New pup feeding questions.

[K8IE]

So, our new baby comes home in just 12 more days! (pics in my gallery) He has been eating Nutro at the breeder's, but I want to switch him to something better. I know I will do at least a couple of bags of Merrick puppy since I am getting some for free, but after that I am not sure what I will feed him. I know a lot of people really like the Canidae all life stages. Would it be fine to put him on it when he is a few months old? (Once the Merrick is gone). I also want to feed some raw meals as well. What would be the best thing to start him on as a baby? I think I will start with one kibble meal and one raw meal. Any advice is appreciated, it has been a while since I have had a baby!!! Thanks!

 

[raemiller]

I started my Molly on Nutro and she did great on it - I used it because of the L-Carnitine ingredient in the large breed food. (We lost a boxer to cardiomyopathy.) I would mix the dry with canned until the recall. I then used Merrick after trying samples and she really loved it but had some loose stools and when we got Tag he had a terrible time with loose stools. So we changed over to Natural Balance potato and duck and Tag has done great with this but Molly has had some vomiting. Now with the recall on Natural Balance I just don't know what to do. I am really confused. We can't get the Canidae locally and I too would love any help or advice on a good food. Has anyone tried Evo?

 

[K8IE]

EVO is good, but only for adults, I believe. Too much protein for a baby..
Does anyone know anything about the canola oil in the food? Someone just asked me about it and I am not sure..

 

[Thira's Mom]

Instead of Evo, I would go with Innova puppy. If you look at the ingredients the first is meat - not a byproduct or meal. The company that makes Evo/Innova is very respectable and has a good reputation. We go back to Innova and Evo all the time when we rotate food. There are lots of other good puppy formulas out there - Merrick is one also.

 

[K8IE]

So can anyone tell me when it would be best to start him on the Canidae all life stages, or does it not matter?

 

[rvngal]

I have 4 dogs, ages 11 years, 15 months, 9 mos, and 4.5 months and they all eat Canidae. Their stools have much improved on this diet and they're doing great.

 

[gmacleod]

Canidae is an all-life-stages food (which means it's gone through a great deal more testing than an "adult" or "puppy" formula - if you put any faith in feeding trials), so he could be started on that straight away. As a general rule though, it's usually best to stick with whatever he had at his breeders place for about a week. That's just so he doesn't have to go through the stress of rehoming and cope with a food change all at the same time.

 

[K8IE]

Thanks, I do plan to feed him the Nutro for a little while til he is settled. I was not sure about the Canidae as I have not used it before. How long should I wait before I let him have some RMBs??

 

[gmacleod]

No need to wait at all - though if you want to be really cautious, then I guess the same week to allow him to settle into his new home. Raw is usually easier on the tummy though.

 

[K8IE]

Would chicken necks or backs be OK? Or is there something better for pups who have never had any raw bones?