Re: Top 10 Dog Food w/ No Puppy Formula

In Reply to: Top 10 Dog Food w/ No Puppy Formula
Category:   Other
Posted by:  Rebecca Reed
Posted on:  January 28, 2003 at 23:34:48

: Yes, yes, another reader with another food question.

: I feed my kids Eukanuba puppy, but my female exhibits signs of allergies and after reading all your information about the stuff in dog food, I really would like to switch them to something better.

: My local pet store (I live in the middle of nowhere)has only 1 of the "Top 10" foods your feeding FAQ lists--the Dick VanPatton kibble made of duck and potatoes. I have thought about BARF, but finding organic or hormone-less meat is more impossible than good dog food.

: This brand claims it's for all life stages and has much less protein and fat than the others.

: 1) Thoughts on "no age requirement" on the food?
: 2) Am I going to hurt my kids by giving them less fat in exchange for better ingredients?
: (female JRT-8mos | male terrier mix-4mos)

: Thanks for putting up with another food question.

Response:

Dear Rebecca,

In my opinion... :-)

(1) I really don't have a problem with a brand of food that doesn't have a specific puppy or senior formula. I know owners who have started feeding their pups adult food at 4 months of age and some who continued with puppy food until the dog was 18 months old. And I've read that a senior formula isn't just for seniors...

(2) Given the choice between "better" ingredients or more fat, I'd vote for the better ingredients. That is kinda why you're changing their food, yes? :-)

There are other alternatives to petstores; many of the recommended foods on the WDJ list can be ordered and shipped directly to your home. Or you can talk to your vet about carrying a brand of food that isn't found locally. Check with feed or farming supply places. In my neck of the woods, the local feed store is the only place that carries California Natural.

Good luck with your research and remember to take your time switching over to a new food. I've successfully (no tummy upsets) switched my terriers to new brands of food three times in their lives by stretching it out over 3 weeks.