Hi everyone, I’m currently feeding my 5-month-old female Jagdterrier puppy, who is very active, Nutrivia Nature Plus dry food. It has 37% protein and 19% fat and is grain-free. Could you give me your thoughts on this food, or perhaps recommend some other brands available in pet shops that might be even better?
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There are loads of brands out there; it really depends on your dog, their tastes, their digestion, and their needs.
If they're very active, like @fondant au chocolat said, then maybe look into working dog dry food.
I might be wrong, or perhaps the study in question isn't worth much, but it seems that too much protein is just as bad as not enough (as with anything, really—the dose makes the poison).
I’m a bit sceptical about grain-free, but plenty of dogs handle it well, so if yours likes that particular brand of dry food and seems to be digesting it fine, there’s no reason to switch. Mind you, grain-free just means it’s been replaced by various starches; it doesn't necessarily mean there’s more meat (which is a common misconception when you're starting out). Anyway, when it comes to dog nutrition, you’ll find completely conflicting advice. You’ve got vets who are pro-BARF, anti-BARF, pro-grain, or anti-grain.
Hi, I’d suggest sticking to dry food that contains grains rather than going grain-free—or perhaps go for a low-grain option if you’d prefer. To be honest, the "grain-free" craze is just a current trend that isn't backed by any real evidence of health benefits for dogs. Only a few rare breeds are actually predisposed to gluten intolerance, such as Border Terriers and Irish Setters, so that wouldn’t apply to your puppy.
What’s more, grain-free diets usually mean a higher fat and protein content in the daily portion (since you have to increase other nutrients if you take out the grains!). Over time, too much fat can cause damage to the pancreas, and very high protein levels don't actually benefit the body, as there’s a limit to how much protein it can absorb; the rest just goes to waste. Finally, if the body gets used to being grain-free, your dog’s gut flora can become very sensitive to even the smallest change, which could lead to long-term tummy troubles.
A good compromise would be to choose a "low-grain" range of dry food instead of grain-free, or just stick to a standard grain-inclusive brand.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Julie
