Feeding Your Coton de Tulear Puppy

We do not believe in skimping when it comes to our dogs’ health. We buy only the highest quality dog food and supplements. We have tried several brands over the years. In July 2016 we were introduced to a relative newcomer to the dog food industry - a company called pawTree. After hearing their Mission and Vision Statements, we decided to hop on a plane and visit the company during their annual convention - Yes, that's how serious we are about what we feed our dogs. After meeting the founder of pawTree and talking with the product developer, we made the decision to switch our dogs to pawTree. We are convinced that their products are superior to anything else on the market. It was something that the Product Developer said to me. She said, "It's all about the sourcing of the ingredients". That's something you cannot tell from reading the ingredients list on a bag. pawTree uses only non-GMO food ingredients, their meats are raised without hormones and antibiotics and all fish is wild caught - not farmed. That's how we eat and I wanted the same for my Coton babies.

We are feeding our puppies the Grain Free Chicken and Sweet Potato recipe. (For informaton on how much to feed as well as when to feed, check out the Feeding Schedule page) We are asking all our puppy buyers to keep their new puppy on pawTree.  Many veterinarians still think there is a link between grain free food and a heart condition called DCM. None of the research has proven this is be true. I've even discussed this with our veterinary cardiologist and he agrees that it is probably more about the amount and quality of the "pulses" in grain free foods than the actual "pulses" themselves. Cheaper brands try to increase the protein in their food with these pulses. pawTree has real meat as it's predominant source of protein. We've used this food with our dogs since 2016 with no issues. We've tried the healthy grains version of pawTree and find that our Cotons simply do better on the grain free varieties. That said, if you prefer a formula with grains, we recommend pawTree's Chicken & Oatmeal formula during your puppy's growth phase. We just suggest that you transition appropriately so as not to upset your puppy's digestion. PLEASE don't let your vet talk you into one of the brands they sell from their office! Those brands typically contain ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, and by-products. Check out our Blog page for information on why you do NOT want to feed a food containing those ingredients. If you would like more information on this subject, feel free to reach out to Cathy.

pawTree offers a variety of formulas with various protein sources.  Your Coton might enjoy a change of pace now and then so after the first year, feel free to try one of the other formulas that pawTree offers.  We rotate our adults between the various grain free recipes.  It's thought that rotating can help to prevent food allerrgies. Dr. Karen Becker, a well-known integrative vet, believes strongly that rotating proteins from time to time is essential to the health of your dog. In July 2023, pawTree introduced a new line of Freeze-Dried Raw food. What we love about pawTree's Freeze-Dried Raw is that they take it through a Validated Kill Step to kill bacteria. All raw food has the potential for harmful bacteria. Then they send it for 3rd party testing just to be sure the bacteria is gone. It is a completely appropriate choice for your puppy should you want to go that route. It is significantly more expensive than kibble so some people like to feed a combination of both. It's up to you!

As your Coton becomes an adult dog, s/he might have different dietary needs. pawTree offers formulas for older dogs and overweight dogs. Please feel free to reach out to us with any question you might have concerning your Coton's diet. We have studied canine nutrition and are a more reliable source of information than a vet since they do not study canine nutrition.

We are confident that you will find that the benefits that pawTree affords will convince you to stay with pawTree for the life of your dog. pawTree is only available through an affilate of the company.  Each of the breeders in our program have their own affiliate link. To order pawTree food for your new puppy, visit your breeder's pawTree website by clicking their link below. Your order will be drop shipped right to your door. Typically Cathy will email details on ordering. Regardless if you are creating an account on your own or using an account created by Cathy, be sure that your breeder's name and picture is in the upper left corner before you hit the Place Your Order button. Even if you accidentally go to the pawTree corportate website to order, when you enter your breeder's "vanity code" (coupon code), it will revert your order to that person. 

All new customers receive a "Welcome to pawTree" discount of 10-20%. If you order is under $100, you will receive 10% off your first order. If your order is $100+ you will receive 20% off your first order. You must have your breeder's "vanity code" to receive this discount.

