Hi and thanks so much for adding me to the group!! Food question!

Wendy C

Wendy C

Forums Enthusiast
We have a 14 week old Blue Merle Sheltie named Cooper! From the time we got him home his stools (sorry lol) although they look fine are so soft. I am wondering what everyone is feeding their pups our Breeder was feeding him Origen which is a made in Canada product. Thanks in advance!
 
Hi Wendy and welcome to the Forums! Origen is a great food but very rich, and lots of Shelties don't do well on it for that reason. It's just too much for their digestive system. There are many good foods on the market, depending on what you're looking for. I'd keep a 14 week old puppy on puppy food at least until 6 months. Fromm, Merrick, Nutro, Wellness and others make good ones. Check the ingredients before you buy, and look at the nutritional values. Very high protein foods aren't always good. A range of 25 to 35 percent is best.

Stay away from any food with by-products! This is different from meat "meal" which is fine. Corn, wheat and soy are other ingredients you don't need. The Whole Dog Journal has an excellent comprehensive list of dog foods and ranks them. You can find it online. Hope this helps!
 
Ann said:
Hi Wendy and welcome to the Forums! Origen is a great food but very rich, and lots of Shelties don't do well on it for that reason. It's just too much for their digestive system. There are many good foods on the market, depending on what you're looking for. I'd keep a 14 week old puppy on puppy food at least until 6 months. Fromm, Merrick, Nutro, Wellness and others make good ones. Check the ingredients before you buy, and look at the nutritional values. Very high protein foods aren't always good. A range of 25 to 35 percent is best.

Stay away from any food with by-products! This is different from meat "meal" which is fine. Corn, wheat and soy are other ingredients you don't need. The Whole Dog Journal has an excellent comprehensive list of dog foods and ranks them. You can find it online. Hope this helps!
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Thanks so much! Yes I would keep him on puppy food, but there are just so many choices and so many ingredients it’s mind boggling!!! We live in Canada and would prefer either Canadian or US made food. Our first Sheltie was 35 years ago and Brands have changed. . I will check out the Whole Dog Journal. Thanks again, I will try and post a picture once I figure out how!
 
I recommend avoiding grain free and boutique brands as they have been linked with heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy). I don't agree that corn and wheat are bad for dogs, dogs have been eating wheat for as long as they've been domesticated and corn does contain nutrients. The idea is to balance food sources.

Don't assume it's the food doing this though, if your got the pup from a good breeder they will have been feeding this to their pups and dogs with no problems. If your pup is a recent addition it may be stress related, could be change in the water and in particular, it could be the treats you are giving. Treats have a whole range of poor ingredients and you do need to look at this if you want to keep stomach issues under control. Personally, I'd see if you can settle the tummy first, remove all processed treats and then look at changing food.
 
Dog Food Advisor has reviews on almost every food imaginable, and you can sign up for their recall alerts which is invaluable. I have fed Wellness brand for years and my dogs do great on it, nice firm stool.
 
Caro said:
I recommend avoiding grain free and boutique brands as they have been linked with heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy). I don't agree that corn and wheat are bad for dogs, dogs have been eating wheat for as long as they've been domesticated and corn does contain nutrients. The idea is to balance food sources.

Don't assume it's the food doing this though, if your got the pup from a good breeder they will have been feeding this to their pups and dogs with no problems. If your pup is a recent addition it may be stress related, could be change in the water and in particular, it could be the treats you are giving. Treats have a whole range of poor ingredients and you do need to look at this if you want to keep stomach issues under control. Personally, I'd see if you can settle the tummy first, remove all processed treats and then look at changing food.
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Thanks!! I wouldn’t think stress as he the most laid back pup we have ever had. Treats for the most part are his kibble for training. He has a Vet appointment the end of this month for his shots so I guess I will do my research and see what she says. They sell Royal Canin at the clinic. He is at the chewing stage and we have to keep an eye on him (May change his name to Beaver lol) we have checked out all our shrubs to make sure they aren’t toxic.
 
Sharon7 said:
Dog Food Advisor has reviews on almost every food imaginable, and you can sign up for their recall alerts which is invaluable. I have fed Wellness brand for years and my dogs do great on it, nice firm stool.
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Thanks will check that site out as well
 
Welcome!!!! Could be the richness as Ann said - I do believe there are reviews on same subject with Origen. Some dogs do great on it! I went through Purina Pro Plan, 2 types of Merrick, Wellness before settling on Fromm Gold Puppy for Brodie and Fromm God Adult for Kooper. They are not grain free, they do not contain peas, they are in the proper protein range.

My only advice when testing out foods is to buy small bags - I thought I had a winner a time or two and bought bigger bags and ended up donating a lot to my local shelter because of it.

Pictures - we LOVE pictures!!!! :)
 
Wendy, if you're looking for Canadian foods, Petcurean makes some very good lines. I fed their food for years. Stay away from their grain free lines though...they are loaded with peas and potatoes...not what your puppy needs to be eating. Look at the grain inclusive varieties...I know they have some. I believe "Go" is one of them.
 
Ann said:
Wendy, if you're looking for Canadian foods, Petcurean makes some very good lines. I fed their food for years. Stay away from their grain free lines though...they are loaded with peas and potatoes...not what your puppy needs to be eating. Look at the grain inclusive varieties...I know they have some. I believe "Go" is one of them.
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Thanks so much I will put that on my list to check out.
 
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