Hill's Science Puppy food , any good ?

HalfPint

OP. My lab is now nearly a year old...he got to 5 months and I found it was just too expensive feeding him on Hill's...I slowly changed him to James Wellbeloved (over a 7 to 10 day period) and he was just fine on it.

I see no problem with changing food for a pup as long as it's done sensibly and if problems develop (ie squits) the change back.

Not all dog food is the same...I've tried a couple of cheaper brands since and both gave my lad the squits (the same as when he gets food he's not supposed to!:mad:)

If you are happy with the food and can afford to keep paying the premium price then stick with it...otherwise change it. (bear in mind he'll need a lot more qty wise in the coming months.)

Best of luck with your lab...they are great dogs.

HP x

PS: mine is also highly excitable and I've been told he'll stay that way for a while yet! (mind you, he is chocolate and has only one brain cell - the food cell!:rotfl:)

suki1964

Cassandra1983 wrote: »

I have a 9 week old cocker spaniel. We were given a huge bag of Eukanuba puppy food, and were instructed to give 3 feeds a day of a hand full each feed. However he has had the runs since we got him. I was wondering if there is another food that will solve this problem?

How long has he had the runs?

Eukanuba can be too rich BUT also the stress of leaving mum can give runny bum.

Have you had him checked over by a vet? New pups should be seen within 24 hrs of bringing them home so that you can get the all clear that you have a healthy pet and worries like a runny bum can be discussed and advice given

You need to weigh the pup. Get on the scales yourself, weigh you, then get on carrying pup - the difference is his weight. Check on the bag reccomended daily feeding amounts and divide by 4. If hes still got a runny bum after two days a trip to the vet should be considered to make sure he has no parasitic infection, then no doubt the vet will advise a bland diet before slowly introducing the kibble back.

Frugalista

Cassandra1983 wrote: »

I have a 9 week old cocker spaniel. We were given a huge bag of Eukanuba puppy food, and were instructed to give 3 feeds a day of a hand full each feed. However he has had the runs since we got him. I was wondering if there is another food that will solve this problem?

Contact the puppy's breeder - I'm sure she will be concerned to hear that the pup is unwell and is probably the best person to advise you in the first instance.

It could be something as simple as the change of water! As other posters have said, he really should have been seen by a vet within 24 hours of purchase. Has he yet, and what did the vet say about his general health??

Talk to his breeder and ask if he should be on four smaller meals instead of three - you could also ask then about alternative foods.

Are you absolutely certain that he hasn't licked, chewed or swallowed anything not specified on his diet sheet (animal, vegetable or mineral - in the house or outdoors)??;) We all know what puppies are like .

For what it's worth, I always keep in a tub of Dorwest Herbs Tree Barks Powder (www.dorwest.com) for anyone with an upset tum (puppies or adults) and it usually does the trick within hours.

The breeder of your pup can be a valuable source of information and expertise - discuss your concerns with her. HTH

robert_harper_2000

Go on https://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ Hills uses some very questionable Antioxidants - although they stick a label saying they use only Natural preservatives they do use chemial antioixdants BHT and BHA google these and see the effects.

emlou2009

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

With all due respect...What nonsense!
I feed a baby chicken on one day, lamb on another day and beef the day after that. How is it in any way comparable to how a baby is fed?

when a baby is still only eating one thing all the time, i.e. formula, you cant chop and change that without upsetting their tummies unless you do so gradually, so why would you want to do it for a dog?
it is well known that puppies, kittens, in fact any animal without a fully matured digestive system will suffer if a sudden change is made to their diet. any change should be done gradually.

and there was me thinking you knew everything there is to know about animals :rotfl: :T

bluecatblue

i have a chocolate lab she is 4 years old now, has been to training classes when she was little, just as exicited now as she was when she was little, just the way they are i think! my friend has a black one and when together they act like puppies.

i have fed my dog on james wellbeloved low fat as she is prone to being overweight since she was netured at 1 yr old, although she stopped eating it, so i put her on hills as my two cats are on it and are in excellent health and she looks really well, also seems to have stopped her skin alleges she had.

grantlp

Have a look at the CSJ website. I use their food all 4 dogs and weaned them at an early age and it really suits them. I used hills before and found it too dear and very poor quality

suki1964

Exactly!!!

Feeding of pets is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong. What suits one wont suit another.

All anyone should be bothered about is "does my pet enjoy this food and thrives"?

After that then yes look at costs and then if you can afford too look at the ethics


At the end of the day you want a stress free life and a happy pet. Feed it what you and he want and ignore anyone else telling you its right or wrong

dollparts

My pup was not from a breeder-she was from a local family who had a girly that caught the neighbours eye;)

When she came to us she had been weaned onto pets at home branded dried food with wet to give texture and taste.

I gradually weaned her onto Hills and she was constipated to the hilt the moment I added it to her feed only 10gms at a time.

She has since learned to tolerate it but to be honest I think she would prefer pets at home any day of the week.

It depends on how much you value the quality of your dog's food I suppose. Everyones belief system is different and we all prioritise accordingly. That's not to say a cheaper brand equals an owner that cares any less for their pets and someone feeding a expensive premium branded food.

I think there is a certain amount of snobbery when it comes to pet food and I'm willing to bet some people would be put off naming their choices through fear of being lambasted by those who may disapprove.

I could be wrong, and I'm sure some will tell me so. I just can't help feeling this vibe on this board when certain topics are discussed here.

Fire_Fox

The Pets at Home own brand foods are generally fairly well thought of around here! The 'premium' kibble didn't suit my cats digestion but the Purely wet (don't think they do this for dogs, shame) goes down well and is very MSE. :money: How do you know your puppy was constipated, was she just going less often or was she straining and in pain?