Puppy food for adult GSD? - Page 1

Is there any reason not to continue feeding an adult GSD large breed puppy food now that she's actually mature? The dog has lots of energy, not getting overweight, and vet says she's healthy. I'm hoping to breed her next spring, so she'll need more then, too.

Dog is on Orijen Puppy Large.

If I change, I'm considering Orijen Tundra since there's less fish (very concerned about mercury, etc. contamination) with a joint supplement. The dog gets loose stools if she eats too much fat, carbs, or calories, but also need to make sure she gets enough protein...

Surely 'it depends' ?? A lot of people don't stay with Puppy, if they are preferring the age-related stages they switch to Junior, well before they can say their dog is "actually mature". How old is your dog ? How wedded are you to the 'age-related' thing ? In the days before mass production of kibbles etc, loads of people raised their dogs on the same diet from weaning right through to old age, and evidence that this was responsible for the things that finished off more dogs earlier in life is inconclusive; as is any evidence to the contrary, linking food to the 'modern' cancers etc.

 

If your dog is healthy, happy, pain-free, correct weight, it does not matter what you feed.  You just have to stay on top of your dog's condition, and change diet if it deteriorates in any way.  I am unaware of any great difference between what is fed to puppies and what is fed to adults with a raw diet, for example - aside from the amounts given, obviously. Some brands of kibble, and wet food, are still not presented in age related  packaging.  And sometimes that does appear to be just packaging !

But you should READ that packaging carefully; and google the contents - if you feel there are ingredients or quantities which could be storing up joint problems etc, then maybe it is time to switch.

I have feed my male who is about one and a half years old the puppy formula of the brand he eats. The ingredients are just about the same as the all life stages and he did not gain weight or appear lacking in any way.
I believe looking at your dog will supply you with the answers you need.
You can’t go wrong with Orijen imo and as long as his weight is good,, his coat is healthy and shiny, stool is firm and energy is up ,,,,, I would not worry!

Thank you, Hundmutter and 1Ruger1 :-)

 

Hundmutter:
Dog will be 3 years next month. She's Czech working lines and fits the description of females not maturing until 2 1/2 to 3 years. Physically, mentally, and emotionally :-)
 

Are you in USA or Canada? Orijen in Canada is different recipe than in USA and there have been issues with the USA foods. Just a heads-up...

Koots ~What issues in the USA as I’ve never heard this said of Orijen. The last bag I looked at while helping my daughter pick out a kibble said made in Canada. Could have sworn so,,,,🤔

The Canadian-formulated foods are only sold in Canada, but if you see a "made in Canada" sign with a maple leaf then maybe your store is importing the Canadian formula.

This applies to USA-produced food only, AFAIK. Take it for what it's worth:

https://www.petful.com/food/orijen-lawsuit-2018/

FWIW Yes, there is a leaf 🍁 on the bag. I recall seeing that. Thanks for the info ! 

Thank you, Koots.

For those, who don't know, there's a class action suit against Orijen (U.S.) for heavy metal and BPA contamination that's based on some lab results from the Clean Label Project. There's been criticism of their methods and lack of transparency, though, and don't match the Orijen/third party testing numbers. Champion Foods (Orijen) is defending and asked for the suit to be dismissed, but this summer, the judge ordered the suit to continue, so the lawsuit is still progress. Orijen published a white paper on its website, and the lawsuit is published online.

The Orijen websites show Canadian version fish source the Pacific and U.S. version fish source the Atlantic, so since I'm more concerned about fish coming out of the Pacific than the Atlantic (Fukushima, the floating garbage/trash island, etc.), I'll probably stick with the U.S. version, at least for now. Now that I'm close enough, I would have done the monthly trek to Canada for the Canadian version if Orijen still sourced the fish for it from the Atlantic because the Canadian version is much better :-(

Thanks, all, for the feedback :-) Guess she'll stay on Puppy Large, at least for the foreseeable future :-)

I feed my very active dog the Acana Sport & Agilty for 1/2 his ration (other 1/2 is Canadian Naturals Lamb & Rice). The high protein & fat content along with the calorie density makes it easier to keep weight on my dog. I think the Sport & Agility formula is only available in Canada though.