So confused on food, please help! 6 month cane corso, puppy food or not?

[kguitarchic18]

So we have a 6 month cane corso puppy, Zola.

I know there is so much out there about how large/giant breeds need appropriate levels of calcium and good amounts of protein. We had Zola on Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy and she did great up until about 2 weeks ago. Major issues with pudding poop, up all night and after much trial and error we switched her to Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream. She is doing great, regular poop, etc. BUT in reading it seems that she really shouldn't be on the TOTW at this age, as the calcium levels are still too high in TOTW.

My head hurts from reading up, and some sites say its ok some say its bad. I read that the Orijen Six Fish since it is an ALS food would be good, but the calcium levels at 1.4-1.7 compared to the TOTW at 1.9 don't seem that off. Is there another brand I should have her on? And at what age do we need to not worry so much about the calcium levels, I have heard 8 months and 12 months.

I am so confused, my head hurts, and I just want to make sure we are feeding our little girl the right food so she grows healthy. I would love to finish our bag of Fromm, but she instantly gets the pudding poop.... would it be worth maybe just buying a probiotic to add while we finish off the puppy food to help her?

 

[DennasMom]

Based on some reading I've done, right around the 6 month mark is when the puppy's systems will start to be able to regulate their own calcium levels... BUT the experts here like to keep calcium under 1.5% until they're mostly done growing (18-24 months).

Pudding poops could be that she's eating more than she needs, too... maybe skip one meal, then lower portion sizes and see if that helps reset things.
I like probiotics for just about everything - if that does the trick, you're golden!

Puppy food is pretty much the same as adult food... sometimes with extra fat for added calories. Not something our laid back EM puppy needed, that's for sure!

So, I think you're doing fine watching calcium levels and picking from among the top quality brands. I think you're right on track. Just need to cure the puddin' poos... Good luck!

 

[musicdeb]

Generally, mastiff puppies are not fed puppy food. Maybe mix the 2 foods since you want to use up the Fromm's but I'm not sure the probiotic will help with the pudding poops due to the food.

 

[tjbuelman3@yahoo.com]

I have my 9 week old on TOTW puppy large breed. I was told that was fine. Should I not have her in that? I was told about 6 months switch to adult. Too many different options. I also am confused.


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[musicdeb]

I have my 9 week old on TOTW puppy large breed. I was told that was fine. Should I not have her in that? I was told about 6 months switch to adult. Too many different options. I also am confused.


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Mastiff puppies can eat large breed adult food rather than puppy food. If you're already feeding the pup the food, then continue to do so. You may want to switch to the adult food. Remember to do a slow transition to the new food to prevent diarrhea if you do not stay with TOTW.

 

[LLJohnson10]

I have my 9 week old on TOTW puppy large breed. I was told that was fine. Should I not have her in that? I was told about 6 months switch to adult. Too many different options. I also am confused.

I believe our pups are littermates!

I've been feeding Fromm Grain Free All Life Stages Salmon Tunalini (http://frommfamily.com/products/four-star/dog/dry/grain-free-salmon-tunalini)

From my understanding, the most important thing is making sure they don't get too much calcium. With an abundance of calcium, they grow too fast, which can cause orthopedic issues (or so i've read).

One thing that i've figured out very quickly was that there are a million different opinions on the appropriate way to feed your dog. You just have to sift through the information and try to make the best decision. The information about calcium sounds like it makes sense, but when I raised another puppy only 2 years ago, it seemed as if everyone was on the don't feed too much protein bandwagon.

Post some pictures of your pup ASAP, as per the forum rules (you may have missed it, but it was somewhere in the user agreement in fine print).

 

[tjbuelman3@yahoo.com]

Oh lol. I did miss it. I was on lunch break at work when I joined.


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[jersey girl]

Congrats on Zola! You don't need to feed puppy food or adult...look for All Life Stages. Whenever you decide to switch food you must do it very, very slowly. It should take at least 2 weeks to switch over. TOTW is fine regarding the ratios. One thing to note...Corsos are not considered large/giant breeds. They are medium to large. Be sure you are not overfeeding...this can cause major stomach problems as well, and a thin pup is a healthier pup.

 

[Tunride]

TOTW Sierra Mountain - Protein: 25% Minimum, Fat: 15% Minimum Calcium: 1.6%, as-fed; Phosphorus: 1.0%, It lower in calcium and what I fed until I switched to Earthborn Holistic Meadows Feast. I still had mush poo with TOTW, and Pacific Stream gave our EM some really nasty gas.

 

[kguitarchic18]

Sorry for the delay in replies guys! We did find out that Zola must have a processed chicken allergy as she cant tolerate any kibble or wet food with chicken, but she does fine if I cook up some fresh chicken for her. We tried the TOTW salmon but then I decided that I wanted something with lower calcium. She is now on Acana Pacifica, and although expensive i love the fact that all ingredients are locally sourced and she loves it too. I think once she is around 1 year I will rotate back in the TOTW with the Acana. Also I give her stella and chewys freeze dried patties as toppers for dinner mixed with the kibble. Heres a few pics of our baby! She finally put back on some good weight after the ordeal, 7 months and about 60lbs now

 

[kguitarchic18]

Also the amount definately plays a factor too! We have been slowly trying to give her more if she acts hungry, but sometimes its a fine line of 4 1/4 cups is ok, but 4 1/2 is too much and it comes right out of her. But at least I know how to control it, slowly bumping up the food and taking it back if it gets soft.

 

[musicdeb]

Good to hear about the food for Zola. Zola looks great!