changing food and adding vitamins...HELP

Topics, guidelines and tips for feeding Chow Chows.

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chow4ever
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changing food and adding vitamins...HELP

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Hello, I've had my chow chow, Simba, for two and a half months now. When he was given to us, he was about 4 months old and he was eating Purina Puppy Chow. When I went to the local pet store to buy his food, I was informed that Purina Puppy Chow was equivalent to fast food joints in terms of poor quality so I bought Halo dog food b/c of it's better quality and nutrients it provided. Of course we gradually weened him into the new dog food and he liked it. However, we realized that yes Halo is a great brand, but it is very expensive. The largest bag that was sold in the local pet store was 10 lbs and it cost $27.99 per bag. In order to feed Simba, who happens to be a large breed dog, I had to buy two bags at a time. I'm pretty sure you know where I'm going with this. So recently, after doing further research (which was something I should have done as soon as I decided to change his dog food) I found out that Solid Gold Wolf Cub Lrg Breed Puppy Dog Food is the best recommended dog food for a growing chow puppy. Now, as for my question, is it safe or would it be unwise of me to change his dog food again? I mean, Solid Gold is a bit pricey but I will be paying $56.00 (no tax included) for a 33 lb bag of Solid Gold Dog Food; whereas, as double bag of a Halo 10 lb dog food will cost me the same amount. So, I don't really want to sound cheap and please don't think I'm selfish by not wanting to give Simba the best (I do want to give him the best but w/out a hole in my pocket) but is it safe to change his dog food AGAIN?

Also, vitamins? Can I just give him joint vitamins and vitamin E or should I take him to the vet first and see what the vet says?
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Zhuyos mom
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Re: changing food and adding vitamins...HELP

Post by Zhuyos mom »

It's okay to change your dog;s food. However, for the first week add some of the Halo with the WolfCub to ease the transition and his poop won't be extaordinarily runny. I give my chows Halo canned on special occasions. It is very expensive.

When your chow is 8-9 months, you can transition him to adult Solid Gold kibble - either WolfKing or Hundchen-Flocken. MMillenium tends to be too beefy for my chows. Remember, chows are actually medium sized breeds not large. Large breeds are more like 100+ lb mastiffs or great danes, irish wolf hounds and rottweillers. So SG's Hundchen Flocken's puppy kibble is good for Simba too. It is probably a liitle lower in cost too.

If you feed him quality food, you really don't need to add supplements unless he shows signs of joint disease early in his life.
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Re: changing food and adding vitamins...HELP

Post by chow4ever »

Thank you so much zhuyosmom. I really appreciate the advice. I will definitely try them out. ;0)
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