Be sure to put your order on EZ Ship and set it for every 8 weeks. This will give you 25% off shipping OR FREE shipping if you add at least 3 items other than kibble to your order. It's super easy to move an EZ Ship order forward or backward, change the items in your order, skip a shipment for a particular order, etc. On EZ Ship you receive pawPoints for every order that you can use to order products for FREE. After your 3rd EZ Ship, your points double. You never want to cancel your EZ Ship - just postpone it if you're not ready. When in doubt, give Cathy a call. She'll steer you in the right direction. For your first order we suggest the following:

*1 bag of Real Chicken & Sweet Potato food

*1 bag of Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken formula. Although this can be used as their only diet, Freeze-Dried Raw is perfect for even the pickiest eaters. Crumble a few pieces over kibble or use it as training treats. It's just the perfect size for treats.

*8 oz. bottle of Wild Alaskan Salmon & Pollock Oil (A daily serving of this liquid gold gives your puppy a daily dose of Omega 3s that not only boost the immune system but is beneficial for the development of bones, joints, skin, coat, brain, eyes & more!) Start slowly and work up to the recommended daily dose.

*30 count jar of Gastro Pro Plus - This is a combination of prebiotics, probiotics & digestive enzymes. We know that 80% of our immune system is housed in the gut. By offering 1/2 of a soft chew as a treat or crumbled over your puppy's food every day, you are supporting his/her gut health. 

*Plaque Control - This supplement has saved us hundreds of dollar at the vet for teeth cleaning. It contains Organic Scandinavial Kelp and parsley. When this chew is given daily, it works through the bloodstream to kill the bacterial that causes plaque and tartar build up. Plus the parsley keeps their breath fresh.

*1 Bright & Chewy LED Dumbbell. Your puppy will be teething for the better part of the first year of life. Give him something appropriate to chew on!

*1 bottle of 2-in-1 shampoo. We've heard groomers rave about this shampoo so if you're planning to save money by bathing your dog at home from time to time, grab a bottle of this shampoo while you can get it at a discount. It's very concentrated so if you dilute if appropriately it will last a long time.

When you enter the site, you will click on "Sign In" in the upper right corner. That will take you to a page where you will register with pawTree. Be sure you write down the password you create for your account. You will need it to make future changes to your order.

If you have happened onto this page and are not purchasing a puppy from us but want to give pawTree a try, head over to our website and click on the My Recommendations link.  There you will find all of our top recommendations.  You can choose from within those recommendations for ease of ordering.  Even if your dog is not a Coton, these are solid recommendations for any dog. You can also take the Pet Quiz to receive customized recommendations for your dog. Our dogs get a pawTree's 10-in-1 Multivitamin and Plaque Control every morning and a squirt of Wild Alaskan Salmon and Pollack Oil at dinner along with Gastro Pro Plus crumbled over their food.  These supplements have SO many health benefits.  They also go crazy for the treats.  When in doubt give Cathy a call. She's very knowledgable on canine nutrition and is always willing to help. You can reach her at 480-628-1851.

pawTree has a very customer friendly EZShip program. They will email you 7 days before you next order is due to process, giving you plenty of time to go into your EZShip manager and make changes. Plus they give you pawPoints that you can use to purchase any item on the website. (After your 3rd EZShip, they double your pawPoints as a way of saying "thank you".) As your puppy grows and begins to eat more, you can login anytime to change your order and/or your EZ ship date. Be sure to give pawTree a week to process and ship your food. If you find that your order is processing too soon, be sure you go in and just change the date rather than deleting your EZ ship. When you delete your EZShip you lose all your paw points.

​ How to change an EZShip

Once you login you will see your name in the upper right corner with a little down arrow next to it. Click that arrow and a menu will appear. Click on EZShip. On the next page you will click the Edit button and your EZShip will appear. From there you can remove items by clicking on the trash can or add items by scrolling down to Quick Add, choose the items you wish to add and clicking Add Items". Should you see that you are running low on food before your process date, simply login to your EZ Ship and click "Process Now". If you ever wish to go off EZShip, you click the three dots in the upper right corner then choose "Delete EZShip" button and it's done! No phone call to make. Just remember that when you delete an EZ Ship you will lose your pawPoints so spend those points first or move your EZ Ship date up rather than deleting it.

​Dry Recipes

Customized nutrition plans that are natural and holistic for your pet's optimal nutrition. Learn about the features and benefits of pawTree dry recipes by clicking on the image of the bag of food. pawTree comes in 10.3 lb. bags. To save a little money, you can order in quantity. When you order a Large you will receive 2 bags and save 15%. When you order an XLarge you will receive 3 bags and save 30%.

