[crazy4cats]

Yes, definitely most important to make sure it meets the calcium requirements of a large breed pup over the size of the kibble. Agreed!

Looks like the poster is looking for both qualities. That is why I recommended that he check the websites of the Editor’s Choice recommended large breed puppy foods. Many will show a size comparison on them.

[crazy4cats]

The poster is looking for a large size kibble because his St Bernard cannot keep small kibble in his mouth. I thought that sounded silly to me until I saw my neighbor’s American Bulldog with this same problem.

I think that big dogs with large jowls have this issue and large kibble works a lot better. It’s not about the nutritional value. It’s about the food actually staying in their mouth. LOL!

If you go to the individual brand’s websites, sometimes they will show or describe kibble size.

[crazy4cats]

So, are you looking to feed them both the same food?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Ron-
Fresh Pet can be found in the cooler section and gets very good reviews on this site!

[crazy4cats]

My 6 1/2 year old male labs are eating a Fromm weight management formula right now and really like it. I also feed Whole Earth Farms frequently with good results. I hope you find something that they like and is a good large breed puppy food! Good luck.

[crazy4cats]

If I was to get a large breed puppy I now, from the Editor’s Choice list, I would probably feed either the Wellness, Fromm or Whole Earth Farms. Another food mentioned on here a lot, is the large breed puppy Purina Pro Plan formula that I would seriously consider. It is a few tiers up from the Purina Beneful that you are feeding. Best of luck to you!

Have fun with your new bundle of cuteness!

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

Are you feeding that adorable puppy a proper large breed puppy food? Puppies that are going to be 50 pounds or more should be fed a food with controlled amounts of calcium in order to keep the joints healthy.

There are some recommendations on the Editor’s Choice List.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

Cuteness! How big do you think it will get?

[crazy4cats]

What kind of puppy is he?

[crazy4cats]

There are pigments in saliva that cause white puppy faces and other places that they lick a lot, like their front feet to be off colored. I doubt it has anything to do with the food unless your pup has a sensitivity to an ingredient. Unfortunately,I guess that is just part of having a white dog.

That is why I never can wear anything white. Everything shows on it, except my white cat’s hair. LOL!

[crazy4cats]

Hi LuckyLab-
Curious why your vet thinks your pup needs a turkey only diet? Are you doing an elimination type diet?

My dogs did really well on PureVita’s turkey and sweet potato formula. It’s just a bit too expensive to feed it to my two large labs regularly.

I’m not sure if it is appropriate for a large breed puppy though. You’d have to check on that. Best wishes!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Ashley-
Is it diarrhea or loose stools? Have you had a fecal test done to rule out worms and/or parasites. Has he been dewormed?

[crazy4cats]

Hi ngoc a-
Are you mixing the canned into kibble or is it your pup’s entire meal? I regularly mix Kirkland’s Turkey & Pea Stew into my dogs’ meals. It is a very budget friendly canned food that is sold at Costco. It does not have any potatoes.

I also buy canned food at Tractor Supply. They have a 4Health brand that has many different budget friendly formulas.

I use zymox ear cleanser to keep my dogs’ ears clean and healthy. It has been working very well.

I hope you can get your pup’s itchy ears under control!

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

I have not heard the term ration balancing before. It sounds like that might be what http://www.balanceit.com does. But, not sure if that is what you are looking for?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Jessica-
Has the vet recommended using FortiFlora to help get your puppy’s stomach better? It’s a probiotic that is sold mostly by vets and some online sites. I have found it to be helpful with loose stools and gas for my dogs. I think you’re on the right track by going with a limited ingredient formula as well.

I hope you find the magic formula!

[crazy4cats]

Hi ac-
Diamond has not had a recall in about 5 1/2 years. (knocking on wood!) Most if not all of their recalls were out of their South Carolina plant. I live in the NW and was not affected.

They do not have a cannery. I know that Costco’s Nature’s Domain is manufactured by Performance Pets. I’m not sure about their other canned foods.

Have you given it a try yet?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Amy N-
I’ve have fed the Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef, and Lamb formula that pugsmomsandy mentioned in her above post several times with good results.

[crazy4cats]

Hi a c- I’ve been feeding my dogs the Turkey and Pea Stew for about two years now, I believe. Ever since it came out anyway. I have never had an issue. I feed it mixed in my dogs’ morning kibble meals.

In fact, it is a very popular food and is on limited availability right now. The manufacturer has not been able to keep up with demand and Costco stores are only getting limited amounts and some stores are not getting any at this time. It is manufactured by Performance Pets.

It is totally up to you. Tractor Supply Company sells 4Health canned foods, which is also a great value and I feed those as well.

