Ok, so I've read and read and read some more through the forums here on nutrition. As a few of you know, I've had Biggie for about a month now. A couple weeks ago I switched him over to Taste of the Wild, Prarie. I basically just tried to get the most highly rated food that was readily available in my area. You know, just in case I ran out, I wouldn't have to order, I could just run to the store.
Anyway, he's been doing great. Stool is firm and plentiful... believe me... lol. Hardly any gas problems anymore compared to when he was on the eukanuba from the breeder. I've been reading through the forums a little bit more and came across a couple of other posts in another thread that said to watch out for the protein levels in this all stages food.
I guess my concern is, how do I watch out for it? I obviously can't measure the protein being obsorbed by his body, but will his growth rate tell me anything? He's 12 weeks old and now weighs about 21lbs. I understand the theory behind wanting to ensure a good controlled growth rate in a larger breed dog especially in order to reduce bone and joint problems later in life due to the rapid growth. I just wonder how I can Watch out. There is so very little quality food here in the area and this really was the best option that was readily available.
My next concern would be, if there is some way to determine that he is in fact taking in too much protein from this chow, how far should I go down the scale of quality to correct it? With my job I travel A LOT, so ordering food would really be an irresponsible decision for me. I need to keep him on something I know I can find in stores. That being said, there aren't many foods available in the area that are even close to taste of the wild's quality.
Anyway, he's been doing great. Stool is firm and plentiful... believe me... lol. Hardly any gas problems anymore compared to when he was on the eukanuba from the breeder. I've been reading through the forums a little bit more and came across a couple of other posts in another thread that said to watch out for the protein levels in this all stages food.
I guess my concern is, how do I watch out for it? I obviously can't measure the protein being obsorbed by his body, but will his growth rate tell me anything? He's 12 weeks old and now weighs about 21lbs. I understand the theory behind wanting to ensure a good controlled growth rate in a larger breed dog especially in order to reduce bone and joint problems later in life due to the rapid growth. I just wonder how I can Watch out. There is so very little quality food here in the area and this really was the best option that was readily available.
My next concern would be, if there is some way to determine that he is in fact taking in too much protein from this chow, how far should I go down the scale of quality to correct it? With my job I travel A LOT, so ordering food would really be an irresponsible decision for me. I need to keep him on something I know I can find in stores. That being said, there aren't many foods available in the area that are even close to taste of the wild's quality.