Grain-free kibble - Page 2 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

JE-UK · 09-05-2011, 01:53 AM

I have no data to back it up, but I have a mistrust of puppy formulas. Before getting my miniature, I had larger breeds, and my dad used to breed Beaucerons, and large breed puppies tend toward joint problems in later life if they grow too fast, so puppy formulas (generally with more calcium and more calories) are a no-no.

I'd suggest asking your vet for advice, but vets seem to be poorly educated on foods; mine keeps recommending Science Diet (ick).

If it were me, I'd supplement with some high-calorie foods to get weight gain ... olive oil, liver, cheese, sardines, etc.

georgiapeach · 09-05-2011, 07:01 AM

I've been told that puppy food has a high calcium content for growing bones and shouldn't be given to a full grown dog. If you want to put weight on your dog, mix in some canned food with the kibble.

sakyurek · 09-05-2011, 07:02 AM

Grain free ones made my dogs allergic is that normal.

tokipoke · 09-05-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spindrift

That's good to know. He's a mini.

I asked this question in a separate thread, but since there has been no response maybe someone here could answer. My poodle is about a year old or maybe a little older and needs to gain a few pounds. I was wondering if feeding him puppy food would help with that, or is it a bad idea. Thoughts?

If I were in your position, I would probably feed my dog puppy food. I was trying to see when it was a good time to switch my puppy to adult food. I found mixed answers. Many people said at 6 months, others said for large breeds not to switch off puppy food till they are a year old! So giving your dog puppy food wouldn't hurt. Maybe try mixing half puppy food and half adult food?

There is also Satin Balls to make a dog gain weight, but I believe this is for "quick" weight gain for a show dog or a really emaciated dog. I have not tried this myself so could not give you more details on the results.

tokipoke · 09-05-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakyurek

Grain free ones made my dogs allergic is that normal.

What are their allergy symptoms? I've heard of some dogs being allergic to certain proteins, such as beef or chicken, but was okay with novel proteins such as venison or bison.

liljaker · 09-05-2011, 07:56 AM

Doubt the grain free composition has anything to do with allergy.......if the dogs have allergies as a result of the food, look at the protein and that's probably the culprit. And yes, puppy formula specifically has higher calcium for puppies as they are growing and should not be given to older dogs.

Kloliver · 02-19-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liljaker

Doubt the grain free composition has anything to do with allergy.......if the dogs have allergies as a result of the food, look at the protein and that's probably the culprit.

Hi Lj,

I respectfully disagree. I wld look to the fillers in any food as the probable allergen. Dogs do not produce the necessary enzymes to sucessfully break down carbs & veggies/cellulose.

Everyone:

Grain free formulas need some sort of binder so companies often use alternative sources like brown rice, barley, potatos (& sweet) or pea (less troublesome.) These also lead to problems as they are high glycemic foods. I'm not saying this is always the problem but food sensitivities generally start with any fillers other than protein.

Liafast · 02-20-2012, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spindrift

That's good to know. He's a mini.

I asked this question in a separate thread, but since there has been no response maybe someone here could answer. My poodle is about a year old or maybe a little older and needs to gain a few pounds. I was wondering if feeding him puppy food would help with that, or is it a bad idea. Thoughts?

I suggest you take him to the vet and have his thyroid levels checked, if they are ok then I would consider adding a little canned or puppy food.

liljaker · 02-20-2012, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spindrift

That's good to know. He's a mini.

I asked this question in a separate thread, but since there has been no response maybe someone here could answer. My poodle is about a year old or maybe a little older and needs to gain a few pounds. I was wondering if feeding him puppy food would help with that, or is it a bad idea. Thoughts?

Although I am sure there are others on the forum with better knowledge of this, I do specifically recall when Jake was a pup, the vet telling me that you should not feed "puppy formula" beyond 6 months or whatever, since the amount of calcium, etc., would be too high. I think you should find an adult food that is nutritious, and some are better for dogs needing to add a few pounds, etc., but I'd ask the vet rather than just using the puppy forumlas now.

Persia · 02-23-2012, 06:35 PM

During travels Persia gets kibble and I feed her Wilderness.
You can find it at Petsmart and it is not expensive.

Grain free or the Brand is not the only thing that should catch your attention, but also the ingredients and fillers.

Example:
A Duck formula in Wilderness also contains chicken and turkey.
The Salmon formula also contains white fish.

Peas make Persia poop a lot and sometimes it is watery.

Some formulas (not Wilderness)
use pea flour, pea starch, and peas in a single bag!
That is what is probably causing the soft poop.
Irregular poops leads to stomach upset.

On Wilderness Persia goes once a day and it is moist firm.
On RAW she goes once a day and it is firm.

If the food is Ok'd for your dog's consumption I suggest an extra 1/2 cup to a cup for weight gain.

They gain weight fast on kibble.