Daily, well-intentioned users of various Facebook forums will ask other well-intentioned users what they ought to feed their puppy. Then, members who are not veterinarians, breeders, or who have even read the contents of their own dog's food will advise prospective dog owners on what food to buy, typically based on what their dog "likes." Inevitably, more people will join in to express their disapproval of the decision to feed kibble in the first place, and by the time the discussion is over, I expect many group members will regret asking the question because they received more than 50 unhelpful responses.
 
Please keep in mind that we are NOT veterinarians; however, we are very careful about what we feed our dogs. We converse with other breeders. We examine labels. We talk with our vets. We research dog food. We also don't judge other people's feeding choices as long as they do all they can to provide for their dogs. Every dog, every owner, and every breed is unique.

Owners are advised to look into each of the following possibilities when deciding what to feed their new pet:

1. RAW FEEDING - Raw feeding is a divisive subject. Those who support raw feeding feel anything less is unacceptable. While we recognize the advantages of raw feeding, we also acknowledge that it may not be a feasible option for every pet owner.

If seriously interested in raw feeding, we advise you to contact Dr. Judy Morgan to learn more, particularly for breeds related to Cavaliers. Here you can check her recipe for puppy loaf, a delicious introduction to feeding raw. The local specialized pet stores also offer raw options including brands we trust such as Answers, Primal Raw, and Instincts Raw, All of these are balanced and convenient raw options we have used to feed our dogs. These raw options are highly recommended and most dogs find them palatable and easy to digest.  

2. HOME COOKED - Many new pet owners are unclear about the distinction betweenraw and "home-cooked," This term simply defines those who make their dog's food at home using items such as lean meats, veggies, and carbs, and "raw feeding," which is based on foods that are not prepared. It's simple to get this wrong. For instance, the puppy loaf that we discussed earlier, which can be eaten raw or cooked, would fit into both categories. However, preparing meals at home can be labor-intensive, expensive, and difficult (to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients needed). Having said that, our dogs adore home-cooked foods, which are particularly excellent for canines with certain dietary requirements or severe allergies. Dogs today also have the fantastic option of receiving "home-cooked" meals that have already been thawed and delivered to you. Our dogs are currently fond of Ollie, which we will cover in more detail in an upcoming post. 

3. Kibble - Going back to the initial topic, people frequently wonder what kind of kibble they should give their dogs and it is by far the most popular option. Due to misleading packaging, recalls & low-quality ingredients, kibble has received a terrible reputation in recent years. Having said that, kibble has its place. For instance, we prefer to feed our dogs home-cooked meals & raw meals whenever possible, but we occasionally utilize kibble for training, stuffing Kongs, supplemental feeding during pregnancy, traveling, and handing over puppies to new homes. Here is how we suggest you choose a kibble for your puppy:

1. Consult with the breeder. Why not ask the person who bred and reared this puppy instead of asking a total stranger? I really don't understand why people want to switch their puppies' diets right away, but if you can't help yourself, ask your breeder for other recommendations. If you worked with a trustworthy breeder, be sure to find out WHY your breeder selected the food they sent home with your puppy. If your puppy is prone to an allergy or any condition that your breeder may be aware of, you don't want to find out the hard way. Your breeder or vet should always be your first stop on questions about your puppy . . . which leads us to #2.
2. Speak with your vet. Sure, I am aware that some veterinarians merely promote the dog food they stock in their clinics, but the majority of them will provide you with a sincere assessment of the ideal components and factors for YOUR particular dog. After hearing your veterinarian's advice, proceed to step #3. 
3. Examine evaluations from an unbiased resource that does not profit from the sale of pet food. We suggest DOG FOOD ADVISOR since it enables you to select categories (puppy, with grain, without grain, senior dog) and then receive a number of recommendations with justifications and ratings. Investigate and try a few. Ones (all four stars & higher) we have tried and maintained in rotation include:

          1. PawTree Dog Food (all varieties). Read about PawTree here.
         2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy
         3. Orijen Puppy
         4. Victor Purpose Nutra Pro (Suitable for dogs & puppies)
         5. NuLo Freestyle Puppy & Adult Small Breed (Grain Free)
         6. Diamond Naturals Small Breed

4. Visit your neighborhood specialty pet store. Yes, they can occasionally be more expensive, but they also offer excellent advice (speak with the owner or a knowledgeable employee) and frequently have free samples of the food available for your dog to taste before committing to a large bag. In order to compete with Amazon, Chewy, and other online retailers, they also offer rewards and loyalty programs that frequently lower the price of their food.
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Dog food is ultimately a personal decision dependent on your dog, your schedule, and your money. Don't leave that decision in the hands of strangers who have little or no understanding of any of those things.

