which would you choose

[gryphon]

I am currently feeding my almost 4 mo old GSD Diamond naturals lr breed puppy. He eats it, but not very excited about it. He is free fed 2-3 cups a day. Breeder had him on Iams but reccommended Canidae ALS or any of the the TOTW brands. My budget is about 45$ or less per 30 lb bag. I have a tractor supply locally. My other options are

4Health
Chicken Soup Lr Br puppy
Blue BUffalo Lrg Breed puppy
AvoDerm Lrg Breed
Natures Variety
Pinacle
California Natural

We are a family of 6 on a one military man budget.. I want the best in that price range that I won't feel the need to add extra vitamins oils, etc. I have researched calcium levels, proteins etc. I am just a little more concerned about diamond after reading all the posts here about past recalls. What would you choose?

[Kev]

Hey I'm getting a shepherd in about a week and I'm still deciding which kibble to choose too
I suggest you read this and look at the Ca/Ph amount for a puppy
Calcium & Phosphorous Requirements for Dogs

[BlackthornGSD]

Originally Posted by gryphon

I am currently feeding my almost 4 mo old GSD Diamond naturals lr breed puppy. He eats it, but not very excited about it. He is free fed 2-3 cups a day. Breeder had him on Iams but reccommended Canidae ALS or any of the the TOTW brands. My budget is about 45$ or less per 30 lb bag. I have a tractor supply locally. My other options are

4Health
Chicken Soup Lr Br puppy
Blue BUffalo Lrg Breed puppy
AvoDerm Lrg Breed
Natures Variety
Pinacle
California Natural

We are a family of 6 on a one military man budget.. I want the best in that price range that I won't feel the need to add extra vitamins oils, etc. I have researched calcium levels, proteins etc. I am just a little more concerned about diamond after reading all the posts here about past recalls. What would you choose?

Of the foods you list, the one I would choose is California Natural--their fish and sweet potato diet, if possible.

Also, please consider not free feeding. One of best studies on feeding growing puppies showed that free fed puppies (although I think they were fed as much as they chose to eat) have a significantly higher chance of orthopedic problems.

[BlackGSD]

Of those listed, I would choose Natures Variety (Prairie).

If you happen to try this, be sure to sign up for their email updates. They send out (email) coupons constantly!! Matter of fact, I just got one today. (and I don't feed NV as it isn't available within 60 miles one way from me.)

[Konotashi]

Of that list, I would also go with Nature's Variety. Instinct is the grain free line, and Prairie is the grain line. Both good foods, just pick and choose.

I actually just got a coupon in my e-mail today for the prairie kibble. I get coupons all the time.

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted by Konotashi

Of that list, I would also go with Nature's Variety. Instinct is the grain free line, and Prairie is the grain line. Both good foods, just pick and choose.

I actually just got a coupon in my e-mail today for the prairie kibble. I get coupons all the time.

I said the Prairie formulas because most of the Instinct formulas are to high in calcium for a puppy. Isn't the instinct also quite a bit more expensive?

[gryphon]

update from Vet APpt.


Well I just got back from the vet. Gryphon had to get his rabies shot today. The vet is awesome and even rescued a GSD of her own that she is working with after his hips gave out at 1 yr old during police training. I printed out the ingredients and analysis of these foods and had her look at them.

diamond nat. lr brd. puppy
canidae ALS
Natures Variety Prairie Chicken n Brown Rice
TOTW Sierra Mountain

I asked her recommendation and what they sell at the vet. She said they sell Science Diet and some Purina brand but she doens't like either of them and never suggests them.

Her top pick was the TOTW becuase it was grain free 25% protein and 1.5% calcium. She said if at all possible buy a grain free formula. I told her my concerns on diamond and she said it was related to corn based mold called afloxins.. so she def. was up on nutrition. Said a lot of her breeders used diamond though and love it. She also said one raw meal a day was great.. she said chicken with bones, eggs, venison were all excellent.

What is the consensus on TOTW.

and to the op yes the natures variety instict is much pricier than the grain included praire.

[BlackthornGSD]

I raised several young dogs on ToTW and I like it a fair bit--my dogs always did well on it.

[Emoore]

I think I've tried every food Diamond makes-- TOTW, 4Health, Kirkland, Chicken Soup-- and never had good results with any of them. I think the batch consistency is poor. My dogs were having intermittent diarrhea. That said, I know others have had good results with it.

[LaRen616]

The kibble I feed is not on your list but I feed Wellness Super5Mix for large breed puppies. 26% protein and 1.4 % calcium

Wellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed - Puppy Health

Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Whitefish, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Peas, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, Salmon Meal (a source of DHA - Docosahexaenoic Acid), Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Tomatoes, Natural Chicken Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil (a source of DHA - Docosahexaenoic Acid), Carrots, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Salt, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a natural preservative), Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation products.