Hope this helps. Unfortunately, there have been a lot of recalls lately and it’s tough to know what to do! Plus, most of the posts on this thread are from two years ago.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Tom W!
In addition to Nature’s Domain Turkey Stew, I also feed my two dogs 4 Health canned found at Tractor Supply Company. It is also a very good value brand of canned dog food.

Pure Balance and Variety canned foods located at Walmart are OK also. Hope this helps! I noticed my Costco is out of it too. Hope it comes in soon!

[crazy4cats]

I think that is a good plan, a c. I stay away from it too! I don’t think the actual cause has been found behind the jerky deaths yet. It’s really scary!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Michelle A-
What are you feeding him now? Do you know how many calories per cup it is? I try to keep the calories at 350 or less per cup for my two neutered male labs that love to eat! Whole Earth Farms has a few grain free formulas that do not have chicken in them. They do use potatoes as their carb, both white and sweet. My dogs do very well on this food. I feed a few different brands trying to keep the protein around 24% to 28% and the fat between 10% to 14%. Mine also do a little better with a higher fiber food around 5% to 6%.

The food doesn’t necessarily need to be advertised as a weight loss food to fit these specifications. Good luck to you!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Sara-
No fatal flaw that I’ve heard about! As Susan said, go ahead and give them both a try! I also like to rotate brands and flavors.
I have fed Victor off and on with no issues. Have not fed 4Health…yet, anyway.

[crazy4cats]

Got it. Good luck! Thank you for your dedication to our furries!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Diane S-
Sorry to hear about your pup! As you probably know, the s/d food can only be used short term due to it not being complete and balanced. The c/d food can be fed long term. That being said, they both are formulated to dissolve and prevent struvite stones. Neither work to dissolve the oxalate ones. They cannot be dissolved, only passed or removed.
Are you using the dry or canned prescription food? If not using canned, I’d give it a try. It would add more moisture to the diet which in addition to dissolving helps flush both types of crystals/stones.
Also, Royal Canin has an Rx food for bladder and urinary crystals as well. It has an S/O index which is supposed to help prevent both types of crystals. Maybe your vet would approve of one of their urinary formulas. That is what I feed to my cat with this issue. I also add plenty of canned food to his diet. I know that canned food is expensive, but as we both know, the surgery with an overnight stay cost a lot more!!!
I’m curious, has your dog had urinary tract infections too? If yes, have they been treated with antibiotics?
As was mentioned to you above, try to get as much water and plenty of bathroom breaks as possible to help your pup’s pee diluted. I wish you the best!

[crazy4cats]

What or who is regulatory?

[crazy4cats]

Good news. I’ve been staying away from jerky treats. Thanks for sharing.

[crazy4cats]

Glad to hear she is doing better. Were they jerky like treats?

[crazy4cats]

I definitely will. It’s so scary! Just wish you could get them tested so they could be put on recall to stop it happening to anyone else.

How is she doing today?

[crazy4cats]

Did you give some of the treats to the vet to be tested? I sure hope your pup makes it through this! Fingers crossed.

[crazy4cats]

Hi RollTide10-
You could always supplement Omega-3. I give my dogs Fish pills or oil made by Nordic Naturals or Grizzly.

Whole Earth Farms is in my dogs’ rotation. I have not had any bad effects from it so far. Good luck to you and your pup!

[crazy4cats]

I believe that Victor has only ever been on the Editor’s Choice Budget Friendly list, never on the main list.

I used to feed one of the grain free Victor recipes to my two large dogs before it went up in price with very good results.

[crazy4cats]

Check out balanceit.com. It is a site where you can create a balanced homemade diet for your pup for free. They also sell the supplements that ensure it gets all the proper nutrients. The site is maintained by vets that are board certified vet nutritionists. I’ve formulated a few diets for my dogs using ingredients that I usually have at home. I make them a homemade meal once or twice per month. They love it!
Check it out!

Or, purchase a commercial diet that is made by a well known company to get your dog healthy. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Hi-
Did your vet do a stool sample that was sent out to a lab to check specifically for Giardia and/or Coccidia?
I would ask your vet about doing another round of dewormer, antibiotics, and probiotics. Sometimes it takes two courses to kill those nasty parasites. Some of the probiotics that I’ve used with success are made by Purina, Thorne, VetriScience and The Honest Kitchen.

Good luck with your puppy. It sounds like an adorable breed.

[crazy4cats]

Have you ever ordered from PetFlow? I have a few times with good results.

https://www.petflow.com/product/fromm/fromm-four-star-nutritionals-chicken-la-veg-formula-dry-dog-food

I prefer Chewy, but I’m guessing that is the online distributor that is no longer selling it that you are referring to. But, PetFlow would be my second choice. It’s tough finding foods with out any type of legumes these days. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

I’ve never fed American Journey and don’t know much about it. Just make sure you keep the “extras” you feed only 10 percent of his total calories to ensure he is getting all the required nutrients. Also, liver can cause loose stools if fed too much. I like to add some fresh foods to my dogs’ meals as well.

