ShesaLikeableBiBear

I agree with Kit Kat. The reason I am posting about Nutro is that I have been feeding it to mine for many a year and its a product which is not widely available in Aussie (only QLD and NSW at this time). It is a product however that I believe should be given just as much standing as the other premium pet foods. Feeding is very much trial and error and it is never a guarantee that a particular dog will take to a particular brand, but we as their parents must give them the benefit of the doubt and try until we find what best suits them. If that means trying everything on the market (provided we can get samples) then so be it.

IAMS, Science Diet, Eukanuba and Proplan all have corn meal, Ground or Whole Grain Sorghum. Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken-By Product Meal and Chicken Fat (preserved with Citric Acid, a chemical preservative.) Benefits of Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy: Optimized protein and fat levels for healthy, balanced growth Balanced calcium and phosphorus for strong bones Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints Natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals No chicken by-products Controlled-Growth Formula® Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy isn't like the typical dog food. It's special. It combines naturally great taste with the highest nutritional benefits. That's because Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy is scientifically formulated using 70 years of Nutro experience combined with research from veterinarians and nutritionists. And it's manufactured with state-of-the-art technology using only the finest ingredients for premium nutrition and superior performance. Controlled Growth Formula Large and giant breeds are prone to rapid growth, which could lead to hip and joint problems. Our Controlled-Growth Formula provides a unique blend of key nutrients needed to help maintain healthy, balanced growth-from weaning to maturity. Smallest Stool Volume High digestibility means small, compact stools for easy cleanup. That means more nutrition for your dog and less backyard cleanup. Balanced Growth Research shows that large breed puppies have a reduced requirement for calcium and phosphorus for healthy balanced growth of the skeletal system. Excess weight can cause bone and joint problems in large breed puppies. Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy provides the ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio and the optimum protein and fat levels. Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy provides L-Carnitine which helps improve metabolism for lean muscle growth. Healthy Skin & Shiny Coat With high levels of linoleic acid, combined with other key vitamins and mineral, we guarantee your dog will have healthy skin and a shiny coat. Great Taste We guarantee the great taste of Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy so you can be sure your dog will eat enough to meet its nutritional requirements. Natural Ingredients With natural ingredients plus vitamins and minerals, Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy contains no chicken by-products, which can be harder for your puppy to digest.

This is from a recent email which I received from Nutro's general manager, it relates specifically to the question you have just posed. Note that you may find Nutro on a list of animal testers as some extreme groups consider that "AAFCO" testing (batch feed testing food before public release of a batch, and looking at blood, urine, stool) is unreasonable testing. But Nutro is comfortable that doing nothing more than what your veterinarian might do as a routine health check is something they can live with. This debate has been raging for years. Please keep me informed. I am pleased that Nutro is so far (touch wood) squeaky clean. Nutro has an arrangement that its suppliers must not test either. In its web site you will see the following message here and there: "Nutro supports the safe, ethical and humane treatment of all animals, including those used by our suppliers who provide our ingredients."

This is Nutro Chicken and Rice Ingredients and Analysis Chicken is the Only Meat Protein High quality chicken protein for muscle development. No chicken by-products. Wholesome Oatmeal A high quality carbohydrate that's easy on the stomach. Rice Rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate that's so good for increasing your dog's stamina and energy. Healthy Joints Good nutrition is important for strong hips and healthy joints. Research shows that glucosamine and chondroitin, two naturally occurring dietary components, help maintain joint cartilage. Ingredients Chicken Meal, Rice Flour, Ground Rice, Rice Bran, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of natural Vitamin E), Oatmeal, Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of natural Vitamin E), Natural Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Dried Egg Product, Dried Kelp (source of Iodine), Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Biotin, Niacin, Garlic Flavor, Manganese Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Vitamin A Supplement, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid. Nutro supports the safe, ethical and humane treatment of all animals, including those used by our suppliers who provide our ingredients. Guaranteed Analysis Crude Protein (minimum) 21.00% Crude Fat (minimum) 12.00% Crude Fiber (maximum) 5.00% Moisture (maximum) 10.00% Linoleic Acid (minimum) 3.50% Zinc (minimum) 250 mg/kg Vitamin E (minimum) 150 IU/kg Ascorbic Acid (minimum)* 35 mg/kg Glucosamine (minimum)* 450 mg/kg Chondroitin Sulfate (minimum)* 350 mg/kg

It would appear that we all have varying information on what is the best age to switch from puppy to adult food, we perhaps need to agree to disagree based on that inofrmation which we have been given. We also all have that product which we prefer, however please have a look at the posting updates on "Need Help with a finicky girl" , and "We've found a Dry Food."

Have a look at the postings on Miss Finicky, notably the latest.

Have a look at the two postings on Miss Finicky and her dietary problems.

Suggest you also now read the posting. "We've found a dry our finicky girl loves", and the previous posting as well on all the problems she had with Miss Finicky.

