Hi! -Intro and Q about Nutro food lines!

[Rosalba]

Hello everyone!

I'm brand new to the forums and to giant breeds (technically) as well. I do have a Chihuahua (6 lb. girl named Frida) and a cat (slightly bigger boy named Olive), but am getting a Saint Bernard (smooth coat) in the next few weeks (the one in the pic, currently one week old  ). I've always loved giant breeds, so I'm super excited to finally be able to get one!!! Go me.

Well, that's my intro (and the reason I thought I should post this under the general board). But in preparing for a new puppy, I have a ton of questions -especially about what to feed him. I feed Nutro to both my dog and cat. Olive gets their Natural Choice line, while Frida has recently been switched to their Ultra (apparently their newish holistic line) food for small breed adults. So my question is specifically about Nutro food for large breed puppies. Their "natural choice" says it's a "controlled growth" formula -and growth and proper bone/joint development is obviously a huge concern. However, their Ultra line is not only holistic, but includes brown rice, oatmeal, alfafa, chicken, lamb and salmon meals -and no byproducts of them. But "controlled growth" still gets me -I know! it's just a label...
So, anyone tried them? Which one should I feed? should I even be doing the puppy formula (natural choice or Ultra)? or just go straight for the ultra adult formula for large breeds? or something else entirely? Although I have to admit the Ultra formula sounds pretty spiffy, and I would like to hear if anyone's tried it...

Thanks in advance!

-More pics as I get them (I'm getting weekly updates on the puppy), and once he comes home ^__^

[mynameislola]

Our Vet. said to feed our large-breed pup a high-quality adult formula.

If you look up recalls and blocked imports for dog food, Nutro is one of the brands I see most that is being blocked at the ports for things like toxins.  They were one of the brands found to be contaminated with melamine and use the synthetic form of Vitamin K.  This site, http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com, gives Nutro two of six stars.

We feed Canidae because it is made in the USA with no imported products and the local feed store sells a lot of it so it is always fresh.  That site gives it four of six.

[Rosalba]

oh I'm totally open to other food brands

Nutro does have a list of ingredients on their website -but it's not under their "ingredients" tab (weird, huh?). To get to it, you have to go to "products" and then select one. Here's the large breed puppy one: http://www.ultraholistic.com/lbpup.shtml

Thanks so much for your input. I shall continue my search for the best food possible! -but definitely appreciate the help with it

[Rosalba]

wow. yikes~ that's also one of my main concerns! in fact, the only reason I even looked into the nutro ultra food was that I thought it was made in the USA -that's what the bag says... unless they're referring to the packaging...

[SadieA]

While I was in France, Sammy was eating Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Formula, which was by far the best-looking food option I could locate for him. I can't speak for Nutro as a whole, but the large breed lamb and rice doesn't have corn gluten, or mysterious protein sources as far as I can tell. It worked really well for him- he loved it, and  had no GI problems on it or anything. Now I've got him on Canidae because I heard so many good things, and he's reacting really well to that one too, but I personally had good luck with Nutro, and don't think it was bad for Sammy. If you're nervous though, there are certainly a ton of foods that folks on this board like a lot!

[Rosalba]

You're right. Thank you so much for the input. This is being so helpful.
I've been looking into some more foods, and am currently deciding between canidae (which I like because apparently I would be able to feed the same food to my chihuahua adult and saint bernard puppy -a little strange, but way convenient) and the artemis fresh mix adult formula... Also, there are two canidae suppliers within one mile of me... again, WAY convenient

But really, thanks to everyone. I would be so lost without the help of experienced big dog owners. My brother does own a giant malamute, and a rottie, but he feeds them eukanuba and wasn't much help when I consulted him about food for my upcoming puppy. Well, for now, at least the nutro ultra formula is decent for Frida -4 out of 6 stars... But I'll be looking forward to switching her too... I'm kinda leaning towards canidae. Any other suggestions are definitely more than welcome

[mynameislola]

A company can say their products are "Made in the USA"  and still have them contain ingredients from who-knows-where because the ingredients are processed and bagged here.  Some Nutro ingredients must come from overseas or they would not be catching them at the port bringing in toxic stuff. 

Ditto the idea that 30% protien is way too high for a large-breed pup.

Take a look at the feed store that has the Canidae and observe the condition of the bags of other brands.  If it is like my local store, the non-Canidae bags are worn and stained because they do not sell if Canidae is available.  My guys have to keep so much of the Canidae in stock that they are getting it delivered to the owner's garage and bringing it over as needed.  The store is just to small to keep it all there.

As the proud Mama to a Chihuahua and three big paws, I am curious how you plan to keep your new pup from squashing the Chihuahua.  We have multiple dog gates and the Chihuahua has his own room.  Hubby thinks it is his room, but shhhhhh.

[Rosalba]

As the proud Mama to a Chihuahua and three big paws, I am curious how you plan to keep your new pup from squashing the Chihuahua.

I'm planning on crate training the puppy and put him in the crate when I'm not around, at least while he's little. Also, Frida grew up with my brother's giant malamute (apollo) and rottie (juliet -she and frida became bestest friends forever), so she knows to watch it and stay away from big paws when the play gets rough. Of course, I still watch her. But the funny thing is that she seems to not really like little dogs. It takes her a while to approach them. I think they freak her out. Frida must think she's a big dog (must chihuahuas do, but I think she's serious  )
-but the gate thing is a good idea! I'll do that too.

[Rosalba]

ooh, and of course, I will definitely be training the pup to be gentle with frida from the get-go. we'll see how it goes. After training a Chihuahua (not the easiest), I have this (probably unrealistic) positive perspective of, like, I can do ANYTHING!! proof being that my 1.5 yr old chihuahua is good with kids, calm, and doesn't pee in the house.