What do you feed your puppy?

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by MandyRae, Mar 3, 2018.

  1. MandyRae

    MandyRae Registered Users

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    My almost 4 month old lab Luna has gone off her food. Just wondering what everyone feeds their pups?

    I do have a toddler at home so didn't want to feed raw chicken
     
  2. blaser1975

    blaser1975 Registered Users

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    Hi MandyRae and Luna I feed my 4 month old Ella Arden grange large breed she likes the larger kibble size she went off her food as well now mix salmon oil in to her feed and 1/2 spoon of canned food
    From my point of view no wonder they go off food its so boring dry kibble day in day out
     
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  3. MandyRae

    MandyRae Registered Users

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    Thank you! I will have to try adding wet food to her kibble... I tried adding a raw egg which she loved at first but quickly got over it. Wasn't sure if I should change kibble brands, I might try adding wet food to it first. thank you
     
  4. StlCardinals

    StlCardinals Registered Users

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    We've fed Zoey Royal Canin since maybe 2 weeks after we brought her home. She loves it. We've also heard good things about Diamond made here in Missouri, but we like RC.
     
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  5. Bettie

    Bettie Registered Users

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    IT DEPENDS on where you live. There are lost of UK or Australian brands which are not available in th USA.

    You might check with this website: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com

    I have found that 4Health Puppy Formula along with a vitamin supplement works great for our 17 week choccie. His coat is so smooth, soft, and shiney that he looks like an ocelot. But to get that even in the USA, you have to be near a Tractor Supply store. ITS THEIR version of Blue Buffalo, at a price about 1/3 less.
     
  6. Jojo83

    Jojo83 Registered Users

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  7. Cathi

    Cathi Registered Users

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    Hi, I would like to know a little more about kibble food - I have a nine week old Labrador from working dog strain - mum on the small side. We were given Purina Pro Plan medium puppy food by the breeder - who we know, knows exactly what she is doing and has bred for a long time. However, our vet seems to think our puppy should be on a large puppy feed - and is recommending Hills Science Plan (which his surgery stocks!); but his reasoning is keeping the amount of Calcium and Fats correct for the puppy, so she doesn't develop too quickly. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you
     
  8. GaryC

    GaryC Every day is a school day with a Lab pup.

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    We have been feeding Jax Labrador Puppy Royal Canin since we got him. Hes nearly 5 months now. Only thing I am thinking about changing, and about to ask for advice, is his treats whilst training. We currently give him the same food as treats, but fairly certain he is getting bored of the same old same old. Won't change his food though, he still 'scoffs' it as you would expect.
     
  9. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    Pro Plan isn't brilliant, to be honest. Even very good breeders sometimes feed less than ideal kibble - and just because they've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean they have kept up to date with latest research on the best practices. On the other hand, I wouldn't rush out and buy Science Plan, either. I do agree that being on an appropriate large-breed puppy food is important, but don't think Hill's is the best option out there. If you look at the All About Dog Food directory, you can get more of an idea of what better foods are available: http://allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory
     
  10. Bettie

    Bettie Registered Users

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    Pro Plan has several variations. None of them rate better than 3 stars, and most are at 2.5(out of five). More than likely the breeder is getting a deal on the food in bulk. You want at least a 4 or 5 rating. Mine is 4.5.
     
  11. Bettie

    Bettie Registered Users

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    Hills Science Puppy Dry is actually a pretty good food. Rated 4 out of 5. Keeping the food available at the lower range is always better for hips development according to research. Slower weight gain is better.
     
  12. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    Not on this site: http://allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory
    The large breed puppy food comes out at 3/5

    You have to take ratings systems with a pinch of salt - decide for yourself what your criteria are. There's a lot of advice out there, some of it conflicting and it can be very confusing. All you can try to do is make an informed decision as best you can. All dogs are different, so there is no one food that is "the best". For me, I want to know the origin of the sources of animal products, since these are the most common cause of allergies and sensitivities in dogs. So, for example, when a food says "animal fat", I reject it, because it doesn't tell me what animal that fat is from nor that it is consistent from bag to bag. So, if my dog were to develop an intolerance to, for example, beef, I wouldn't be able to tell whether this food - or this particular bag of food - contains beef. "Poultry" is another generic term I would avoid. But that's just me. It may not be important to you.
     
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  13. Bettie

    Bettie Registered Users

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    This site explains animal fat. This site is very specific as to whether the product contains beef. This site explains what poultry means. ETC.

    https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
     
  14. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/dog-food-fats/

    So, after reading that (which is pretty grim, the standards are a little higher in Europe), and their summary:
    “For this reason, we do not consider generic animal fat a quality ingredient.”,
    I don’t think I’ll be changing my opinion that generic “animal fat” is to be avoided.
     

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