[pitlove]

Hi Susan-

It has not been recommended for over 20 years (it’s been this long since we learned what truly causes DOD’s) to feed a large breed puppy an adult maintenance formula. There are plenty of correctly formulated large breed puppy foods out there now to risk it with an adult maintenance formula. Protein is also a non-factor for proper growth.

Larger kibble and probiotics don’t even begin to address the dietary needs of a LBP.

[pitlove]

Sally- Awesome! I’m glad you found another option. You are very welcome for mentioning the calcium to calorie ratio!

goldenstar- I understand where you are coming from and I wasn’t suggesting that you take care of your animal in a way that makes you uncomfortable. At the end of the day, how anyone chooses to feed or raise their dog has no impact on my life. I have a passion for nutrition and large breed puppy growth so I enjoy discussing it with others and passing on information I’ve learned from nutritionists. I agree that food plays a big role in health, but I do feel there is more to health than that as I said. Have you considered having a homecooked diet formulated by a veterinary nutritionist for a large breed puppy? You may also wanna check out BalanceIt.com to see if they have a premade free recipe that is safe for LBP’s.

[Kim B]

Mike,
I have giant schnauzer puppies, the breeder now uses Victor Active Dog & Puppy Formula.
First pup is 10 months old, new one is 8 weeks old. I want to know if this is a quality product?

When I got the first pup, tried Origen but it was too rich for her – Black stool and then diarrhea. Ended up trying 2 others with the same result and then ended up with Hills Diet Ideal Balance large breed puppy chicken and brown rice. Appears to be doing well, and shiny coat. Should I switch my new pup over?
Victor is rated 5 star but is not listed anywhere on editor’s choice. The Hills Diet Ideal Balance
was listed as a secondary or alternative choice for puppy foods?

How can I feed the right food when breeder tells me one thing, trainer says another, vet does not suggest a specific dog food only says no to certain brands and watch calcium level, and your forum says something else…Very confused and frustrated. The first 6 months are the most important for development and I am again unsure what is best. I know kidney issues are prone to this breed so a diet that is too rich can stress the kidneys over time. Please help!
Kim

[pitlove]

Hi Sally-

Yes the calcium to phosphorus ratio for Stella & Chewy’s seem to be fine, however you also have to be concerned with the calcium to calorie ratio. If that is too high, the food is not LBP safe dispite having an appropriate calcium to phos ratio.

To Jacob-

Rotating diets is not a bad thing. If you feel better switching from grain inclusive to grain free that is fine as well. I wouldn’t go overboard personally. I would pick 2-3 brands that have LBP safe foods and you could rotate those and then build more variety once you see the eating habits of the dog.

If I had to pick 3 grain free LBP foods Nulo Puppy would be my first choice since Nulo is one of the few companies that staff a full time veterinary nutritionist, second choice would be Fromm Prairie Gold Large Breed Puppy and lastly would be Orijen Large Breed Puppy.

I used to be very swayed by the grain free trend. I firmly believed that if you fed your dogs grain you were a terrible pet parent. Then I got a grip on reality. My dogs (even the one with allergies) do much better on a grain inclusive food. I also have a Chocolate Lab, who was found as a stray. No allergy issues at all. I think there is a place for grain free diets and they are beneficial to those dogs that need them, but I find that the vast majority of pet owners who want to feed grain free don’t even really know why they want to. They have just “heard” it was better and didn’t stop to question that authority.

[Salz]

Hey pals! Thought I’d share with you all some insight I’ve gathered about Stella and Chewys in regards to large breed puppy nutrition.

I contacted the company directly and received a nice chart of the calcium and phosphorous percentages for each of their formulas AS FED. After calculating, I concluded that every formula except the Turkey had calcium to phosphorous ratios between 1.2 to 1 and 1.5 to 1, which to my knowledge is safe for large breed puppies (the Turkey is 1.9 to 1). I have a 4 month old Doberman mix who has struggled with GI problems since he was a baby due to premature weaning from his mother. I started him on this food yesterday and he’s had solid stools for the first time in weeks. I will keep you all updated on his progress but I thought you’d all be interested in this information.

[Salz]

Cannoli- thank you so much for your input. I’ve fed Orijen for a long time and really do trust their product. But I also am keen on understanding that some foods just aren’t right for certain dogs.

I went ahead and contacted Stella and Chewys to get the Calcium and Phosphorous percentages for each formula AS FED. Once I calculated the ratios, I concluded that every formula except the Turkey had a Calcium to Phosphorous ratio of 1.5 to 1 or lower which to my knowledge is safe for large breed puppies (The Turkey is 1.9 to 1). The S&C rep also helped me calculate some basic feeding guidelines for my puppy which I thought was very thorough and considerate of her! I picked up 2 packages of S&C yesterday and switched Jax over cold turkey from his turkey and rice. He’s had completely solid stools for the first time in weeks and has already began to act like himself. It could be coincidence or it could be the food but either way, I’m glad I did the research and will continue him on this food!

