Big Paws Only Dog Forums
BPO Food Forum => Food Discussion & Information => : Newly Newfed August 20, 2007, 09:16:15 PM
-
OK. I have been read through the posts here and frankly, my head is spinning and I'm worried now that I am not feeding Sierra correct food. I feed her Eukanuba Large Breed puppy and currently trying to research and see if there is something better for her out there. Now I am reading posts saying we should be feeding her adult food? Should I be or is the Large Breed puppy sufficient?
I have read that she should not be exercised too streneuously or be fed food that is too high in protein because it could result in her being more susceptible to hip or elbow dysplasia. Her growth seems to be slowing, it seems like her rapid growth period has already passed. Did I do wrong by my dog in the feeding department? I know our friend has been feeding his 9-month old Great Dane adult food from the get go. Should I have been doing this also?
I love this dog more than life itself and I am worried now that I have screwed things up for her. Please give me some advice!
Yes, I know I am being a tad melodramatic and yes, I am panicking. It's what I do best. LOL
~ Stephanie
-
I am firm believer in "GIANT BREED PUPPY" food for at least the first 18 months, but I have a dane(dunno if that makes a diffrence)From what I understand you don't wanna give em lots of puppy food because it can cause them to get too big to quick, but adult food doesn't give enough correct nutrients for correct puppy growth. I am sure this was no help .. sorry I am sure you will get better imput from someone else real soon.
-
From what I understand it's the protein content that you want to look at. Too much protein isn't good for the joints and can cause them to grow too fast which also isn't good for the joints. I'm sure someone else will make this a little more understandable .
My Keela's been on Canidae maintenance since she was able to eat solid food.
-
I think we need Holly.
Holly?
-
HOLLY ??????!!!!!!
~ Stephanie
-
The troops are gathering...I feel much better. :)
Did anyone see Miss Congeniality where Sandra Bullock's pageant trainer ditches her and she has to get ready for the pageant herself? She has no idea what to do and the other contestants start doing her hair and make-up for her. I'm Sandra Bullock and you guys are the other contestants coming to my rescue.
Thank you!
~ Stephanie
-
Mine have been adult food since they were weaned too. I've also got them on Canidae All stages and they've grown just fine. It's got 24% protein, protein is the big deal. My biggest concern about your post was Eukanuba honestly. I agree to switch her to something much higher quality as soon as you can. I'm sure you've done no damage and she is still just a pup. This food is rated as a 1 star out of 6 on this site and it says why:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=113&cat=all
This is a review for Canidae, it's given 5 stars:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=528&cat=all
And Innova which is also given 5: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=155&cat=all
Just as a comparison to what you are feeding. Hope that helps!
-
Wow. Eukanuba kind of sucks doesn't it? I'm definitely switching - ASAP. She's close to needing a new bag of food anyway, so it's perfect timing, I'll have just enough to make the switch.
Thank you so much for all of the information. I am just paranoid about hip/elbow dysplasia and I will do anything in my power to prevent Sierra from having to deal with that and possibly losing her before I have to. I was just really worried I was feeding her the wrong stuff and doing damage during her initial growth spurt.
I feel much much better now!! The best thing I could have done since I got Sierra was come across this site. You guys are the best!
~ Stephanie
-
The troops are gathering...I feel much better. :)
Did anyone see Miss Congeniality where Sandra Bullock's pageant trainer ditches her and she has to get ready for the pageant herself? She has no idea what to do and the other contestants start doing her hair and make-up for her. I'm Sandra Bullock and you guys are the other contestants coming to my rescue.
Thank you!
~ Stephanie
Hahahahaha, I always love the part where she says something like "I'm hungry and tired and have a gun. Back off" then falls on her face.
My favorite is when she has the pizza and beer and the other girls are horrified - "It's lite beer and she's gonna throw it up anyway!" LOL! I love that movie!
~ Stephanie
-
Stephanie, it is great that you are thinking of improving your pup's diet! It is better later that never ;)
As Holly said as long as your pup is lean you should be safe. Large and giant breeds grow up to 3 years. Just keep her away from too much running and weight pulling at least until she turns 2.
I would definitely NOT put her on puppy formula and choose fine quality food. There is a good selection out there :-*
-
Stephanie-
If it makes you feel any better I had a recent panic attack over my puppy's food a couple of days ago when we added wet food to her diet. I was feeding Iams Puppy Large Breed/Smart Puppy. We're in the process of switching to Innova. Holly's posts have been a blessing for the uninitiated puppy moms (UPMs). Before I was lucky enough to stumble across this forum I was scouring the internet for any information and came up with a jumbled mess. Don't worry about your puppy, you're a great UPM if you care enough to ask!