[crazy4cats]

Is she interested in any other type of food or treats? If not, a trip to the vet may be in order. I like to switch up foods every now and then. It couldn’t hurt to give it a shot. Just make sure it is appropriate for a large breed puppy. It is usually recommended to keep large breed pups on puppy food until they are about 1-1/2 years old.

[crazy4cats]

Hi-
FWIW, Authority is manufactured by American Nutrition. The formulas are established by PetSmart. I have fed this brand a few times and my dogs do well on it also.

[crazy4cats]

Check out VOHC.org, veterinary oral health counsel for approved products.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Vonda-
I find that Kirkland’s Nature’s Domain (Costco), 4Health (Tractor Supply), Variety and Pure Balance (Walmart) and Purina One (most retail and pet supplies) are affordable brands that I regularly feed. Hope this helps!

[crazy4cats]

Thank you, Marie. Same to you.

[crazy4cats]

Did you try the “contact us” button at the bottom of the page?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Jason-
Are you feeding kibble? If yes, adding fish oil seems to be one of the most common supplements recommended. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 for dogs is a good brand. I also like to add canned or fresh food to my dogs’ meals keeping in mind to keep the unbalanced add-ins under 15% of their meals.
Happy Holidays!

[crazy4cats]

Yeah, sounds like two different foods might be a good idea. You may have to decrease the amount of food you are currently feeding to where she may not be satisfied or be getting adequate nutrients to get her weight down.

If you choose to feed something like the Nat Bal Fat Dogs that was recommended, I would only feed it short term. It is extremely low in calories and high in fiber, which I don’t believe is healthy long term. But, would be helpful to help with losing the weight initially.

I never knew there could be such a big difference in kibble calories before coming to this site. I thought it was pretty much all the same. Who knew? Lol!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Sara-
I have two neutered male labs that tend to be on the chubby side. I also shoot for around 350 calories so I can feed a decent amount of food to satisfy their hunger. I usually feed about 26 percent protein and 12 to 14 percent fat.

Whenever a food is labeled “performance”, it usually means it is for an active or working dog. Victor sells a healthy weight/senior formula that I have fed my dogs. I also always add a little warm water and a topper to their kibble. Canned stews are good to add because they are not usually very high in calories.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Happy Holidays!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Lynda B-
Go ahead and put your pups back on Purina One if that is what was working for them! I do not believe that a grain free diet is necessarily better for all dogs. I prefer to rotate brands and flavors of kibble for my dogs, but that is not necessary either. It just works for us. Right now I’m rotating through the different Purina One flavors. Currently feeding the Salmon/Tuna formula. My dogs are doing just fine.

Actually have been reading more about grain free food health issues starting to pop up in dogs lately. I’m not so sure that peas, lentils, tapioca starch and potatoes are necessarily better than rice, barley, oatmeal and corn. Peas and sweet potatoes have quite a bit of sugar in them.

I have fed grain free Victor and they have small kibble. You could give it a try if you want to give grain free a try. But, do get a dental exam if her teeth are bugging her. My nine year old cat just had a cleaning and had two teeth removed. He’s eating just fine now.

Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Heidi-
Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef and Lamb is poultry free and grain free. However, I do not consider it high calorie. My dogs do well on it. It is available at Petco and several feed stores. Good luck to you!

[crazy4cats]

So sorry to hear this news. They are never with us long enough. My condolences. 🙁

[crazy4cats]

Praying for you and Bailey, Weezerweeks! I’m so sorry! 😿

[crazy4cats]

You’re welcome! I know corn has a bad reputation in many circles, but I don’t have a problem with it in my dogs’ food. I’m not sure if I’d want it to be the first ingredient either, however. It is a great provider of fatty acids, amino acids and fiber. There are different grades of corn and I believe Purina uses Grade 1 or 2. Hopefully, the Purina experts will back me up on this!

If your dog has a healthy tummy, you could try rotating brands now and then. I believe there are some benefits to it, but not necessary. You don’t have to stick to it for life, so no need to sweat over it too much. Haha! Easy for me to say! I’ve fed Victor, WEF, Eagle Pack, Authority and some others. Next, I’m gonna give Purina a try!

Best wishes to you and your pup. Seems like you are a great pet parent.

[crazy4cats]

Ok, thanks, pl. I emailed and asked about Authority and they confirmed that they make it. Seems like house brands never like to disclose their manufacturers. I rotated through several of the with grain formulas and my dogs are doing great. They have nice soft shiny fur! Must be all that nasty corn that so many people frown upon! 😉

Good luck with your decision, Mariah! It’s not a bad idea to switch brands now and then if your dog does not have any conditions preventing it.

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