[pitlove]

Hi Jacob-

Basically here’s the thing. Companies like Hill’s and Purina have put in years of research into the topic of proper growth and nutrition for large breeds. Royal Canin to an extent but not as much as the other two. In reality these foods are better to use because of how much research is backing them.

Also in reference to All Life Stages foods; no they are not all appropriate for large breed puppies. A lot of companies will not provide a nutrient analysis on their website so you will have to do some leg work and contact them and ask for their MAX levels of calcium and phosphorus in their All Life Stages or growth diets.

Dr. Tim’s Kinesis and NutriSource Large Breed Puppy are 2 excellent foods that you can purchase through chewy.com. Dr. Tim’s has been feed trialed as well which is important.

Fromm would out rank Royal Canin for a lot of people simply because they like the way the ingredients look. Both will let the dog grow properly. RC is just a bigger company that does feed trials and conducts their own research so from the view point of a veterinary nutritionist, RC beats Fromm.

Blue Buffalo is a tad shady of a company and I personally do not feel comfortable recommending them and I wouldn’t use their products again (I did when my pitbull was little).

[Mike P]

jacob. I can’t take credit for the research or the knowledge. But others on here have and I only forward it on. See Hound dog mom’s post earlier on.

She created a nice list for our large breed puppies. I don’t think the list has been updated recently though, but I assume these haven’t been downgraded.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwApI_dhlbnFTXhUdi1KazFzSUk/edit?pli=1

Also, instead of driving a couple hours round trip, can you buy online. I did from Chewy.com and amazon and it was great. Chewy offers free shipping for over $49.

try these links (i don’t know if they work right)
http://www.chewy.com/fromm-gold-holistic-large-breed/dp/32624

http://www.chewy.com/earthborn-holistic-coastal-catch/dp/36408

[pitlove]

Hi Jacob-

Grain free is inconsequencial to the proper growth of the dog, which is the ultimate and most important goal that should be focused on. Grain free also is not inherently better for allergies (especially ones that may or may not manifest themselves). I would focus more on finding a food that will help your dog grow properly and less on marketing gimmicks. However, if you are 100% positive that you need to feed grain free Nulo Puppy is a grain free food formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, that is safe for large and giant breed puppies.

As far as what is available to you at PetSmart, the only brands I would recommend from there is Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy, Science Diet Large Breed Puppy, Royal Canin Maxi Puppy and Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy. The other brands I would recommend you would have to purchase online or at a speciality pet store.

[jacob h]

Hey guys, I am sure this has been asked before but i have gone back a couple pages and have not seen it so i apologize if this is a repeat. I am looking for a large breed grain free food for my 11 week chocolate lab. Breeder had him on purina puppy chow but i want to get him on a better food. I would like the grain free just because it seems like a smarter thing to do, as well as being better for the dog. I know that chocolate labs contain recessive genes, thus them being the chocolate color, which can correlate to more allergies. or thats what my vet tells me. Suggestions for large breed grain free? also thoughts on grain free vs with grain. thank you so much. I have been standing in Petsmart for an hour, so hopefully this will help me out.

[Susan W]

Check out VeRus’ large breed puppy food. Their adult foods are excellent and they put a lot of research into making great formulas. In something like 28 years of production, they’ve never had a recall. Their website has a LOT of great information & they have a patented way to do probiotics. http://www.veruspetfoods.com
Also, if you fill out the contact form, they’ll send you really nice samples.

[Susan W]

I’ve had good luck with VeRus’ adult dog foods. They have puppy foods, too, including one especially formulated for large breed puppies. They also have canned food for dogs (and cats). They have NEVER had a recall in 20+ years of production and they will send samples (really nice samples) if you fill out the contact form. http://Www.veruspetfoods.com
They really are worth checking out.

[Salz]

Hello! I am a long time reader of DFA Forums but this is the first time I’ve actually posted anything. I have two dogs; a 4 year old minpin tripawd (Bean) and now a 4 month old Doberman/Rottweiler x puppy (Jax). Bean has done great on all and any premium food (wet, raw, kibble, he’s been on it all) but the more I read the more I want to just bite the bullet and switch fully to raw. Jax on the other hand, has had quite the hard time with kibble. I got Jax about two months ago and immediately put him on Orijen Large Breed Puppy. He’s had on and off diarrhea since I’ve had him. I figured the Orijen may have just been too much for his digestive system so I transitioned him (VERY) slowly to Natures Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Kibble. His stools were firm for about three days until the diarrhea started again. I’ve had him tested for parasites and every malady under the sun with only negative results. Right now I just have him on cooked turkey and rice to settle his tummy until I decide on what to try next. I was hoping for some input from all of you lovely people!

