California Natural

[JumbaMom]

What is the major difference between, California Natural Puppy Lamb/Rice & Chicken/Rice.. I bought Chicken/Rice for my puppy but I have been reading that most people have the Lamb for their puppies. I havent started the food yet since he is getting over a case of the poops and is only eating rice with chicken baby food.
Any help would be great thanks

[jdog]

Obvious differences are the protein source. Many feed the lamb b/c lamb is easier on the stomach. Also, the chicken formula has flaxseed oil in it which some dogs can't handle.

[Woofie]

That's pretty much it.

If I had a pup that came from large parents, I'd probably feed the chicken version as it contains less calcium, i.e. slower growth overall. Once a puppy becomes of 6mnths of age though, I think it's all a mute point as at that point the pup's body gets rid of the excess.

[LadyBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Woofie

That's pretty much it.

If I had a pup that came from large parents, I'd probably feed the chicken version as it contains less calcium, i.e. slower growth overall. Once a puppy becomes of 6mnths of age though, I think it's all a mute point as at that point the pup's body gets rid of the excess.

From what I've read some puppies may start to excrete excess calcium as early as age 6 months...in no way does that mean that all puppies or even a majority do.

[Woofie]

See....funny thing is, when I first came here, I always recommended to never feed a higher calcium based food til the dog was over 18-24mnths.....everyone here recommended different, said there was no need to be concerned past 6 mnths because they either excrete the extra calcium nor was a lab considered large breed.

Very confusing....wish we could all get on the same page.

That said, feed the chicken version to any dog bigger then 50lbs at full growth; save the lamb puppy version for a dog over 2yrs or for a small breed dog.

[LadyBuckeye]

It's been awhile since I did my reading...from what I recall, by the age of 12 months all dogs should be capable of excreting the excess calcium. I hope I'm remembering that correctly...some dogs start as early as 6 months.

I agree that labs are generally medium build dogs, however, we've got a number of members on here with labs in excess of 90# and at least for me, that's no medium sized dog! Again, if I recall correctly the calcium levels become a concern for dogs who are anticipated to be larger than 60# as an adult. Probably because our labs vary so much in size, that's what makes it confusing...there may not be a one size fits all answer.

[ZoeysMommy]

I would go with the chicken and rice formula first. If im correct you said your pup was about 13 weeks, probably too young to have real issues with food allergies

Also be careful feeding baby foods, check the ingredients. Alot contain ingredients that a should never have such as onion powder. If you are going to feed chicken, boil a chicken breast and cut it up

[uplander]

Originally Posted by Woofie

See....funny thing is, when I first came here, I always recommended to never feed a higher calcium based food til the dog was over 18-24mnths.....everyone here recommended different, said there was no need to be concerned past 6 mnths because they either excrete the extra calcium nor was a lab considered large breed.

Very confusing....wish we could all get on the same page.

That said, feed the chicken version to any dog bigger then 50lbs at full growth; save the lamb puppy version for a dog over 2yrs or for a small breed dog.

The trouble is ....and this is just me speaking ......the more you read the more confused you'll get.... Why ? because every food is different and is absorbed into the intestine wall at different rates by individual dogs....Dogs with poor genetics (hips and Elbows) are going to have bad joints no matter what you feed or restrict Calcium....Too much Calcium during growth will be stored in the bone perhaps causing joints to form incorrectly...But is it the Calcium or genetics ? Genetics are the blueprint....Calcium the mortar for the bricks...Puppies don't have a light switch that turns on and off....As they grow their internal organs grow too...as that happens they function better..Kidneys remove the excess Calcium in animals so as they mature they do more work...By 1 year old the dog is equivalent to a 15 year old human so Calcium in excess will be excreted..That did not happen over night....at six months they start to be able to...

All the issue with Calcium was a result of Great Danes research and Bone growth...Those are dogs the most susceptible to Bone growth issues....With Labs it is not so much the Bone or Calcium.....It is Excessive overfeeding causing too much weight on growing joints....Labs have an Obesity issues genetically and their love of eating and thus being overweight is the major problem...That and poor genetics.....Not Calcium.

These are my opinions only...no scientific research by me..but lots of reading...Keeping your pup on the thin side so you can feel the ribs , but not see them will be the best you can do....Because Genetics rule.

[DarwinsMom]

Calcium is the issue and the CN lamb formula is too high for a growing labrador puppy. If you want to feed that brand, stick with the chicken.