[Hound Dog Mom]

HI alanysrayne –

The calcium guidelines apply to wet food as well if it’s going to be comprising a significant portion (>20%) of your pup’s diet. If you just plan on using a small amount as a topper don’t worry about it too much. As long as you’re keeping it to 20% or less of the meal I’d highly recommend Tripett – it’s a great topper for large breed puppies as it has a balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio but low levels of each and dogs love it! It’s not a complete and balanced food though which is why I’d only recommend it as a topper.

[Hound Dog Mom]

I would add Tripett (or just plain meat) to the Orijen or Chicken & Burbank Potato. Both are too high in calcium so if you mix them together it won’t solve anything. You could, however, mix in another brand of a lower calcium food 50:50 with one of those formulas and you’d likely be at (or at least close to) an appropriate level. It would probably be easier to just go with a food that is appropriate though – you’ll have plenty of time to feed Orijen and Acana in the future.

[theBCnut]

None of the Acana formulas are appropriate for LBP. Adding Acana to Orijen would make the calcium even higher.

All Life Stages foods are puppy foods. The AAFCO recognizes 2 nutrient profiles, growth and maintanance. If a food meets the requirements for growth, the manufacturer can choose to have it labeled AllLife Stages.

Meat has phosphorus and not much calcium, so when a kibble has a little too much calcium in it, you can add a little meat without messing up the balance too much.

[alanysrayne]

Feeding a large breed puppy canned food, is there anything that I need to watch out for? I was planning on maybe mixing the wet and dry food together. But I didnt know if there were only certain wet foods that large breeds can have or if its only the dry.

[dogmom]

Hi HDM – do you mean adding the Tripett to the Orijin LBP food? Or would it be better to use half of the Orijin and half of another kibble with less calcium? I was reading the Orijin packaging, and was thinking that while I really like the food for my pup, that I would want to mix it with something….maybe the Acana Chicken & Burbank. I have a friend with GSD pups, and she feeds hers the Acana C&B and thinks it’s great for them. I worry about it because it’s not a puppy food, but it is an all-life-stage food….

Your thoughts on that?

Thanks so much!

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hi Dogmom –

As Patty stated I’m currently in the process of updating the grain-free list and creating a grain-inclusive list. I have already sent inquiries to all companies that have 4 and 5 star puppy foods and am in the process of waiting for the responses to come in. I can tell you, however, none of the Acana formulas are appropriate for large breed puppies. The new Orijen Large Breed Puppy formula is lower in calcium than the previous formula but will not be included on the list – it’s still a tad high. But, to give my honest opinion, if you add 20% or less of an all meat topper or all meat canned food (like Tripett) I think it would be fine.

[EHubbman]

Your best bet would be to read over this thread first and see the suggested Cal/phos levels for large breed pups, then contact the companies to find out the MAX calcium and phosphorus levels and go from there. Like Patty and HDM said, it’s great to find a few foods that work and rotate between them. I personally haven’t seen the numbers for either food, so I’m not much help there. :/

[theBCnut]

It’s true about the Orijen LBP. I don’t know about the Acana.

HDM is in the process of updating her list, but hasn’t finished yet. And she is also making a grain inclusive list.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by theBCnut.

[dogmom]

I saw the list, but later there was also an update that the Orijin Large Breed was good because the calcium level had been lowered – am just checking to make sure that’s true….and wanted an update on the Acana Chicken and Burbank as well if possible

[labgirl]

try emailing:
[email protected]

ive emailed before some questions and have received a reply within a few days on a few occasions. hope that helps.

[theBCnut]

Go back to the first page of this thread and read. It explains the REAL issues with feeding large breed puppies. In about the 3rd post, Hound Dog Mom has a google doc that lists good foods that have appropriate calcium levels for LBPs. Pick a few of those foods and rotate between them.

[dogmom]

Am getting a new GSD puppy and trying to decide on food…

Breeder has pup on Iams Large Breed Puppy food, and I was planning on moving to Orijin Large Breed Puppy food, but have been advised to go to Acana Chicken and Burbank instead because lower in protein content and is good for all life stages…..

My adult GDSs are all on Acana Ranchlands, but I don’t think that would work for new pup, so am looking for best alternative.

What is your advice? Should I use the Orijin LBP food, the Acana C&B food, or someone else??

Thanks to all!