I am concerned about putting a large breed puppy on raw so young, simply because I lack all of the knowledge about his nutritional needs. But so far, here are the options I’ve come up with.

Honest Kitchen Preference Base Mix mixed with a rotation of raw grinds/meats primarily from Primal and EcoPawz Raw (a local raw company in my area)

Stella and Chewy’s Frozen Raw (rotation of proteins)

Darwin’s Zoologics Line (a little out of my budget but they are sounding better and better)

No matter which I choose, I will definitely supplement with raw goat milk, yogurt, etc. I would also like some input on what kinds of meat I can buy at the grocery store. I’ve only ever bought dog raw from PFE. Sorry for the long post and I’m really looking forward to any and all input. You all rule!

Sally, Jax & Bean

[pitlove]

Hi Jeremy and Mike-

Congratulations on the new mastiff pups! They are wonderful dogs.

To you both: I would definitely caution against using THK as a sole diet for your growing puppies. The company itself is infamous for diets that are lacking in nutrients per AAFCO and the NRC. Using it supplementally is safe, but not long term by itself.

However, it does already sound like you both have decided to use a large breed puppy kibble base which is a much better idea. Tripett is a good choice for a canned topper since the calcium and phosphorus are very low and already balanced properly.

Most veterinary nutritionists recommend using a food from a larger company that invests in feeding trials. Obviously those companies being Hill’s and Purina. I do however understand that many do not feel comfortable using those brands. Dr.Tim’s Kinesis has also been feed trialed and is safe for large breed puppies.

Others that I recommend that meet the criteria for large breed puppies based on lab analysis are: Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy, NutriSource Large Breed Puppy, Nulo Puppy(formulated by a veterinary nutritionist they have staffed), Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy, Solid Gold Wolf Cub.

[Mike P]

Hey all. Just like Jeremy, I too have been reading this thread for a few weeks now. I too just brought home my first English Mastiff puppy. She is our second dog and our first is a rescue Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. (They are getting along well)

Jeremy.. I started on page one a few weeks ago and have read so much and there are some great advisors on here. Hound Dog Mom and Pitlove are really great along some other regulars. HDM even put up a couple lists of recommended foods and from what I can tell, it seems go me, it is a good idea to rotate a 2-3 and see what you puppy does well with.

Our mastiff puppy (Lola) is on Eagle Pack large and giant breed puppy food right now as the breeder was feeding her that and I didn’t want to totally shock her system. I assume the transition to a new home and different dog was going to be enough.

I also bought a bag of Fromm Gold Holistic large puppy food and will transition her to that next. In the future I plan on trying both Earthborn Coastal and Meadow feasts, Annamaet Salcha, Wellness Core, and Kirkland Signature ND Salmon.

There is also some that are adding a little wet food to their pups eating plan. Like Tripett. Also, some are going completely raw.

In my opinion, it comes down to what works well for you and your puppy.

To quote HDM “The best thing you can do is monitor his/her weight and adjust the food intake accordingly. So many factors can affect the calorie requirements of a dog including size, activity level, age, breed, gender, whether the dog is spayed or neutered, temperature, level of stress, etc. etc”

[Laurie W]

Thanks Mike. I incorrectly presumed that a 5 star rating would land them automatically on the Editor’s Choice list and appreciate the clarification.

From what I can determine, RAWZ is not raw, but perhaps small batch. There’s a lot to like about it — but your Editor’s Choice list matters to me and is why I pay for the membership.

Have a pup reaching 1 year’s old this week, so switching from Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy & have been researching your ratings for grain-free adult food options. Based on those, along with my preferred list of ingredients & exclusions, Fromm Four Star Nutritionals (Grain-Free) is my best match. Thanks again.

[Susan W]

I’m a big fan of VeRus dog foods. http://www.veruspetfoods.com They have a puppy formula for small to medium (at adulthood) puppies and one for large breed dogs. One thing that’s really important with your pup is that his food supports his body while it grows. I had a German Sheppard once who grew too fast (for his cheap food) and ended up with joint issues. Had I known then what I know now, I would have fed him better food from the beginning. Of course, VeRus wasn’t around then.
Other great things about VeRus:
They’ve never (NEVER!) had a recall in their 20+ years.
They have a non-profit that helps train rescue dogs for veterans w/PTSD.
They have a contact form you can fill out – which they will acknowledge – and they’ll send you really nice-sized samples.
Check out their website – it has a lot of good info.
Good luck!

