMED breeder very often, as typical vets are not known for their nutrition expertise. OTOH, I question any breeder who insists on a certain supplement in order to guarantee something, though a contract is a contract and I also disagree with going back on your word or the terms of a contract. Whether it's necessary or not, you agreed and signed. 

What does the contract say about it?

I agree with Jenni, most vets know very little about nutrition. 

As for the breeder requring you to feed a certain way...I do not necessarily agree with it.  I feed raw and feel very strongly about that way of feeding.  I recommend it to my puppy buyers and try to provide a lot of info and explain WHY I feel it is best, but I do not require it or make it a stipulation for my warranty.  I think it is unrealistic, as you seen someone else here already said "how would the breeder know".  I would rather puppy buyers be able to be honest with me and not have to lie or hide things from me.  However, with that being said, I do understand why some breeders do it. 

Maybe speak with the breeder about this?  Ask them WHY they want you to feed the supplement, what the reasoning is, ask if they have info that you can read up on about it?  Maybe once you do a bit of research it will make sense to you?   I would assume if they believe in it strong enough they have done their homework... but then again I have seen breeders recommend some diets that make me cringe. 

If the breeder is dead set on standing by what is stated in the contract and you decide you do not want to give it to your dog - IMO you should not lie, but tell the truth and just accept that your guarantee is void.  I am assuming you knew this before you bought the pup and was ok with it then?

What food are you feeding? and what supplement is it? 

Valerie

Is the supplement NuVet Plus?

I personally am not in favor of supplements either.  As long as they are eating a balanced diet (meat, bones, organ meat etc in the appropriate quantities), that should give them all they need.  Nutrition obtained from food is more "bio available" (don't know where I read about this term but it makes sense to me), as opposed to the vitamins etc from supplements.

I am feeding him Taste of the Wild and Holistic Select - I mix these together, add a little Force food to that and salmon oil.

Yes, I use NuVet Plus vitamins.

I've had 2 vets tell me I shouldn't need to supplement with the vitamins with the diet I am feeding my dog, that too much of certain vitamins can harm him. I went for a second opinion because I wanted to be sure.

I'm thinking I should do blood work, the send it to the breeder if something shows high to justify taking him off of the vitamin. I would hate to cause him any problems because of it.

Unfortunately, when I had another (health) problem with my dog, the breeder was not very receptive, stating he has NEVER had any health problems with any of his animals. I still sent the vet records to the breeder.

My contract requires the vitamins and holistic food. Although the breeder doesn't use either of these products at the kennel either on personal pets or dogs that were bred.

Chev, that is interesting that the breeder requires you to feed something that they do not use themself?!?  How odd.  Did they every say why they require it? or why they dont use it themselves?

What happens if you do not feed this?  The guarantee is void? 

Well in your case I have to say I feel your vet is right.  I think it is WAY TOO MUCH supplements for your puppy.  I would talk to your breeder immediately and do not wait on this.  On the flip side, when I was feeding a puppy raw balanced diet the vet had a fit and said RAW was for cats and that it was not meant to be for dogs at all.  SO, a good diet with force added does not need ANY supplements except maybe salmon oil given with a Vit E.  What is not in the kibble should be in the Force THK diet and you ARE probably feeding too much supplement which makes puppies grow too fast and can over load the kidneys/liver.   Best of luck  Nan

NuVet is like Herbalife and Mary Kay.  Not necessarily bad products but anyone who suggests you use them, is making money off them.  Your breeder gets a commission from every bottle of NuVet that you buy, which is why he/she wants you to give it and how he/she knows if you're buying it or not.