[Hershy]

Thank you, Pattyvaughn

[theBCnut]

Haretoday dot com or Mypetcarnivore dot com

[Mom2Cavs]

What is your pup eating now? I have a friend that has an English Bulldog (all white) and he has allergies so she needs a hypoallergenic food. I would definitely go with a grain free if it were me. Also, I’m not sure if a Bulldog is considered a large breed. I know some can weigh in at around 60-70 lbs. If they are, then I would go with a food that has a calcium/phosphorus percentage suitable for large breed puppies. There is a list on this forum of foods that fit that bill that I would use until he is done growing. I don’t have large breeds, though, and I’m sure someone with more knowledge will post soon.

[Hershy]

Where would I get the raw trachea?
Thanks!

[Hershy]

Thank you, HDM!
All was very helpful – I really appreciate your feedback on the dog foods, and also, the calculations for figuring the grams per 1000Kcal. I couldn’t get my head around it, but now I’m back, thanks to your detailed lesson. : ). I’ll keep reading. So many very interesting and helpful posts. I’m sure I’ll be back with other questions, too, particularly regarding the raw food diet. I was feeding my 4 big dogs a raw diet before Charlotte was bred. Also giving them a daily vitamin supplement tablet (which was most likely not the best form of those vitamins and minerals…and maybe I didn’t even need it) I have a lot to learn about it, but I’m thinking that what they were getting was WAY better than the processed foods available. I stopped at the time of pregnancy due to lack of confidence for what gestating pups should get, as well as the lack of time to prepare it. My dogs ate as well as we did at that time. I had fun shopping for bargains – only buying proteins I could find for less than $1/lb. I was surprised at how often those were available so I could stock up : ). But that is another topic and another forum… so finding the best kibble I can is very important to me for my guy and gals.

Thanks, again-

[spaniel39]

Acutally, HDM, Black and tan and everyone/anyone concerned for their pup’s health and
companies who “may” mislead/mislabel
I would call the company for clarification as well.
I mean most of us believe what we read on packaging.
I did feed canine formula to my super sonic growing 4 month old Komondor,
but still was uncomfortable doing so.
What if the bags are correct and they made some batches with double the calcium and phosphorous?

[spaniel39]

Morning
I got the same internal service error but yet got an email from them that it was received.
In any case, I heard from someone this morning via email-dawn
HDM, perhaps you can call her. Here’s the email (and my reply)
Good morning dawn,
I did not receive any email(s) from you and not available today as traveling but
could call tomorrow.
I am also going to relay your number to a member of dogfoodadvisor.com
whom you can speak to
But basically, just want to be sure that the canine caviar large breed lamb puppy dinner is 1.3 calcium/1.0 phosphorous instead of the higher and dangerous levels
of 2.3 and 2.0 written on the bag

Thank you
Michael S Bosse
Chicago

In a message dated 7/10/2013 8:33:37 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:

Good day Sir,

I have not heard back from you so I wanted to write again in case the email did not go through.
Once again, I have spoke with our support group and read your email.

May we have a conversation as there are several clarifying questions that I have?
I am eager to address your concerns.
Feel free to contact me or provide a number where I can call you.

We do appreciate your suggestion and willingness to help.

Sincerely,

Dawn Barraco
714 223 1800 office
970 576 8775 cell
[email protected]

also, HDM
my email is spaniel39
and I’m on AOL

[BlackAndTan]

Aww, I am really liking Canine Caviar for my dog so I hope they clear this up and don’t screw themselves over. Just playing devil’s advocate: my understanding is they are a quite new, and very recently expanded, company.

[alanysrayne]

Oh okay thanks !!!! I am getting a female english mastiff I believe today and they are feeding her science diet puppy for large breeds and I hear that isn’t very good. So I was looking for a better food for her.and I’m limited to the foods they offer at my petco but I know they offer welness core.

[Hound Dog Mom]

I attempted to forward my concerns to Canine Caviar this morning via the online contact form on their website but every time I hit submit it read “Internal Service Error” (surprise). I’ll try to call them later and see if that gets me anywhere.

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hi Hershy –

Thanks, it was very hard to let him go. 🙁

Royal Canin is not a horrible food, however it’s extremely overpriced for what you get. You could spend the same amount and get a much better food or get a food of equal quality for much less.

Victor looks like a wonderful food, unfortunately, I don’t believe it’s appropriate for large breed puppies (at least their grain-free formulas aren’t – I’ll be looking into the grain-inclusive formulas soon).

