Should I stick to the breeders food?

[Suzieb]

So the first of my many puppy questions is....


My soon to be puppy is currently on

http://www.workinghprs.com/content/large-breed-salmon-potato-puppy-15kg

what do you think of this food? Anybody else use it? Am thinking of sticking with it if it's a good quality one.

[Mudmagnets]

Have to say not heard of this one, but sure others may have done. The only thing I would question is their reference to Large breed? I would have thought cockers would be more likely to be in the small/medium size range.

[Suzieb]

That's what I thought. The large breed bit confused me too that's why I thought I'd see if anyone else had heard of it. Assuming that it might be best to change him onto a different food, does anyone have any recommendations?

[Emilyoliver]

I wouldn't panic if your puppy's doing well on it - the ingredients and ratios are pretty similar to other puppy food brands catering for puppies in general.  The ref to 'large beed' may be because it's being marketed as a food for HPRs (which are large dogs).  Have a look on whichdogfood - you can compare different foods and ingredients on there.  The ingredients of your breeder's food are fine, so if you want to change maybe look for something similar.

[Sheryl]

The only thing that would bother me is the beet pulp. It's just a filler and of no nutritional value at all. Wouldn't harm him but I wouldn't like paying for a useless ingredient.

[Suzieb]

I remember now you saying about beet pulp being used as a filler. There's just sooooo many different puppy food brands out there, all gets a bit confusing.  I just want a good quality dry food that has nutritional natural ingredients but doesn't cost a fortune. I will have to do some research online I think.

[Suzieb]

I've been reading about different brands of food and Millies Wolfheart seems to be a popular, so thinking of giving that a go when my boy comes home.

Does anyone else use this food?
Which mix do you think would be best to start on for a cocker spaniel puppy?

[Sheryl]

A puppy range if they do one.

[Biddy]

Hi Suzieb,

Jake has Millies and loves it,and it is a good quality kibble.
I would ring the company and ask for their advice.
They were really helpful and not at all pushy when I rang them about Jake's diet ( he had been loosing weight and had runny poo when he was on Eden)
However most of the advice on this site is not to change food straight away, it will be a big enough change for your little one leaving his mum and litter mates and settling in a new home without changing his food straight away, especially if he is doing well on it and enjoys it.
They can often go off their food when they first arrive in their new home.
Jake loves food, all food but when he first came to live with us he didn't eat that afternoon and evening. ( but some puppies take longer)
His breeder had warned us that this can sometimes happen so I tried not to worry too much, he had a drink so that was good, next day he gobbled all his food down and has been a lovely food monster ever since!!

Have fun with your puppy, they grow up so quickly

[Mudmagnets]

Don't forget that if you are going to change foods, unless there is a medical reason not to, it is advisable to keep pups on the food they came home with for a couple of weeks (to let them get used to everything else that is new to them) and then to do it gradually over a couple of weeks, changing ratios old/new.

[Ldavies38]

My pups on the same, and she's glossy in coat and healthy. But gets very fussy sometimes and would easily go without if she thought something better came along. I too thought long and hard about changing and still do, but as the vet said to me, if its working then keep too it

[Ali101]

We feed both ours Millies wolfheart, WCS 190gm and lab 280gm and this is countryside mix. Both girls NEVER go off their food and are really thriving on this food. Millies do very quick and free delivery and  do an hours slot as to when they will deliver by DPD. We have used Millies for nearly a year now, so feel confident in our recommendation. Aldo, they do some great natural treats, and the lamb skins go down very well indeed!!!