I don't think I have stressed about something so much since my daughter was born...

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

I have grown up with pets and owned cats forever. I have never given too much thought to food, other than listening to Vets and Petsmart employees. :) I have our first puppy and every time I settle on a food I then read something that changes my mind. I don't want to do grain free for the first year because I think that puppies benefit from some grains. I was set on Wellness, but then read that a big company bought them out and that you shouldn't trust what they say as to where they get products. DogFood Adviser has great info, but then I have read not to trust sites that use a star rating. My Vet says Science Diet, Eukanuba are the only ones with paid research going into the foods the rest are just trying to make money off of pet owners! So who to believe??? 

I wanted to do the Acana with Grain Puppy and Junior, but I can't find it anywhere? Can we not get that in the USA? HOw am I supposed to feel comfortable with any decision when there is so much contradicting info out there? 

[Rachel and Ollie]

I have Ollie on Fromm Puppy formula and I love it. It is made in WI...it's a family business. It's been great. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I think you will find good scientific based common sense advice in this group.   Vets do not get any training in nutrition except what the pet food companies teach them.  I certainly wouldn't take any notice of a vet who also sells food.   The list of recommended foods here is excellent.   My puppy is now 45 weeks old and I moved him to Orijen puppy  at 11 weeks and he is thriving without any problems since.  

[Cheri & Bonny]

Even though I can get Acana and Orijen in my local stores, I buy it online at Petflow.com.  You set up an order and shipping schedule and they send it to your house.  AND, no shipping fees depending on your order amount.  I did have a bit of a problem last year with product availability, but the last three shipments have been fine.  FYI, I rotate between Acana and Orijen without any issues, all flavors now.  

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Thanks for the replies. So I should feel confident with Wellness since it is on the approved list despite the stuff I am reading about the new owners. I am wondering if you can't get the Acana puppy food in the states. All I can find is the grain free formulas. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm not sure where you read that Wellness has new owners. Check the dates on the website information you are seeing. The Natura brands, which are EVO, Innova, and California Naturals, were sold to Proctor and Gamble last year. Wellness was owned by Old Mother Hubbard, which was sold along with several other brands including Eagle pack, to Wellpet LLC back in 2007. They've been under the same ownership since then and there have been no problems.

I'd be interested in why you feel a puppy benefits from grains. I think perhaps some do fine with grains and others don't, but what are your reasons?

 

 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Karen, I have Miss Beasley on Wellness and she is doing great on it.  I was recently told by 2 local pet food stores that Wellness sources their vitamin C from China.  Should I  (we) be worried about Vitamin C from China?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

According to some research I recently did, 90% of all of the vitamin C added to any food or supplement, including human foods & supplements, comes from China. We don't have to be happy about that, but there's not much we can do about it.

I again encourage everyone to read Marion Nestle's Food Politics and Pet Food Politics, to learn more about these issues of imported ingredients and the government's overseeing of quality control (or lack of it) in the food supply system. Our own food supply is closely linked to that of our pets.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Many, if not all of the Acana kibbles are for all life stages and could be used for a puppy. Doggiefood.com is wonderful, no ongoing plan, no tax here in NJ and fast delivery.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the Acana store locator. There's a store listed in Olathe that carries it, I think that's closest to you.

http://www.championpetfoods.com/acana/locator/locator.php?locate-wi...

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have not heard of any sale of Wellness - Wellpet is a great company and Wellness is a good quality food (though I prefer the grain free higher protein CORE line from them). Vets certainly do not know much regarding food - their 1 class at vet school is by Hill, Royal Canin, Purina etc. Some pet food stores educate their employees, but its usually the smaller, owner based specialty pet stores, not the big box chains, so I wouldnt go on what the petsmart people say either.

Acana is a great company too, and I really like their products - more so than wellness. If you cant find what your looking for, ask at the store that carries the grain free formulas - they may not carry it, but can order it in for you

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

I read that grain free can be too much protein for puppies? That it can be hard on their kidneys? I was looking at some forums that were dated in 2009 and it was a company that started with a B that is the parent company to Well Pet (I think) Why do you think grain free is superior? I want to do what is best for my puppy. I know that grain free is supposed to be more what dogs would eat in the wild, but don't they eat grass? 

I just talked to Champion Foods and I can't get the puppy formula with grains in the United States due to issues with customs. I can get any of the grain free formulas. I just don't want to pick something and then find out it is the wrong choice? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some pups are raised on a raw diet which is mostly protein with some fat. Certainly dogs did not evolve eating grain. Grass is not a regular food source but some dogs occasionally eat a little and grass per se is not a grain. Acana has formulas that are not grain fee, though.