Hi everyone,

I just got my puppy this week, so I'm not so sure if I'm doing the right thing...

When I was at the pet store, the shop keeper recommended PRO PAC Performance Puppy dog food, so I bought a big pack of it. However, I've been researching online and the reviews for PRO PAC isn't exactly great (one site gave it a 2 out of 6).

So I was just wondering, should I buy another type of dog food or is it fine for now?

Here's the list of ingredients and nutrient information:
INGREDIENTS:
Chicken Meal, Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavoring, Flaxseed, Yeast Culture, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine Hydroxy Analogue, L-Lysine, Vitamin E Supplement, D-activated Animal Sterol (source of Vitamin D3), Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Copper Proteinate.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
http://www.propacpetfood.com/images/spacer.gifCrude Protein, not less than 30.00%
Crude Fat, not less than 20.00%
Crude Fiber, not more than 4.00%
Moisture, not more than 10.00%
Omega-6 Fatty Acids, not less than 3.30%*
Omega-3 Fatty Acids, not less than 0.55%*
* Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.


ADDITIONALLY, the package says:
Calcium ：≥ 1.32%
Phosphorous ：≤ 1.11%


And, how much water should I be giving her? The breeder whom I bought her from said I shouldn't be giving her any water (other than the little amount mixed with the dry dog food). However, everything I've read online says that I shouldn't be limiting the amount of water consumption. What should I do?

Much help is appreciated. Thank you!

P.S. Ollie (short for Olympia) is now 2 months and 11 days old.

Do you know what the breeder was feeding her? It's usually best to feed her that until about 4-5 months old and then switch to adult food with less than 1.5% Calcium. The food you have bought look OK. Most people (including myself) don't like to see corn so high on the list, but meat is the first ingredient, so that's a step in the right direction. It all really depends on how your pup does on it.

When it comes to water, don't limit it to just with her food, but I wouldn't leave water down for her all the time if you are still house breaking. I would maybe give her a cup of water in addition to whatever you put on her meals.

Good luck!

Hi! :D

First-I've never heard of not giving a puppy water besides what you put on their food, that sounds insane to me! I've always had fresh water available to my puppies.

As far as food goes, what are you looking for in a food? Are you looking to eliminate certain ingredients? Are you looking for quality? Are you looking for price?

The fact that corn is the second igredient is not good. Feed what the breeder was feeding.

Yes I would keep the puppy on whatever the breeder was feeding and as far as water goes since I am still working with Macy (15wks) on housebreaking I have fresh water down all day until about 7-7:30pm then I take it up and just limit activity after that time .... this seems to be working no more accidents in her crate in quite awhile.

Good Luck

Everything I have heard or read has always recommended giving a dog free access to fresh water - the exception being later in the evening or for short periods when in a kennel.

While the guaranteed analysis of the Pro Pac Performance Puppy looks good, I'm never a big supporter of a formula that has only one meat source among nine named ingredients. For the same amount of money, you could get a more meat-based protein formula.

Don't know what the breeder was feeding, but if you're definitely wanting to change, I'd wait another week before beginning a very slow transition.

Hi everyone,

I just got my puppy this week, so I'm not so sure if I'm doing the right thing...

When I was at the pet store, the shop keeper recommended PRO PAC Performance Puppy dog food, so I bought a big pack of it. However, I've been researching online and the reviews for PRO PAC isn't exactly great (one site gave it a 2 out of 6).



Let me guess. Dogfoodanalysis.com. :rolleyes: But I do agree with the others, I would feed what the breeder was using. Switch to something else later.

Let me guess. Dogfoodanalysis.com. :rolleyes: But I do agree with the others, I would feed what the breeder was using. Switch to something else later.


LOL everytime I see that link I do the same thing :rolleyes::rolleyes:

that's crazy about no water!! please give the puppy adequate water...obviously take up the water before bedtime or before extended periods when she'll be alone (in crate, while you're out, etc)...but that's nuts!

as for the food, it looks ok. yea corn isn't everyone's favorite but if your dog tolerates it without issue, then I don't see a problem. I agree if you know what the breeder fed, then perhaps continue with that for a while longer...just to keep all the changes to a minimum. If not, there are PLENTY of dogs who were switched right away and are fine.

That is a very good food... Better than most... Why... to get that 30 % protein it is coming mostly from the chicken meal.... Whole ground corn is OK.... Gluten is bad...

Feeding kibble absolutely means you need to have fresh water out all day long... Dry food is almost always only 10 per cent moisture...raw food is in the 80's...

If the pup is doing well on this food I'd stick with it.. Pups don't do well with too many changes....

I am going to go back some 30 years or so... but many experts then recommended feeding for life a 30 /20 performance food to hunting dogs... and never switch...just remember that you have to feel for the ribs everyday and keeping the puppy lean will be the best thing for them 12 years from now...

Think what you may about the "website," however when I started looking at labels because I had a foster with poo issues I had NO idea what I was looking at. That website is a good START for those of us who have no idea of what we are looking at. OP, it's also important to make sure that you verify with the manufacturer of the dog food to ensure that the information on the website is not outdated.

Im certainly no expert but I wouldnt feed any of my dogs anything with corn in it especially 2nd on the list.

I agree with the others. Keep what the breeder was feeding till her digestive track matures. It also gives you some tme to research.

Whats wrong with dogfooanalysis.com?

:confused: I think its a great way to get information on foods you might normally not have a clue about. It lists all the ingredients and the pros & cons. Sure its someone's opinion-but if opinions didn't matter why would we be asking for them all the time on here??