[pugmomsandy]

Also, check out the article for choosing a large breed puppy food:

/best-dog-foods/best-large-breed-puppy-food/

For large breed puppy food, I would go for a formula with appropriate calcium and phosphorus versus just choosing by star rating (if you indeed have a puppy). I call my 8 yr old a baby still. While adults can eat foods for “puppies/growth”, some puppies can’t have foods for “all life stages” due to these specific nutrients.

[pugmomsandy]

Sam R,

Fromm Large Breed Puppy doesn’t have the high amount of protein that Orijen and Instinct contain.

This article might help:

/frequently-asked-questions/rate-dog-food/

For a rotational feeder like me, I mainly choose 3.5 stars and higher in all forms of foods with few red colored ingredients. For instance, I use Pro Pac Ultimates Grain Free and also feed raw meat with no veggies and everything in between.

[Tim S]

We have been feeding our latest puppy the Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food for about ten months after transitioning from another highly rated food (Orijen). We are quite happy with the results, the puppy loves the food and the kibble size is relatively large (works well as a training treat).

I am not familiar with Farmina’s marketing strategy in the U.S. although I would guess that their market penetration efforts are regional in scope … beyond the existing nationwide Chewy.com distribution channel.

[Susan W]

I was going to try Blue Wilderness with my dogs. Just about the time I got ready to buy it they had their issues. I did some research and found a list of companies that had never had a recall & settled on VeRus Pet Food. Granted, my dogs aren’t puppies but VeRus has a large breed puppy formula – as opposed to their formula for small & medium puppies. This tells me they put some thought into it. The protein amounts are different in the 2 formulas, too. Best thing: They send samples! http://www.veruspetfoods.com

[Kathleen C]

This is not a large breed puppy, but I’d heard Wellness has pulled away from Diamond and may be coming back to its previous good quality, though not sure yet. I can’t seem to keep my dog from gaining weight on the Weruva kibble and was thinking about going back to the Wellness Core Reduced fat. Any thoughts on this? It’s about the only low fat dog food I felt safe in using. The Weruva has more fat, fewer calories and carbs, but still seems to keep my dog at least 1/2 lb over what I want him to weigh. The vet says he should be around 18-19 lb and I’m trying for 19. Half a pound on a small dog can seem like more.

[Linda A]

We have in the past with our large and giant breed puppies switched them to adult food at 6 months to slow their growth to prevent hip issues. I can’t remember if we did it back 15 years ago for our first saint or not but she never had a hip issue, and lived to 12 on cheap store bought food.

Currently the GR is on Pro Pack Ultimate Puppy and the other two are on crappy Purina adult food.

The puppy is on the low end of weight from being what we believe to be the runt. The Saint is a great weight of 118lb and the beagle is a perfect 35lbs.

[InkedMarie]

I suggest you read the stickie, located on top in yellow, on the Diet & Health issues forum, about how to feed a large breed puppy. Your golden has special requirements. Once you decide on a food for him, we can help you decide whether that food is appropriate for the other two.

The other two: how is their health? Coat? How is their weight?

[Martin G]

I have a 11 week old German Rottweiler and he has been on Purina one large breed puppy food. I’ve quickly found out that this food was only good for the first few weeks. Now I’ve started him on wellness core: puppy rated a 5 on DFA. he had about 18 pounds of Purina and I added 12 pounds of wellness. He also is being fed blue wilderness wet puppy food as a topper should I take him completely off of wet food or should I just switch?

[Martin G]

Thank you for the great information!
I’m defiantly going to switch my German rottweiler’s food now.
ummm I feed now Purina one large breed puppy food and 3 table spoons of blue wilderness puppy wet food. do you think i should keep the same wet food switch that too or take it away all together? Also what is your number 1 food on your list?
btw my pup is 11 weeks.

[Martin G]

Thinking about switching my German rottweiler to this food. he’s already eating blue wilderness wet puppy food.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Martin G-

I’m thinking that a German Rottweiler is a large breed, isn’t it? If he’ll be over 50 pounds, then yes.

Here is a helpful article for keeping large breed pups joints healthy:
/best-dog-foods/best-large-breed-puppy-food/

It is important to keep them thin and lean. But, if your vet thinks he’s too thin, then he probably is because most vets prefer dogs on the lean side. So you can check the calories per cup on the bag and choose a food with higher calories, or just feed him more. You could even add more canned food to his meals as long as it is a complete and balanced recipe that you are adding.

What a lucky puppy that gets to have an acre back yard to run in! Have fun and good luck!