Freeze Dried Raw

With the power of raw and convenience of kibble, pawTree’s Freeze-Dried Raw Food is the most convenient way to feed raw to your Coton. Nutritious, real food, gently freeze-dried at low temperatures to preserve the nutrients of every ingredient, it’s a complete and balanced diet when fed alone or a nutritious topper for any food.

Gastro Pro Plus

Gastro Pro Plus is a complete combination of probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and herbs that support proper digestion and bowel health. GI issues are one of the most common reasons people see their vets. Supporting proper digestion and bowel health, Gastro Pro Plus is a natural and complete combination of probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and soothing herbs that help your dogs and cats maintain a healthy, active lifestyle with good gastrointestinal health. ALL dogs and cats, any size, any breed, can benefit from Gastro Pro Plus to help keep their GI tracts healthy. This new, improved formula comes in a tasty chew and now contains pumpkin and apple cider vinegar!

Wild Alaskan Salmon  & Pollock Oil

My dogs absolutely love this oil. They get one pump of it every day. I love that it's made from Wild Alaskan Salmon. This oil promotes a strong immune system, healthy skin, coat, joints and more. It's in my order every month!

pawTreats

Savory, Soft & Chewy Meaty Bites are made with premium meat-protein as the first ingredient. Perfect for even the pickiest eaters, these natural treats are easy to tear and perfect for training or rewarding. Crafted with care and the finest ingredients, every bite is a burst of flavor that will have tails wagging.

pawPairings

Add variety to your dog's food without gastic upset or the need for transitioning with pawPairings. Available in 10 flavors that will keep your dog coming back for more. That little shaker bottle contains a human grade freeze-dried raw meat source and is packed with 4 lbs. of fruits and veggies! A little goes a long way. Learn about the features and benefits of pawPairings by clicking on the image of the pawPairings shaker bottle.

What is pawTree?

pawTree is a direct-sales and social-selling pet wellness company that sells holistic pet food, treats, and supplements for dogs and cats.

Key Details

• Founded: Established in 2012 by Roger Morgan in Southlake, Texas.
• Formulation: Products are developed by veterinarians and PhDs in animal science and pet nutrition.
• Ingredients: Uses real, named meats as the first ingredient without poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives.
• Product Line: Offers customizable kibble, freeze-dried raw food, and targeted health supplements (such as multivitamins and skin/coat care).
• Sales Model: Products are primarily distributed through independent consultants known as "petPros" rather than standard retail stores.

pawTree focuses on premium, holistic nutrition featuring high-quality animal proteins, wholesome grains, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Independent review sites, such as the Dog Food Advisor review of pawTree, award their dry dog food lines a top 5-star rating.

Their ingredient architecture relies on high nutritional density and cleaner sourcing.

Primary Protein Sourcing

• Named Meats First: Human-grade real meat, poultry, or wild-caught fish (such as chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, salmon, whitefish, or trout) serves as the primary ingredient. All meats are raised without hormones or antibiotics.
• No Poultry By-Products: The recipes omit lower-grade, unnamed meat by-products entirely.
• Allergy-Conscious Formulas: pawTree provides dedicated poultry-free options (like Whitefish & Brown Rice or Trout & Barley) for pets dealing with specific protein sensitivities.

Carbohydrates and Fillers

• No Major Allergens: All products are formulated completely free from corn, wheat, and soy.
• Wholesome Grain Inclusions: Their standard grain-inclusive diets utilize digestible, high-fiber carbs like oatmeal, pearled barley, brown rice, and millet.
• Grain-Free Selections: For grain-free lines, they substitute grains with complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and garbanzo beans.

Vitamins and Micronutrients

• Superfood Blend: Recipes contain an extensive mix of natural, antioxidant-rich produce including apples, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, broccoli, spinach, and parsley to support immune health.
• Healthy Fats: Includes coconut oil and flaxseed, alongside salmon oil to provide Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health.
• Chelated Minerals: They use proteinated minerals (such as zinc proteinate and iron proteinate), which are chemically attached to amino acids to make them much easier for a pet’s body to absorb. [1, 2]

What They Leave Out

• No Artificial Additives: Formulated with zero artificial colors, synthetic flavors, or chemical preservatives.
• High Digestibility: Independent evaluations note that their meat-heavy formulas yield an average dry matter protein content of around 27.7% for dogs, making the food highly nutrient-dense so pets absorb more nutrition with less waste

When evaluating how pawTree stacks up against other premium pet food brands, the primary distinctions lie in sourcing philosophies, nutritional balance, and distribution methods. Like other top-tier options, pawTree avoids low-grade fillers, but its formulation choices differ significantly from competing heavyweights.