Hi everyone,

I just got my puppy this week, so I'm not so sure if I'm doing the right thing...

When I was at the pet store, the shop keeper recommended PRO PAC Performance Puppy dog food, so I bought a big pack of it. However, I've been researching online and the reviews for PRO PAC isn't exactly great (one site gave it a 2 out of 6).

So I was just wondering, should I buy another type of dog food or is it fine for now?

Here's the list of ingredients and nutrient information:
INGREDIENTS:
Chicken Meal, Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavoring, Flaxseed, Yeast Culture, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine Hydroxy Analogue, L-Lysine, Vitamin E Supplement, D-activated Animal Sterol (source of Vitamin D3), Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Copper Proteinate.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
http://www.propacpetfood.com/images/spacer.gifCrude Protein, not less than 30.00%
Crude Fat, not less than 20.00%
Crude Fiber, not more than 4.00%
Moisture, not more than 10.00%
Omega-6 Fatty Acids, not less than 3.30%*
Omega-3 Fatty Acids, not less than 0.55%*
* Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.


ADDITIONALLY, the package says:
Calcium ：≥ 1.32%
Phosphorous ：≤ 1.11%


And, how much water should I be giving her? The breeder whom I bought her from said I shouldn't be giving her any water (other than the little amount mixed with the dry dog food). However, everything I've read online says that I shouldn't be limiting the amount of water consumption. What should I do?

Much help is appreciated. Thank you!

P.S. Ollie (short for Olympia) is now 2 months and 11 days old.

Oh my goodness....your puppy NEEDS fresh water available always....I have never heard of not giving a puppy water. Please don't hold back on it. You don't want your puppy to get dehydrated. Never heard of such a thing?

Whats wrong with dogfooanalysis.com?

:confused: I think its a great way to get information on foods you might normally not have a clue about. It lists all the ingredients and the pros & cons. Sure its someone's opinion-but if opinions didn't matter why would we be asking for them all the time on here??

Dogfoodanalysis is ran by someone with no background in nutrition. No feeding trials are done... ratings are based on ingredients only

Whats wrong with dogfooanalysis.com?

:confused: I think its a great way to get information on foods you might normally not have a clue about. It lists all the ingredients and the pros & cons. Sure its someone's opinion-but if opinions didn't matter why would we be asking for them all the time on here??

Lets start by saying that all their 6 star foods are grain free and it is not recommended that puppies eat (most) grain free food the only one that is acceptable is Origen. Not all dogs do well on grain free foods.... all of which still contain some carbs.

Also interesting to see that they rate Purina Proplan right along side Pedigree. Rating dog foods with little stars is sort of pointless at least to me. It is whatever your dog does the best on.... .if your dog does terrible on the 6 star foods but a 2 star food fixes the problem .... makes their little star system pretty worthless.

My dogs foods are on the 3 star scale and the 1 star scale. I also feed one of my girls totally raw so I suppose that would be worth 7 stars? lol

I agree somewhat. I wouldn't use it as a lifeline, but it can give some good information about ingredients. I wouldn't base my final decision on what the 'stars' indicate!

Heavens no or else you would only feed grain free ... which there is nothing wrong with *if* it works for your dog. Doesn't work for some of mine so they eat that 1 star crap ;)

Dogfoodanalysis is ran by someone with no background in nutrition. No feeding trials are done... ratings are based on ingredients only

Exactly. And it is frequently referenced by some as the bible for rating dog food. Any site that will lump Pro Plan and Eukanuba in the same 1 star bracket with Alpo is a little bias in their thinking.

Here is an article about how some of these ratings are done.

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grading_kibble

Thank you all for the advice!!

Most of you recommend that I feed Ollie what the breeder was feeding her, but the breeder actually told me to feed her something different. The breeder told me what what they have been feeding her isn't exactly the best kind of dog food -- and that I should buy something better. I know this sounds sort of ridiculous, but considering that I live in China... stuff like this isn't that uncommon.

I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow (to do a general check up) and I'll ask about the dog food. But for now, I think I'm going to stick with PRO PAC.

Once again, thank you all! :o:

And I will give her as much water as she wants from now on. :)

As far as food goes, what are you looking for in a food? Are you looking to eliminate certain ingredients? Are you looking for quality? Are you looking for price?


Price doesn't really matter (as long as it's not absurdly expensive), but I live in China, so it has to be available here. As for certain ingredients... I really have no idea in this area. But from what I've been hearing: high protein, no corn, and low calcium and low phosphorus? :confused:

Thank you all for the advice!!

Most of you recommend that I feed Ollie what the breeder was feeding her, but the breeder actually told me to feed her something different. The breeder told me what what they have been feeding her isn't exactly the best kind of dog food -- and that I should buy something better. I know this sounds sort of ridiculous, but considering that I live in China... stuff like this isn't that uncommon.

I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow (to do a general check up) and I'll ask about the dog food. But for now, I think I'm going to stick with PRO PAC.

Once again, thank you all! :o:

Did you ask the breeder why they were feeding a food that "isn't exactly the best kind" and that you should buy something else? It seems like such an odd thing to say.

Did you ask the breeder why they were feeding a food that "isn't exactly the best kind" and that you should buy something else? It seems like such an odd thing to say.

Yes; the breeder said he couldn't afford "good" dog food for so many dogs... :eek:

The third ingredient is your Main fat source... Meaning that the ingredients before that are going to make up the majority of the food....

Meaning corn is going to be a major part of this food. I would personally try and stay away from it. Corn would be alright if it didn't make up a lot of the dog food. Which is hard to determine.