Hi guys,

I know there is a lot of controversy over what is best to feed and I know that there are people that think some of the dry food out there isn't great even though it's expensive.

I currently feed my pug puppy of 4 months Royal Canin Puppy Mini. But I just feel his coat isn't great, I would prefer for it to have a little more shine if you know what I mean? He adores the food so there is no problem there.

I want to keep him on the dry food, I don't want to change that, so what is everyone's suggestions on the dry complete food? Price isn't really a problem it's more about convenience, I don't want to put him on the Raw diet and I don't want to mix meat with his food (although I do give him chicken sometimes) so what would you say was the best for a toy puppy?

Science Plan
Royal Canin
Eukanuba
James Wellbeloved

Etc etc?

Since he is happy on Royal Canin, I should probably keep him on it, but I just wish he looks like he was thriving more on it if you get what I mean? I just think his coat looks dulish and I feel he could possibly be a teeny weeney chunkier. He is very active so I dunno if this should also be a decider of what food to feed.

If you can comment that would be great.

Thanks!

Arden Grange is a very good food also, he will fill out in his own time though,

Yeh ive been told he will fill out as he grows i just think he looks a bit dull in the coat?

Arden Grange is this food suitable for small  puppys and do you need to add anything else to it?

IMO the best dried food on the market is Orijen.

Ive heard quite a few people say this about this food. Ive just ordered some online and i will see how he goes on it.

Its ashame as i was told that RC was a great food but recently i have heard to so many bad things about it.

I have heard lots about Orijen sounds fab, but with 9 large breed to feed its very expensive, may try one of our sensitive females on it though, thats if she cant tolerate the red mills which we have just swapped over too, yes i used to feed royal canin but was never over impressed with it to be honest, yes Arden Grange do a puppy food.

> I currently feed my pug puppy of 4 months Royal Canin Puppy Mini. But I just feel his coat isn't great,

> I just think his coat looks dulish and I feel he could possibly be a teeny weeney chunkier.

Does he still have puppy coat?  I'm not sure what stage a pug is at at 4 months but all pups go through phases where their growth is all over the place and some get very lean and leggy.  Another thing to consider is central heating - some dogs will look a bit dull and scurfy if they've been indoors a lot.

I suppose my point is that it may be temporary.  If he is on a food that he likes it may be worth waiting til he is ready to move to a different aged feed before trying another brand.  Also do check with your breeder, he/she will be able to give good advice about the stage you lad has reached.

The breeder feeds all her dogs on RC.
Maybe your right and it could be just is age thats making him look dull.
I will prob be best keeping him on the RC just now then incase it complicates things, since he is happy on it and his stools are a good shape and colour.

It just makes you worried reading everything on sites and peoples comments etc. ;-(

Stick to whatever suits your dog, they are all different and what suits 1 doesnt suit another, enjoy your puppy x

The thing with Orijen is that it only contains meat and veg and fruit....would he not be missing out on the benefits of maize etc etc?...

The canine species was evolved to eat meat, their digestive system isn't equipped to deal well with grains. A high meat content diet is more suited to them than a high grain diet, which most of the completes are.

got you...

The only thing is, i have read a few reviews that states its not a good food for young large breeds as it makes them grow to fast and has to much energy in it which there kidneys cant deal with? It also says that its to much of a protein based meal for young toy breeds.

I have emailed them and will wait there reply!

My little dog has thrived on Royal Canin mini since she was born.  Her coat is lovely; perhaps not as shiny as it could be but to be honest, is a shiny coat all that important unless you're showing the dog?

I would think seriously before changing a puppy's food on that basis alone.

I am to be showing him yes.

This isnt the reason im wanting to change. I have seen on so many forums and also had info from a nutritionist that Royal canin is up there on the list of bad quality food. Its heavily bulked up with ingredients that aren't so great.

I want the best for my pup, i want him to live a happy healthy life and i feel by buying the best quality food out there is the way of doing this. In the end its my responsibility as he cant choose what he eats!

