I've made the switch to raw (2 days ago) and my pup loves it! Thankyou to everyone who encouraged me to make the switch and for all the advice and help <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I'm currently giving him 6% RMB's of his bodyweight (he's 4 months old and underweight- full ribcage visible)
My question is 'does anyone have an idea when I will start to see what the 6% is doing for him in relation to his weight and because he's a giant breed and growing extremely fast, should I weigh him weekly so I can adjust the amount given to him.

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....My question is 'does anyone have an idea when I will start to see what the 6% is doing for him in relation to his weight and because he's a giant breed and growing extremely fast, should I weigh him weekly so I can adjust the amount given to him.

Everything I am about to say is based only on research and not on experience. I don't have puppy experience. So I will tell you what I've read (at what I think are reliable vet web sites) and then I'm sure people with giant-breed puppy experience will add first-hand info.

I have read that large-breed pups are far better off thin than not, and that rapid weight gain is conducive to hip and joint problems. Also, that since high protein (and calcium) is basically what rapid growth is fueled by, fat is a better choice for "filling in the corners" for a hungry pup who is on the correct amount of protein and calcium but wants more food. Extra vegetables can also fill him up without contributing to too-rapid growth like extra protein can.

I know you are feeding an excellent quality of fish oil, and that's a good thing, IMO.

Here are a couple of the sites I have read about this:
http://www.doglogic.com/food&feed.htm
http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/134/8/2027S
http://www.animalhealthcare.ca/contents/content_careguides2.asp?get=faq&id=69&category=22
http://www.ilovemypet.com/jackart.html

Each one of these articles recommends that large-breed pups be weighed at least every two weeks to assure that the desired growth rate is maintained. Have you asked your vet what the optimal rate of growth is for your dog? Or maybe there is a well-known formula that breeders know and I don't.

I hope the breeders will supplement these URLs with personal experience. This is an area I have only just started to read up on, so my knowledge is superficial. The URLs, though, lead to well-researched and footnoted articles.

Thanks Connie, I was trying to give you a day off!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I have a couple of those sites and a few more. I'll PM you with them to have a look at.
My vet says feed the puppy kibble for giant breeds and that's it. The breeder swore by a working dog formula with added tripe/chicken etc.and said never feed puppy food and has no history of hip dysplasia whatsoever in her lines. Vet says to be cautious of knee/ elbow problems with the giants.
AAAArrrghhhh- it's so confusing- Now I'm going somewhere where none of them agree about (only you lot <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Taken from one of the sites I've got is;

The following general rules-of-thumb have been quite helpful in preventing overconsumption and promoting an ideal growth rate:

If your puppy is under 6 months old, feed three times daily and allow him to ingest as much as he wants but for a limited time (e.g.only ten minutes)!

If your puppy is between 6 months and maturity, feed only two times daily, and allow him to ingest as much as he wants, but again, for only a limited time..

If your puppy continues to gain weight BUT appears to be "illthrifty (e.g. a body condition score of 2/5) then he is probably growing at the desired rate. When he reaches the age of physical maturity, you can modify the diet to obtain appropriate weight gain and to improve the skin and body condition.

Any thoughts????

 Quote:

The following general rules-of-thumb have been quite helpful in preventing overconsumption and promoting an ideal growth rate:

If your puppy is under 6 months old, feed three times daily and allow him to ingest as much as he wants but for a limited time (e.g.only ten minutes)!

If your puppy is between 6 months and maturity, feed only two times daily, and allow him to ingest as much as he wants, but again, for only a limited time..

If your puppy continues to gain weight BUT appears to be "illthrifty (e.g. a body condition score of 2/5) then he is probably growing at the desired rate. When he reaches the age of physical maturity, you can modify the diet to obtain appropriate weight gain and to improve the skin and body condition.

Anyone have a thought or opinion on this, especially feeding raw?

I'll prepare myself to run to the butchers then as I've only got about 8lb left? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> He loves it!