Feeding Volume: Because pawTree is highly nutrient-dense with low filler content, you typically feed about 30% less volume per meal compared to standard retail brands.

pawTree also offers a Freeze-Dried Raw Food line designed to blend the intense nutritional benefits of raw feeding with the shelf-stable convenience of dry kibble. Independent assessment platforms, such as the Dog Food Advisor review of pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw, award this specific line a top 5-star rating.

Unlike many dehydrated raw brands that only work as mixers, pawTree's freeze-dried recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages. They are suitable for both dogs and cats.

The Variety Lineup

They offer several core, single-protein recipes

• Real Beef Recipe
• Real Chicken Recipe
• Real Turkey Recipe
• Real Pork Recipe
• Real Wild Alaskan Salmon & Beef Recipe

Nutritional Architecture

• High Protein, Low Carb: The processing extracts moisture while leaving the original raw nutrient dense proteins intact. For example, their Turkey formula yields a massive 47.3% protein and 35.9% fat on a dry matter basis, keeping carbohydrates low at roughly 4.2%.
• Organ-Rich Formulas: Rather than just using muscle meat, pawTree heavily integrates nutrient-dense organs like hearts and livers (e.g., chicken heart, turkey liver), which naturally deliver iron, zinc, and vital B-vitamins.
• Functional Superfood Additions: The meat base is fortified with natural ingredients like sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, pumpkin, flaxseed, kale, and blueberries to handle digestion, skin hydration, and immune support.
• Digestive and Structural Support: Each recipe includes prebiotics, probiotics, naturally occurring collagen from bone broth, and taurine to manage gut health, joints, and heart function.

Flexible Feeding Options

Because it comes in a dry, lightweight, and shelf-stable kibble form, you do not need to store it in a freezer. It can be served in three different ways:

1. As a Complete Meal: Served straight out of the bag as a standalone, nutrient-dense diet.
2. Rehydrated: Mixed with warm water or bone broth to create a moist, aromatic meal that helps picky eaters ingest enough moisture.
3. As a Food Topper: Crumbled right over standard dry kibble to instantly elevate flavor and introduce raw enzymes into your pet's bowl

pawTree utilizes a proprietary, vet-developed "kill step" process specifically engineered to eliminate high-risk pathogens while fully preserving the nutritional integrity of raw meat.

Because freeze-drying alone merely deactivates bacteria by removing moisture rather than destroying it, raw meats require a definitive safety intervention to be considered completely safe for casual handling.

Their safety architecture relies on several strict mechanisms:

Targeted Pathogen Elimination

• Zero-Tolerance Level: The proprietary kill-step is designed to target and completely neutralize the deadliest bacteria and viruses associated with raw meats.
• Key Targets: It actively eliminates Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and Avian Flu (Bird Flu).

Cold Pasteurization Approach

• Nutrient Retention: Rather than using high-heat cooking methods that denature delicate proteins, melt healthy fats, and kill off live raw enzymes, pawTree uses a specialized non-thermal intervention integrated directly into their gentle freeze-dry cycle.
• USDA-Inspected Sourcing: The process begins exclusively with meats sourced from USDA-inspected facilities before entering the proprietary pathogen intervention loop.

Strict "Hold and Test" Verification

• Independent Lab Verification: No batch relies solely on the assumption that the kill-step worked perfectly. After processing is complete, pawTree subjects every batch of Freeze-Dried Raw Food and pawTreats to rigorous third-party laboratory testing.
• Negative Test Clearance: The company maintains a "hold and test" mandate—meaning negative test results for all target pathogens are strictly required before any product is legally cleared to ship to customers.

This hybrid approach allows pet parents to enjoy the biochemical advantages of highly digestible, organ-dense raw feeding without exposing their families or pets to the active bacterial contamination risks traditionally tied to raw diets.