a bit confused

[tasillo]

Nina is a bit over 16 weeks. I have decided after much reading here that she does not need to be on a puppy kibble for large dogs especially as i know now she is not a large breed dog.
I have switched her to an adult chicken with oatmeal by nutro (natural)
She was on lamb for puppies before and last week decided she was just not too interested.....this made me do my switch to an adult one.
I am confused .....when i was at the petstore getting it the owner looked puzzled and almost concerned as to why i would be putting a 4 month old on an adult kibble and not for large breed.
He asked if i knew what i was doing i said yes...the breeder recommended it...and he looked shocked..
As for Nina she simply loves her kibble and now i add a lot less water to it ...she just gobbles it up....
I just want to be sure i am doing the right thing here...any thoughts?

 

[Luvnmyboxer]

There are several other posts that discuss this also, as far as to why not use the large breed and how several ppl use the adult formula also. Personally I rescued my dog at 10 months of age, so I"m not really any help on this topic for you- as my dog has been on adult food since I've had him. And as far as the pet store guy--just ignore him, they just know dogs in general, trust me you'll get more boxer knowledge here than any single person could provide you with at a pet store.

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

I have heard the argument that it is actually better for them to be on adult food... they don't gain weight as quickly and therefore, there is not as much pressure on their forming joints.

 

[boxer]

IMO puppy food is at best a waste of time, and at worst is harmful. With few exceptions, it is grossly overloaded with protein and calcium. Then they try to sell you special 'large breed', 'small breed', 'toy breed' and various other concoctions loaded up with things like glucosalamine to try to ease the stress on joints or to slow down an excessive growth rate that is caused in the first place by the excess protein and calcium in the food...

Ever seen a bit of scientific research to indicate that a puppy needs different food from an adult? Nope, just like human children, post-weaning they are designed to eat the same things as adults, just in higher relative doses.

Your breeder has it exactly right. Go with the adult formula food from the outset

It doesn't surprise me at all that the person in the petstore was surprised though. Being a nutritionist is not a pre-requisite for owning a petstore and their knowledge of food is likely to be based primarily on what most people buy. Most pet owners just assume they need puppy formula - after all, why else would it be there? Surely not just to entice you to spend money... LOL

 

[tasillo]

thanks

Thank you for all the replies.
Since this is still all new to me i am trying to make minimal mistakes...and am sure have made a lot alreadyLOL