Puppy Food

[lilly06]

Well we have a pup coming on Friday. His name will be Oliver. We are SOOOO excited. Anyway, I was looking into getting him food. I currently have our other Newf Noche on Fromm Family Chicken a la Veg and would like them to eat the same food eventually. I went to the Fromm Family website and they do not have a large breed puppy variety. Do you think that the adult food is ok to feed? A gal at our local pet store said that a lot of companies are getting away from the LB puppy food and just having them start with the adult food.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[charlieinnj]

You should be fine having him on the adult food. A lot of breeders require it. BTW, love the name you've chosen! My guy's name is "Oliver", too.

 

[new_2_newf]

yay!!! puppies!!! pictures please!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Adult food is fine. Many newf pups are weaned on adult food.

 

[Higgy]

We stuck by what Hagrids Breeder suggested

Baby Giant, then on to the Puppy Giant and once the 3 remaining
bags are eaten on to the Adult bags.

We are using Royal Canin.

 

[Erika]

we fed our pups adult food but wet it with water........they grew up just fine and very healthy

 

[Newf1]

Fromm 4 Star formula's are all life stage foods. In thier Gold line they do carry large breed puppy and large breed adult. We've used Fromm for years.

 

[pecanpiepatti]

What does your breeder recommend? Changing food sometimes upsets their tummies.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Your breeder most likely will send you home with some food and give you her recommendations. You may want to contact your breeder now, so you can have the food ready.

 

[Ginny]

Definitely continue what your breeder is feeding until you can transition the pup to your food. To avoid tummy upset and loose stools, I transition over a minimum of 10 days. The main thing I look at in choosing a food for pups is the dry matter amount of calcium. Numerous adult foods and All Life Stages foods have a D M content that approaches the recommended maximum of 2.5%. When you factor in supplementing with treats and/or dairy products like yogurt, the max can unknowingly be exceeded. High calcium intake (around 3.2%) has been shown to contribute to orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis/osteochondritis, pano, and Wobbler's Syndrome. I feed my pups a food that has a maximum Ca of 1.4%, protein 26%, and fat at 13%. It's tough to find manufacturers that will state a maximum calcium - usually it's minimum.

 

[Ginny]

Here's a link to the current AAFCO standards. It also explains how to convert to a dry matter %.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659+1661&aid=662

Should also note that the ratio of Calcium to Phosphorous is also impt., but most foods are properly balanced. The caveat comes in when one supplements with too much calcium ultimately throwing that balance off.

Here's a link to a rehash of an often referenced study (I can't link to the full study because it's on a restricted site) which showed the negative effects of too much calcium in growing Great Dane pups. This is impt. because Danes are also giants and giants are definitely unique in their growth patterns.

http://www.breedsmartpartners.com/bronline/en_US/jsp/BO_Page.jsp?pageID=RLDP&articleID=62

 

[dee]

My suggestion--review your puppy contract and discuss this before acquiring your puppy as many breeders request/require certain food until the major growth period (up to 18 mos) is over. If you do not heed this, your contract and 'warranty' may be null and void.

Most breeders send out 'supply lists' as well as the contract well in advance of the actual puppy pick up day as to allow the buyer to purchase food/supplies and to be sure the buyer has read the contract. Hopefully your breeder has done this. There is too much excitement (understandable!) on the day the puppy is released to the new owners.

 

[lilly06]

I'll check with my breeder. This is our second dog with her and she we have talked about food over the years. May be different this time being that he will be co-owned and shown.

I had read something about the calcium and phosph. for pups causing ortho issues. I just looked at the Fromm Family food that I am currently feeding Noche and the calcuim is at 1.2, protien 24%, phos 1.0 and 15% fat.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[lisaperp]

Congrats on the new addition, Rexanne! Can't wait to see the pictures. I met you and Noche when you did our homecheck for rescue. We are also on a puppy list and should hopefully have a pup by July.

 

[lilly06]

Here's a link to the current AAFCO standards. It also explains how to convert to a dry matter %.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659+1661&aid=662

Should also note that the ratio of Calcium to Phosphorous is also impt., but most foods are properly balanced. The caveat comes in when one supplements with too much calcium ultimately throwing that balance off.

Here's a link to a rehash of an often referenced study (I can't link to the full study because it's on a restricted site) which showed the negative effects of too much calcium in growing Great Dane pups. This is impt. because Danes are also giants and giants are definitely unique in their growth patterns.

http://www.breedsmartpartners.com/bronline/en_US/jsp/BO_Page.jsp?pageID=RLDP&articleID=62

Interesting reading. Thank you!