I have my puppy on Innova large breed puppy,she is 9 months old.My other dogs,all adults,eat Merrick's chicken before grain(grain free.)At what age should I start her on the Merrick Before grain and why? When does a Lab stop growing height-wise and start filling out....opinions please!!!

JMO - I switch at 6 months from puppy to adult food.

JMHO, of course, but I wouldn't put a puppy on grain-free until they're at least a year old- if not older. Most of the grain-free foods are just way too high in calcium content. Other than that, as far as actual time of switching puppies to adult food, everyone has a different time. I, and several others I know, switch at around 4-5 months, while others wait until they are a year old. It's all in what you feel is right for your pup.

I never use puppy food to begin with , they start on the regular food I give all my dogs. Puppy food makes them more prone to joint problems.
Aloha,
jackie

I find that also Jackie. Especially if it is a hi protein pup food or same in the adult food. The Large Breed Puppy foods are usually close to adult food in % of the ingredients that cause orthro issues.

Either I feed Large Breed Puppy until 4.5 - 5 mo.s or I begin on quality adult food at 3 wk.s that isn't hi protein or fat. Not all adult foods are created equal also. Some are hi in protein & fat. That's what can cause orthopedc problems and cause havock on our purselets.

What reason do you not feed grainless foods until a year. I never used it but heard sone are okay. Is it the same as not feeding a child a vegetarian diet until age 2? Peds tell vegon parents it's okay then change their mind. Does this have to do wtih innoculations?

Aren't grain free foods usually pretty high in protein?
What would be the optimal range for protein and fat in a six month old lab puppy, and an adult?
Any suggestions on a good food for an overweight adult?
The whole calcium thing with joints has me confused, too. Aren't puppy foods formulated with that in mind? What percentage of calcium should a puppy get, and what percentage should an adult get?
Lots of questions, I know. Anyone know of a good website that would explain all this?

My 10 month old is also eating Innova large breed puppy and doing very well, so I am leaving her on it, Natura says it can be fed until they are two, don't think I will do it that long, but will keep her on it for a while longer. When I was feeding regular puppy food I used to switch at 4-5 months, but the way this food is designed there is no need to have to switch. I would wait till at least one year before putting a puppy on the BG. You can just keep your puppy on the Innova large breed until then, that is what I would do.

Agree and it was confirmed by many vets and dog show friends that I asked, if you feed a HIGH QUALITY puppy food like Innova, you can stay on it over the 5-6 mos mark, at least that is what I am doing for now if I have a pup I want to keep on puppy longer (like one that seems to not keep weight on like most labs) .

Cottage cheese I have heard is a really good way to give puppies calcium.

And its the FORM of calcium that is important, according to dog nutrition specialists.

This is an ever growing knowledge that I am accumulating and trying to learn, even though I have loved the subject of human and canine nutrition for years, I still am learning...

My 15 month old is still on Chx Soup Large Breed Puppy and will stay on it until 18 months. She had growth spurts early and is a big girl, so I decided to continue with the LBP until she is 18 months.

My adults I feed Taste of the Wild - I will transition the youngster over to that at around 18 months.

I looked at the protein in BG @ 32% seems a bit high for a growing puppy.Don't we want them to grow slower as opposed to faster?One more question..when do lab pups stop growing height-wise?Is it a relative age,each pup is different?Genaerally speaking,what is the average age that they stop growing tall?I think that I will stay on ILBP until she is at least one year.She inhales her food,I never hear her crunching???Maybe I should add water to soften it, jump start the digestive process or doesn't it matter.

How much calcium is in the Grain Free Merrick? If it is over 1.5% I would wait until the pup is one year old.

Its not the hi protein that is a concern it is the hi calcium in GF foods. Orijen LB pup has proper calcium. But most other GF foods are too high, like EVO, Natures Variety Instinct, TOTW to name a few.

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/puppy-protein/

On the average most Labs grow in height till one year and than fill out/mature for the next year (depending on the lines).

Thank you for the information

Merrick Before Grain Calcium
Buffalo - 1.97%
Salmon - 1.94%
Chicken - 2.12%

Too hi for my liking. I would wait till one year.