Hi

Has anyone used this in the later stages of pregnancy and lactation?
I normally just give mine their normal food (RC maxi adult) but obviously more of it. Puppies are normally weaned on RC Babydog so I thought I might give it a go.

Just wanted to know your thoughts.

STarter is great, always had nice chunky pups with it!  The problem I have is getting them over to junior, always upsets their tummies, no matter how small an amount you give, with me this has only happened since they changed the ingredients from chicken to beef and pork.

Royal Canin starter is excellent, we've used it for our last two litters.  No problems with puppies changing from starter to junior, ours went on with no problems and are on it now (12 weeks), toilets are perfect.

> The problem I have is getting them over to junior, always upsets their tummies, no matter how small an amount you give,

I had this problem with junior every litter also, never tried starter, but i love the babydog food.

I just wish more people would report back to the food manufacturers when they have problems, I felt as though there were thinking I wasn't telling the truth as 'nobody else had complained' again which I know is a lie as I know of 3 other breeders that have reported it back.

But yes agree the Starter is excellent and can now be purchased in pet stores which is really good news.....I wonder why it's now readily available if they hadn't had reports of the junior upsetting pups tummies???

You are right Sharon we should report it, it seems like it is too rich or something, i know our breed has sensitive tummies so i thought this was the reason?
I dont feed RC anymore though, just in process of having our own manufactured to suit our dogs needs.

annastasia is that a company doing that for you? I have just changed over to fish 4 dogs and it is brilliant, not used it for weaning yet though... they also have a breeders club too.

> annastasia is that a company doing that for you?

Yes, it is a large dog food compant based in Lancashire, they make Arden Grange and other top brands, still early days on finalising the recipe yet.

Yes, it is the only product of their dog food range I will use now. I feed it to the mother 2 weeks before whelping, I keep her on it for 6-7 weeks then put her back on her own food after. Puppies are now weaned straight onto this.  Soaks and blends very easy. I think I have used it for 5 litters never a loose stool in site. All down well on it.

I would just like to say that we too had problems with our pups going from starter to junior...and...like everyone else thought it was just us this year. we have already decided not to use it again for puppies. In fairness to RC if we don't tell them they can't do anything about it so I intend to write but it is natural just to assume it's this particular batch of pups isn't it and not realise others have experienced the same thing.

Thanks for all your comments. I think I will give it a go after all I have been pleased with their other products.

Annastasia- Are you sure about them making Arden Grange? I thought AG were a private company and they are based in West Sussex.

Blue - some advice please.  My bitch is now 6 weeks in whelp, she has been on RC HT42d since coming into season.  For my previous litters I have put bitches on to Maxi babydog around now and have been very pleased with the pups.  I have ordered this time a sack of the Starter as well as Maxi babydog - would you use this from now?  I intended to start weaning pups onto this and then change them onto the Maxi babdydog before they left for their new homes.

> Annastasia- Are you sure about them making Arden Grange? I thought AG were a private company and they are based in West Sussex.

Yes, we used to be a distributor for AG, and if we were short of a certain product we used to pick it up from golden acres. The owner of AG lives in West Sussex though.

Hi Ells-Bells ,

I have a small breed so can only really advise based on my experience but I really like the starter, it goes soft really quickly to so is easy to use quickly, especially when you have hungry pups screaming for the dinner :-)   I used to use the porriage but have used this for the last couple years with very good results. Nice solid poos and fat little puppies.  The mothers have stayed in fairly good condition also even after having above average sized litters for my breed.  I would say get the 20kg bag as it is better value to.

I would wait till 7 weeks till I put mother onto it as you don't want to increase their food too much till then really I think.

Thanks Blue - I've got a 20k bag of each already.  I was going to use up my HT42 before starting it anyway to save wastage - she should finish it in a few days.  She is ravenous though, so I have started to give her a very small lunch in addition to her normal two meals which have remained very similar in size throughout.  She had 11 in her previous litter 2 years ago and although she's not having so many this time I don't want her to lose condition before pups arrive.