Bought some nature diet today to try pups on with the Arden Grange, because they are not terribly keen on the AG.  They do eat it, but just sort of pick at it and I'm lucky if they eat the amount suggested on the bag.

Anyway I mixed a pack of nature diet with the AG and they ate it like they were starved - never seen anything like it!!  My questions are firstly is nature diet high enough in protein - it's only 10% compared to AG's 29% - how can such a huge difference be ok?  And secondly, if they eat it all and are still acting half starved, should I give more?  I used to always believe animals are unlikely to overeat, but I'm less inclined to believe that now having put one of my dogs on a diet recently on vet's advice!!  Are the amounts on dried food bags accurate?  Says a cup and a half for these pups per day which doesn't seem like much considering the way they just ate that with the nature diet!!!

> They do eat it, but just sort of pick at it and I'm lucky if they eat the amount suggested on the bag.

I know very few dogs or pups that eat as much as suggested on the bag, so it that is the only problem and pups are gaining steadily I wouldn't be worrying,a nd suggest they are picking as they are full up.

They difference in the protein content is to do with the water content the dried obviously has less water and makes it more concentrated. From memory naturediet actually works out at about 38% in the puppy one. I am using that with raw for my pup.When oh gets in I will check those calcs as he knows how to do it.

I just think dried food must be so boring Barbara.  If I add a bit of mince or nature diet to it, or even just a bit of rice they really tuck into it and lick the bowls clean and ask for more.  My question is do I give them more?  Or tell them that's what it says on the packet ;-)

Also why the difference in protein content?

When comparing wet and dry food you have to remove the water first. Think about it this way, how many grams of protein, carbos or fat are in a glass of water? If you compare protein content to dry mass you'll see they'll be closer. Without the packages I can't be accurate but say your AG dry food is 8% moisture, that means it has 92% dry matter. So divide 92 by your 29 and it comes out to about 31% protein. The wet food is probably about 75% moisture so 25% dry matter. Divide the 10% by 25 and you'll see the nature diet is about 40% protein. Does that make sense?

Well done Lori thats the bit I couldn't explain properly and you got the figures spot on. As far as adding meat or something to dried I know in theory you shouldn't but I have always done it and my dogs have been health and happy to eat dried. My latest dog however is on barf which he loves after boycotting dried !!

That makes perfect sense - thank you - I was being thick there wasn't I lol.

I always start them off on dry plus puppy milk so they are happy eating it.  At four weeks I then give meat etc at a one meal, with or without the dry depending on how much the pups are eating.  I have never measured how much weanlings eat they eat to appetite and I always give a bit more than they will eat and mother clears up what is left after 15 minutes.

All I was saying is if your basing your view on the palatability of the AG on them eating what it says on the pack you may be in error.  Of course even full up pups will eat a bit more of something novel or extra tasty.  I can always find room for a dessert no matter how full ;)