Food Question

[haunani]

Okay... time to make the decision on what the puppy (doberman) will be eating when he comes home.

He's on Purina One Large Breed Puppy now... we'll be changing that, though.

The ones I'm considering are:

Royal Canin Maxi Puppy
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy
Blue Buffalo Puppy
Chicken Soup ...... Puppy

That's all we have available locally, as I truly can't see driving 80+ miles for the super-premium feeds (all on the northside of atlanta).

Of these, which would be the best bet?

[Thrills]

I haven't seen the other brands before, so I don't know their ingredients, so I will say Nutros. I always kept my dogs on it until the husky decided that she no longer woudl eat it anymore. I like the formula.

[Vinni]

Nutro is a good food, but remember don't keep him on the puppy formula too long....something about how large breed dogs should not grow too fast...I'm not 100% sure why, I have TZu's....something to do with thei bones or hips I think.

Can anyone clarify this???

Also the suppliment Missing Link is GREAT for them

[Fran27]

For large dogs, the best is to feed them a good adult food that is labelled for all lifestages... If you find it. If not, large breed puppy is fine.

Definitely don't use a normal puppy food, or he will grow up too fast. I checked Blue Buffalo and Chicken Soup, they don't seem to have large breed puppy food nor all lifestages adult food, so I would get one of the others.

[haunani]

I'm leaning towards the Royal Canin Puppy feed (Maxi is their large breed line). It's the most expensive by weight (feeding amounts are similar in all four feeds), but seems to be the best choice.

They even have a seperate feed for weaning-5 months, then 5 months-15 months.

http://www.caninehealthnutrition.com/maxibabydog.htm
http://www.caninehealthnutrition.com/maxipuppy.htm

[Trace]

Originally Posted by Vinni

Nutro is a good food, but remember don't keep him on the puppy formula too long....something about how large breed dogs should not grow too fast...I'm not 100% sure why, I have TZu's....something to do with thei bones or hips I think.

Can anyone clarify this???

Also the suppliment Missing Link is GREAT for them

As long as it is large breed puppy food then it is fine to feed. Just go by your vets advise - sometimes they advise that you feed the large breeds longer then the usual one year - just becuase it takes them longer to reach their full potential.