Looking for a male saint bernard

[dainerra]

It depends on the puppy food. I am not sure what % calcium is appropriate for her. Check with your vet.
different brands have different percentages. Large breed puppy food has lower calcium (generally) than regular pup food because you don't want them to grow to quickly.

 

[arabianequine]

I know thank you...which does not make sense to me cause the calories are higher in the Kirkland brand adult.

I have diamond and Kirkland right now in adult dog food and the calories are higher in the Kirkland and calcium is lower by a little bit in what I had been seeing on the reviews. The Diamond does not show the calcium.

 

[dainerra]

in some brands you will have to contact the company.

The problem is also in "where do the calories come from" as well as 'where does the protein come from" Also "where does the calcium come from"

Many brands get the protein/calories/calcium from different vegetables. This is practically useless to dogs. For example, in a cheap dog food the main source of calories and protein is actually corn - dogs can't digest it. That is why you feed so much of it - the dogs need a huge amount to get the same calories as a meat source. Even with meat, some dogs don't do well on certain proteins. Some times it isn't the proteins but the prep process. In some cases, a certain brand may be too rich. So a food with a lower % of calcium might put more calcium in a dog's body because of the source.

For example, Taste of the Wild is a great food. Highly recommended and highly rated. One of my dogs did great on it. The other, chronic diarrhea. Same with Blue Buffalo. Even though he didn't have the runs, he just didn't do as well on it as you would expect.

The main problem with vets is that they don't get any training in nutrition. What they do get is largely sponsored (and taught!) by Purina and Hills Science Diet. Both are actually some of the lowest ranked foods in the world. On paper, they have good calories, good % of protein, etc. But most of it is in a form that dogs can't digest or absorb.

 

[arabianequine]

Diamond lamb and rice puppy was an issue for the puppies last time with diarreah. The adult chicken was ok though and 1% protein difference. When they got older then the puppy lamb and rice was ok again. I had the feces checked and everything. I was cooking them food and their stool would firm up so I knew it was the food.

 

[arabianequine]

Just in the last 2-3 days our female saint has been eating poop any kind but her own non stop. Like all she lives for,

what should I do about it? What can I do about it? I am taking her to vet tomorrow for an ultra sound. I am thinking cause of pregnancy but if that is the case then is it automatically from poor nutrietion?

She is still on diamond lamb and rice adult....not large breed. Maybe I will look at the difference in calories in large breed.

 

[redhen]

I was going to switch to Diamond..are they any good?

 

[arabianequine]

I think they are pretty good been good for our dogs considering the price........we have not had any problems and feeding 6 dogs for 3 years now on it.

I like the Kirkland/Costco brand just as much if not more and I get that often.

What do you all feed to your females when she is pregnant?

 

[arabianequine]

Update:

Puppies are due Monday for first of April due date.

I put her on puppy food at about 4 weeks in to pregnancy.

Symphony had her xrays at the beginning of this last week and said to be 8 this time. She does not look as big or seem as skinny as last time.

I am taking temps regularly 3-4 times a day and we are staying home with her this time

We are making a puppy room since we have the extra rooms available.

Pics to come soon.

 

[arabianequine]

Milk is flowing today out her teets when I squeezed them.

 

[Glenmar]