puppy formulas

[edb]

Seems like most companies are putting out puppy formulas high in protein and fat. Loyall, Native and Enhance are all 30/20 and above. I have always tried to stay around 28/17 for medium size dogs at maturity (50lbs). Are these higher protein fat foods just marketing or are they actually helping the pups. Got a new pup coming this next weekend and trying to decide. The new enhance formula really looks good but 31/21 seems high for setter pup. Proplan is still in the 28/17 range for pup. I am assuming the higher feeds are balanced correct so the pups don't grow with the legs looking deformed. Anyone having good luck on the higher level feed.

[Red]

Native

Native Level 1 is 24/14 and Level 2 is 26/16
http://www.nativedogfood.com/energy-level-1/

[edb]

What Native advertises as puppy is 30/20. Their level 2 is very high in calcium and would shy away from it for that reason.

[big steve46]

As long as the kibble is small and the puppy can chew it well, there's no need for a puppy formula. A good adult formula is all you need because the puppy cannot read the label.

[mcbosco]

Seems like most companies are putting out puppy formulas high in protein and fat. Loyall, Native and Enhance are all 30/20 and above. I have always tried to stay around 28/17 for medium size dogs at maturity (50lbs). Are these higher protein fat foods just marketing or are they actually helping the pups. Got a new pup coming this next weekend and trying to decide. The new enhance formula really looks good but 31/21 seems high for setter pup. Proplan is still in the 28/17 range for pup. I am assuming the higher feeds are balanced correct so the pups don't grow with the legs looking deformed. Anyone having good luck on the higher level feed.

[mcbosco]

I wouldn't use a 30/20 unless the quality was very high and the calcium and phosphorous levels were controlled. That Enhance does looks like a good pup food. Just check with them on the calcium levels but I would guess they are fine.

So long as the food is from a reputable company and says "All Life Stages" you should be fine. Even something like Canidae which is a 24/14.5 is an ALS and has raised litter after litter of great pups.

Interestingly, Loyall's 26/19 is for Adult Maintenance but I can't see why it couldn't be a good puppy food.

[Red]

What Native advertises as puppy is 30/20. Their level 2 is very high in calcium and would shy away from it for that reason.

The 1 can be fed to Large Breed pups and has less calcium...

Level 1 is also suitable for large breed puppies where there is a need to avoid rapid growth.From Native...

[birddogger]

As long as the kibble is small and the puppy can chew it well, there's no need for a puppy formula. A good adult formula is all you need because the puppy cannot read the label.

Exactly right!

Charlie

[Sharon]

As long as the kibble is small and the puppy can chew it well, there's no need for a puppy formula. A good adult formula is all you need because the puppy cannot read the label.

X2.............Also will save you a lot of money that first year.

[shets114]

The only difference in the New Enhance Professional Puppy is the formula is now No Corn/Wheat/Soy. the 31/21 ratio has been around for years and tested on a wide variety of dog sizes. The Ca/P ratio is 1.33 and the AAFCO recommended levels are 1.0 and a max of 2.0

If you are concerned with the Pro/Fat ratio you can use the Enhance Pro Endurance which is a 27/17 and a Ca/P ratio of 1.49 slightly higher but still within recommended levels.

You also have to consider the feeding amounts needed.

[edb]

Do you know what the DHA level is in the 27/17. Leaning hard towards the new puppy formula.

[shets114]

DHA Level is .15 grams per cup