You’re correct that most companies only state the minimum – this is why it’s important to call or email the company and ask for the “actual.” In order to calculate the grams per 1,000 kcal. you would multiply 1000 g. (the # of grams in 1 kg.) by the % calcium (as a decimal – i.e. 2% = .02). This will give you the grams of calcium per kg. You then divide this number by the number of kcal. per kg to obtain the grams per kcal. You multiply this by 1,000 to get the grams of calcium per 1,000 kcal. – look for a value of 3.5 or less.

The Kirkland I have listed is their Nature’s Domain – I haven’t looked into the Kirkland Signature formulas. It would be necessary to contact the company to get the actual calcium level of the food. If you can get the Nature’s Domain I believe that’s pretty reasonably priced.

Fromm Gold might also be worth checking out. Their Large Breed Puppy formula is rated 4 stars and at roughly $50 for 33 lbs. is fairly reasonably priced.

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hi alanysrayne –

There is only one Wellness CORE puppy formula and it is appropriate for large breed puppies based on the information provided to me by Wellpet. Hope that answers your question.

[Hound Dog Mom]

Here are some chicken, turkey and grain-free foods appropriate for large breed puppies:

-American Natural Premium Grain-Free Duck Meal and Pork Meal Recipe
-American Natural Premium Grain-Free Ocean Fish Meal and Potato Recipe
-Annamaet Aqualuk
-Avoderm Revolving Menu: Trout and Pea
-Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch
-Earthborn Holistic Meadow Feast
-Firstmate Pacific Ocean Fish Puppy Formula
-Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Beef Frittata Veg
-Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Salmon Tunalini
-Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Pork and Peas
-Great Life Grain-Free Buffalo
-Great Life Rx Grain-Free Buffalo
-Grain Life Rx Grain-Free Duck
-Nature’s Variety Instinct Rabbit Meal Formula
-Wysong Epigen Fish
-Wysong Epigen Venison
-Zignature Trout & Salmon

[Gus]

So to add one more issue to the search I’m looking for grain free, poultry free, large breed puppy food. My pup is 6mo old and has been itchy since day 1. A vet told me puppies don’t typically develop food allergies so young but, flea treatments and oatmeal shampoos haven’t helped at all. He has been on Natural Balance which gave him very runny poo, Innova lg. breed puppy and then it got recalled and we couldn’t get it anymore and now Orijin lg. breed puppy. Chicken and turkey have been ingredients in all of those so I’m looking for a grain and poultry free large breed puppy food but am not having any luck with the large breed puppy aspect. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Hershy]

Hello, Hound Dog Mom and all,

I am new to this site and forum, but have to admit, I have been a “fly on the wall” for a couple weeks or so. I first want to say how sorry I am about the loss of your best friend, HDM. So very tuff! I pray you will find comfort soon.
I raise labrador pups, one litter per year, and am keeping one of the pups from the litter our Charlotte just whelped. The “right” dog food has been an ongoing dilemma for me, always attempting to find the best food for my money. But the quality of the food is #1 for me. We have 4 adult labs, and now one pup. Mom was on Royal Canin Maxi Starter during most of her pregnancy and through weening. Pups were transitioned to RC Labrador Retriever Puppy 33. Then I began to study your website, reading the different reviews. I found the “starter” food to be a 4 star food, but the “33” was only a 3 star food. I don’t want to feed my pup anything less than a 4 star food. But price is definitely something we are forced to consider.
I’m not super clear on how to find the calcium % on the foods. And many say “minimum” so how do I know what it actually is. (I have to say the way you calculate is a little confusing to me, so I need to know just which dog food to use. : )
I have been feeding my big dogs Victor (a 5 star food), but for pup, I would like to find a 5 star food that is affordable for me, but may have to settle for a 4 star, which is still a good food, I’m assuming.
I was recently told about Cosco’s brand Kirkland Signature, which is on you Puppy food list of approved foods. (it is a 4 star food) I am a little confused about which to feed my puppy, since only one puppy food is listed and it has a minimum 1.2 % calcium, so not sure what it REALLY is. The link for the different foods they sell is: http://www.epinions.com/review/Kirkland_Signature_Super_Premium_Puppy_Food_40_lb_bag_epi/content_540777811588?sb=1
If you have time, would you look at the different foods (links toward the bottom of page for other foods) and tell me which would be best to feed my pup. I would appreciate your feedback. This food is very reasonably priced. Thank you

[spaniel39]

I’ve tried to email them in the past and found them to have horrible customer service so I’m not expecting much.

well, we will see
feel free to write me at
Spaniel39
aol

[alanysrayne]

Hi! I was wondering for the wellness core, is it the one for puppies or the one for large breed puppies?

