[BlueJax]

I'm sure this question gets asked a lot so I apologize in advance if it is yet another repeat. However, I may be acquiring a 9-10 week old female labrador puppy (will know for sure within the next few days) so I am getting as many different opinions diet-wise as possible in preparation.

I am familiar with most commercial dog foods, and I know they make special foods for large breed puppies (ie: Solid Gold, Wellness) but are these really better than the "for all life stages" ones? And for how long should a large breed puppy remain on a "puppy" diet? I know one of the main concerns for large breeds if preventing them from growing too fast.

Any advice on some good diets is appreciated!

Also, I know many people feed Raw diets with amazing results, however this wouldn't be possible in my particular situation.

 

[boxerlover876]

Some feel the need to feed a puppy diet, others don't. I did personally until about 9 months as I was told to switch. Some switch at 6 months, some later. A lab isn't terribly big so you could feed either a normal or LB formula.

I like Orijen LB, Now GF LB, can't really think of any others...

 

[boxerlover876]

Have you ever thought of dehydrated foods? Or a raw grind so it's easier?

 

[Mizuno]

I wasn't completely sold on an All Life Stages food for my large breed puppy and fed him lbp puppy foods and finally settled with Wolfcub until about three weeks ago or so. My qualm with the lbp food was that he NEVER had solid poops on any puppy food he ate on a regular basis, his poop always looked grainy (like the food was full of fillers), and he was rarely excited to eat even if I mixed things in. Switched hi to the ALS food I feed my other dogs and there was an immediate change in his stool, his problematic crate anxiety pooping (completely stopped... After having to bathe a poopy puppy every single day for months I was sold on this alone!), his runny stool, and he actually gained weight since it wasn't going right through him.

I feed Fromm, by the way, but would love to feed raw. Definitely something to look in to, your dog will thank you!