TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 06/03/2009 11:37 AM |
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I am not too hung up on how old they are, I switch when I see the dog gain weight quickly on the same ration.
Tessa reached that point last month so I have started the switch. She just turned 11 months old. I feed her Innova kibble moistened with canned food (Evo, Wellness, Solid Gold, B.G., etc) |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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pvstks
MH
Posts:225
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| 06/03/2009 12:25 PM |
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| I'm considering switching over to either Chicken Soup Large Breed Puppy for a few months then switching to the adult breed formula OR I'm also considering making the switch to Canidae All Life Stages and staying with that. I had heard some bad things about Canidae a while back (last fall) but never followed up. |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 06/03/2009 12:38 PM |
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Posted By pvstks on 06/03/2009 12:25 PM
I'm considering switching over to either Chicken Soup Large Breed Puppy for a few months then switching to the adult breed formula OR I'm also considering making the switch to Canidae All Life Stages and staying with that. I had heard some bad things about Canidae a while back (last fall) but never followed up.
Canidae has changed their formula. As far as I know, nothing happen with any dogs, they just no longer did as well on it as they previously had. I know my guys didnt do well on it any longer.
I like the CS foods, very similar to Canidae but less expensive usually. Why not just switch to the adult CS or ALS Canidae? |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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pvstks
MH
Posts:225
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| 06/03/2009 12:48 PM |
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Posted By Kerplunk105 on 06/03/2009 12:38 PM
Posted By pvstks on 06/03/2009 12:25 PM
I'm considering switching over to either Chicken Soup Large Breed Puppy for a few months then switching to the adult breed formula OR I'm also considering making the switch to Canidae All Life Stages and staying with that. I had heard some bad things about Canidae a while back (last fall) but never followed up.
Canidae has changed their formula. As far as I know, nothing happen with any dogs, they just no longer did as well on it as they previously had. I know my guys didnt do well on it any longer.
I like the CS foods, very similar to Canidae but less expensive usually. Why not just switch to the adult CS or ALS Canidae?
Not sure why, exactly... As a matter of fact, the AAFCO has made the statment that "Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul Large Breed Puppy Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages." I think I just like the fact that the protein content in the puppy blend is slightly higher (27% vs. 24%) -- I know it doesn't make much difference -- but I'm quirky that way.
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7834
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| 06/03/2009 1:31 PM |
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| The kibble I use is 28% protein. It is a high performance blend. I have seen a noticeable difference in stamina on this new food. Last night Halo was going the whole hour in agility in 92 degree heat and never slowed down. I was wetting her down too which helped. Other dogs were done after a couple of runs. I noticed the same thing when I took all three hiking Sat morning. We did probably 4 miles and the temp was around 89 - 90 degrees. All three were ready to go again, and they had done probably triple what I walked. No problems with weight gain either, and their stool volume is way down. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pvstks
MH
Posts:225
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| 06/03/2009 1:41 PM |
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Posted By Texas Belle on 06/03/2009 1:31 PM
The kibble I use is 28% protein. It is a high performance blend. I have seen a noticeable difference in stamina on this new food. Last night Halo was going the whole hour in agility in 92 degree heat and never slowed down. I was wetting her down too which helped. Other dogs were done after a couple of runs. I noticed the same thing when I took all three hiking Sat morning. We did probably 4 miles and the temp was around 89 - 90 degrees. All three were ready to go again, and they had done probably triple what I walked. No problems with weight gain either, and their stool volume is way down.
4 miles in 90 degree heat? How much protein are you getting??? 
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7834
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| 06/03/2009 1:54 PM |
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| I'm a Texas girl. You have to love the heat or you spend allot of time in the house in the summer. : ) |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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JstLovesGSPs
UP of Michigan
SH
Posts:47
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bruns333
Central Ohio
MH
Posts:383
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| 06/03/2009 3:39 PM |
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When I got Trego 6 years ago the breeder said a good adult food had plenty of nutrients for a gsp puppy. She fed Annamaet 26%/16%. I couldn't get that food here so I switched to Iams until I could figure out what to feed. I ended up feeding Diamond Naturals Lamb and Rice it is 23%/14% and 337 kcal/cup. Trego's first litter I fed Naturals Large Breed Lamb and Rice puppy it is like 27%/15% and 342kcal/cup. Pups did well, but I was concerned about the lamb being too rich and had some issues potty training the pups. It was also Feb and really cold for Ohio like 5 degrees some days.