[theBCnut]

I would go with something that is not quite so nutrient dense as Abady until he is using real foods without stool problems of any sort. HDM has a list of foods that are appropriate for large breed puppies. I would caution you to not try to go with the best of the best immediately. His little body probably won’t be able to handle it. A good starting place might be Fromm’s unless HDM can suggest something a little easier to digest. Once he is used to real food again then you can start improving his diet slowly.

[SheSaid]

I guess I was not clear.. puppy has been salvaged..he is eating and drinking and NOT in danger anymore. He was when I got him. He WAS… on deaths door and no way to get him to the vets, but is now within 48 hours up, and in fact just within the last few hours wanting to play. The mention of his bowels was to only let you know that his kidneys are working and his bowels are working, and that I know for certain it is not diarrhea.. it is the adjustment to regular food and hydration. This is not my first time around the park with starving animals, as I have been taking animals in for 15 years or so. This is why this puppy got dropped off at my door. I have to say, I have NEVER lost a dog to death except old age, not once. I needed quick advice on what now.. that he is eating . I needed brands of food for a large breed puppy to give it the nutrition it needs to regain muscle and grow healthy bones… I have had big dogs before, just never one this big. He is the biggest puppy I have ever had in my care. I feed my dogs all home made food. Chicken, rice, veggies.. but I know that the danes grow fast and furious and need the right nutrition and especially this one, having had such a horrible beginning. I know that if he does not get the nutrition he needs he can have problems with his bones and joints, more so than other smaller breed dogs. I needed to know what to feed him, his breed, until I get my research done.. on how to prepare his meals from scratch. I am sorry my first message was not clear. I can see all very well intentioned people here who love animals… but I still need the info I first requested. What brands of food are recommended that are safe and nutritionally sound for his breed..and his age. Thank you all for caring.

[spaniel39]

Thank you and not being paranoid but I’m assuming it’s a mistake on the outside and not the
inside <g>;
that suddenly they somehow made a huge batch of 2.3 calcium/2.0 phosphorus dog
food by mistake. That would be disastrous

ALSO, I found another food I might try for variation that wasn’t on your list
◾Now Fresh Large Breed Puppy (5 stars)

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hi spaniel39 –

Thanks for the heads up. I’m currently updating my list of recommended GF foods and compiling a list of recommended grain-inclusive foods. I will email CC and ask them to verify the calcium levels in their puppy food. If they don’t respond the food will be removed from the list. I’ve tried to email them in the past and found them to have horrible customer service so I’m not expecting much.

[BlackAndTan]

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

[spaniel39]

Thanks Black and Tan and you are correct in that most dog owners are not very knowledgable
about dog food
But among the Holistic and “natural” brands (which are much more expensive),
most really are and have to be for large breed dogs (Komondor, Great Dane, etc)
Calcium levels and Phosphorous levels HAVE to be around 1.0-1.3
or crippling results due to excessive early skeletal growth occurs.
These levels of calcium and phosphorous are not even suitable for an average or small size breed.
This IS a serious matter; in fact the editor if Dog Food Advisor just wrote and advised going to the
FDA (which I’m not going to do. Let the chips fall where they may)

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your message and for posting your experience on our website. It’s frustrating how these companies get away with this. You may wish to also write to the FDA.

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm

Hope this helps.

Mike Sagman, Editor
The Dog Food Advisor

[BlackAndTan]

It is the very rare dog owner who reads ingredients, much less nutritional breakdown. It is the even more rare dog owner who knows what any of it means, or is concerned.

I’m not surprised they feel no rush to change their bags. If pugmomsandy is correct, they are also under no obligation to do so. If anything, their labelling error could lose them customers, so they are doing this at THEIR own risk.

Going to news outlet seems a highly overblown reaction, and will unlikely be taken seriously. I would support that course of action if the food was toxic or the misprint was WILDLY misleading, but that is not the case here.

[spaniel39]

No, formula is exactly the same
they just mislabled the bags

[pugmomsandy]

If they have recently reformulated the recipe, they have 6 months to use up the old bags and put new product in them. Did you ask if they’ve recently changed the formula?

