Looking for Feed Advice - Which Purina Pro Plan?

[Mearntain]

My pup Schatzi just turned 1 at the end of February, and has been on Farmina Ancestral Grains since she was about 4 months old. Starting about a week ago, she decided she doesnt enjoy eating food anymore which really worried me and I took her to the vet and got a clean bill of health, including full blood panel test - only issue was that she has a false pregnancy from her first heat which may be causing this.

Being that this started 1 year to the exact date of my last dog passing, its has had me extremely stressed out. I ended up deciding to give another feed a shot, and that seemed to fix the problem - I picked up a 6lb bag of Purina Pro Plan Savory Chicken and Rice to try out mixed with her old food, and now shes back to food being her favorite thing in the world.

Now my question is, are there any Purina Pro Plan varieties that I should avoid for a Dobe? I dont recall what all the other types were called, but I went with the Savory variety, is this a good one? I do have access to Canidae locally as well, but since I already picked up Pro Plan to try and she liked it, I'd rather stick with that if it is a good choice.

I'm thinking I may have ended up with a pup that needs her feed changed every few months to keep her interested. Thanks for any input.

 

[MyBuddy]

You should just try adding toppers to her food. It's good for her and adds a little interest. You can change it up with all kinds of things. Check out this thread...

"Toppers" on food?

 

[GennyB]

I'm thinking I may have ended up with a pup that needs her feed changed every few months to keep her interested

That could very well be. When my dogs were on kibble we fed a rotation diet. Lots of benefits feeding that way including less chance of developing an allergy to various proteins, chicken being the #1.

I also agree on adding toppers. Changing things up can be helpful in keeping the interest up.

 

[Logan 45]

As mentioned by @GennyB rotation is good for diversity in proteins. Rotation is also good for nutrient diversity as well because of differences in vitamins etc. I will feed pro plan from time to time some people won’t but when I do I feed the 30/20 formulas or the 27/17 formula. I also feed taste of the wild ancient grains as well. Kibble is extremely complicated today due to fears of dcm the only thing we can do is feed grain inclusive foods and supplement our dogs with taurine. Taurine can be added in many different forms I feed sardines 3x a week others add eggs to their dogs diet. Other members feed raw it really depends on your preference, budget, and time to prepare raw food as there are premade raw options but they are costly. Also raw feeding takes time if you self prepare it will take some studying.

 

[Mearntain]

Thanks for the input from everyone, it's much appreciated! So even though that 10 days of her not eating much was really stressful, it sounds like it was a good thing that it happened so that I could learn about the benefits of switching feeds on occasion.

Originally with Farmina, she was having Chicken and Pomegraneate. When I just picked up the pro plan, I got the Savor Chicken and Rice. Would it be better next time to switch up the meat according to what some of you have said? Some reason I was under the impression that you didnt want to switch meats until needed for allergy or other reasons - that very well could have been a misunderstanding on my part.

 

[Logan 45]

Thanks for the input from everyone, it's much appreciated! So even though that 10 days of her not eating much was really stressful, it sounds like it was a good thing that it happened so that I could learn about the benefits of switching feeds on occasion.

Originally with Farmina, she was having Chicken and Pomegraneate. When I just picked up the pro plan, I got the Savor Chicken and Rice. Would it be better next time to switch up the meat according to what some of you have said? Some reason I was under the impression that you didnt want to switch meats until needed for allergy or other reasons - that very well could have been a misunderstanding on my part.

if you like the pro plan savor if I’m not mistaken they have chicken, beef, salmon, and lamb protein sources. You could rotate them all. If you are looking to rotate proteins and brands I like to pick 3-4 different brands and proteins and rotate through them. The first time through you will need to transition slowly after you have done that through each transition the next time through it shouldn’t be of any issue rotating without the transition period.

 

[Mearntain]

Perfect, sounds great. Definiteltly am glad I had this issue to learn the benefit of switching proteins. I'd prefer the Farmina due their excellent track record in history, but the pro plan was something I was able to pick up locally and give a shot on, vs waiting to order Farmina online when I didn't originally know that she was just getting tired of her food (my mind was running all kinds of scenarios in my head, and loss of interest in the old food wasnt one of them).

Price isnt an issue to me, I just want to feed the best of the best, so any reccomendons are welcomed. I'm not stuck on the pro plan, just something that I gave a shot on.

