Puppies and protein

[Amanda and Wheatley]

Sorry if this is already a discussion, but I'm so confused. I've been looking into feeding my puppy Acana large breed puppy food made by Orijen. When I look it up on dogfoodanalysis.com it says it would be better to have more meat in it. Now when I look up Orijen large breed puppy food it gets great reviews but it's grain free and in the cons it says "may be too high of protein content for puppies". Now someone please tell me.. what is a good crude protein %?? The Acana is 33%, that seems higher than the average dog food, but 40% is too high? I'm rather lost here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm going to do a search, I'm sure Dianne Carter has addressed this somewhere here. Dianne, of Trinity Doodles, is our puppy feeding expert. Nobody does it better.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Shucks. Though I do appreciate your kind words Karen I am not doing anything 'expert', my choices evolve as my aquisition of knowledge and evidence do just like everyone else here. If I can help anyone in the process of my own journey I am delighted to do so ~ it is the least I can do to pay forward those who have gone before me and used their own lessons (some of utter tragedy and heartbreak yet still selflessly shared) as learning experiences for the rest of us.

I have shifted somewhat in my protein stance as I aquire more information and perhaps this discussion with the input that follows may be more helpful in your decisions Amanda ~ http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/nutriti...
I do prefer the Orijen and ACANA lines over the EVO kibble, however really like their canned product at 95% meat for an addition and it is one that we rotate through on a regular basis. I am by no means trying to stir controversy with stating that preference, it is founded as my *opinion* based on my interpretation of the information and testimonies that I have personally encountered. Running to meet the day, I hope this helps rather than further making the water muddy ~ will try to pop in later.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Amanda I am going to feed Peri Taste of the Wild. It is one that Teri recommended and my local pet store raves about it. It is 32% protein. I am already feeding it to my chihuahua and he loves it- he also doesn't overeat it. But, he used to only eat at night and now I feed him 1/4 c in the morning and the same at night (he is a little guy). The local pet store seemed to think the protein levels in Orijen are too high, but it seems people are happy with it. Do you have Taste of the Wild around you in AZ?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I didn't realize people say you aren't supposed to feed the "large breeds" this until they are 1 year old. Betsy told me about that. I am going to feed Peri this still because she is not a large breed and should be less than 30 pounds. Sorry for the confusion!

[Amanda and Wheatley]

Ya, see, and lately I've been hearing that its ok to feed them a high amount of protein...I dont know. I think I'll just buy the Acana for puppies since its only 30% protein and then graduallly move to Orijen. And yes we do have Taste of the Wild. My mom used to use it but her dogs got the runs allll the time from it