puppy or large breed
- Thread starter PMFLAR
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Innova is a very good quality brand, so no problems there at all 
As for large breed versus standard - it really depends on what's in the packet
Boxers aren't actually a large breed in the first place, they're medium. But notwithstanding that, you should look at the two foods and choose the better of the two of them (some so-called large breed foods are junk, some are no different to the standard formula, some use gimmicks like "added glucosamine/chondroitin", and some are very good).
When it comes to the two versions of Innova - they're both pretty good, and the difference is only in the minor ingredients. The regular puppy formula has 26% crude protein, 12% fat. The large breed has 24% crude protein, 12% fat. It is generally recommended that you choose a food with between 22-26% protein. Both versions of Innova qualify, and are perfectly suitable for a growing puppy - of any size. The calcium content is not given online - but the recommended limit for growing pups is 1.5% (preferably 0.8-1.3%). It's worth checking to see if that is disclosed on the packaging (it isn't always - which is a great pity).
Anyway, both formulas are suitable. And the top 5 ingredients (which actually make up the bulk of the food) are identical. It is the minor ingredients that differ, but overall, I prefer the regular version. It has less grains overall (which is good), and more of the fat content would appear to come from oil. I also note that there is a significant difference in the calorie content of the two foods, and in the feeding guideline. With the large breed formula, you need to feed significantly more food, which suggests much lower digestibility. That contributes to my feeling that the regular formula is the better quality product.
As for large breed versus standard - it really depends on what's in the packet
Boxers aren't actually a large breed in the first place, they're medium. But notwithstanding that, you should look at the two foods and choose the better of the two of them (some so-called large breed foods are junk, some are no different to the standard formula, some use gimmicks like "added glucosamine/chondroitin", and some are very good).When it comes to the two versions of Innova - they're both pretty good, and the difference is only in the minor ingredients. The regular puppy formula has 26% crude protein, 12% fat. The large breed has 24% crude protein, 12% fat. It is generally recommended that you choose a food with between 22-26% protein. Both versions of Innova qualify, and are perfectly suitable for a growing puppy - of any size. The calcium content is not given online - but the recommended limit for growing pups is 1.5% (preferably 0.8-1.3%). It's worth checking to see if that is disclosed on the packaging (it isn't always - which is a great pity).
Anyway, both formulas are suitable. And the top 5 ingredients (which actually make up the bulk of the food) are identical. It is the minor ingredients that differ, but overall, I prefer the regular version. It has less grains overall (which is good), and more of the fat content would appear to come from oil. I also note that there is a significant difference in the calorie content of the two foods, and in the feeding guideline. With the large breed formula, you need to feed significantly more food, which suggests much lower digestibility. That contributes to my feeling that the regular formula is the better quality product.
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