Puppy diet question

[jwe5011]

I have a question about the high levels of protein in some of the grain free pet foods. I would like to switch my puppy to a grain free diet, but I am afraid the high levels of protein could cause him to grow too quickly and possibly result in an increased risk for joint damage. Any thoughts? Now we are feeding around 28% protein dry food and mixing with cooked chicken, rice, and vegetables.

[brunie's mom]

EVO is not recommended for large breed puppies...wait till puppy is finished growing (around a year). Orijen does have a Large Breed Puppy with the proper calcium/phosphorus ratios, and we've had a few members raise their pups on it with great results. It's the calcium/phosphorus ratios that are important in a food and close to 1:1 is ideal.

A raw diet will be high in protein too, and many breeders and puppy owners have had great success with that too.

The trick is not to overfeed, and not to allow the puppy to gain weight too quickly. Slow steady growth is the best for this breed.

If you are not comfortable feeding a grainless food, then wait till puppy is older. I also think that the Wellness Core is grainless, but is lower in protein...but it does have more carbs, and less meat then the other grainless foods.

Gina

[Xena Rio's Mum]

Hi there

I don't know if this will help you but I have been feeding my puppy on Orijen large breed puppy since I got her from rescue at 8 weeks old. She is now 12 weeks old and putting on weight nicely but I would not say she is growing any quicker than my previous 2 rotties which i fed on a different food.

[jwe5011]

Thanks so much, we just want to do whats right for our puppy. The recent pet food scares are one thing, but we also belive " you are what you eat" so we want to give our little guy the best chance possible for a long, full, and happy life. I guess we will stick to our current mixture untill he is a little older.

[turbodx]

RAW is the way to go in my book , nothing like the taste of blood to get his heart pumping in the morning :) and it healthy too :)