[Martin G]

So i have a 11 week old German Rottweiler and he weights 21.5 pounds. I recently took him to the vet to get his shots and the vet told me even though he is only 11 weeks old for the structure he should be a lot heavier and also he just looked “too lean”. She then asked about his feeding schedule and the brands of the food I was feeding him. I told her he was eating purina one large breed puppy food and also every time i fed him I gave him 3 tablespoons of blue wilderness wet puppy food. I was feeding at the time 3 times a day. Now he has free range of dry food and 4 times a day I give him 6 tablespoons of wet food. Its now 1.5 weeks later and he is leaner than when i took him to the vet. I asked the breeder and she agreed with the vet. I’m thinking since he has free range of our 1 acre back yard and is running all day that is why he is lean OR the brand i am feeding. price point on food isnt a big deal the only reason why he is on purina is because that is what the breeder had him on. I was thinking blue wilderness dry food since he is eating the wet food already. Please help!!!

[Martin G]

So i have a 11 week old German Rottweiler and he weights 21.5 pounds. I recently took him to the vet to get his shots and the vet told me even though he is only 11 weeks old for the structure he should be a lot heavier and also he just looked “too lean”. She then asked about his feeding schedule and the brands of the food I was feeding him. I told her he was eating purina one large breed puppy food and also every time i fed him I gave him 3 tablespoons of blue wilderness wet puppy food. I was feeding at the time 3 times a day. Now he has free range of dry food and 4 times a day I give him 6 tablespoons of wet food. Its now 1.5 weeks later and he is leaner than when i took him to the vet. I asked the breeder and she agreed with the vet. I’m thinking since he has free range of our 1 acre back yard and is running all day that is why he is lean OR the brand i am feeding. price point on food isnt a big deal the only reason why he is on purina is because that is what the breeder had him on. I was thinking blue wilderness dry food since he is eating the wet food already. Please help!!!

[Scared D]

Annamaet is great food but the on-line prices are very high making it a bad value. You have a very large breed dog known for a big appetite. Locally here in the east those foods are much cheaper. $85 for a 30lb bag of food is crazy.

As for TOTW puppy, the foods are all peas and pea protein.

Personally, Dr. Tim’s Kinesis for six months then Dr. Tim’s Pursuit after that. Chewy.com ships out of Nevada so you will get your food very fast. Dr. Tim’s sled racing teams always win. Great food, maybe the best kibble being sold today.

Abady you will have to call to see the best place to get it If there are no stores carrying the food locally you can buy direct from them.

http://www.therobertabadydogfoodcoltd.com/State%20of%20The%20Art%20Large%20Breed%20Puppies%20%20Front.htm

http://www.abadyfeeds.com/

Abady is a dry food but not a kibble. It goes through very little processing and it is like coarse sand in texture. It has been on the market for about 45 years. It is superb food. In our area it is the choice of the store owner and staff for their own pets.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.

[Scared D]

I don’t think there is any reason to mix foods. In terms of foods I would pick either Dr. Tim’s Kinesis, Annamaet Extra or Abady Granular.

It seems you are drinking the Grain Free Kool-Aid. TOTW is not appropriate for large breed puppies and the TOTW puppy foods are garbage.

If you have to buy Annamaet on-line due to local availability, then Dr. Tim’s is much better. It even comes in 44lb bags from Chewy.com and at a great price with free shipping and no sales tax. Annamaet is a rip-off online. Unless you live in the Northeast, Abady has to be purchased on-line.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Scared D.

[Haley H]

Hi everyone!
This is my first post, but I’ve been a constant on this page for quite sometime. I have a malamute baby coming home to me this July and I want to give him the absolute best!!

I’ve found a great local-ish supplier of green tripe, raw hooves, and all sorts of cow bits. I was all about tracheas and gullets until I read the study that links thyroidtoxosis to feeding gullets/trachea with thyroid tissues present. I asked my supplier if their raw tracheas and gullets had thyroid gland on them, they assured me that their sources removed thyroid glands beforehand.

I’ve looked all around the Internet, to no avail…I’m fairly certain the entire feeding of gullet is out…too close to the thyroid glands, however do you think the trachea, sans thyroid tissue, is safe to feed???

I was planning on using the fresh or dehydrated tracheas to serve part of my puppy’s meals in. I’m a huge fan of Dr. Ian Dunbar’s positive reinforcement methods, and also his idea to allow the dog the opportunity to work for their food…something crucial to all working breeds imho. So I was going to use both forms of trachea, filled kongs, and stuffed raw horns, hooves, and bones instead of using a bowl at all for food. I know this is another topic altogether, but I’m curious to hear what everyone here thinks.