[spaniel39]

Hi, HDM et all!
So, Based upon the excellent reviews (DFA 5 stars)
for Canine Caviar’s Large Breed Lamb Puppy Dinner
and of course the lower calcium/phosphorous levels required 1.3/1.00 approximately,
I just ordered and received a few bags. HDM put together a great list on those levels
under https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwApI_dhlbnFY183Q0NVRXlidWc/edit?pli=1
Imagine my suprise and shock after I fed her, casually looking at the nutritional label on the back
and OMG!!!!! &*&@^&@!!!
Calcium 2.3 and phosphorous 2.0
So I just called the company and (according to them), those bags are misprinted and new bags
are coming out. HUH??? Isn’t there some law regarding mislabeling or maye just for “human” food
The customer service agent was nice but not exactly apologetic. She assured me that the product
in the bag was correct/again, just the labeling was wrong and “they’re using up all the old misprinted
bags” Ummm, ok? HUH?
A holistic quality company not recalling the product.
I don’t think any of this is right. On my end, pending their replay, will send an email,
will write the Sun times and Tribune in Chicago
If anyone else is perplexed and/or upset as I am, feel free to contact/use your sources , as well
I’m NOT telling Sophie!

[EHubbman]

Awesome! (Look at that little face!! Love it!)

He got to try some (dried) when we went on vacation and LOVED it, but I was so worried to give him a larger size in fear of screwing up his joints. He’s gonna be so excited tonight when he gets to have some yummy trachea again!

[Hound Dog Mom]

Just want to let everyone know the list of grain-inclusive large breed puppy foods and a revised version of the grain-free foods are currently underway.

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hi EHubbman –

Trachea is great. I gave raw tracheas to Mabel all the time when she was little – great for teething.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a501/hagelult/368-mabel.jpg

[Newfs]

Hi EHubbman,
thank You too. Now I buy for my newf Fromm Gold, see how he will be served.

[EHubbman]

Wow! Thank you! I had always grown up hearing that the large breed pups shouldn’t get it supplemented by food till they were well and grown. I really appreciate the information. In that same vein, do you think dried trachea is a good treat for my little guy? I was holding off on it because I didn’t want to get him too much glucosamine.

[Newfs]

thank you very much HDM
What do you think about diets Husse and Enova for large breed puppies?
http://www.husse.co.uk/dog-food-products/dry-food-for-dogs/?product=110
Composition:
Chicken, rice, animal fat, wheat meal, wheat, beet pulp, hydrolyzed chicken protein, linseed, dried fish meal, salmon oil, yeast, salt, dried whole eggs, fructo- oligosaccharides, lecithin, tagetes extract, sea algae, grape seed extract.
Analytical Constituents:
Protein 29.0%, fat content 18.0%, crude ash 7.5%, crude fibre 2.5%, calcium 1.2%, phosphorus 0.8%, chondroitine-glucosamine 1000 mg/kg, taurine 1000 mg/kg.

Additives: Nutritional additives:
Vitamin A 17500 IU/kg, vitamin D3 1600 IU/kg, vitamin E 500 mg/kg, E1 (Iron) 200 mg/kg, E2 (Iodine) 3 mg/kg, E4 (copper) 8mg/kg, E5 (Manganese) 60 mg/kg, E6 (Zinc) 100 mg/kg, E8 (Selenium) 0.2 mg/kg; Antioxidants: tocopherols.

http://www.enovapetfood.com/photoVideoGallery.aspx?cid=4680&mid=18452
INGREDIENTS
Dried chicken meat, rice, brown rice, poultry fat, egg powder, rice gluten, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, rice bran, protein hydrolysate, dicalciumphosphate, dried yeast, cellulose, fish oil, dried carrots, dried tomato pomace, dried seaweed, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, glucosamine, chondroitine sulfate, rosemary. Antioxidants: tocopherols, propyl gallate.

ANALYSIS
Crude protein: 27,0% – Crude fat: 16,0% – Crude fiber: 3,5% – Crude ash: 7,5% – Calcium: 1,0% – Phosphorus: 0,9% – Moisture: 10,0% – Omega 6: 2,5% – Omega 3: 0,9% – Metabolizable Energy: 16,1 MJ/kg – Glucosamine: 1.000 mg/kg – Chondroitine: 1.000 mg/kg.

ADDITIVES PER KG
Vitamin A: 15.000 IU – Vitamin D3: 1.200 IU – Vitamin E: 150 mg – Copper (as copper sulphate): 10 mg.

