Dog Community

Grain free and large breed puppies?

Beauceron.Akita.Golden

Posted : 2/21/2010 11:01:24 AM

So, im trying really hard to learn all of this dog nutrition stuff, and it seems like everytime i think i understand something, i learn somewhere else somthing that contradicts it! So, my question is, is grain free, such as Wellness Core, or Blue Wilderness, OK for a largebreed puppy?

Heres my deal specifically- for those that dont know i have 4 dogs

1. A 6 year old neutered male akita, moderate to minimal activity level, 130 lbs at correct weight, but i have to be careful he doesnt get overweight

2. A 3 year old intact female Beauceron, moderate to high energy level, approx 75 lbs, moderate to high excersize, correct weight

3. A 10 month old intact female German Shepherd, moderate to high energy level, approx 70 lbs (she is unfortunately a VERY large female and very masculine for a bitch! I sware shes not anywhere near overweight! Shes about 28" at the shoulder) moderate excersize (do not want to overdue on growing bones)

4...in a few more weeks, my 8 week old Tibetan Mastiff puppy will be coming home (mature expected weight 130-160 lbs)

I was feeding Natural Balance ultra premium, they do well on this, but i'd really like to see if i can improve. A friend of a friend got me to try the Great Life buffalo formula- I bought 66 lbs (2 bags) , and they have been on it for about a week now. They seem to enjoy it, and from my understanding, it seems like an ok food, but from what all ive learned (and if someone is familiar with this food please correct me if im wrong!) It just doesnt seem like as high quality of a food as it should be for what im paying ($55 a bag) I can buy the large back of Wilderness or Core for the same price, PLUS get my discount siince it comes from work.

So my question is, would the wilderness or the core be ok for all 4 of my dogs? Ive also played with the idea if it would be better to put the adult two on the Core/wilderness and the puppies on either Wellness or Blue LB puppy? Id prefer to have them all on the same formula, at most i dont want to have to use more than two foods at a time! (i just do not have room to store 4 different types of food!)

So what are everyones opinions? Anyone have a pref. for one or the other, or specific reasons why to choose core vs wilderness?

Thanks!

Oh and also, although i am learning and interested, at this time raw/homecooked/etc is just out of the question. I do not feel confident enough in my knowledge, nor do i have room to store everything at this time!

erica1989

Posted : 2/21/2010 11:07:30 AM

I've always heard grain free is NOT for growing pups, large breed or otherwise.

My guy eats Blue, and does very well on it.

glenmar

Posted : 2/21/2010 7:23:58 PM

First, Wilderness isn't grain free. It has oatmeal, although one Petsmart tells me that they are eliminating the grain another says they are eliminating the food. I JUST switched them dang it.

I would NOT give a large breed pup, or any pup a grain free.

My dogs did great on the Blue large breed and that does come in a puppy formula.

micksmom

Posted : 2/21/2010 7:45:41 PM

Everything I've read has said not to feed grain free to growing puppies. I'll try to find what I read and post it.

eta- this is a thread from the Lab board about grain free and puppies. It's the calcium/phosphorus levels that are the concern.

http://justlabradors.com/forum/threads/103993-Too-young-for-grain-free

jennie_c_d

Posted : 2/21/2010 8:52:09 PM

I feed an good quality, moderate food to all of the beasts. Foster puppies, adult dog, senior dog get Precise Foundation. I picked it because it was simple, basic dog food with no junk. I wouldn't feed grain free to a growing puppy. Most of them have enough calcium to "make up" for what you add in fresh food, which is fine for adults, but BAD for puppies.

willowchow

Posted : 2/21/2010 10:08:12 PM

I would of stuck with the Natural Balance if they were doing well on it. That's an all life stages food and you could switch proteins if you wanted variety.

I'm over all these fancy foods and "doing better" when everything is fine. I'm bitter I guess. Stick out tongue

Beauceron.Akita.Golden

Posted : 2/22/2010 1:00:38 AM

I understand what you mean willow, but you hear so many people it seems like say things like "i thought my dog was doing wonderful on *suchnsuch* food, but had no idea until i switched them to *x brand* they look so much better...so thats what made me want to try something different.

Im hoping to find something i can get locally...so really trying to stick to possibly wellness or blue, as those i think are two of the best i can get around here. I know SG is supposed to be good, but my guys wouldnt touch it when we tried it a couple of years ago.

As for going with LB puppy Wellness vs LB puppy blue...why do some people choose the one they choose? Just because your dog happens to do well on one, or is there something im missing? I just want to do the best for my guys i can. We have a regular customer with a 8 month old Dogo that has been on LB puppy wellness and he looks really nice, and has had no issues that im aware of, and the wellness is kinda the way im leaning for some reason.

And as far as the NB, i tried to switch them to the duck & potatoe, and Diesel's skin looked horrible, he was chewing, it was all red and yucky...im assuming it may be the excessive potato, as the ultra doesnt seem to have as much?

erica1989

Posted : 2/22/2010 10:28:06 AM

it's really a matter of what dog does well on what food. For ME - Casey does really well on BB, and it's very easy for me to get. There is a specialty store(s) nearby, but their hours are not as convenient as petsmart for me. So it's easy to get, and he does well on it. Not all dogs will do well on every food.

willowchow

Posted : 2/22/2010 11:24:21 AM

Beauceron.Akita.Golden
I understand what you mean willow, but you hear so many people it seems like say things like "i thought my dog was doing wonderful on *suchnsuch* food, but had no idea until i switched them to *x brand* they look so much better...so thats what made me want to try something different.

I can see what you are saying. But, I think that's usually the case more if you are going from "low end" to "mid-grade". Or "mid-grade" to premium. I'm not sure you will see a huge difference between premium to premium unless he's having a specific issue with something about one of the brands.

Anyway, I hope you find something they love!!