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Puppy Food - Help?

1K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Wagners Mom2 
#1 ·
I know this is probably a tired thread around these parts, but I did some searching and didn't find what I was looking for, so I thought I'd ask. We are bringing home a 4 mo old Golden puppy tomorrow and I'm doing my research on foods. Four years ago when I got my first Yorkie puppy, Franklin, I did a considerable amount of research and was an avid member of a Yorkie forum. I considered myself a dog nutrition expert and even fed the dogs prey-model raw for a little over a year. Unfortunately, that was a while ago and I know that nutrition needs can vary for puppies vs. adults, as well as large breed vs. small breed. I feel like a complete and utter newbie here!

Currently, we are feeding Acana (Orijen was a little too rich for them and they put on weight). I have always been a huge proponent of Champion Pet Foods, and even though it seems they have faced some controversies in the recent past, I am still confident that I am feeding my dogs a top quality food. Normally the dogs get grain-free but we are experimenting with the Chicken and Burbank Potato formula as I don't see a huge problem with oats as a single grain source. I was under the impression that this was an adult food. However, after looking at their website, it states that it is appropriate for all life stages. I would love to feed all 3 dogs the same food as it would make my life a lot easier. We also went to the pet store today and looked at Nature's Variety Prairie and Orijen Puppy. I tend to believe that dogs in the wild don't eat different food than their parents, and ALS foods are sufficient. However, I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about the calcium:phosphorous ratios appropriate for a puppy. Particularly for a larger breed, this may be important.

SOOOO... all of that to say, of the three (Acana Chicken and Burbank Potato, Nature's Variety Prairie Chicken and Brown Rice, and Orijen Puppy)... which would you feed?
 
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#2 ·
I personally feed my puppy raw. The breeder weaned the puppies to raw.
For owners that were not going to feed raw only ALS foods were recommended.
My now 5 year old was never fed puppy food either but an ALS grain-free kibble with home cooked grain free - he now eats raw. At that time I normally used Orijins 6 fish or Red or Acana (Ranchlands, Grassland and Pacifica. I rotated proteins on a regular basis.
 
#4 ·
What food has he been eating? Hopefully you are getting your puppy from a reputable breeder--and in that case, I would definitely keep him on the food they have been feeding....or if you are getting him from rescue--same thing. Stick with what has been working for him. Right now is very critical in their growing and the last thing you want is to try a food that is too rich or just does not work for him and get wrapped up in trying several foods before finding one that works.

At the very least--leave him on his current food for a good month or so before making any changes--and let him adjust to his new life first. :)
 
#5 ·
We are adopting a puppy from the local GR rescue. We pick him up tomorrow! :) I'm not sure what food he is on currently but I wanted to go ahead and get some food today since most stores will closed tomorrow. Hopefully they will give us a small amount of food to take home. I personally feel that since it is such a critical time of growth, feeding a high quality food is important. I do understand where you are coming from with the adjustments though. I'm lucky in that my dogs have never had issues with food transitions but I will try to take it easy on the pup. Best case scenario - they are already feeding him a great food!
 
#6 ·
Agree with Wagner's Mom, keep feeding him whatever food he is on. This will allow him to adjust to all the other changes in his life before having to adjust to a new food too. Of the 3 foods you mention, I would probably choose the Acana. I think Orijen puppy maybe too rich for such a young pup, and I am not familiar with Natures Variety. There is nothing wrong with feeding a puppy an ALS formula, and there are some breeders that recommend switching to adult food around 16 weeks. On the opposite side, my girls (6 and 2 1/2 years) are both still on LBP, because they need the additional calories.

The "best" food for your puppy, is one that the puppy does well on, you like the ingredients and works for your budget. Congratulations on your new puppy.
 
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