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by Linda Arndt The issue of knowing whether or not to feed a "Puppy Food," is one of confusion and controversy. The textbooks, dog food companies and veterinarians tell us, you must feed a puppy food for proper growth. Yet breeders tell puppy buyers not to use a Puppy food based on their years of experience with uneven growth patterns and bone diseases, due to feeding a high plane of nutrition (28%protein 18%fat). Based on my own feed trials and working with hundreds of breeders over the past 30 years, I have found a suitable solution for feeding the large/giant breed dogs which is more in tune to their metabolism and the evolution of the large/giant breeds. Over the years we have learned that by feeding the in following manner, we can avoid developmental bone growth problems. Use foods that are: > high quality super premium adult food > multiple proteins (meat/poultry/fish/eggs) > meat/poultry based diet > moderate protein - 22-23% protein > moderate fat -12-15% fat > moderate calorie (325 - 360) > chelated / sequestered minerals > naturally preserved > human grade ingredients. > control portions of daily consumption The drastic growth stages from 8 weeks - 6 months, are a fragile developmental stage and puppies are prone to growth diseases such as HOD (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy) and OCD (Osteochronditis Dessicans). This means the large and giant breeds generally do better in their growth and development when fed an Adult Formula food because they are moderate in their calories/protein/fat. However, not all Adult formulas are acceptable, because they do not have enough nutrition (vitamins/minerals/amino acids) present for proper growth. In fact very few adult formulas are appropriate for growth. That is why the ONLY food I ever recommend for feeding large/giant breed puppies under 6 months of age is Eagle Natural Formula due to it's optimum level of nutrients. This food allows puppies to develop slow and even growth patterns without compromising the nutritional content of the food, because they use appropriate levels of vitamins/minerals/amino acids to support growth. Eagle Natural Formula has the longest track record of any commercial dog food (12 years) for the large/giant breeds and it is the only food involved in extensive feed trials on large/giant breeds. Let's look at 'mother nature' for the answers on how to feed these fragile giants. If we look at what happens in the wild, puppies are not weaned from the mom until 6 - 8 weeks of age, and during that time they would be getting a high fat/calorie dense diet from nursing. But once they are weaned from the damn, the puppies only get small amounts of regurgitated foods and they actually get very little to eat until they are old enough to hunt on their own. So during those developmental stages in the wild, they are actually consuming less calories/nutrition. I believe using a high calorie/protein/fat diet goes against what nature intended, which is for them to grow slow and even, so their muscles and bone developed at the same rate, lending support to the joints. Because of this, I do not use "puppy foods" on my puppies past 6-8 weeks of age. By switching to a moderate protein/fat/calorie food with the highest quality vitamin/minerals/amino acids like Eagle Natural Formula 23% protein 12% fat, we can mimics what would happen in the wild in terms of growth patterns, which in turn builds a stronger foundation for the animal's structure and eliminates developmental orthopedic diseases or DOD. Linda Arndt Canine Care Consultant Blackwatch Great Dane Kennels est - 1973 www.daneworld.com/LindaArndt.htm Click here: Linda Arndt & Blackwatch Great Danes * If you ask my opinion or for my assistance on health and feeding issues, understand my response is not to be used "in lieu of " veterinarian advise and treatment, and should be discussed with your vet for a comprehensive approach to better health for your pet.
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