Orijen Large Breed Puppy

[WrigleyPup]

So, I've decided to switch my 13 week old from Eukanuba LB Puppy to Orijen LB Puppy food. It is clear to my by the ingredient list that I am switching him to a superior food, however, after extensive dog food research (dog food research overload actually!) I'm concerned that the protein levels may pose a risk. The people at Champion Pet Foods (maker of Orijen) have been great at answering my questions regarding protein levels and they lead me to believe there is no cause for concern. My vet had never heard of Orijen and didn't offer me any advise other than make sure it's been through AAFCO feeding trials for puppies, which I don't believe Orijen has. I really like the ingredient list/price of TOTW, however, the recall history concerns me.

Long story short, does anybody have any personal experiences whether they be positive or negative with Orijen puppy food? I'm not really concerned with loose stools, but more so long term health effects giving this diet to a young pup. The new food will be arriving at my house on Monday and I just want to be confident that I'm not making a mistake with this diet. Going through this process I find it quite funny that I'm willing to spend hours on end researching protein, calcium, and carbohydrate levels for my dog, but I have no issue eating whatever junk I feel like at the time .

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Jan]

Orijen is good food! I wouldn't feed the large breed food as boxers are not large breed dogs. The regular puppy food would be fine. I wouldn't worry about the AAFCO as I don't think it means a lot. Orijen can be very rich and your boxer might not do well on it. There is lots of All Life Stages food out there. Dogs don't really need puppy food. It tends to make them grow too fast and you really don't want that. Slow steady growth is best. If you belong to Costco, the Nature's Domain Food is pretty good. It is reasonable and grain free.

Good luck with your pup!

 

[Bathel]

Orijens is Excellent food. Was my first choice, but my little girl had gas on it and although it wasn't a problem at the house, she comes to work with me and at the office it was an issue.

I too wouldn't feed the Large Breed Puppy as boxers are not a large bread. We went with the all stage life six fish and regional red (alternating bags).

If the protein level gives your pup issues, you can try the Arcana brand (same maker, but less protein). It is made to the same high level standard as Orijen's.

BTW, Orijen is made to AAFCO nutrient standards, just not through the field feeding trial... they use the Nutrient profile method and that is acceptable to AAFCO. I'm sure they are not the only quality food to go that route as the feeding trial is expensive. I wouldn't give it a second thought in regards to Orijens, it's top quality.

 

[WrigleyPup]

Thanks for the input! It appears that the common consensus is that I should avoid the large breed formula. The reason that I went this way is because I once had a vet tell me that the LB formula aids with slow and steady growth in an effort to reduce skeletal issues in adulthood associated with rapid growth as a puppy. Perhaps this is incorrect?

I actually was considering the Kirkland brand until I found out it was made by Diamond and that was definitely a turn off for me.

Anyway, thanks again for the info. I'm going to go ahead and begin feeding the Orijen LB Puppy formula since I already ordered it. Once the bag's gone I may go ahead and transition my pup to the standard puppy formula or perhaps an all life stages as was suggested assuming he does well on it. I'll report back to this thread after he's been on it for a few months with my experience.

Cheers!

 

[Bathel]

Thanks for the input! It appears that the common consensus is that I should avoid the large breed formula. The reason that I went this way is because I once had a vet tell me that the LB formula aids with slow and steady growth in an effort to reduce skeletal issues in adulthood associated with rapid growth as a puppy. Perhaps this is incorrect?

I actually was considering the Kirkland brand until I found out it was made by Diamond and that was definitely a turn off for me.

Anyway, thanks again for the info. I'm going to go ahead and begin feeding the Orijen LB Puppy formula since I already ordered it. Once the bag's gone I may go ahead and transition my pup to the standard puppy formula or perhaps an all life stages as was suggested assuming he does well on it. I'll report back to this thread after he's been on it for a few months with my experience.

Cheers!

BTW, I have no issues with the Diamond food either. I would choose Champion over Diamond every day, but the food recalls are really more for HUMAN issues than dog issues. Salmonella doesn't affect dogs like it does humans. They have a digestive system setup to handle it. Where it becomes an issue is in the handling of the food and the solid waste left in your yard. Both could be problematic to humans handle either with salmonella.

I would have no issues feeding any dog the Krikland grainfree Costco dog food. In fact, a lot of people on this board do feed that brand and are very happy with it.

 

[Laylee]

I agree, Orijen would be my top choice if I could afford it! It's quality stuff. I'll be buying Acana as one of the brands I use though as it's more in my price range!

How did your pup go with the Orijen LB? I bought my pup an LB food (Barking Heads Little Big Foot) this weekend because on alot of charts the adult weight of a male boxer is classed as large breed, but so many people on here say they're a medium breed, so I got confused, thought the food differences were all just a marketing gimmick and went with LB! Did you feed her slightly less than what you would have if it was the regular puppy food?

I ordered the regular Barking Heads puppy food when I realised I'd made a mistake, so until that arrives I'm feeding him slightly less, and just wondered if that's what you did, or did you feed the normal amount with no problems?

And I totally agree. My dog eats better than I do! And after researching all the foods and diets I realised it's just the human equivalent of a neurotic mother who only feeds their child natural and organic food! That said, paying attention to his diet and realising I feed him better than i feed myself has made me start really looking at how i can make changes to my own diet. Cut the crap etc. so that can only be a good thing