large breed puppy food? feeding tips - Page 1

Hello, I have been reading about environmentally induced HD and I am now concerned about what I am feeding my puppy. I would like to switch kibble. I understand raw is the best way to go but I am unable to do that at this point. does anyone have any good large breed puppy food recommendations or any tips on what is the best way to feed a puppy to try and avoid HD. My GSD puppy is 4 months old and is 39 pounds. I am concerned because he is growing very fast. I buy food wholesale at lads pet supply, I would like to stay with what they offer since I pay dealer prices for their food. Their options include...fromm large breed puppy, nutriscience, and VeRus....I am liking what the VeRus looks like so far.

I never recommend raw on puppies, too much room for error in creating balanced nutrition for a growing pup.
I would go with Fromm puppy out of the options you gave. Can you post a photo of him? He may be obese, may not.

 

here is his picture...I don't think he is obese, just big boned.

He looks good, any reason why you think large breed puppy foods are best. I believe general concensus is that a good adult kibble is sufficient. Not too high protein, make sure calcium and phospous is sufficient for a growing puppy and I am sorry I am not sure what the latest is on those values but if you PM Jenni78 she is excellent at those values and will let you know what she grows up her puppies eating along with plenty of others on this forum that raise gsd puppies. I am sure others will chime in regarding puppy foods. Best of luck as he appears to be a very pretty boy to me. Love the red/black colors. Nan

thank you Nans gsd.....he is my pride and joy. My vet told me adult kibble is not good enough to supply a puppy with proper nutrients. I am just trying to find my groove with all the feeding tips out there. the large breed puppy food I just ordered is holistic and claims to have the right amount of calcium, phosphorus. I went with the VeRus brand, expensive, $50.00 a 30 pound bag and that is at dealer price.

Guarantee Analysis

Protein (min) 23%                              Fat (min) 15%                                 Fiber (max) 4%                          Moisture (max) 10%                           Calcium (min) 0.9%                      Phosphorus (min)0.8%                  Omega 3 fatty acids (min)2.0%*           Omega 6 fatty acids (min) 4.2%*        Glucosamine 422 mg/kg*           Chondroitin Sulfate 300 mg/kg*         Probiotic Activity (min) 3 mil CFU/gram*

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles

3515 kcals/kg = 399 kcals/cup 

VERUS LARGE BREED PUPPY
What It's About
VéRUS Large Breed Puppy holistic formula is designed for dogs up to 20 months old and 60 pounds or more at maturity. Our unique combination of fresh meats, vegetables, legumes is formulated with lower energy levels and moderate amounts of calcium and phosphorus to help minimize rapid growth. VéRUS Large Breed Puppy holistic formula is complete and balanced nutrition so no supplementation is required. During this critical stage of your dog's life, joints, bones, teeth, organs, and other important body tissue develops as you puppy grows. The development of a quality, healthy body is directly related to the quality of food. No other pet food exceeds the quality and nutrition found in our foods.
VéRUS Large Breed Puppy Holistic Formula contains a patent pending freeze dried live probiotic, unique in the pet food industry. Probiotics are microorganisms that stimulate the production of healthy bacteria in the intestines. This improves digestion and intestinal function. Research suggests this may also provide significant benefit to immune function as well. Once consumed, these freeze dried live microorganisms re-activate providing full healthy benefits for your pet.
VeRUS Pet Foods is the only pet food company in the world using this technology. All other companies use dead strains which provides little or no benefit to your pet. We guarantee over 90% activity of our probiotics in our food.

