Large Breed foods
The propose of these foods is to reduce the risk of orthopedic problems including hip dysplasia. Research has shown that a rapid growth rate-once thought to be an indicator of ideal nutrition-predisposes to certain orthopedic problems by disrupting the timetable for bone growth and "remodeling" to its final form. Reduced calories (fat) and possibly protein, and controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus, are designed to prevent these problems. Our observation is that puppies raised on name brand large breed foods do appear to grow more slowly and mature later than those fed the high-calorie growth formulas.

Feeding Older Dogs
Many "Senior" diets involve reduced protein content, presumably to reduce load on the kidneys. Strombeck points out, however, that geriatric animals have a reduced ability to synthesize protein and may require additional protein in the diet. He suggests that the answer is higher quality protein, yielding more benefit with less waste. If you have an older pet, we encourage you to discuss this issue with your vet.

Dog food labels are a confusing business. We encourage you to look past the pictures on the packaging, and consider the ingredients with a critical eye. We hope the information presented here will help you make informed choices.