Dog Community

Posted : 1/25/2007 1:36:42 PM

ORIGINAL: Misskiwi67

Wait until 18 months to switch to a high protein diet. Most high protein diets use meat meal, and can be very high in minerals due to the greater amounts of bone found in meat meals. The excessive mineral content has been linked to bone formation and joint disease in large breed dogs, especially when fed during growth stages.

To do just that [

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jones

Posted : 1/25/2007 2:22:33 PM

Wait until 18 months to switch to a high protein diet. Most high protein diets use meat meal, and can be very high in minerals due to the greater amounts of bone found in meat meals. The excessive mineral content has been linked to bone formation and joint disease in large breed dogs, especially when fed during growth stages.

Now I'm confused... I thought puppy formulas are higher in protein than all-life-stages or adult kibbles. Innova puppy is higher than Innova regular dry.
To the OP, I don't know what breed of dog this is, do you need a large breed puppy formula? If not I see no reason to use an all life stages or even adult formula for an 8mo old puppy.

jamcony

Posted : 1/25/2007 9:30:58 PM

After trying many high quality foods over the past 20 months, I have settled on Nature's Logic. My dog absolutely loves this food, both the kibble and canned varieties. Her energy level is high and her coat is soft and shiny. She is a very active dog and a cup of kibble mixed with about 4 oz of canned seems to be the amount she does best on. I also feed raw frozen, Primal and A Place For Paws a few times a week as well. With many quality food out there now, and more knowledge about nutrition, it is easy to make yourself crazy looking for the perfect food. It seem like the people on this site are always looking for this. It is nice when you find a product that works well and that your dog enjoys.

Misskiwi67

Posted : 1/25/2007 11:42:39 PM

Its not the protein content that matters... its the minerals.

A large breed puppy food should have less than 1.5% calcium, and less than 14% fat. Protein doesn't really matter, but the higher protein diets use meat meals, which are high in minerals like calcium. If you can find a high protein diet with low fat and low calcium, then by all means feed it!

Shohin

Posted : 1/25/2007 11:43:52 PM

ORIGINAL: jones
Now I'm confused... I thought puppy formulas are higher in protein than all-life-stages or adult kibbles. Innova puppy is higher than Innova regular dry.
To the OP, I don't know what breed of dog this is, do you need a large breed puppy formula? If not I see no reason to use an all life stages or even adult formula for an 8mo old puppy.

No, Winston doesn't need a large breed formula. He's a Vizsla / Lab mix, but he's currently only 43 lbs so I don't think he's going to get a whole lot bigger.

I don't feel the need for an all life stages or adult food . . . I just need to find something that is balanced enough for a puppy that doens't contain chicken or lamb. Its hard to find a puppy food that meets this criteria in my experience thus far.

I've decided on the Nature's Variety Beef meal and barley formula . . . its very comparable to the Innova Puppy mix. Same protein content (26%) and same fiber content. The NV has a little more fat to it, but I'm ok with that.

One thing thats quite a bit different between the two though is the Innova has 1% Calcium where as the NV has 1.4% . . . . is that a problem? Again, he's not a big dog by a long shot.

Misskiwi67

Posted : 1/25/2007 11:50:22 PM

Both of those are fine... sorry, I thought your dog was a large breed for some reason. I would still avoid the grain-free until he is an adult.

bichinpanda

Posted : 1/26/2007 12:57:39 AM

Hi all -- where have you guys heard/read the stories about Wellness? I'd love to read them, because Dweezil really loves loves her Wellness. She eats the normal Super 5 mix (lamb) though ... not the special formulas.

Luvntzus

Posted : 1/26/2007 2:37:50 AM

Hmmm, my dog had loose stool on Innova (as do a lot of dogs) and I think it probably has something to do with the dairy products. Not sure, but it seems the most likely culprit to me.

I think Nature's Variety is a good idea. If your dog can't handle the beef, then there are also the fish or venison formulas to try. And other than that Timberwolf Organics is one of the only foods that I know of that are suitable for puppies and not the usual protein sources (venison, bison, salmon). Good luck!

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 1/26/2007 11:45:18 AM

Joey was constipated on Innova. Very badly. That and Canidae and Sensible Choice Natural Blend. For a while after feeding those foods I was afraid to feed foods with fruits and veggies. I thought that was what was causing the problem, but then Eagle Pack worked out fine, so did Merrick, and Solid Gold, and better than all of these Nature's Logic.

I posted Nature's Logic's linkhttp://www.natureslogic.com/products/dp.html

Shohin

Posted : 1/26/2007 12:37:46 PM

Winston is another dog who gets loose stool on Innova. All went well for about two months . . . then in the last couple weeks he's been a pudding factory which leads to anal gland problems.

So far, the NV Beef is going well . . . He certainly likes it!

Xerxes

Posted : 1/26/2007 2:17:18 PM

To the OP: I had alot of success with Wolf Cub by solid gold. Bison and Salmon are the protein sources. It can be a bit pricey, but if you look at the SG dealer locator, call the dealers nearest you. Some of the prices can vary by up to $12 for the 33lb bags.

Shohin

Posted : 1/28/2007 11:58:05 AM

Thanks everyone for the help!

We are in day three of the transition to Natures Variety Beef Meal and Barley . . . . so far, all is well! His runny stool's have even begun to clear up. The volume has increased though.

Need a non-poultry, non-lamb puppy food