Purina Pro Plan for Large Breed & Puppy's

**michaelbb** · 01-06-2012, 09:13 PM

We were told by the breeder that the Purina Pro Plan for large breeds / puppy "Chicken" not Chicken & Rice was what they recommended and we went with that. The Vet says there healthy and look great. However I'm not sure why I did not notice this before but the bag says maturity of 50lbs, there both 30lbs as of the vet visit. Personally I do not see a reason for switching now, but at the same point I am concerned.

Any and all opinion's welcomed.

TIA

**deidra** · 01-06-2012, 09:34 PM

If the vet likes their weight and it is what the breeder recommended I would stay with the food. If you are really worried about it I would contact your breeder

**MicksMom** · 01-07-2012, 09:15 AM

Honestly, those large breed/small breed formulas are a scam. I'd go with Pro Plan's puppy formula. At 30 pounds, I'm guessing your pups are somewhere around 3 months old. You can start switching them to adult food at 6 months (I started Caleb's switch just before he was 6 months because that's when I had to buy a new bag of food).

**michaelbb** · 01-07-2012, 10:16 PM

Thank you both, The vet does not see a problem with it since they have been on it for a while now , but said you could switch but do it gradually.

As for the Large breed/small breed being a scam , do you "Micksmom" have any information to back that up?

**LuvBrown** · 01-08-2012, 08:59 AM

Large breed formula was designed when folks started thinking that large breed puppies needed different nutrition than small breed puppies. Which is true. That is why many of us who have labs, and have raised a number of puppies, have switched to adult at about 4 months, IF we ever put the pup on puppy food at all. If you read the labels, protein/fat etc are all about the exact same on large breed puppy food as it is with the comparable brand regular adult food. That's the scam. Honestly, if the dog is doing well on the Pro Plan, put him on the ALS Chicken/Rice now and be done with it.

**Mark_J** · 01-08-2012, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by michaelbb

Thank you both, The vet does not see a problem with it since they have been on it for a while now , but said you could switch but do it gradually.

As for the Large breed/small breed being a scam , do you "Micksmom" have any information to back that up?

It really depends on the brand of dog food whether or not there is any significant difference between Large Breed or Small Breed. We use Blue Buffalo and if you look at the independent reviews of their various recipes you'll see there IS a difference.

I think the 'scam' is using a dog food brand that doesn't have a difference between Large and Small breed recipes but tries to market their dog food like there was.

**labby** · 01-08-2012, 03:18 PM

Whatever you do, DO NOT use the Shredded Blend formula of ProPlan. It's made with soy which besides mimicking estrogen in the body, is highly allergenic to most dogs. And I agree that LB puppy and adult foods are a marketing ploy. Think about it, do dogs in the wild eat differently than the adults?

**michaelbb** · 01-08-2012, 08:07 PM

ALS ? Would switching over from just the chicken to chicken & rice throw them off or should it be slowly changed over?

As for the Buffalo Blue, we've seen it in the local pet smart, but I'll be honest the bags have allot dust on them telling me they have been sitting there a while

And in regards to shredded, NO way I was already advised to stay far far away from that.

As always thanks to all who reply

**Mark_J** · 01-09-2012, 11:23 AM

Most of the Blue buffalo bags I've seen have about a one year expiration date on them. I'd still buy the bags with 9 months left but any longer than that I'd ask the store what's up with their old inventory.

**BauersMom** · 01-09-2012, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by michaelbb

ALS ? Would switching over from just the chicken to chicken & rice throw them off or should it be slowly changed over?

As for the Buffalo Blue, we've seen it in the local pet smart, but I'll be honest the bags have allot dust on them telling me they have been sitting there a while

And in regards to shredded, NO way I was already advised to stay far far away from that.

As always thanks to all who reply

ALS = All Life Stages

Bauer started on adult food (Pro Plan Chicken and Rice for ALS) when he was about 4 or 5 months old. Whatever you decide, I would introduce it slowly.

Good luck!