freeze dried puppy food

[Diane Margetts]

I’m looking for a dog food to transition my puppy to (breeder fed life’s abundance). I tried him on Stella and Chewys freeze dried puppy food and he loves it! He does a happy dance all the way back to his crate at meal time. The only thing I didn’t really factor in was cost.  I absolutely don’t mind paying for a high-quality dog food but this would cost me $10 a day for my guy and that’s just a bit steep. I want him to love his food and I want him to have a high-quality food so I’m thinking maybe find a really good kibble and maybe use a freezer dried topper? Does anyone else feet freeze dried raw?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I use the Stella & Chewy's Meal Mixer Nuggets crushed over Fromm kibble. They would work with any kibble, and my guy loves it. S & C also makes a raw coated kibble and a raw blend kibble, either of which might be just what you're looking for. 

There are really no less expensive freeze dried raw diets that are going to be signbificantly less than what you're using. You might try pricing Steve's Real Food for Dogs, I think their freeze dried raw may be slightly less expensive than Stella & Chewy's: https://www.stevesrealfood.com/frozen-raw-dog-food/freeze-dried-pet...

[Diane Margetts]

Thank you Karen—I like all of those ideas!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Please let us know what you end up trying. :) 

[Diane Margetts]

I had a small bag of Fromm puppy food because that’s initiallywhat I. Was going to feed him. I gave him a taste mixed with the Stella and chewys and he is There is pet store that has lots of different samples so I will pick some up today. They also carry the Steve’s brand you mentioned. And also, i didn’t tell you this but Wrangler’s adult weightwill be between 70 and 80 pounds if that matters in my choice . . . (I wanted a smaller Doodle this time!!!)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The best laid plans of mice and dog moms, lol! 

[Diane Margetts]

Sigh . .. Loved the idea of Fromm with a food topper. I picked up a sample and Wrangler will have nothing to do with the Fromm. My next two choices will be Canidee or solid gold. My other option would be the northwest naturals freeze dried diet. I know you weren’t crazy about them but at the same time I believe you said they seem to be fine quality-wise. They are more reasonably priced than most raw diets. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

What about an all life stages fromm formula? You'd end up feeding more but there are more flavor choices.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Diane, there are dozens of Fromm formulas. Which one did you try? There's really no need to switch brands; if your pup doesn't like one formula, you can just try a different one.

Puppies do not have to eat a formula that is strictly for puppies. They do very well with an ALS (all life stages) formula. Jasper's breeder started the puppies on Fromm's Four Star Surf and Turf, which is an ALS formula. They did very very well on it, and I've kept him on that line. He prefers the grain free formulas, specifically the Beef Fritatta as well as the Surf & Turf. 

If you want to stay with a formula that is made strictly for puppies, Fromm also has the Heartland Gold puppy formula, which is grain-free and red meat based. He might like that better.
I crush a few of the S & C nuggets over the kibble and mix it around so that the pieces of kibble all have some of the freeze dried raw on them. 

If you do want to switch brands, maybe try the S & C kibbles. 

Nature's Variety also has a raw coated kibble. That might be less expensive.

I'm pretty sure that if your guy didn;t like the Puppy Gold kibble, he isn;t going to like the Canidae or Soild Gold any better, lol. 

[Diane Margetts]

The Heartland Gold is what I have. I will get some samples of ALS varieties and see if something clicks!

Have you heard of Stewart Raw Naturals? They have larger packages and they are more reasonable. It sounds good to me but I trust your judgement.

JUST SAW THIS: Stella and Chewy freeze dried chicken dinner is almost half the price of the beef.However, it is not a puppy food. Is there anything that inferior about chicken?  https://www.chewy.com/stella-chewys-chewys-chicken-dinner/dp/121085

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not a thing wrong or inferior about chicken. 

I didn't know Stewart made dog food. I've used their training treats for years. And they have good sourcing. Sounds good to me, too. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

How is it going?   Puppy picture?

[Diane Margetts]

Going great! Wrangler is a wonderful boy — but heis a puppy!! I’m very happy that he has so many doggy friends so he will be very well socialized! He still not able to walk because he hasn’t been fully vaccinated but next week, the fun begins!  He also graduates from puppy school, round one, next week!