Gun Dog Forum

I received an email from purina saying that they sell a grain free version of the pro plan sport now. It looks to be double the price of the grain version (about $50 for 24lb bag). I wanted to ask someone on here that knows pet nutrition better than me if it makes much sense or if there would be much long term added benefit for me to switch to the grain free version. My dog does fine on the grain version currently.


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I haven't seen any advantage to grain free foods for my dogs. If your dog is doing great on the current formula, why switch?

Take a look and the ingredients in the new stuff. It seems to me that a lot of the grain free foods use others starches like potatos and peas instead of grain, so it's not like they're made out of all dried, kibbled meat.

On the other hand, if you think your dog needs a boost, changing foods might be worth a shot. IMO it's not the grain free thing that improves it, more like different proportions of ingredients, protein and fat content, etc.

Thanks for the reply. You are correct, the grain free food has pea starch and fiber along with dried beer pulp. I wasn't sure if taking grain out of the equation gives your dog any more nutrients. I don't think it give enough added benefit to make sense spending double the price. Some people comment my dog is too skinny (but usually those comment come from people with overweight dogs). My pup is 10 months so I think it's because he's getting bigger and his weight doesn't catch up as fast to fill him out. Currently he's sitting at 57lbs. You can see his ribs, more so when he's turned a certain way. You can be the judge.





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It is not an advantage for working dog.

Your dog looks to be in great shape. Maybe could use a little more meat on his bones but I wouldn't worry about it. As for the dog food I would stay with the regular ProPlan Sport. I think over the last few years there has been way too much emphasis put on grain free dog foods. I think it's mostly a marketing ploy. As long as your dog is doing well on his current food I'd stick with it. You could try increasing the amount your feeding a little.

There are a few (and I mean very few) dogs that do have some food allergies to grains and need a grain free formula. But for the vast majority of dogs the grains are no problem.

Thinner than I'd like, but many would be happy with that.
"It is important that an older dog not be that thin because if it gets sick it needs some meat on its bones to fall back on." quote my vet

Not sure why there would be a difference for a thin young dog or a thin older dog getting sick.

I think your vet has been seeing too many fat, overweight house dogs! I personally think it's more important to keep the weight off an older dog as it puts less weight and strain on their joints. Many of the GSP's I see at my NSTRA trials look just like yours. No extra fat. Wish I could say that for myself!

Appreciate all the input. I fed my dog 1 cup 3 times a day from when I got him until he was about 8 months then I started feeding 1 3/4 cups in the morning and at night. I'm thinking about either going back to 3 times a day and just do 1 cup at noon or maybe just up his morning and night portion. I just need to find the sweet spot.


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Don't make it a bigger problem than it is. Doesn't make any difference when you feed and little if any how often, just up one of the feedings a half cup and see how it works. You can always adjust it later. For a matter of fact a dogs rewquirements are always changing so there is no correct amount to feed on a continuing basis.

Friend,
I have a male that looks just like yours. I feed half raw and sportsmix black bag. It's just the way they're built. IMO our dogs look the way dogs should.


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