Last litter I fed Diamond Extreme Athlete which is 32%/25% and 470 kcal/cup. Pups did well and no potty training issues with the chicken versus lamb. Pups loved both foods and switched to Naturals Chicken and Rice at about 3 months as they were on the big side. I will probably just use the Chicken and Rice at Protein: 26% Fat: 16%
Calories: 3,708 kcal/kg (368 kcal/cup) Calculated ME and not use any puppy food. Trego and our 13 month pup are now on the Naturals lamb and rice. |
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Where temperament means performance
http://silverbulletshorthairs.com/
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=721 R.I.P Trego 6-1-03 to 10-13-10
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=941
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=3626 |
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pvstks
MH
Posts:225
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| 06/04/2009 7:36 AM |
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| Over 30% protein just plain scares me -- that seems like a lot. I think I'll target the 24 - 27% range. |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 06/04/2009 7:41 AM |
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Leena's is 32%. Anything lower and she wont keep weight on.
http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products/dogs/wetlands_canine_formula/
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 06/04/2009 8:40 AM |
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High protein (30-40%) scares me too, mainly because it's a new concept...there are now a lot of grain-free kibbles out there with very high protein, supposedly closer to the true canine diet than the older formulas, but then I see 40% protein and I am just not so sure. I know it's not good to feed a puppy that high protein; for a dog that works really hard it's probably okay; my Tessa plays hard but she is not out there hunting every day so I compromise by feeding her regular kibble which I mix with grain free high-protein during the times when she is VERY active (training days etc).
I always have this notion in my head that too much protein = kidney failure. My vet maintains that that's not true, as long as it's high quality protein. Which I think can only come in the form of fresh/raw protein. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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pvstks
MH
Posts:225
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| 06/04/2009 9:19 AM |
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| I know what you mean about the kidney failure issue as I went through the whole thing last year with my Shar-pei (who's kidneys finally did fail, although he was 13 years old -- borrowed time for a Shar-pei). The vet maintained the same thing -- high protein does not lead to kidney failure, however, he was put on a low protein diet during the last 6 - 8 months of his life (kinda confusing to someone with a small brain like me)... I found a website last year that makes some sense out of it all ---> http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=protein_myth |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 06/04/2009 9:24 AM |
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| I think once the dog IS in kidney failure, then protein intake needs to be restricted because the failing kidneys can't handle it. But lowering protein for a healthy dog does not prevent kidney failure. Nor does high protein necessarily cause it. From what I understand. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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pvstks
MH
Posts:225
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| 06/04/2009 9:27 AM |
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Posted By TessaGA on 06/04/2009 9:24 AM
I think once the dog IS in kidney failure, then protein intake needs to be restricted because the failing kidneys can't handle it. But lowering protein for a healthy dog does not prevent kidney failure. Nor does high protein necessarily cause it. From what I understand.
Now that, I understand... I wish my vet would have explained it to me that way.
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 06/04/2009 1:57 PM |
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For some reason whenever someone posts before I reload, it never posts what I wrote 
Any ways, I found this articles interesting about protein.
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/dogs-and-protein/
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/feeding-puppies-seniors/
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/protein/
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/pudgy-pups/
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/puppy-protein/
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/proteins-kidneys-senior-dogs/
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7834
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| 06/04/2009 2:34 PM |
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| Kerplunk those are good articles. They also confirmed what I have actually seen with my own dogs when I increased the animal protein. Their coats are nicer, eyes brighter, they act like they feel better and have more energy (not sure if this one is good or bad ), all round seem healthier. I have been thinking about switching the canned food that I mix with their kibble to the higher protein and grain free Wellness Core. I think I will get some next time I buy pet food and see how they do. Thanks for posting the articles. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 06/04/2009 2:48 PM |
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| Sure. Canine Nutrition is a huge interest of mine. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 06/05/2009 6:18 AM |
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I will check out those articles.
Bev, B.G. (Before Grain) is also a good canned food. I also buy Wellness Core, or Evo. I try to switch up the brands and meats. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7834
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| 06/05/2009 8:41 AM |
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| Thanks Tessa. The only thing I can't use with Belle is beef since she is allergic to it. So I get chicken, lamb, venison, fish. My kids particularly like the lamb and venison. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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