Can anyone tell me the difference between large and 'normal' adult food?

Hi Asa,

In the early eighties research was produced (think it was on Great Danes) that Pet food manufacturers seized on,The thinking was large breeds should have lower Protein and Fat diets (and a different Calcium/ Phosporus ratio) to reduce incidents of bone and joint problems.
    Two schools of thought on it emerged, that and the other  that large breed bone problems were largely genetic/hereditary and that only putting on weight would affect long bones.

I cant remember the research paper off hand..It was someone like Winkleman et al (or winkle something if I remember I'll put a link up)

So,
The difference is usually Large Breed feeds have a lower Protein and fat content and a different ratio of Cal/Phos.
However,
You really need to read the ingredients carefully as these specially made feeds can sometimes be not only a false economy but also a false representation of 'Low protien'
for example:
A leading brand of Puppy food has 29% protein and 9% Fat
A leading brand of Giant Breed has 26% protein and 14% Fat

The puppy brand seems to have higher protein BUT that protein source is by-products and Grains so only average digestability.
The Giant breed has pure chicken protein so has excellent digestability.

Which makes the difference in protien levels pretty nominal at the end of the digestive process ;)

Also some labels will split their grain into three different types (to make the grain NOT appear as the primary protien source) so that feed 'could' appear higher in protien but taking digestability into account it may not be.

So...... There are low protein/fat foods out there in the Adult feed catagory that 'may' be actually better than a 'Giant breed'

LOL... sit down have a cuppa! Hope that makes sense!!

omg I think I will need more than a cuppa to get my head round that. Th e more I read the more confused I get. Mine are on raw and still can work out the protein on raw is fine which must be high but not in some complete foods !

> can work out the protein on raw is fine which must be high

actually its often not as igh as in some completes... its about the moisture levels i believe, you'd want to ask mastifflover, she is quiet up on the maths.

Chris,

Don't panic! Lol. What Im discussing there is merely to back up my own opinion that some manufacturers make a lot of money from 'Breed' or 'Veterinary' specific diets, and that you have to read the ingredients and analysis. Sometimes buying a 'Giant Breed' Feed may be more expensive when an 'Adult' feed compared to that feed may be better & cheaper.

So there should be a difference between Adult and Giant breed types of feed (or why produce them? the cynic in me says money) But sometimes there is not the required difference.

You would think you should be able to take it at face value but the buyer still needs to be canny with reading the small print ;)

Just re read my post its a wonder you understood it  my dyslexic fingers at work again soz.

I agree with the synical bit I am beginning to wonder about all the different types of food available in some completes for example Royal Canin. They seem now to suggest you need a different food for different breeds and beforeand after spaying and for all the life stages and for sensitive tums. Its the same with their cat food. Do you really think thats necessary or are the appealing to the human wanting to feel they are doing their best, I really do feel this has got to do with money more than animals stomach.
So glad i went over to raw mine seem v.happy on it even if I get shocked comments from some people including professionals. Something about balance and splintering bones omg liitle pom/chi eats it too

Oh dont I sound like a grumpy old women !! 

lol furriefriends ,i think its all about money !! and i wish i had the confidance to do raw ,i think when ive looked into it abit more i will feel happy doing it :) i have different size breeds and now i feed the same foods ...just more for some and less for others :)
and you dont sound like a grumpy old woman :) x x

I feed large breed to my dogs and the kibbles are bigger so the dogs have to chew them rather than just hoover them down. They often also have joint care additives such as glucosamine etc

> its about the moisture levels i believe, you'd want to ask mastifflover, she is quiet up on the maths.

Thanks Astarte, but I always flounder with the argument about moisture levels giving a false representation of % of protein. If I had the confidence I would feed raw, but I am sticking to the diet my Mastiffs breeder has stated - (I deviated from it to start with & my pup whent down on his wrists :( ).

To the OP, there are a lot of differing oppinions RE protein in food for large/giant breeds, I think it is important to take on board what the breeder is saying (proving the breeder is experienced/has the advice of an experienced mentor), as well as different levels of protein etc. being more suitable to different breeds, different lines within the breeds may do better with 'x' food/diet.

Most important for large/giant breeds = do not let them get chubby or fat - lean is best.