I was planning to do a 25/75 kibble/RF plan, where his kibbles are fed in the morning, his midday and evening feeding being raw, with kibble occasionally used as training reinforcement. I have read lots of the opinions on combining RF and kibble, but a study done (I’ll share the link here), shows via x ray, that the rate of digestion largely has no effect on a dog when it comes to raw versus libble, being that raw food actually takes longer to digest because the dog’s body is working to utilize ALL goodness.
LINK: https://therawfeedingcommunity.com/2015/01/08/digest-this-kibble-may-actually-digest-faster-than-raw/

I may transition him completely to raw by age 2, but I’m not entirely willing to risk messing up his joints or growth feeding strictly raw from the time I get him (which will be 8 weeks)

I’m super excited to be here, obsessed with canine nutrition, and eager to talk to someone who can follow what I’m thinking about right now…no one in my life really cares much for my research and pontificating. LOL.

[Pitlove]

Wonderful! I did not know that about Wellness. I do quite enjoy when companies provide their nutrient anaylsis for the general public. Makes it much easier for us large breed puppy lovers 🙂

I’m glad I could help and I hope he does very well on Wellness TruFood if that is the food you choose for him!

[Pitlove]

Hi Heather-

Which values for calcium and phosphorus did you use when you input them into the calculator? If it was those on the bag, those will not give you an accurate idea of if the food is LBP safe or not since it is only the minimum amount of calcium and phosphorus in the food.

You are correct that a food can be safe for a LBP without being called a “large breed puppy food”. WellnessCORE Puppy and Nulo Puppy are examples of this. That is the part where an email or phone call to the company is called for to obtain the max levels of calcium and phosphorus to input into the calculator tool on this site.

[Heather S]

Hi thanks to you both for the responses 🙂

To determine if TruFood might be good for my puppy, I used the LBP food guidelines here on DogFoodAdvisor to determine if the Ca to Phos ratio was correct as well as the other suggestions in that article. My confusion comes from the fact that not all of the foods on the recommendation Editors Choice list here on DFA site for LBPs are specifically called LBP food. ALso, to the best of my knowledge the only Wellness LBP specific food has grains in it (Wellness complete LBP food) the wellness Core Puppy food is indeed grain free but does not claim to be specifically for LBPs although it is on the Editors Choice list as being appropriate for LBPs. There is a Large Breed Adult Core formula though.

Geez this whole food thing is hard and confusing.

[Pitlove]

Hi Heather-

How did you determine Wellness TruFood Puppy was safe for a large breed puppy? Have you looked at WellnessCORE Puppy? It is grain free and already determined safe for large breed puppies. I would certainly not follow the advice above to NOT read labels. That is silly. However, you do need to call the company and ask follow up questions to determine if a food meets the needs of your dog.

Here is a recommendation to a pet parent from Dr. Rebecca Remilliard DVM, ACVN for how to select a large breed puppy formula: “Having said that, most nutritionists would agree that about 1-1.5% calcium is not harmful and safe. Secondly you want to feed a lower fat or lowest kcal/cup ….. to help control the growth rate now and prevent obesity later. I would suggest you select the food with the lower kcal/cup (350-375 kcal/cup), lower fat and higher fiber, if the calcium is about the same on both products.”

[Heather S]

I have a 14 week old puppy that I think is a Golden Ret/German Shepherd mix but am not sure since he was a rescue. So that means I think he is a large breed puppy – the online adult calculator says he will weigh 55 lbs when full grown.

He is having a lot of skin issues so I’m trying to switch him to a grain free food. He has been eating Wellness Large Breed Puppy and I would like to feed him the new Wellness TruFood Puppy but they don’t have a LBP formula. I did check the calcium/phosphorus ratio and it appears to be within the suggested limits so now I’m double checking to see what you guys think.

Also will 55 lbs actually count as a large breed. I see all kinds of definitions of what constitutes a large breed.

[Susan]

Hi, change vets & see a vet that’s knows about IBD SIBO EPI etc has she been tested for SIBO? have a look at the fat % & fiber % in the food she is doing well on…. ring Royal Canine & find out what % is the Soluble fiber, Insoluble Fiber & Crude fiber % in the wet tin food, did you try the matching kibble to the wet tin food she’s doing good on?? …. Have you tried limited ingredient kibbles & cooked meals? Have you tried boiled chicken breast, not boil till chicken pieces are like leather, get 1 chicken breast & cut up into small bit size pieces & just before it boils the pieces are normally cooked, take off stove drain water, boil the jug & rinse the chicken pieces with boiled water, the fat & white froth comes off then I put chicken pieces in cold water to stop the cooking process, also boil 1 potato & 1 sweet potato… same cut into bit size pieces… I freeze the Sweet Potato pieces in meal sections, same with the chicken pieces, I freeze in 1/2 cup sections & 1 cup sections…You cant freeze the potato it goes yuk I have found so I cook enough boiled potato for 2-3 days & keep in the fridge, I add 1 cup chicken pieces, a couple pieces of potato & a couple of pieces of sweet potato about 1/4 cup each to 1 cup chicken, put the chicken & potato & sweet potato in the blender & blend for a few seconds, stop when everything is all blended, put 1/2 in the fridge & warm the other 1/2 in micro wave if you have taken out of fridge for about 10-15 sec make sure it isn’t hot, now add 1/2 a can of her wet tin food she does well on & see when you add the chicken pieces, sweet potato & potato if she still does firm poos….maybe start with just the potato first no sweet potato just in case later if poos are firm then try adding some sweet potato… every thing you do has to be limited ingredients & only 1 thing at a time or you wont know what is causing the diarrhea…

