Hello everyone, I am new to this site and forum and I want to thank everyone who has posted such good advice. Due to the recommendations on this forum and the recommendations for the site’s 4 and 5 star rated dog foods and HDM’s lists, I have begun to switch my puppy’s food. I have a 4 month old (will be 5 month in a few days) female English Setter named Aspen who is currently 32 lbs. I was feeding her Nutro Natural Choice kibble alone twice a day, but a few days ago started the switch to Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch and Meadow Feast. I also have gotten several samples of The Honest Kitchen and she really likes this mixed in with her food, and I see that THK LOVE is recommended for LBP.
The Nutro said for a 30 lb dog I should be feeding her 3 1/2 – 3 3/4 cups food a day, but the EH says 1 1/4 – 1 3/4 cups a day. I am currently at a 50/50 split with old/new kibble and currently giving her 1 cup mixed kibble along with 1/3 cup THK sample topper at each feeding, however she still seems hungry. She carries around her food bowl sometimes, leading me to believe she is hungry even a couple hours after feeding her, so I wind up giving her a small handful of food when she does this and she devours it. I don’t see how when I am fully transitioned to EH 100% that only 1 1/4 – 1 3/4 will be enough for her a day, even with THK as a topper. I have a couple questions that I would like all you knowledgeable people to help me with please.
1. The EH back states “You may keep EH Coastal Catch before your puppy at all times; most puppies will satisfy their nutritional needs as their appetite dictates”. Is this for puppies that are younger than 8 weeks of age, or does this apply to older puppies, and if so up to what age? (sorry if this sounds stupid) What amount do you suggest I feed her of kibble, considering she will also be getting 1/3 cup THK LOVE?
2. Do you feel that feeding her either the coastal catch or the meadow feast along with THK as a topper is a good combination? Is her feeding of 1 cup kibble with 1/3 cup THK OK or is she getting more than she needs? I am not going the raw food route and I really like the convenience of THK compared to buying cans and having to store the remaining canned food in the fridge. With THK she can get warm fresh food with her kibble and I find it really convenient for me.
3. I am considering Aspen a LBP as our vet said that she will probably get into the 60 lb. range and to feed her a LBP food, although I want to stay with the all stages food. So am I correct that I can stay with coastal catch or meadow feast and THK LOVE until she is 10 months old and after that I can start to give her any flavors of the EH and THK (or any other recommended food to rotate her)?
4. I have also at times given her organic canned pumpkin or sweet potato and she loves those as well, but I saw other suggestions on here such as tripe/sardines/cooked eggs. If I use tripe/sardines/eggs as a topper how much of those should I give with her kibble?
One final question is that I looked and don’t see a place to upload a profile picture, could someone tell me how to do that? Thank you in advance for any help and recommendations you can provide me, I appreciate it!
AspensMom – Shelly