Also glad someone else likes Miss Congeniality as much as I did, hubby totally didn't get it ::)
-
Stephanie-
If it makes you feel any better I had a recent panic attack over my puppy's food a couple of days ago when we added wet food to her diet. I was feeding Iams Puppy Large Breed/Smart Puppy. We're in the process of switching to Innova. Holly's posts have been a blessing for the uninitiated puppy moms (UPMs). Before I was lucky enough to stumble across this forum I was scouring the internet for any information and came up with a jumbled mess. Don't worry about your puppy, you're a great UPM if you care enough to ask!
Also glad someone else likes Miss Congeniality as much as I did, hubby totally didn't get it ::)
Ha Ha I love the UPM, I didn't know that there was a term for us newbies on here! ;D
Well I for one am PROUD to be a BPO UPM!
Oh yeah-Also love Miss Congenaility, the part where she's "Gliding" down the street, gets cut off by a car, and slams the hood and yells at the driver "Hey! I'm gliding here!" So graceful, so lady like. ;)
-
Glad you liked the UPM, I just made it up. To be fair there should also be UPD for the dads. I like to think I'm an equal opportunity owner :D
-
That's very true, we wouldn't want to leave anybody out here. What about UPP Uninitiated Puppy Parent? Maybe EPP for the Experianced Puppy Parents? ;D
-
That's very true, we wouldn't want to leave anybody out here. What about UPP Uninitiated Puppy Parent? Maybe EPP for the Experianced Puppy Parents? ;D
Ooh, I like UPP and EPP much better!
-
HAHHAHAHHAHA! I love the acronyms! As an EPP, I think that you UPP's are well on your way! ;)
-
haha! You are all too much! LOL! I used t have puppies all the time but it's been long enough that I be demoted from an EPP to a UPP. I'll work my way back up though.
I'm glad I questioned you guys about her food. She's been scratching a lot and it's definitely not fleas...maybe the food? Poor baby has little scabs all over her...You can feel them when you rub into her fur.
~ Stephanie
-
Where do you buy Innova or Canidae? It's usually not available at Petsmart or Petco right?
-
Here's the link to Innova's locator:
http://www.naturapet.com/where-to-buy/
Here's Canidae's:
http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html
-
We buy our Canidae at one of our local feedstores ;D
-
After much consideration, I've decided to go with the Canidae. I am probably going to purchase from a local feed store also... LOL! I feel much better about things now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you BPOers!!
~ Stephanie
-
Yeah, I can find the Canidae at feed stores too, makes it easy! One store near me had an awesome sale on it last time too. I have the hardest time finding Innova around me for some reason, unless it's Innova Evo.
-
haha! You are all too much! LOL! I used t have puppies all the time but it's been long enough that I be demoted from an EPP to a UPP. I'll work my way back up though.
I'm glad I questioned you guys about her food. She's been scratching a lot and it's definitely not fleas...maybe the food? Poor baby has little scabs all over her...You can feel them when you rub into her fur.
~ Stephanie
In regards to the scabbies. Could it be the heat? I know that's something I'm going to have to watch out for next summer with Naja. With her soft undercoat, if the weather is too warm it can cause skin irritation and scabbies.
Oh yeah! BTW thanks for the food info, I'll be switching Naja on Friday. ;D
-
hmmm...I hadn't thought about the heat... I'm usually fanatical about making sure she's not too hot, but I'm sure it is bothering her.
Jeff also suggested that maybe swimming in the pond water all the time could be the problem. i guess a visit to the vet will help clear things up.
~ Stephanie
-
Oooooh, the pond could be a big problem! Watch those ponds. They can have toxic cyanobacteria that can be deadly to dogs. Look for a scum on the surface. There can also be things that aren't deadly that can irritate...e.c oli, small bugs, etc.
Heat rash also happens in dogs, so yeah, that could be an issue.
-
I'm not too worried about the big pond on my in laws property...no scum on that anywhere and our Lab has been swimming in it for years with no problems. The little frog pond next to our front walk is a different story. No scum on it, but it does look pretty gross and she will jump in and lay in it...It's just big enough for her. Magic never goes in and has never had skin issues. We were considering getting rid of the pond anyway, so maybe this will be the deciding factor...
~ Stephanie
-
Hello. I am new to this board. I was researching information about basset hounds and came across this board. My daughter and I are the new parents of Lola a 11 week basset. Because I was already feeding my 2yr old lab Innova I chose Innova puppy for Lola. Any comments that would help us make sure we are feeding her the correct amount and kind of food. One thing I was worried about was bloat and also growing too quickly. After the vet appt we were told its also possible that she has luxating patella. So I want to make sure I am doing the right thing with what I feed her and also any supplements that might be needed to help with the luxating patella.