[sydney-the-cattle-dog]

I have a 14 wk old lab mix puppy and a 2yr old adult dog. I am looking to change over to a premium dog food for both and trying to decide if I should keep them on two separate formulas or feed them both an all-stage formula.

I guess I am wondering if there is a significant compromise with the all-stage food for the differing dietary needs of a puppy and an adult.

I have always fed puppies puppy food because it seemed like the better thing to do but now that I am trying to improve their diets I am wondering if all the different formulas are just marketing or if there is a true dietary benefit.

It would be easier to just feed one kind of food to both but I definately want what is best for each.

Advice? Experience?

Thanks in advance.

[TheChinClique]

I'd go with Canidae (All Life Stages). I have used it before and I think it's a great food!

Good luck!

[BoxMeIn21]

I think all life stages is the way to go, too!

[Renoman]

Trust me on this one. Buying one food for both dogs is the way to go. It makes life so much easier.

Timberwolf Organics foods are all life stages and the kibble is small enough for a puppy. Canidae is a good choice, as is Natural Balance. Natural Balance kibble is on the larger side and might not work for a puppy. I don't know about Canidae's kibble size.

[sydney-the-cattle-dog]

I went into a new pet store (new to me at least) this afternoon to ask them about the premium foods. They only carry premium brands and while I got alot of information I left dazed and confused. The man helping me said that Canidae and Wellness were their best sellers due mostly to cost but that Timberwolf Organics were also highly desired and highly rated. I left with samples of Timberwolf (three varieties) and Wellness puppy since they didn't have the sample packs of Canidae.

So far both dogs think Timberwolf is divine. I hand fed it as I would treats and then added some to the regular dinner kibble and I've never seen them eat so fast. The wellness seemed tasty to the pup as well but she would go through a brick wall to get a handfull of the TImberwolf Organics.

Currently, I am feeding Purina One puppy and adult respectively. I have to admit that the Timberwolf just looks better and the dogs seem to agree. I guess I will have to actually start feeding Timberwolf if I want to find out how it goes over the long run.

This was so much easier when I didn't know or care so much about what my dogs were eating.

Hmm, I guess I have decided where to start and I didn't even realize I had made a decision until reaching the end of this post.

(Actually I have read most of the dog food forum posts since retuning from my pet store visit and I think that helped a bit. )

[Renoman]

If you go with the Wellness Puppy, then you are back to buying 2 different foods for both dog.

The Timberwolf Organics is a really good food and if both dogs like it ... what is the problem?

[sydney-the-cattle-dog]

Originally Posted by Renoman

If you go with the Wellness Puppy, then you are back to buying 2 different foods for both dog.

The Timberwolf Organics is a really good food and if both dogs like it ... what is the problem?

I suppose I may have been rambling in my post (it happens ) but what I meant to say is that I will be buying one food, Timberwolf, for both to see how they do. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the advice.

[BoxMeIn21]

Timberwolf is good too. There is one I might want to stay away from for your pup though; the Wild and Natural is a little high on the protein side for growing pups.
I love the Ocean Blue - it's grainless.

[Haidden]

I had my shihtzu on innova puppy til he was 5 months old and he just started hating the food.

I now have him on Canidae All Life Stages and he loves it. He just turned 6 months today.