Ive just been in touch with orijen (who are very helpfull) and i think im going to try there range and see how he goes.

would he not be missing out on the benefits of maize etc etc?. is there any :-D :-D

I personally don't feed food with Maize in it and have done so for years succesfully.

If it has to be complete for me ( at the moment)

Orijen, although a little pricey
Arden Grange Sensitive Fish and potato
Wafcol Fish and potato only
JWB grain frees..

Of course everyone will have different opinions.

Thanks,

I am going to give Orijen a go.

I was only £32.99 for a 7kg bag of Orijen and im usually £29.22 for a 6kg of Royal Canin....so i think it works out cheeper amazingly.

Oh crikey, you are needing our help :-D :-D

If you buy a big on line you can pick most of the foods up a lot cheaper. I am paying £32 just now for 15kg of Wafcol Salmon and potato

That was for the puppy Orijen tho? Not the Wafcol range.

that was the cheapest i could find it online. I buy all my food online. :-)

Yes I knew that BUT when you said what you were paying for the RC also that is expensive.m usually £29.22 for a 6kg of Royal Canin 

Mind you I would not pay the "wee" back price :-)  must be tight LOL

you dont get big bags of royal canin mini puppy unfortunately. I prefer buying in bulk to!

Do you mean Mini Junior?

Compare the ingredients to the medium junior :-)  I have a small breed also and used to use it years ago but they changed the meat ratio%

After what i was told about RC i dont think i will be buying again!

Its ashame these branded dog foods lead you into a false sense by saying there amazing etc. I genuinly thought it must be a good food cause of its price...

clearly not.

Oh I know Scotgal.. it is always the same. Marketing is such a great skill.. look at the Ceaser adverts. :-)

I think that is what is good about the dog forums. I used to use RC all the time. I still use their reproduction food for pregnant bitches and for the first couple weeks of weaning as it is actually OK..

Yeh my pups breeder uses RC for weening only as she said its good for that.

Forums are very helpfull! Altho reviews arnt so helpfull all the time! I just read a review about orijen saying it gave her dog kidney failure and it died.

WHAT!!!

What did the people at Orijen say with your query about kidney failure?

From the Champion Petfoods site (http://www.championpetfoods.com/faq/) Q&As:
Q | PROTEIN LEVELS - Does higher dietary protein stress the kidneys?
 
A | No. There is no study in science to show a higher protein diet has any negative effect on the kidneys of dogs or cats. In fact, scientific studies show quite the opposite; dogs with poor kidney functions or dogs that had only one kidney showed improved health on higher protein diets.

Where can you buy Arden Grange? Iv seen it at shows but not going to any soon Iv looked in Pets at Home and they don't have it :(

> The breeder feeds all her dogs on RC
> Yeh my pups breeder uses RC for weening only as she said its good for that

Do check again with your breeder.  I think you've contradicted yourself about the food she gives?  If you're happy with the breeder and the way she keeps her dogs then her advice will be worth following - and at least until your lad is ready for the next age food.  It's so easy to get differing advice about food and to be swayed by the adverts and promotional material.  At 4 months you dog may well be going through a phase, changing food may make no real difference immediately and might cause him to lose a little condition whilst he adjusts.  You've also said his output is good at the moment.

With all that in mind, don't change just because you like the sound of something else.  Wait until he might need it.  When you chop and change food you may inadvertantly create a fussy dog and as you've said he eats his RC with enthusiam you dont want to change that :)

> Where can you buy Arden Grange?

I saw small bags in Waitrose last week!  Most of the larger independent pet shops I've been into seem to sell it but I buy it online.  VetUK is usually the cheapest for Lamb & Rice which I use to back up a raw diet.  Arden Grange also have their own website and online shop.

Sorry i meant she feeds her pups on RC until they go to there new home 90% of her pugs are on Arden Grange.