(First Post) GSD Puppy Food

RyGuyRI · 12-15-2011, 01:09 AM

Alright, so I've read about every post about GSD puppy food out there and I'm still confused on what I should go with. About 3 weeks ago I switch my 4.5 month puppy over to RC (Royal Canin GSD Puppy) and now I'm dealing with her having only half solid stole. I've tried mixing white rice into her food and that has only helped a little. I'm also unsure if its the treats I'm training her with that is causing this reaction as well. I'm interested in switching her over to another brand slowly just not sure whats best. She comes from eastern European working lines and is extremely active. Any advice out there? What is the top 3 dry foods for a puppy?

Lucy Dog · 12-15-2011, 01:19 AM

If you're going to feed a puppy food, make sure it's a large breed puppy food, not regular puppy.

I skip puppy foods and just go straight to adult formulas. With most kibbles, there's not much difference between LBP and the adult formulas except the price tag. Most adult formulas, minus a few, are fine to feed to puppies and are actually all life cycle (puppy, adult, senior) formulas if your read the bag.

About the stools, did you switch right over to the RC or did you do a gradual transition? You always want to do slow transitions to new foods when switching brands. The food may also not be agreeing with the puppy and you might need to try something else. Some canned pumpkin may help too.

katieliz · 12-15-2011, 02:24 AM

breeder's choice pinnacle (trout and sweet potato is my personal favorite). don't think you can do any better (if you're feeding kibble). very high quality, strictly controlled mfg standards. relatively expensive but worth every penny. i never did the puppy food thing either.

will give your dog luxurious coat, no smell, small firm stools, and great nutrition. i also highly recommend solid gold seameal as a supplement and all the springtime, inc. products (especially bug-off garlic for flea and tick control).

Konotashi · 12-15-2011, 04:21 AM

I respectfully disagree with the comment that you can't do better than Pinnacle going the kibble route. There's Orijen, Wellness CORE, EVO, Taste of the Wild, Artemis, Merrick's Before Grain... to name a few.

I think the main thing you need to look at when feeding a large breed puppy adult food is the calcium content. I THINK the appropriate calcium level should be under 2.1%, but don't take my word on that....

s14roller · 12-15-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyGuyRI

Alright, so I've read about every post about GSD puppy food out there and I'm still confused on what I should go with. About 3 weeks ago I switch my 4.5 month puppy over to RC (Royal Canin GSD Puppy) and now I'm dealing with her having only half solid stole. I've tried mixing white rice into her food and that has only helped a little. I'm also unsure if its the treats I'm training her with that is causing this reaction as well. I'm interested in switching her over to another brand slowly just not sure whats best. She comes from eastern European working lines and is extremely active. Any advice out there? What is the top 3 dry foods for a puppy?

Unfortunately, there is no easy formula for the top 3 foods per se. Every dog will react differently.

I have tried feeding a lot of the richer, top foods but my 11 month old just can't handle it.

In terms of the food, it may take a few weeks before the pup's system is on it so keep it up for now...switching early may do more harm than good. I think people usually say the dog should be on it for a month at the minimum to see how the dog does in the food.

For treats, if you are unsure, I would just train with her kibble for now.

Our training sessions occur before breakfast (kibble is her treats) and same for dinner.

Konotashi · 12-15-2011, 08:40 AM

Would also like to comment that, in my opinion, Royal Canin is way overpriced for the quality. You can find an equal quality food for cheaper, or a much higher quality kibble for the same price.

LaRen616 · 12-15-2011, 08:43 AM

The 3 puppy foods I would recommend because I have fed all 3 brands are

Wellness Super5Mix for large breed puppy (currently feeding my puppy)

Solid Gold Wolf Cub

Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 12-15-2011, 08:45 AM

Feeding Puppies

Calcium - yes, 2.1 is way too high: Let me google that for you

GSKnight · 12-15-2011, 08:48 AM

I just hope you are not giving him those darn chicken jerky treats from China.

Konotashi · 12-15-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

Feeding Puppies

Calcium - yes, 2.1 is way too high: Let me google that for you

That is one of the coolest things I've seen. LOL

I was waiting for someone like you to come along to prove me wrong. Haha.

12-15-2011, 01:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
RyGuyRI New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1	(First Post) GSD Puppy Food Alright, so I've read about every post about GSD puppy food out there and I'm still confused on what I should go with. About 3 weeks ago I switch my 4.5 month puppy over to RC (Royal Canin GSD Puppy) and now I'm dealing with her having only half solid stole. I've tried mixing white rice into her food and that has only helped a little. I'm also unsure if its the treats I'm training her with that is causing this reaction as well. I'm interested in switching her over to another brand slowly just not sure whats best. She comes from eastern European working lines and is extremely active. Any advice out there? What is the top 3 dry foods for a puppy?

12-15-2011, 01:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,180	If you're going to feed a puppy food, make sure it's a large breed puppy food, not regular puppy. I skip puppy foods and just go straight to adult formulas. With most kibbles, there's not much difference between LBP and the adult formulas except the price tag. Most adult formulas, minus a few, are fine to feed to puppies and are actually all life cycle (puppy, adult, senior) formulas if your read the bag. About the stools, did you switch right over to the RC or did you do a gradual transition? You always want to do slow transitions to new foods when switching brands. The food may also not be agreeing with the puppy and you might need to try something else. Some canned pumpkin may help too. __________________ Paul

12-15-2011, 02:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,323	breeder's choice pinnacle (trout and sweet potato is my personal favorite). don't think you can do any better (if you're feeding kibble). very high quality, strictly controlled mfg standards. relatively expensive but worth every penny. i never did the puppy food thing either. will give your dog luxurious coat, no smell, small firm stools, and great nutrition. i also highly recommend solid gold seameal as a supplement and all the springtime, inc. products (especially bug-off garlic for flea and tick control). __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey) Last edited by katieliz; 12-15-2011 at 02:28 AM.

12-15-2011, 04:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	I respectfully disagree with the comment that you can't do better than Pinnacle going the kibble route. There's Orijen, Wellness CORE, EVO, Taste of the Wild, Artemis, Merrick's Before Grain... to name a few. I think the main thing you need to look at when feeding a large breed puppy adult food is the calcium content. I THINK the appropriate calcium level should be under 2.1%, but don't take my word on that.... __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

12-15-2011, 08:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	Would also like to comment that, in my opinion, Royal Canin is way overpriced for the quality. You can find an equal quality food for cheaper, or a much higher quality kibble for the same price. __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

12-15-2011, 08:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,582	The 3 puppy foods I would recommend because I have fed all 3 brands are Wellness Super5Mix for large breed puppy (currently feeding my puppy) Solid Gold Wolf Cub Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy __________________ ~ Sinister 3 yr old black male GSD 3.11.09 ~ Malice 9 mth old black female GSD 6.19.11 Cats: Chaos, Monster, Wicked

12-15-2011, 08:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,697	Feeding Puppies Calcium - yes, 2.1 is way too high: Let me google that for you __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win...

12-15-2011, 08:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	I just hope you are not giving him those darn chicken jerky treats from China. __________________ Greg Knight Viktor: 3 year old (DOB: 8/31/2008) GSD rescued 10/15/2011 Everyday, we get closer

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