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Hello everyone! I have an 11 week old lab puppy I’ve had for two weeks. After reading all the great information on here, I decided to feed him the Annamaet Salcha. So far everything is great.

My question now is regarding peanut butter. Is it safe to give puppies, and if so, what kind and how much. I’m having a lot of issues with him barking in his crate when I leave for work and would like to give him a kong toy with frozen peanut butter hoping it will keep him busy during the first moments that I leave, that way he won’t be so anxious.

First I want to know if it’s safe for puppies, and then if giving him a small amount (to fill the kong) daily would off-set any of the calcium / phosophorus %. It would then defeat the purpose of all the research done with the food.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He barks forever and I want to find something that will calm him during my absence. Can’t be toys (other than kongs) as he already chewed one up and swollowed a little piece the other day! Almost had a heart attack – and he hasn’t even starting teething yet! I’m in SO much trouble!!! LOL!!

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RescueDaneMom – Thank you! I did actually hear back from Nutrisca and the calcium/phosphorus levels are too high!
Was thinking about Natures Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Turkey but my only concern is that one of the ingredients is Rosemary Extract and I’ve read that has been known to cause seizures. Can anyone confirm? Other than that I love Nature’s Variety but the seizure probability worries me. I’ve had my puppy for a week now and switched him to Annamaet Salcha which is great, on the list, no grains, good protein levels but I’ve noticed puppy has started scratching more than when I first got him which worries me. I’m wondering if maybe it’s the peas or potatoes. It can’t be the chicken because the food the breeder had him on was chicken based. I’m so confused and worried. I did so much research and thought I found a great food but all the scratching all of a sudden doesn’t seem normal.

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I was checking the list that HDM posted on page 15 of the appropriate foods for Large Breed Puppies, however, I did not find a recommendation for NUTRISCA. It has a 5 star rating by Dog Food Advisor, and is grain free, potato free. Does anyone know anything about it and what the calcium / phosophorus percentage is as I don’t see it listed on the company’s website.

Wanted to include it in the rotation diet. I am currently using Annamaet Salcha and puppies seems to be doing well on it, however, would like to try a potato free food as well.

Thanks.

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One more thing to add, was also considering the Annamaet Salcha formula. Using your formula to calculate grams of calcium per 1,000 kcal, it has 2.83 g calcium per 1,000 kcal and 30% protein, higher than the Nature’s Variety formulas. Also read higher protein is better. I also calculated the Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Rabbit Formula and it comes out to 2.93g calcium per 1,000 kcal, Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Turkey is 3.08g calcium per 1,000 kcal but also higher protein than the rabbit. As all are below the 3.5 grams which you said we should aim for – it would seem any of the 3 would work, correct?

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HDM or anyone that can help. I found this website (which I think is great), but the more I read, the more confused I get. After reading numerous posts, I came across one in which HDM recommends Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Turkey and Rabbit formulas for Large Breed Puppies. I fed my 13 year old Golden (who just passed away) the LTD ingredient formula for the past 2 years of his life (when I found it). Loved it!! Would love to start my new Lab puppy on this food as well. However, their website doesn’t list the calcium and phosphorus. Are both of these recipes within the normal calcium/phosphorus ranges for large breed puppies?

Also, if ok, I have read it’s good to top food off with other things like tripe, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, canned sardines, carrots, etc. If I add these things to the diet, does that not throw off the calcium/phosophorus in the diet? How do I control this? Would love to be able to add these things to the diet but I’m no scientist and can’t be doing all kinds of calculations everytime I want to add something to my puppies food – but I also don’t want to harm him.

Also, any names/recommendations on probiotics/enzymes and where to get them? Is there are need to give these to a puppy if you give him a good quality kibble?

Any suggestions? If you could give me the name of your favorite 2 or 3 foods to feed my large breed puppy it would be a great help. That way I can rotate th food. Price is not a problem.

Thanks.

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On your list provided of dog food, (unsure if it applies to Large Breed Puppies), I found
Blackwood, Grain Free Salmon (Puppy to Adult Formula) as well as Annamaet Salcha. Are either of these good for large breed puppies? Also, don’t see the calcium/phosphorus/protein listed on the Blackwood food. If they work, would prefer the Blackwood because of the lower protein level 28%. Please help!!!

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To my previous post…I meant to say “VERY high in PROTEIN 38%, NOT calcium”…sorry.

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Hello everyone, and Hound Dog Mom in particular (I’ve heard you seem to be the expert):

I was just given the link to this forum and I am thrilled to have found it. November 2nd I will be bringing home a purebreed English Labrador Retriever (8 weeks old). In the past, I have been very concious about what food I give to my dogs and have stayed away from any products having anything to do with Diamond, or any that have been recalled for one thing or another. Little by little I came across companies like Orijen, Acana and Nature Variety Limitied Ingredient (for my older dogs). I thought I’d have no problem with my new little guy with any of these foods, until I started reading more about the long term effects of calcium/phosphorus to large breed puppies. The more I read, the more confused I got. Also, I find that the really good quality foods are VERY high in calcium 38%+. At this point I am at a loss as to what to buy. I want a a natural, holistic food, grain-free that kibble that I can feed my little guy without worrying of any long-term negative effects on his health/bones…or kidneys (due to high protein).

Can someone please give me a list of 3-4 different ones (I’ve been reading that a rotating diet is best) that would be available in the Miami area or at least through Amazon.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

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