FEEDING YOUR PUPPY

Nutrition for Your Mini Aussie

What you feed your dog plays a major role in their long-term health, development, coat quality, and energy levels. Over the years we’ve spent a great deal of time researching nutrition and testing different feeding programs with our own dogs.
Below is the approach we use in our program and recommend for our puppy families.

TLC Whole Life Food

What Food Should You Feed Your New Blue Buckaroo?


One of the easiest ways to help your puppy settle into their new home is to keep their food consistent for the first several weeks. Changing food during the transition often leads to unnecessary stomach upset. For that reason we feed TLC Whole Life Puppy Food here and recommend that families continue the same food when their puppy first comes home.

Probiotics — One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Puppy

One of the easiest ways to support your puppy’s health during the transition to a new home is by paying attention to their gut health. The first few weeks can be exciting, but they’re also a big adjustment for a young puppy. New surroundings, new routines, and all the stimulation of a new household can sometimes throw their digestive system a little off balance.

For that reason, we strongly recommend starting your puppy on a high-quality probiotic right away and continuing it regularly during those first weeks at home.
A healthy gut is the foundation of a healthy dog. Much of the immune system lives in the digestive tract, and when the gut is balanced, puppies tend to handle change, stress, and food transitions much more smoothly.


Our Recommended Probiotic Full Bucket Canine Dog Daily

Over the years we’ve tried a number of different probiotics with our dogs, and the one we consistently recommend to our puppy families is FullBucket Probiotic Supplement.

FullBucket is an extremely high-quality probiotic that contains a specific beneficial strain designed to actively help maintain a healthy microbial balance in the digestive system. One of the reasons we like this product so much is that the probiotic strain works by helping crowd out and consume harmful pathogens and unwanted bacteria in the gut, allowing the beneficial bacteria to flourish and maintain a stable digestive environment.

In simple terms, it helps keep the good bacteria strong while preventing the bad bacteria from taking over — which is exactly what we want, especially during times of change or stress.

ADDING REAL FOOD

Why We Like to Include Fresh Foods in a Dog’s Diet

While a good quality kibble forms the foundation of our feeding program, we’re also big believers in adding small amounts of real, whole foods to support overall health. Just like with people, fresh foods provide naturally occurring vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants, and enzymes that can complement a dog’s regular diet.

Adding a few fresh ingredients here and there doesn’t have to be complicated. Even small additions can provide a nice nutritional boost and add variety to your dog’s meals.

Many of the foods we use in our own dogs’ bowls are simple things you probably already have in your kitchen.

Simple Whole Foods We Like to Add

Some of our favorite fresh additions include:

  • Blueberries
  • Sardines in spring water
  • Coconut oil and salmon oil
  • Bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers
  • Fresh meat (steak, lean meat, organs)

Great Resources for Learning More

If you’re interested in learning more about canine nutrition and the benefits of fresh foods, two excellent educators in this space are Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker.
Their book The Forever Dog is a wonderful resource that explores how nutrition, lifestyle, and environment all play a role in helping dogs live longer, healthier lives. It’s an easy and fascinating read for any dog owner who wants to better understand how everyday choices can impact their dog’s wellbeing.

Close-up of fresh organic blueberries in cardboard trays at a market, showcasing their vibrant blue color and ripe appearance.
Raw Bones

Dental Health and Chewing

Dental health is so important for longevity and health. Read up on some of our recommendations for chews and raw bones.

SUPPORTING THE BODY NATURALLY

Detox & Foundational Supplements

Just like people, our dogs are exposed to a surprising number of environmental stressors throughout their lives. Things like routine vaccinations, flea and tick preventatives, lawn chemicals, household cleaners, air fresheners, and pesticides can all place an additional burden on the body over time.
The body is designed to handle these exposures, but the organs responsible for processing and eliminating toxins — particularly the liver — work very hard to keep everything balanced. Supporting those natural detox pathways can help the body do its job more efficiently and keep dogs feeling their best.
For that reason, we like to include a few foundational supplements in our dogs’ routine that support detoxification, immune health, and overall resilience.


Liver Support & Detox

The liver is one of the most important organs when it comes to filtering and processing toxins. A healthy liver helps regulate digestion, supports the immune system, and plays a key role in detoxification.

Because modern dogs are exposed to more environmental chemicals than dogs were decades ago, supporting liver function can be a helpful part of a wellness routine. Gentle herbal liver support can assist the body’s natural detox pathways without being harsh or disruptive.

Many dog owners choose to support the liver periodically throughout the year or during times when the body may need extra support.


Mushroom Extracts for Immune Support

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to support immune health and overall vitality. Certain mushroom species contain powerful compounds called beta-glucans that help regulate immune response and support the body’s natural defenses.

We personally like Real Mushrooms because their products use high-quality mushroom extracts rather than grain-based fillers, which helps ensure dogs receive the beneficial compounds mushrooms are known for.

Mushrooms such as Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Lion’s Mane are commonly used to support immune balance, cellular health, and overall wellness.

Herbal Wellness Support

There are several herbal supplement companies we trust and recommend based on their quality and philosophy toward natural animal health.

Some of the brands we have had good experience with include:

Dr. Dobias Natural Healing – known for thoughtfully formulated herbal blends that support detoxification, digestion, and immune balance.

Real Mushrooms – medicinal mushroom supplements designed to support resilience, detox pathways, and overall vitality.

Supplements we Recommend

Real Mushrooms have two excellent medicinal mushroom supplements we recommend for longevity. Peterdobias.com has a great herbal liver detox and natural flea and tick prevention products.

Use Code “BUCKAROO” for 5% off at Dr. Dobias Supplements