Researching Puppy Food

[Labradorks]

Thanks so much. Appreciate you taking the time as I truly understand what you are saying. Agree wholeheartedly about respecting someone's personal beliefs and preferences, and never judging. To each his own. But would appreciate a little tap on the shoulder to ask if something is not right, if that someone actually knew my pup and may have seen weight loss or weight gain.


KAZ

Weight loss or weight gain would generally mean you're not feeding enough or you are feeding too much. Unless of course your dog is not gaining as is on an obscene amount of food which would generally mean something's not right with the dog or the food does not have as much fat or protein as the pup needs, which would indicate that food is not right for the pup.

Regardless, I agree to feed what the breeder feeds as she has carefully chosen that food for her line. Which is where the "feed what works for your pup" advice came from.

[Labradorks]

Most breeders don't get on the dog food roller coaster, FYI, and generally recommend their food or other foods popular with breeders (including ProPlan). It's what's worked for them over time, what works for their peers, and what their dogs have eaten when they have won championships, titles, and so forth. I doubt you'll get much from your breeder, especially if you are looking for specialty foods. It's worth the question, but You can always look up foods with a similar analysis as the breeder recommended food but with ingredients that you find acceptable.

[ZRabbits]

Most breeders don't get on the dog food roller coaster, FYI, and generally recommend their food or other foods popular with breeders (including ProPlan). It's what's worked for them over time, what works for their peers, and what their dogs have eaten when they have won championships, titles, and so forth. I doubt you'll get much from your breeder, especially if you are looking for specialty foods. It's worth the question, but You can always look up foods with a similar analysis as the breeder recommended food but with ingredients that you find acceptable.

Thanks! Have no doubt I'll get the answers needed from the breeder regarding food. And know she's already requested in the contract that the pup at least be fed for a month before switching. Thought 6 months but states a month (my error, thinking when bunnies actually mature). So do have options if I want. Actually want to experience her line, as she not only promotes a pet, but also utilizing what she's bred her pups to do. Retrieve, field work, rallies, dock diving. obedience. I've never done any of this myself, and think I truly want to experience this. Will be fun and will definitely form one heck of a bond with the pup.

KAZ

[LuckyLuna]

Most breeders don't get on the dog food roller coaster, FYI, and generally recommend their food or other foods popular with breeders (including ProPlan). It's what's worked for them over time, what works for their peers, and what their dogs have eaten when they have won championships, titles, and so forth. I doubt you'll get much from your breeder, especially if you are looking for specialty foods. It's worth the question, but You can always look up foods with a similar analysis as the breeder recommended food but with ingredients that you find acceptable.

That is good common sense advice. Feed what your breeder does for a month (as OP says is requested); then look for similar protein, fat etc. percentages in a food you feel comfortable feeding for whatever reasons.

If a breeder is producing healthy litters, the puppies should be able to thrive on a number of different foods. In fact, I'd be leery of a breeder who insists her dog can only do well on one formula. Dogs don't innately have fragile digestive systems.

[Meeps83]

We did this as well. We researched limited ingredient, grain free, and regular dog foods. Mia was eating Purina One. My husband and I had the epiphany about food; when we started feeding Purina it was because it wasn't the worst 8 years ago and it was cheap. I did an analysis figuring out the carbs in different foods, and also the recommended protein and fat ratios and how much each cost to feed. When I did my "cost analysis" I sat down and looked at the bag weight, bag cost, and recommended feeding for an adult sized animal. Then I divided it out and figured out the cost per cup and cost per serving. I don't want to give you my information as it may not be what you are looking for and I may not have analyzed a food you are looking at. Some of the information was interesting and a little eye opening. In the end we decided to complete Maverick's puppyhood with the food recommended by his breeder. At about 6 months we have a few different foods that we are looking at and plan on trying. I was curious about the great food debate too, but I did my research and made my decisions and I feel good about the foods I'd like to try with him when he's grown.

[ZRabbits]

That is good common sense advice. Feed what your breeder does for a month (as OP says is requested); then look for similar protein, fat etc. percentages in a food you feel comfortable feeding for whatever reasons.

If a breeder is producing healthy litters, the puppies should be able to thrive on a number of different foods. In fact, I'd be leery of a breeder who insists her dog can only do well on one formula. Dogs don't innately have fragile digestive systems.

Definitely a common sense approach.

KAZ

[ZRabbits]

We did this as well. We researched limited ingredient, grain free, and regular dog foods. Mia was eating Purina One. My husband and I had the epiphany about food; when we started feeding Purina it was because it wasn't the worst 8 years ago and it was cheap. I did an analysis figuring out the carbs in different foods, and also the recommended protein and fat ratios and how much each cost to feed. When I did my "cost analysis" I sat down and looked at the bag weight, bag cost, and recommended feeding for an adult sized animal. Then I divided it out and figured out the cost per cup and cost per serving. I don't want to give you my information as it may not be what you are looking for and I may not have analyzed a food you are looking at. Some of the information was interesting and a little eye opening. In the end we decided to complete Maverick's puppyhood with the food recommended by his breeder. At about 6 months we have a few different foods that we are looking at and plan on trying. I was curious about the great food debate too, but I did my research and made my decisions and I feel good about the foods I'd like to try with him when he's grown.

Good for you Meeps. You and your husband definitely did your research. Always good so that you feel positive that you are giving everything you can to make sure your pup grows up with everything needed and continues throughout his life. Plans are at 6 months too to re-evaluate. But truly think I'll be going until 1 year old and then switching. But have time to sort things out.

KAZ

[barry581]

My breeder/friends feed Royal Canin Maxi Puppy, so that's what I feed. Sophie was on it for 6 months, then I switched to RC Labrador Puppy. I then switched to California Natural when she was 15 months, but it was recalled shortly after. I then switched to Fromm, and I rotate the proteins. I'll mostly likely do the same with Bruce, minus the Cali Natural.

[ZRabbits]

My breeder/friends feed Royal Canin Maxi Puppy, so that's what I feed. Sophie was on it for 6 months, then I switched to RC Labrador Puppy. I then switched to California Natural when she was 15 months, but it was recalled shortly after. I then switched to Fromm, and I rotate the proteins. I'll mostly likely do the same with Bruce, minus the Cali Natural.

Thanks Barry. Appreciate your insight. Sophie looks great on what you did, so think Bruce will do the same. Good to have a list of different foods and know how it works with others. Thanks again.

KAZ

[3ChocMom]

I understand wanting to feed "the best" food you possibly can. But I would caution against switching what the breeder is feeding before your puppy has finished teething. If you feed that for a month and then switch around 12 weeks, you could be at risk for bigger problems than feeding a food you don't particularly like. It won't *cause* things like pano, but if your puppy gets pano and you switch nutrition at this critical growth stage, you could greatly exacerbate the symptoms. My advice is to wait at least until your puppy has all of his adult teeth, around 5-6 months of age.

Lily's breeder fed Eukanuba and I'm not a huge fan of that food. But I kept her on it until she was almost 8 months old. The only reason I switched was because her stool had always been a little soft on it and I didn't like that. I was afraid she would end up with anal gland issues. Jax is eating Pro Plan and I don't have any plans to switch him at this time. He's doing great, his coat is beautiful and he has perfect little turds on it. It works for his breeder's dogs and I will continue to feed it to him as long as he thrives on it.