[Hound Dog Mom]

If you go to the “Diet and Health Issues Forum” the Large Breed Puppy Nutrition thread is the second thread listed (it’s highlighted in yellow).

[Hound Dog Mom]

My two cents.

Concerning retractable leashes: There’s a time and a place. I own retractable leashes and use them when I’m walking the dogs on back roads or hiking the woods. I would never use a retractable leash walking through town or in a public place (i.e. vet’s office, pet store, etc.).

Concerning one dog going after another dog: IMO, no matter the circumstance, the dog doing the attacking is always at fault. I agree some people are idiots and don’t know how to handle their dogs (especially the little ankle biters) however you can’t expect other people to be looking out for your dog, you need to look out for your dog. You can’t bring a dog into a situation where he may react regardless of whether the reaction is caused by something someone else does. Gus (my dog that passed a couple weeks ago) was a problem dog – there were many situations I couldn’t bring him into, not because I didn’t know how to manage him, but because of the unpredictability of the other people in the situation. When a dog has issues with other dogs, people, etc. it’s the owner’s responsibility to manage the dog and ensure it’s never put into a situation in which it will react.

Sounds like that lady was a moron indeed. I know this is a generalization and not all little dogs are like this, but having worked at a shelter for over three years and having temperament tested many many dogs – little dogs are by far the most aggressive breeds of dogs (in my experience). I can’t even count the times I’ve gotten bit by a little dogs – I have never once gotten bit by a large dog (nope, never gotten bitten by one of those “vicious” pitts, rottis, shepherds, etc.). I find chihuahuas to be an exceptionally aggressive breed. What drives me absolutely crazy (oh you’ve got me on a rant now lol!) is that many owners of little breed dogs act like the behavior is acceptable just because the dog won’t do any serious damage! My grandmother owns a very aggressive 8 lb. “yorkipoo” – this dog has bit me (drew blood on me a few weeks ago), bitten her and bitten numerous other people and she lives in denial about it any constantly tried to justify it (you can’t justify a dog biting, it’s never acceptable!). To clarify one more time (so as not to offend any small breed owners): I’m not saying all little dogs are like this or that all owners of little dogs are like this; I know several very friendly small dogs and several individuals that own small dogs and don’t allow them to get away with certain behaviors simply because they’re small – just saying I see these issues more often in small dogs.

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hey EHubbman –

Glucosamine and chondroitin are fine for puppies. A dog’s natural diet (raw) would be very rich in glucosamine and chondroitin as cartilage and bones contain high levels. Dogs foods, even those with added glucosamine and chondroitin, don’t contain enough to say so – so I wouldn’t worry about it’s presence in a kibbled dog food.

I have not been able to find any evidence suggesting that supplementing a large breed puppy’s diet with glucosamine can be harmful, however I don’t believe it to be necessary either. My two get lots of RMB’s so I know their diet is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin – I probably won’t add any supplements until they’re seniors. I do, however, typically recommend that large and giant breed dogs eating processed foods receive supplemental glucosamine and chondroitin (or whole foods providing these nutrients) starting between 1 and 2 years of age (when they’re young it can be a low dose, just for maintenance).

This is an excerpt from an article about large and giant breed puppy nutrition written by integrative veterinarian Dr. Susan Wynn:

“There are no studies so far that indicate whether it is effective or harmful to supplement with glucosamine to large breed puppies because of their risk of DOD. In general, I wait until I recognize a risk factor in a dog.”

[Hound Dog Mom]

Hi newfs –

The food you posted looks okay for a large breed puppy. The protein level is good and, while I don’t know the kcal. per kg., 1.25% calcium should be safe or at least close to safe. I don’t see corn in the ingredients list? Fromm Gold large breed puppy would be a good choice too. Why not rotate between the two?

[spaniel39]

Thank you HDM
I can’t seem to find the large breed puppy thread but definitely want to go grain free for Baby
Sophie. Her poop is now perfect as temporarily I decided to put her on the Spaniels’ diet;
mxiture of wellness ocean core and Nature’s Variety Beef. Also (for the spaniels) use
Acana Ranchlands and Grasslands.
I say temporarily, as the calcium and phosphorous levels are much too high but sure just a few
days won’t hurt
I ordered Canine Caviar Lamb Dinner with Venison (almost grain free) as it came highly recommended
we will see