The hardest thing with a puppy is not to introduce too much new food at one time for fear of the trots!! Do you have any idea what the breeder weaned them on to in the first place?. I wean mine onto raw premium mince (human grade), mixed with a little puppy food until at 7/8 weeks they are on puppy dry. There is nothing to say that you cant feed other solids- be it cooked chicken (I would never use pet chicken mince as it is too fatty and goodness knows what else is in there), tenderloins are good, premium mince or even gravy beef (cooked). BUT the puppy formula should be the main ingredient as it has all the vitamins, nutrients, etc- espec. with large breeds to ensure thye get the right formula. This is only my experience no doubt you will get lots of other replies!!

By solids do you mean dry dog food?. If it is a Sibe puppy then you should have it on large breed puppy until at least 12 months old.

So sorry to hear of your loss. Safaree Shelties QLD

re Anal Glands, they often walk on their bottoms (scoot), most people think it is worms. NOW if you think doggy breath is bad I will WARN you once stay away from trying to express anal glands unless you want to pass out-LOL. I usually get mine done annually on yearly visits to the vet, but if you notice the scooting and you know you have wormed then this could be the problem.

It seems that when you post questions here on food for dogs you can open a can of worms, but everyone has their own experiences so here goes: My first litter 5 1/4 years ago would not touch Science Diet or Eukanbua and I was introduced to Nutro, which unfortunately is not widely avail in Aus yet. It has no chemical preservatives, no animal by products, no colourants, and its cereal is rice where as many others including the aforementioned have preservatives, by-products and corn. I have since whelped another 9 puppies on to Nutro. As a testimony to Nutro I recently gave a sample to someone here who has two extremely finicky ragdolls and guess what, they ate it, in fact woolfed it down.

My understanding of large breed puppy is the bigger the dog the longer you keep them on it: Labs/Goldens 12 - 18 months Giant breeds 18-24 months

Go for Science RD, its expensive but gets the weight off. A friend had a Bassett who was hugely o/weight and it was the only thing that worked, she actually won a prize in a competition to see whose dog lost the most weight!!, it was all done through the vet clinic, and the dog was weighed weekly. Dont give into temptation with those eyes!!

Have you seen the St.Francis range of dental products, they have a cinnamon and tea tree toothpaste and a Fresh Breath Spray

Bittymopeep Go with the advice from Nicestman, he knows what he is talking about, if you read my posting on p 2 re Blade Sharpening and Servicing, you will see a thread about him and his customer service, he has also offered to test my blades free of charge. When my blades come back I will reveal the culprit in QLD.

So I went to use the so called sharpened blades this morning and the #7 which I have now clipped 6 dogs with did a better job!!, I tried two. I am now sending them to Colin who has offered to test them and will let you know the results next week, at which time I will reveal the culprits.!!

The one I used was on the Gold Coast,QLD (no names). I emailed and asked what was included in the service and had a curt reply, Your blades have been sharpened. Thanks for the posts on Charlie. I searched google this morning and found Animal Clipper Blades and Sharpeneing, name of Colin. (NSW) Very nice on email and couldnt be more heplful, used to be in the industry. He has offered to test my blades free of charge. (I'll try them out tomorrow)

I have just received my blades back from being sharpened and to say I am disappointed is an understatement. (wont swear) They are still dirty and have not been oiled. They were wrapped in what looked like toilet paper and then newspaper. As I have only been in QLD for several months I would appreciate some advice as to who can be relied on to sharpen and service clipper blades. Thanks in advance

Is that bitter aloe?. Its a bugger when they chew, especially though when you apply something like filtabac to their noses and they say dont let the dog lick it off!!, only other way would be an Elizabethan collar. Now a good cheap way to do this collar, esp if vets closed, is to cut the bottom out of a plant pot holder, you know those plastic ones that you stand the pot in to hold the water-cant remember what you call them!! Quite effective

Sheltielover Use rescue remedy. What combs/brushes are you using on your sheltie. Are you trying to get out undercoat?. If particularly bad then I would consider going to a groomer as the whole process of a good brush, hydrobath and a blow dry will force out the loose coat. I have four shelties, two of whom have huge coats and this works a trick.

Have you considered homepathic remedies. Have a look at www.herbal-treatmens.com.au, then find dogs, and use the drop down menu to find "Skin", he invites you to call. Then www.justgreyhounds.com.au, then greyhound products, then hair analysis. You can send a sample of hair, and results come back within about 48 hours. My dogs have been tested for allergies, the toxins from the grasses have got into their systems and the treatment is homepathic, but LOL they run for cover when they see the bottle and eye dropper come out, it does appear to be working

Forgot to mention flea control: Cotex Hydrokill Flea and Tick Rinse Concentrate www.petshampoos.com.au Had a client whose dog I bathed a month ago, riddled with fleas, has an environment problem in the grounds of the house. I left some Cotex with the owner to treat by spraying every three days. Yesterday bathed the dog again and only two fleas sighted.

Recommended reading and/or purchasing for your Doggie Library: Dr Bruce Fogle Caring For Your Dog The Complete Canine Home Reference. Dr Lowell Ackerman Owenr's Guide to Dog Health Tim Hawcroft The Howell Book of Dog Care Muriel P Lee The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies Walkowicz and Wilcox Successful Dog Breeding R. Reigel From Bones to Biscuits. Dr Carol Osborne Naturally Healthy Dogs The Dog Whisperer (on loan cant remember author) Try www.cherrybrook.com (US) or Amazon.