My dog gets real sloppy yellow poos from the vet diet Royal Canine Low Fat Intestinal cause it has Maize & boiled rice in it, boiled rice can irritate the bowel causing diarrhea…
Have you tried “California Natural” Lamb Meal & Brown Rice?? it has just 4 ingredients but cause you have a puppy you should have your dog on a puppy large breed Lamb & Rice kibble…. here’s the California Natural web site… a few dogs with IBD do really well on the limited ingredient California Natural, I’m pretty sure its money back guaranteed if it doesn’t agree with your dog….

I really think you should be seeing a specialist that deals in IBD in dogs, she may need to be put on Tylan Powder or Metronidazole or a steroid…. Tylan Powder is excellent & firms poos over night but you need to put the Tylan Powder in empty capsule cause its very bitter & dogs can stop eating cause of the taste it leave a metal taste in their mouth, it’s online how to get a shoe box & put small holes in the top of the empty shoe box, so you can put the Tylan Powder into the empty capsules, you add about 1/8th -1/4 teaspoon into capsule & must be given with a meal once a day if once a day doesn’t firm poo, then give twice a day breakfast meal & dinner meal but I only gave at Dinner meal..

When you try any kibbles or wet tin foods make sure they have limited ingredients…. just 1 protein & 1 carb, another kibble & wet tin food brand you can try is “Natural Balance” Dick Van Patten limited ingredient but look thru all the formulas as some have peas only pick a formula that just has Potato & 1 single protein, that’s why the California Natural Lamb & Rice is the best it has no peas its just Lamb & grounded brown & white rice, feed for breakfast 1/2 cup kibble then wait 5-10mins & then feed 1/2 can of the Royal Canine that she can eat, what ever you try always add her wet tin food but I don’t like feeding wet tin or cooked with dry kibble together, my boy gets pain when I’ve added the wet tin & a kibble dry 2 together your girl might be Ok…. For breakfast I feed cooked chicken sweet potato, then I feed the 1/2 cup kibble for lunch, so you’d feed her wet tin for breakfast, then lunch try just 1/2 cup limited ingredient kibble for lunch, then for dinner her wet tin food do not give anything else that day, no treats nothing, just her wet tin food & the new kibble or the cooked meal……That would cost a bit buying the vet diet wet tin foods being a pup, they eat a bit, that’s why if you can, its cheaper to cook & fresher…..do 1/2 wet tin food & 1/2 cooked chicken/sweet potato also if sweet potato give sloppy poo, then try just the boiled potato, if it does work you will need to balance the cooked meal, I use DigestaVite Plus powder
http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products

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[Laura L]

The vomiting started before I switched to the blue and continued while on the Blue for 1-2 days per month (april and may) before that she was on the Fromm which she tolerated for a long time before issues arose. Choices were so limited for large breed puppy food that I tried it and she seemed to do well except for the episodes of vomiting. I will look into the Nutrisource, Kenzie may like it better and eat better and then I wouldn’t have to worry about switching Libby when she is older.

[Pitlove]

How has Libby been doing on Blue? Was this the food she vomits once a month on? I’m not sure if you said already, sorry. If you are interested in changing foods, NutriSource Large Breed Puppy is also chicken and rice based, however it is technically an All Life Stages food so your 13 year old dog could eat it as well. Then there would not be the issue of Libby eating a food that she could be sensitive to.

Large Breed Puppy

[Laura L]

She is currently on Blue Wilderness chicken and rice large breed puppy food (since March or so).
I do feed them separately but my old girl has anxiety so I need to be around or she wont eat and she is also very picky so I pick her bowl up (she prefers to eat late so when Libby goes into the crate I put Kenzies food down but I am not always successful getting it picked up in time. I may also try to find something my old girl likes better so she will be a little more enthusiastic about eating. I am going to keep a diary for a while too and jot info down.

[Pitlove]

I was told by many people to avoid chicken for my food allergic pitbull as well. It turned out beef was in fact the problem. In fact he does not do well on any red meat. Could be the same for your pup and that is why she is reacting to the Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy, as it has lamb in it. We also switched off NexGard for the same reason (the beef), as per the vet.

