RallyValley Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I am the future owner of a large breed dog. My breeder has advised me to feed a low protien dry food for adults (along with a raw food diet, but I like to feed dry food too). I have no problem with this advice breeder knows ALOT more then me. I was just wondering if there is any necessary supplements or anything that the puppy will need? And also can anyone recommend adult dog premium dry food? Preferably with chicken as the number 1 ingredient (as the breed does better on poultry then red meat). I am too confused by them all. I know Eagle Pack is supposed to be good but the number 1 ingredient is a "meal" product which I have been told is not good.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixie_meg Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 good question. I'm in a similar situation. What percentage protein were you told to feed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 I wasn't given one but I haven't asked. I am told around 24% is a good guideline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serket Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) My understanding (which might not be good at this time of night...) is that meal is actually better because it's dehydrated, and if it just says "chicken" the weight of the ingredient is pre-dehydration and the actual percentage of 'chicken' in the food is less than if it was 'chicken meal'. (does that make sense?) In terms of which premium foods are chicken-based.... ProPlan is Chicken & Rice (hate their website, can't find the info at the moment) Artemis is Chicken/Turkey/Salmon (adult mix is 23% protein, large breed puppy is 27%) Gypsy has done well on both, currently feeding Artemis. There are undoubtedly more options, those are just two I've used. Edited October 27, 2009 by Serket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Nutro is good and chicken is the numero uno in their large breed pack and their chicken and rice adult pack. I've got my pup on this at the moment and considering changing the other dogs from Royal Canin to Nutro. You can read about it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Do you have the pup on chicken and rice, large breed adult or a puppy formula? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sagittarian Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Meal is a higher meat content than "meat". Just a question - if you are feeding a low protein dry food, then adding raw, how will you keep the protein content low? So often we get caught up thinking it is protein that overgrows a pup, but it is excess calories. Protein is absolutely necessary for optimum growth, as is the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus, which is not usually the same in adult foods. Having said that, if your breeder helps you with lots of good info about feeding, then you are in good hands. Sags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Just to confuse further: There are now puppy formulas especially for large breed dogs. I thought breeders used to recommend adult formulas b4 these became available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 I am just getting more and more confused... @ Poddle wrangler- the breeder has said to me that they "don't do well" on a puppy formula I just want my dog to have a balanced diet and being able to feed dry food is really handy for when other people have to feed my dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaC Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Companies like Royal Canin do junior versions of adult large breed food ... we have a large breed and started him off on RC Maxi Junior (up to 15mths) then moved him over to the regular Maxi (adult) mix - they seem to work it out based on the final outcome/weight of the dog (so maxi is for dogs that end up being 26-45kgs) Our boy came to us on Eucanuba but we moved him to RC when the bag that the breeder sent with him ran out ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShesaLikeableBiBear Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 As Saggitarian has mentioned Large breed puppies require the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus which is not usuaally found it the adult formula. If you follow this link it will give you a better explanation as to why to feed a formula specifically for large breed puppies. generally speaking it is recommended you keep a large breed puppy on puppy food until they are at least 12 months old. http://www.nutro.com.au/large-breed-dry-pu...n-and-rice.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Most Large/Giant puppy foods would be suitable for a large breed puppy, but there are a couple I would personally stay away from. I would highly recommend Eagle Pack Large/Giant Puppy, as well as Eukanuba Large Puppy. It's not just the protein levels you need to look at, but also the fat levels (too many calories can lead to the pup growing too fast, resulting in some joint issues, like OCD) as well as calcium:phosphorus ratios. IMO, it's important for a large growing pup to have a high quality food, to avoid issues later on down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) Thanks for your advice! The breeder said that whatever I chose they would start the puppy on... when I had my last dog (a bcx) we switched him off puppy food at 6 months and the vet literally yelled at us and said that we had stunted his growth! So I am just nervous. I am kind of going between Eagle Pack and Nutro now.. anyone used the two and can recommend one over the other? Hmm seems Eagle Pack comes only with Lamb as the main ingredient in thier Large/Giant Breed packs... looks like Nutro then. Edited October 27, 2009 by valleywa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Do you have the pup on chicken and rice, large breed adult or a puppy formula? He's only a corgi so not a large breed, I have him on the puppy formula. He has eaten the adult chicken and rice before though because I went to buy puppy biscuits and there was none in stock. He seems to really love nutro, not sure if it's because of a new taste to RC or because it's just yummier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShesaLikeableBiBear Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 (edited) Can't speak for Eagle Pack, but have fed Nutro for nine years and am more than happy with the results. During the time when Nutro had been pulled off the market here and prior to it being produced in Australia we fed Orijen, Artemis and Dick Van Pattens, none of which suited our dogs. We have fed Ziwipeak and are happy with the results, but it is expensive to feed seven dogs We now feed 2/3rds chicken mixture which we make up and the other 1/3rd Nutro. When we travel it is just Nutro. Edited October 28, 2009 by Hesapandabear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelpie-i Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 So often we get caught up thinking it is protein that overgrows a pup, but it is excess calories. Protein is absolutely necessary for optimum growth, as is the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus, which is not usually the same in adult food Funny you say that Sagittarian...at a seminar I attended in the States last year, they spoke of this very thing and it was actually the high protein diets that can cause the bone overgrowth as this is the element that grows bones. Too much protein causes the bones to grow too quickly which does not allow accommodation, causing HD and other nasties. They mentioned that puppies (especially large breeds) need a higher calorie intake as opposed to a higher protein intake. (??) Mim, I am not a diet specialist but I would highly recommend Eagle Pack. Problem is, it's becoming increasingly difficult to get Eagle Pack here in Oz, especially the Holistic variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Eagle pack sounds REALLY good but its main ingredient is Lamb.. which is not so good for Chessies and makes them gassy! But... if I fed a 2/3 raw 1/3 biccies diet it might be ok.... Otherwise Nutro is good because the main ingredent is chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny123 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 My two large (mixed) breed rescue pups were raised on Nutro large breed puppy food. They did really well on it and had lovely shiny coats - here's a pic of shiny Spud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Mim, I am not a diet specialist but I would highly recommend Eagle Pack. Problem is, it's becoming increasingly difficult to get Eagle Pack here in Oz, especially the Holistic variety. You can get eagle pack from here http://www.pookinuk.com.au/pet-products.asp?categoryID=72 it's a $5 cap on delivery for food. I haven't bought from the site yet but I've read good things on DOL. Eagle pack does look good, I just get so confused with all the holistic stuff. I think I might try my adults on eagle pack...the 8 "Wellness For Life" Custom Supplements are interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I don't have a large breed dog but my current Samoyed pup has been on adult food from the begining and it dosn't seem to be doing her any harm. She is a strong, happy, healthy pup. Personally I would be feeding whatever the breeder recommended, but I think Pro plan do a good chicken pup one and I am pretty sure they do a large breed one too that my MIL's Newf pup had without any hassles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now