Benny Bully's

[The Food Group]

As we prepare to bring our pup home soon, I've been reading through as many discussions as possible.

When deciding on high reward treats for the purpose of training, I know Pure Bites come highly recommended.  Just wondering if anyone has heard of Benny Bully's as they are sourced in Canada and USA.

We realize that the pup should not be introduced to any new food and/or treat until home, settled, vet checked and cleared of parasites so as to make the process of elimination in the event of upset stomach or diarrhea easier. 

Here is their website:

http://www.bennybullys.com/eng/index.php

Appreciate any insight.

Thanks!

[Ron English]

Can't comment on Benny Bulleys since we have never used them. However, I am also in Canada and the breeder we got our doodle from also fed her puppies TLC. In researching breeders in our area, we noticed that several also used that food and some websites even offered to extend the warranty if we purchased a puppy from them and continued on it. Instead, we transitioned over to Orijen puppy in about two weeks using the small bag that the breeder gave us. She did not overly promote TLC. We have not had any problems with Orijen. I hope your puppy does well with Arcana. Take lots of photos early and enjoy your little one when he/she arrives.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

TLC, like Life's Abundance here in the U.S., is sold through a multi-level marketing program (MLM) otherwise known as a pyramid scheme. The breeders (as well as many other people in the chain) get commissions every time you purchase the food. This is why they offer extended warranties if you stay with the food. Some unscrupulous breeders even make purchasing the food (or certain vitamins) a condition of their health warranties. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's hogwash. There's nothing in that product that any puppy who is eating a good quality commercial diet would need. Nothing that would help a sensitive stomach, either. If a dog needs a probiotic, there are better probiotics on the market, and dogs can't utilize the Omega 3 fatty acids from plant sources, nor do they need them. I'd take a pass. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yeah, they really told us nothing. There's no reason they can't say "formula X contains XX% protein, X% fat, and has XXX calories per cup", like every other pet food does. There's also no reason they can't give you the actual ingredient list, like every other pet food does. I assume that this information is on the actual bags, though, so asking the breeder is probably the best bet.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the thing about my opinion of Orijen versus your sources': Pet store employees are retail workers, and if they had any real nutritional education, they wouldn't be working for minimum wage, lol. Vets, while well educated, do not study nutrition in vet school, and all of the info they get on the subject is provided by dog food companies. :) This has been documented.

You are correct that you really can't go wrong with either choice. Both are made by the same company, and I really like the company, so I am not pushing you to go with Orijen over Acana. But it's important to me that we present accurate nutritional info in this group, because there is so much misinformation out there.

The difference in protein percentage between Orijen Puppy and Acana Puppy is 5%. That's all. It's not a big difference. And higher protein doesn't cause diarrhea or loose stools. In fact, the opposite is sometimes true. There are only three macronutrients: Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrates. In general with pet foods, the higher the protein, the lower the carbs, and vice versus. Foods with low protein and high carbohydrate percentages are usually the ones that cause loose stools, because most carbs in pet foods are mainly just fillers. Stool volume is almost always much higher on high carb foods, because they mostly just provide bulk. Protein, on the other hand, is the building block of every cell and almost every function in a dog's body, and most of it is utilized by the body, so you have less waste. What always puzzles me is the idea that high protein foods are meant for dogs who doing agility or are otherwise extremely active, because the only function of carbohydrates for both people and dogs is energy; carbs break down into sugar. Protein, on the other hand, breaks down into amino acids, the building blocks of everything. 

High fat content can contribute to diarrhea, but the fat content in both Acana Puppy and Orijen Puppy is exactly the same, 20%. 
So you're correct that you could experience an upset tummy with either choice. Bottom line, you would be fine with Acana, and I am not urging you to choose Orijen instead. Just want to have correct info here so others can also make informed choices. :) 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for the kind words. I also think your pup is off to an excellent start, because he (she?) has a committed, educated family that is trying to do their very best to ensure his health and happiness. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Meant to add the exact protein content of both foods: Acana Puppy has 33% protein versus 38% protein in Orijen Puppy. 20% fat in each. 

And keep in mind that most of the feeding issues that families with young puppies experience is not really related so much to the content of their food as it is to several other factors, the greatest of which is parasites and subsequent treatment with antibiotics, followed by allowing the pups to ingest things they shouldn't, and by introducing too many new foods too fast. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Please do!