 

[Logan 45]

Pro plan is decent in my opinion. I will feed it from time to time and the results are good.
I like Taste Of the wild ancient grains, Victor, Canidae, and Nature’s logic. Haven’t fed Farmina my self but have heard good things about it. And all the brands I mentioned I feed the grain inclusive formulas hope that helps.

 

[Mearntain]

Pro plan is decent in my opinion. I will feed it from time to time and the results are good.
I like Taste Of the wild ancient grains, Victor, Canidae, and Nature’s logic. Haven’t fed Farmina my self but have heard good things about it. And all the brands I mentioned I feed the grain inclusive formulas hope that helps.

It most certainly does help, I do appreciate it!

 

[Gelcoater]

The pro Plan sport 30/20 I think it’s called?
If your dog is very active, and in sports
This food delivers on the promise of more energy and endurance.
But be careful.
Without enough exercise that food makes them a bit maniacal, lol.

 

[Logan 45]

The pro Plan sport 30/20 I think it’s called?
If your dog is very active, and in sports
This food delivers on the promise of more energy and endurance.
But be careful.
Without enough exercise that food makes them a bit maniacal, lol.

I can attest to that the 30/20 pro plan sport the need exercise lots of it. If not they are like the energizer bunny. Haha

 

[Gelcoater]

I can attest to that the 30/20 pro plan sport the need exercise lots of it. If not they are like the energizer bunny. Haha

Under statement!! Lol

 

[Mearntain]

Under statement!! Lol

Note to self - Do not get Pro Plan Sport ha

 

[Mearntain]

What are these numbers referring to when you say 30/20 for example? I assume first number is protein percent, but unsure of the other? I think the pro plan savor I got is either 26 or 27% protein.

 

[Logan 45]

What are these numbers referring to when you say 30/20 for example? I assume first number is protein percent, but unsure of the other? I think the pro plan savor I got is either 26 or 27% protein.

Yes protein is 30 and fat is 20. And I think the savor is 26/16

 

[Logan 45]

Note to self - Do not get Pro Plan Sport ha

It’s not bad I can wear mine out in about 30 minutes. Or I’ll walk to take care of the other animals and it’s about a half mile walk for me but they easily turn it into a mile run for themselves haha.

 

[Mearntain]

Yes protein is 30 and fat is 20. And I think the savor is 26/16

Perfect, thanks. Would you say the 26/16 is a sufficient ratio to be feeding or should I be supplementing with other food?

 

[Logan 45]

Perfect, thanks. Would you say the 26/16 is a sufficient ratio to be feeding or should I be supplementing with other food?

That’s fine I’ve fed 26/16 as well it’s all preference and 24/20 is good as well. And dog activity level plays into. The foods I recommended all fit into those categories and I like to feed food that’s 360 kcal per cup or more I think the pro plan savor is 382kcal which Is sufficient. And it’s good to get more out of the kibble due to Dobermans ability to bloat so you feed less cups to accomplish your desired calorie intake. I personally soak the food before feeding so it expands along with no physical activity for 30 minutes after eating. I understand that when they are being picky or you find them skipping meals that can be a waste of food but that’s just my style.

 

[Gelcoater]

That’s fine I’ve fed 26/16 as well it’s all preference and 24/20 is good as well. And dog activity level plays into. The foods I recommended all fit into those categories and I like to feed food that’s 360 kcal per cup or more I think the pro plan savor is 382kcal which Is sufficient. And it’s good to get more out of the kibble due to Dobermans ability to bloat so you feed less cups to accomplish your desired calorie intake. I personally soak the food before feeding so it expands along with no physical activity for 30 minutes after eating. I understand that when they are being picky or you find them skipping meals that can be a waste of food but that’s just my style.

Yep. We wet it too. I splash some bone broth on it. Also add a pre/pro biotic.

Once or twice a week an egg.
Once a week sardines. Be cautious there with fish stinky breath. Stinky burps too

 

[Logan 45]

Yep. We wet it too. I splash some bone broth on it. Also add a pre/pro biotic.

Once or twice a week an egg.
Once a week sardines. Be cautious there with fish stinky breath. Stinky burps too

Haha sardines definitely can make them smelly. My wife knows when I feed sardines without me saying a word.