Covid has left many people are searching for a new puppy for various reasons such as having more time at home to train them, feeling lonely, wanting to do something for their children, or experiencing general depression. They seek the companionship and loyalty of man's best friend! The desperate hunt for a new dog started the first week of March, and there are still loads of new posts on Facebook forums daily. However, there are a limited number of puppies from reputable breeders and those starting their search now are falling victim to scams.

Desperation, low supply, and high demand lead to numerous issues including:

• Panicked shoppers desperate for a puppy.
• Rising costs that have made healthy puppies unaffordable for some households.
• The impatience and annoyance of customers who find it difficult to comprehend why there aren't any puppies available.
• Exhaustion & frustration from breeders who have nothing more to offer.

Around Christmas, the exact same thing takes place. Now you see why this is a perfect storm for two types of people who benefit:

1. Breeders with Poor Reputation - Breeders who do not DNA or health test their Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or other breeds. They could be low volume (often known as a backyard breeder) or high volume (like a puppy mill). They have frequently been in the news for using poor breeding procedures, but since customers are buying online and relying on recommendations from people they don't even know, they are unaware of this until it's too late. This breeder knows you won't return a puppy once you've bought it and fallen in love with it, so they can take advantage of your desperation and offer worthless health guarantees. They know very well that people will put down a deposit on anything right now and aren't doing their research because they fear they won't be able to find another puppy if they don't get this one!
   
2. ​Scammers – While bad, breeders with a bad reputation at least offer puppies for sale. Scammers exploiting the Covid puppy situation are simply con artists. They pretend to have puppies, send pictures, and answer your forum request on Facebook telling you about their available puppies. They may even create a website. In reality, they don't have a puppy to offer, but once more, consumers will put down a deposit on ANYTHING at the moment, and even if they receive your $50 or $100, they're delighted since they didn't work for it! As a lawyer, I frequently receive requests to represent victims of fraud. The worst scammers target puppies purchasers and they are EVERYWHERE right now. 

Here are some precautions you can take:

1. Do a name search on the forums to view their earlier posts. Are they always sharing the same photos? Saying the same thing? How is their English? Do they have references from people you can actually SPEAK to? 
2. Check their date of forum registration, the number of Facebook friends they have, and whether or not you can actually discover images of them WITH their pets.
3. Request to see the breeding dogs' AKC pedigree. Find out who owns the dogs by looking up their names on the OFA, if they provide them (mostly do not provide).
4. Request a copy of the breeding pair's DNA tests. DNA testing can be faked or taken from other sources, but the majority of con artists go for easy targets and don't make an effort to do these things. 
5. Find out their mobile number and FACETIME them. Request to visit the dog's parent and puppy (unexpectedly). Keep calling again if they don't respond; don't leave a message to alert them.
6. Type their name into Google, followed by the words "scam" and "puppy mill." Do the same with ANY breeder you are thinking about. This straightforward search will yield a wealth of information. Every every day, it shocks me that individuals promote a breeder they have never even looked into.
7. Don't ever WIRE cash. Choose a payment option with protection if you're making an online buy! Consider using GoodDog.com to fully protect your purchase. 

 
As I've repeatedly mentioned on this page, I don't expect you to rely on my statements regarding any subject matter - I encourage you to conduct your own research. In case you are skeptical about the existence of puppy scams in your area, here are some references covering regions from the east coast to the west coast.
 
 Better Business Bureau Report on Covid Puppy Scams
 North Carolina Department of Justice Puppy Scam Alert
 Three Oaks Farm Christmas Puppy Scam in Charleston
Concord News Article on Current Puppy Scams
 
 
Please take precautions. Please check the shelters in your area, as pets are given up every day due to job loss and other problems. Please choose one or two breeders you trust and join their waiting lists; Before you know it, the ideal puppy will be yours!

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