Large Breed Puppy formulas are designed with a growing LBP in mind. They will not cause your pup to gain weight unless you overfeed. It is a tired old myth to feed a LBP an adult maintenance food, though a lot of breeders, dog clubs, and vets still recommend it. You are absolutely making the right choice in keeping her on a large breed puppy food.

No self respecting vet will suggest an allergy blood panel as they are notorious for being inaccurate. The only way to properly diagnose a food allergy is by a food trial either with a homecooked diet of a single novel protein and carb or the hydrolyzed protein vet diet. That is what we did for our pitbull and he is doing excellent now on a fish based diet that is grain inclusive. He does terrible on grain free foods.

[DieselJunki]

For an 18 month old I wouldn’t worry about having to feed him a specific large breed dog food. When he was a puppy feeding a food specified for large breed puppies would have been best but don’t panic if you didn’t. It’s just due to the fact that large breed dogs supposedly have slightly different nutritional requirements in their early growth stages. Now you can feed just about whatever you’d like.

Orijen is top of the line but extremely expensive, especially when you’re feeding 4 cups a day like I do for my big guy so I just can’t swing that type of price for a 26-28lb bag.

You mentioned you were a member of the Editors Choice here. There are loads of brands to look into there and they even have a Budget Friendly list. For my 100lb Ambull I feed Dr. Tims, Victor, and Wellness Core so far. I buy their biggest bag which is usually anywhere from 26-30lbs and change to the next protein source within that brand or change brands completely after each bag. I also top the kibble with some canned food every so often (when budget allows) and do fish oil on the kibble as well.

[Pitlove]

Hi Laura-

It is actually recommended by most veterinary nutritionists to keep a large breed puppy on a large breed puppy formula until 18 months of age. What foods has she eaten and what is she eating right now? Will make it easier for me to help with a recommendation if I can look at the ingredient panel of what she is currently eating.

[Laura L]

My 10 month old lab puppy weighs in at 64 pounds. She is starting to fill out but is not fat. She was spayed at 9 months a and has started to experience vomitting and diarrhea episodes approximately 1 episode per month (January 29, March 1, beginning of April and again now). Vet had suggested switching her to adult food and 2 episodes corresponded with intro of new food but recent food addition. Is a food she has been stealing from my older dog on a regular basis without issue right along. Now vet is questioning a possible issue with chicken but again I am not clam not convinced. It is very difficult to find a large breed puppy food without chicken. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also would love input on large breed puppy versus large breed adult.

[Pitlove]

Hi Sue-

Large breed puppies have much different dietary requirements than small and medium breeds. These dogs are at high risk for developmental orthopedic disorders caused by genetics, but also poor nutrition. It is important to watch calcium intake, so I would heed the suggestion to add too many toppers to the dry kibble during growth or use something like Trippett which has very low calcium and phosphorus.

The two companies that have done the most research in regards to large and giant breed nutrition and growth are Hill’s and Purina. A puppy food geared towards large breeds from one of those two companies would be a fine choice. However, I do understand that there are those who do not feel comfortable feeding diets from Hill’s and Purina. A few other LBP safe foods I can suggest that are from smaller companies are: NutriSource Large Breed Puppy, Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy, Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy, Nulo Puppy, Solid Gold Wolf Cub, and Dr. Tim’s Kinesis. If you can order online, these are all available on chewy.com.

Another important thing to remember is not to overfeed, as excess weight puts strain on the developing joints and can also lead to orthopedic disorders. Shepherds are meant to be lean by breed standard, so it is best to keep them that way during growth and throughout life.

Edit: In regards to your question about Rachael Ray Nutrish. How does the other dog do on it? How is the stool quality? Does she get a clean bill of health from the vet? Does she enjoy eating the food? Your dog is the only one who can tell you how the food is working for her. The opinions of others are irrelevant.

[Robert J]

I don’t understand code but I’m trying, just became a paying member, but there is no section on large breed dry dog food. I have a 18 month old German Sheppard dog he weighs about 85 lbs , my vet said I can start switching him from puppy food to adult dog food, although I made some personal bad in my life, I want to make his diet to be the best choice I can make so he can be with us for a good healty long time. So anybody who knows about GSD breeds have any recommendations for the best large breed dry dog food for him. Whould be greatly appreciated. Thank You

[Pitlove]

Hi Mariet-

Orijen Large Puppy is formulated to be safe for a large breed puppy, however you will not know how she does on it until you feed it. Make sure and tranisition her from her old food to Orijen.

[Mariet C]

Would Origen Large Breed Puppy dry dog food be appropriate for my 3 month old female Irish Setter?