Features and Benefits:
QUALITY CHICKEN PROTEIN. Our USA grown, antibiotic free, cage free chicken is raised without the use of added hormones or growth efficiency drugs for a clean healthy source of protein. Chicken cartilage, a natural source of Chondroitin, and Glucosamine Hydrochloride are added to support joint health. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in chicken raised in the USA
COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES. Chick peas, Lentils, Green Peas, and Barley are healthy rice sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Great tasting and high in dietary fiber that satiates the appetite of the most discriminating pet
Innovative Freeze Dried Live PROBIOTICS for enhanced digestion and immune support; retaining over 90% of its value through the shelf life of the food. Typical pet foods use dead strains and list their addition rate rather than their available rate to your pet.
Chicory Extract as a source of PREBIOTICS
Chicken Cartilage for natural chondroitin
Omega 3 Fatty Acids as an immunity booster
L- Carnitine for maximum performance
Chelated Minerals to assist with absorption of nutrients
Preserved with mixed tocopherols (antioxidants)
No Meat by-products, No Artificial Flavors or Colors, No Fillers, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soybean, No Sugars and No Window Dressing!
For all Large Breed puppies 60 lbs or more at adult weight.

Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken meal, Lentils, Chickpeas, Split green peas, Barley, Tapioca, Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Yams, Ground whole flaxseed, Natural flavors, Herring meal, Menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Eggs, Alfalfa meal, Dehydrated chicken cartilage, Chicory extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Dried Cranberry, Tomato Pomace, Dried Carrots, Kelp, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Pediococcus acidilactici Fermentation Product, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Carnitine, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Betaine Anhydrous, Iron Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate

you don't need puppy food.

choose a quality kibble like Orijen

You have a beautiful puppy! He looks healthy to me. This is what I did with my German Shepherd male from the time he was a puppy until now. It doesn't make it the only right way - it is just what I researched and felt I should do with my dog to help him be the best he could be. I fed him Blue Wilderness Large Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe when he was a puppy. I mixed Wilderness with different meats such as real chicken, beef and fish for the first year and half of his life. I then switched to Canidae Grain-Free PURE Sky Duck Dry Dog Food and have continued the different kinds of meats for variety and nutrition. I cook for him and top his dog food off daily twice a day. He is very selective about what he likes to eat. For example, at restaurants (we eat on patio so I can carry him with me) a waiter/waitress can offer him meat, and he will not take it. At Tractor Supply, Pet Smart, PetCo, etc. he won't take a dog treat from anyone. My brother-in-law tried to give him a piece of bacon at my home once and he wouldn't take it from him. He will only take food from my husband or me. I didn't let him grow too fast as I was careful about what, when and how I fed him. I took him swimming a lot during the warm months (live in Mississippi where it can be warm even in January) on a regular basis and for runs around my land with me on the Gator. I waited until he was almost three to have his hips and elbows x-rayed. His hips came back from OFA graded excellent and his elbows were normal. He is three years old now and around 80 pounds. He is what I would call a very athletic, medium size male and runs like a deer. Also, I think it is better to have the hips/elbows x-rayed during the time of year when a dog is most active. He lives in the house with my husband and me (not on concrete). So I believe what you feed your dog, time of year, not being on concrete all the time, diet and exercise, especially swimming, are all just as important as heredity in the formation of good bone structure, including hips and elbows.

Thank you Srfwheat...very helpful. I also do not put him on concrete. I rotate my other older dogs in house, kennel and crates.. But not the puppy. I also put rubber stall mats in their kennel. I prefer my other dogs be outside in a kennel while I am work rather than cooped up in a crate. I will definitely take your advice. Thank you! :)

Thank you Srfwheat...very helpful. I also do not put him on concrete. I rotate my other older dogs in house, kennel and crates.. But not the puppy. I also put rubber stall mats in their kennel. I prefer my other dogs be outside in a kennel while I am work rather than cooped up in a crate. I will definitely take your advice. Thank you! :)

Hi , don't be afraid of raw feeding on your pups wrt HD. I just did my bitch and she was raw fed since she came to me at 12 weeks.She is two years old now .Both hips and elbows scored excellent. Google it a bit and there are some good you tube videos. I have no disease issues,no dog odour,no big landmines for stools and the  vet is for shots only. The secret is balance over time ,you don't have to get each and every meal 100% nutritionally balanced.It is cheaper than feeding even a cheap kibble and my dog looks fantastic.Her name on database Ziva von Ronneburg.