What’s the difference between Science Diet Puppy and Science Diet Large Breed Puppy?
I have a new puppy and the Vet game me a free sample of Science Diet puppy. He’s a GSD and is 41 lbs at about 5 months. I’ve seen Science Diet Puppy Large Breed as well. Is there a significant difference between the two or is it just marketing?
Both are pretty low quality foods, but large breed puppy foods SHOULD have LESS protein in them. But, because SD is such crap, the protein amount is still way too high and only slightly lower than the regular puppy food.
With a GSD, you should be feeding a low protein food anyway. California Natural has an EXCELLENT large breed puppy food that you should look into.
++Scratch that, it’s Innova
Both are pretty low quality foods, but large breed puppy foods SHOULD have LESS protein in them. But, because SD is such crap, the protein amount is still way too high and only slightly lower than the regular puppy food.
With a GSD, you should be feeding a low protein food anyway. California Natural has an EXCELLENT large breed puppy food that you should look into.
++Scratch that, it’s Innova
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The food is smaller and easier to digest in puppy science diet, than large breed puppy. The packaging should tell u when ur dog is old enough to switch from puppy to adult.
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my dog uses the same food.
There is a difference in the make up of the food. Different protein levels, different calories, large breed has more glucosamine. A GSD should be fed large breed puppy.
However Science Diet is a crappy food. Vets push it because they make money pushing it. It is corn filled crap. I strongly recommend feeding a better quality food to your pup.
Use this site to help you learn about different foods and ingredients and what is considered good and bad. http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
I recommend foods like Blue, Orijien, Wellness, Evo, etc.
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I would say that one is for puppies in general and the other is for larger breeds. If you read the two labels that may also help a bit.
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Science Diet is actually really good food. The difference between the two is that the Large Breed is compulated to grow the puppy slower as giant breed dogs really need the strength in their bones and joints. My mastiff had 3 puppies ( I kept 2 and raised them on SD Large Breed Puppy) the lady who bought the other puppy used some of the foods you will see on your thread. ( cant quote or I will get reported for chat lol) The other puppy grew to be about 3 inches taller than the other dogs but has a weight of 115 lbs. They have to keep her bone thin to relieve the weight off her bones and joints. My two mastiffs are 155lbs for the female and 180lbs for the male, are strong and thick boned dogs who have never shown any signs of joint issues or bone weakness. I strongly recommend you go with what the veterinarian gave you, and stay on it for at least the first year. It will benefit your dog down the road!
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Science Diet use to be good food. Now you can get a much better quality food for the same price.
Look at Blue Buffalo for large breed puppies. I have a GSD puppy also, 7 months old. The breeder had her on a different food. Since she has been on Blue her coat is better, she gained the right weight and she is thriving. If you do switch her, which eveyone on here will tell is you should, do it slow. 1/4 new food 3/4 old food for 3-4 days, then 1/2 and 1/2 for 4-5 days, the 3/4 new 1/4 old.
GSD’s can have touchy tummy’s so take you time doing the switch, the dogs will be better off and so will who ever has to clean up the back yard
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Both are equally crappy foods.
Never rely on your vet to give you sound feeding advice – very few vets get any significant training in nutrition and what many DO get is funded by top brand companies. That and thye occasionally get paid to promote certain brands. Talk about biased….
If you need to change your dogs food, talk to a canine nutritionist.
The only difference between the two (puppy and large breed puppy) is the calorie content and some of the nutritional content (fat, protein, etc.) There are fewer calories in the large breed formula and less fat plus more carbs.
That and large breed formula has NO actual meat in it and it’s made up of grains, allergens, and by-products (IE has very little actual nutrition but plenty of fat and junk.)
Puppy:
Lamb Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Brown Rice, Animal Fat
Large Breed Puppy:
Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver Flavor
Ugh, disgusting.
Bonnie – bone and joint issues are INHERITED…. not typically affected as such by the food.
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Owned by Mutt