puppy food

[caspersmom]

We currently have one 5 month old boxer and will be purchasing another puppy in a couple weeks. Casper, our 5 month old, is currently eating Innova. He was on Nutro but is stubborn and wont eat it. With another puppy it may be too expensive to feed them both Innova. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good quality food priced somewhere in the middle???

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you can not afford to feed 2 dogs a premium quality food (which is cheaper in the long run), then maybe you should re-consider getting another dog.
Food expense is only a small fraction of what it will truly cost to add another dog to your household.

 

[rumsgirl]

I have to agree with Sabrina. Feeding 2 is not that much more than feeding 1.If you go with a cheaper brand you will be going through more food than you would keeping them on a Premium food. Vet care will be the exspensive thing for 2. I have 4 dogs and have them on the best food I can get in my area. I figure why feed them a cheap food and I eat good food.

 

[Debbie Magon]

If I was a dog I wouldnt eat just processed food either
Have you considered the benefits of a natural or home cooked diet?
Not only does it cost far less it is 10 x better for your boxers!
Processed foods are OK in moderation but I am a firm believer in '
We are what we eat!"
Dont imagine it will take ages to prepare either as I feed 5 boxers daily and often extras on the weekends and it takes me but a few minutes from my busy day to toss this and that into the bowls.:D
Dry foods are given at a different meal , so they do get some processed foods but merely for a nibble.
Give it a go.
It does initially take a little getting used to as you have to restructure your thinking to this way but honestly it a breeze!
I keep a constant supply of defrosting meats, chicken necks etc in my fridge so there is never a night when I am out of foods.
If you cant be bothered or are unable to get veggies cheaply a good multi vitamin supplement is fine.
You will be surprised and very pleased by the end results.

 

[caspersmom]

Thank you for your advise. I did not think about how if we go with another food I will be feeding twice as much. What I really was thinking was possibly switching to something like Canidae or Solid Gold which in my area is about 30% less money than Innova. I still want to feed a premium food, just was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

 

[bustermom]

Since you mentioned that you're considering switching to Canidae, I wanted to say that our canine crew would definitely give Canidae "two paws up". Buster has been on it since we brought him home and at the same time I switched my 7 year old Boston Terrier over to Canidae Platinum.

They're doing really well on it and seem to enjoy the taste, but that may be because we always mix in some real food (eggs, veggies, etc.) to prime them...

 

[rumsgirl]

I'm sorry we didn't know you were only switching from one premium food to another. The way you worded it I thought you were switching to a store bought food(Purina,ect.). I don't feed any of those foods as I cannot get it in my area, but from the research I have done they both are excellent foods. In fact I have just recieved some samples of Canidae. I'm just crossing my fingers that Madchen isn't allergic to it like she was to FRR.

 

[Sabrina Jay]

I feed Canidae and I am very pleased with the food.
(my dogs are also) :D

I don't think you will be disappointed in the Canidae, if you decide to try the food. My males (which weigh between 62-68 pds) only eat 3 cups TOTAL per day. My females (which all weigh around 52-55 pds), eat only 2 - 2 1/4 cups per day.

Just remember, anytime you switch food, you must do so gradually, over several days. Mix more of the *normal* food, with a small amount of the *new* food, until you transfer over completely to the new food.

 

[D'sMom]

Originally posted by caspersmom
Thank you for your advise. I did not think about how if we go with another food I will be feeding twice as much. What I really was thinking was possibly switching to something like Canidae or Solid Gold which in my area is about 30% less money than Innova. I still want to feed a premium food, just was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

We use to feed both Dasia and Bianca Innova...but we stopped because Dasia was having such a hard time with Innova..i believe it was too rich for her. Bianca well she eats EVERYTHING and her stomach is like iron!

So we switched them both to Solid Gold, with Semeal Supplements. I am very happy with the results..Dasia has "perfect" poop (yes i check EVERYTIME i pick up) and Bianca loves it...well she loves anything edible.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I too was sold on Innova, but my dogs' stools were never firm with it. I switched to Canidae and have been extremely pleased with the results. And, the dogs seem to like it much better. They actually sit and stare at the food bin at meal times now!

I am also pleased to find that Canidae is a bit less expensive than Innova, you feed even LESS Canidae than Innova so it is saving you money all the way around. I have two adult boxers and we go through a 40 lb. bag of Canidae kibble about once a month. My Canidae costs around US$36.00 for 40# bag, whereas Innova was US$42 for a 33# bag. And both are very high quality foods.

Good luck.