when to start on Dog chow
- Thread starter MikeAM
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BooBoo & Riley
Completely Boxer Crazy
Sorry Mike, but what I have to suggest you may not like...
Don't feed her any Chow at all... Dog Chow and Puppy Chow is the equivelant of McDonald's food for a human baby. There is only fat and perservitives in this food. Although you dog will grow, it isn't really getting the nutrition that it needs to thrive. Try some better foods if you can afford it. The rule of thumb is to look at the first 3 ingrediants of the food, it should have good sources of protein (chicken/chicken meal) and no grains as the top 3. Puppy chow or dog chow's main ingrediant is corn... now think about that, dogs are carivores/omnivories needing very little veggies... why would we feed dogs foods that start with corn, which by the way their stomach does not process very well. Hope this helps.
The most affordable good food I've found is the Costco brand of premium dog food that comes in chicken and lamb varieties. The first two ingrediants are chicken/lamb, then chicken meal/lamb meal... There are a lot better foods out there, just looking at the first page of the food forum will give you a great idea of what they are.
As for your real question, you can feed adult food any time as long as you are feeding a good food.
Don't feed her any Chow at all... Dog Chow and Puppy Chow is the equivelant of McDonald's food for a human baby. There is only fat and perservitives in this food. Although you dog will grow, it isn't really getting the nutrition that it needs to thrive. Try some better foods if you can afford it. The rule of thumb is to look at the first 3 ingrediants of the food, it should have good sources of protein (chicken/chicken meal) and no grains as the top 3. Puppy chow or dog chow's main ingrediant is corn... now think about that, dogs are carivores/omnivories needing very little veggies... why would we feed dogs foods that start with corn, which by the way their stomach does not process very well. Hope this helps.
The most affordable good food I've found is the Costco brand of premium dog food that comes in chicken and lamb varieties. The first two ingrediants are chicken/lamb, then chicken meal/lamb meal... There are a lot better foods out there, just looking at the first page of the food forum will give you a great idea of what they are.
As for your real question, you can feed adult food any time as long as you are feeding a good food.
lexintitus
Super Boxer
If what you mean by "chow" is kibble, then I'd say go ahead and switch her. Now, if it's like BooBoo&Riley's impression, meaning Puppy Chow (Purina Puppy Chow?), etc. stop that immediately. BooBoo&Riley is right...it's the McDonald's of dog food.
Lexi and Titus were never put on a special puppy formula. The kibble I gave them was for all ages of life and provided them the nutrients they needed whether they be a puppy or full staged adult. Make sure you switch the food gradually, so they won't get upset tummies
Lexi and Titus were never put on a special puppy formula. The kibble I gave them was for all ages of life and provided them the nutrients they needed whether they be a puppy or full staged adult. Make sure you switch the food gradually, so they won't get upset tummies
I would never feed Jake any kind of chow. BooBoo and Riley is right it's the equivalent of Mcdonalds. I feed Jake Nutro which is a very good dog food. When your feeding them a higher quality dog food it can prevent health problems and one thing that I love is he poops less because he doesn't need to eat as much to get the nutrients he needs. You will spend more money but you won't be buying as much dog food so it evens out. To answer your question I kept Jake on puppy food until he was a year old because they are still growing until then.
PawPrintBoxers
Banned
Answer: NEVER! Please don't feed any dog Dog Chow. That stuff really is garbage. Take that from someone who has healthy long living Boxers.
The advice given by others is good. You would not want to live off french fries so please do give a better dog food for your Boxer
The advice given by others is good. You would not want to live off french fries so please do give a better dog food for your Boxer
My BIG boy has been on adult food or all life stages food since 8 weeks. Dog chow really is one of the worst. Search the feeding forum you find TONS of info on rally good foods and those foods will help your dog live a much healtheir life and often less poop to clean up as well since higher quality foods get used up more by the dogs body since its good stuff and not just fillers. This also often equal less vet bills and better health. Good luck.
Hi Mike Why don't you take a look through this forum for previous threads about how to pick a quality food? In general, things to avoid are (1) anything with a grain in the top 3 ingredients, and (2) anything with corn or corn meal.
I'm afraid to say Science diet isn't a great food either. It has quite a few fillers and, as I understand it, several known carcinogens. Popular choices here include Canidae, Wellness, Chicken Soup, Natural Balance... well, there are quite a few good foods
As for when to switch from a puppy food to an adult formula - anytime you like, in fact. I don't personally go for puppy formulas (I think they're overloaded and that can be problematic) but those that do generally switch to adult food at around 4-6 months.
Why don't you take a look through this forum for previous threads about how to pick a quality food? In general, things to avoid are (1) anything with a grain in the top 3 ingredients, and (2) anything with corn or corn meal.I'm afraid to say Science diet isn't a great food either. It has quite a few fillers and, as I understand it, several known carcinogens. Popular choices here include Canidae, Wellness, Chicken Soup, Natural Balance... well, there are quite a few good foods
As for when to switch from a puppy food to an adult formula - anytime you like, in fact. I don't personally go for puppy formulas (I think they're overloaded and that can be problematic) but those that do generally switch to adult food at around 4-6 months.
courtney323
Energetic Moderator<br><img src="/forums/images/mo
EEEEEK! Don't feed him puppy chow, dog chow, or Science Diet.
All of those are complete garbage.
Please do a search on quality kibbles and you will find a lot of good suggestions.
Personally, I feed Canidae and Wellness. My female came to me on Science Diet and she wouldn't eat much of it. She also had HORRIBLE gas, allergies, dull coat, etc..
Switcing her to a quality diet has made a world of difference. She no longer has any of the above problems.
As a side note, you do not need to be feeding "puppy food" either. Your dog will thrive on "adult" food
Good luck
All of those are complete garbage.
Please do a search on quality kibbles and you will find a lot of good suggestions.
Personally, I feed Canidae and Wellness. My female came to me on Science Diet and she wouldn't eat much of it. She also had HORRIBLE gas, allergies, dull coat, etc..
Switcing her to a quality diet has made a world of difference. She no longer has any of the above problems.
As a side note, you do not need to be feeding "puppy food" either. Your dog will thrive on "adult" food
Good luck
Tango's Mama
Super Boxer
Hi Mike! Please dont feel for one minute that any of these comments are meant to sound as if your a bad doggy dad. If you dont ask you'll never know! I had no idea myself when I first got my boxers and I wish now that there had been a forum such as this to guide my way a little bit. Lots of good foods out there and I personally can vouch for quality making the difference in your pets. Tango is on Wellness but if he didnt have allergies i would have tried some of the other foods listed on various thread. Good luck on choosing one! I think BW is such a good place to come to for questions about anything to do with your Boxer ..tons of advice and even more nice people to help you along..
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