Orijen vs Nature's Variety vs Alternate

[Cassidy's Mom]

Dena and Keefer never did get puppy food, nor did Cassidy. Halo was on the Orijen LBP until she was about a year old.

ETA: Most adult grain free foods are for dogs over a year or a year and a half.

[Chicagocanine]

If you pick a food "for all life stages" then you don't need a puppy food.

[Clyde]

I would keep at what is working for you right now. Don't worry to much about when he is an adult because you still have a long way to go. There is no reason to expect that switching him right now to grain free is going to be any easier than switching him as an adult to grain free. I think it it best to let a young puppies digestive system not go through to much stress so switch if you really have an issue with the food he is on otherwise I would wait until is digestive system has matured more.

Plus don't get to set on one idea of what must be the best diet. You may find out that your imagined ideal diet does not end up being the best diet for your dog.

I switched my GSD at 9 weeks cold turkey to raw and he did great. Since then he has been on a raw/ kibble (GO!Salmon and Oat) combo for a month while at the kennel. Also just switched him cold turkey from raw to CalNat Kangaroo and he had no issues. Those are the only times in his life he has switched foods he is now 2.
My other 3 adult dogs can switch from Acana GF one day to GO! Salmon and Oat or Duck and Potato the next with no issues and I also throw in raw for them a few times a week.

I don't know if I was just lucky with all my dogs having iron guts or what?

Bottom line I wouldn't worry so much about it until the time comes when you have decided what you want to do and are ready to switch.

I do like to use a digestive enzyme mostly because I am dealing with an allergy issue with my boy but I have heard it is a very helpful addition to kibble diets. The one I use has Protease, Amylase, Lipase and Cellulase these are plant based enzymes. You do not want to use animal based pancreatic enzymes.

[ladyfreckles]

The thing is, it's NOT working for him right now. His poop reeks. He has coccidia so I know that's what making it soft, but honestly I have dog sat and picked up poop for years and I have never smelled poop this bad. The last time he had an accident in the house I could smell it from over 20 feet away. I am convinced he's not doing well on it.

I think I want to try raw. I'm just hesitant to make that sort of financial obligation. Which is why I want to try another kibble before I try that.