Nutro Ultra Puppy Food?

[M&M's Mommy]

My 9 mo old puppies are super picky when it comes to food. I've tried many different "grocery store's" types of food, but they liked none. Finally (thanks to this forum) I've known of better quality brands, and decided to try the Nutro Ultra one (actually many people suggested the Innova, so I wanted to try it, but my local Petsmart doesn't carry it). So my question is, how does Nutro compares to Innova? My pups seem to be ok with this new food for now (at least they sampled it!) Should I try it out for a while, or search other stores for the Innova? Thx!

[dragondawg]

If:

1. The dog readily eats the food, maintains a healthy weight, with a high energy level,

and

2. Has no allergic reaction to it whether it be digestive or coat/hair allergies,

and

3. Has no metabolic problems due to the food (e.g. pancreatitis)

then you have picked a winner. At that point it doesn't matter if the bag says Innova, or Rin-Tin-TIn on it. What is important is to stay with one brand for diet consistency. Changing brands have been known to lead to puppy boo-boo problems.

It is unusual for puppies especially when there is more than one involved, not to eat. Common non-disease factors in not wanting to eat the specified dog food include:

1. The owner having given table scraps and the puppies are holding out for more.

or

2. In older geratric dogs shifting them from performance, to maintenance or a low calorie formula can decrease the taste of the food, as bulk fibers increase.

In either case if you are satisfied with the quality of the dog food, and the little monsters decide later to stage a hunger strike you can still trick them into eating it again by pouring a little beef broth on the dry food. Of course you can't leave it down moist for more than a couple of hours due to possible spoilage. Slowly back out of the extra flavor. They will decide to like it after awhile. The only time mine have ever refused to eat is when they partake of some rotten deer part out in the woods, and are destined to become ill because of it. Outside of that they gulp down their Propet food 2X a day- then they lick each other's dishes.

[MajesticCollies]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Ah the age old question, what can I get my puppy to like. We have to think more than just the taste of the food that the puppy perfers. I have never had a problem with my puppyies eating. I use the Solid Gold Hunchen Flocken. The trick to any finicky dog is to add a 1/2 cup of real meat to his diet. I always mix depending on age either a 1/2 cup of chicken or 1/2 cup of canned Salmon. Fincky problems solved in an instant. Soon the food you choose for its healthy value is never an issue. I find PetSmart doesn't carry some of the higher Holistic Foods out there that are good for your dog. I should be more PetSmart friendly for my Collie Steele's poster hangs above the bone isle. He is a beautiful Blue Merle chewing on a bone. Usually in the rawhide area. Funny how he is advertized there considering collies do not digest rawhide easily. Anyhow, pick the kibble that makes you more comfortable health wise and add that meat into your best friends diet. I assure you it will work everytime.

Tim
Majestic Collies
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[JenBKR]

Nutro is a great food. Innova is probably a little better, but if Nutro is easily accessible and they like it, go for it. I feed Roscoe Nutro and ever since i started him on it his coat has been shiny and he hasbeen healthier than before. Good luck!

[bckrazy]

First of all, they do not need to still be eating puppy food at 9 months, IMO. Since you're making the switch anyway, you might as well switch to a premium all-stages kibble or adult. For Petsmart, your best bet as far as kibble quality is Blue Buffalo. It has great ingredients and when my dog ate it for about 1 month, he really liked the taste! They also come in small bites that are little-dog-friendly.

Canidae is one of my favorite kibbles, which is available at just about any feed store. It is for all ages & sizes, and it good quality while still being affordable. Innova is ok, but I prefer California Natural as far as Natura brands go.

Also, like Tim @ Majestic Collies said, adding good, beneficial meats & pro-biotics, and pureed veggies & fruits to the diet is a wonderful addition. Adding whole foods should not be seen as "spoiling"... adding meats, even cooked meats, is a great supplement to kibble.

[DrKym]

Raw?

[MajesticCollies]

I just wanted to add that Nutra did come out with an all natural holistic kibble recently. One of my puppy buyers is using it and I must admit the puppy looks really well. Thought if you want to stick with the Nutra products you may want to look into that.

[tonidaly]

anyone have any comments on authority harvest baked kibble (i believe it is petsmart's brand). i have a friend that has been suggesting it to me. THANKS!

[dragondawg]

anyone have any comments on authority harvest baked kibble

Are your dogs having health problems on their current food? If not then there is no need to switch. The less you switch foods the better for the dog.

[tonidaly]

Are your dogs having health problems on their current food? If not then there is no need to switch. The less you switch foods the better for the dog.

Guess i should have given more info. My beagle seems to scratch alot. I do find fleas on her, and have used advantage and frontline. I recently switched to K9 advantix, and that seems to have gotten the fleas! but, she is still scratching alot, which makes me think allergies, so i would like to try a new food. Currently, she eats blue adult (from petsmart). i don't have many stores to choose from for food, so nutra, and the others that seem to be popular on this site aren't an option. Thanks!!