Choridontin and Glucosamine in large breed puppy food

[NewGSDPUPOwner]

Anyone know how important it is for german shepherd puppies to get choridontin and glucosamine in their diet at 9 weeks?

I was looking at feeding Shadow 'Innova Large breed puppy' food but it does not have either of the ingredients. When I called the company said that it is not required for young pups and it is only required as they get older.

Please advise.

[rainbow]

I agree ....puppies that young do not require glucosamine/chondroitin supplements. Also, any amounts found in dog kibble is not enough so it is best to add your own supplements once she is older.

[kandy]

While it's really not required, if I would have realized what my newfie girl's bone deformities would lead to, I would've had her on a g/c supplement at a much younger age. Is there some reason you think that your pup should start having this supplement this young?

I agree with Rainbow on the levels you would find in dog food. It's not enough to be beneficial. If you wanted your dog on the supplement, you'd have to give an actual supplement.

[Chaser]

Agreed with rainbow.

I also think that Innova is an excellent food choice! If you eventually want to go grain-free you can try their "EVO" line.

[NewGSDPUPOwner]

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will introduce her to Innova and then give her supplements when she gets older.

[BMDLuver]

What does the breeder feed?

I have a friend who has a topline GSD and he has a very iffy stomach with many foods. Innova may not sit well with your new one.

I would suggest solid gold wolfcub over Innova... many dogs I have had here could not tolerate it even though it's a great food!

[NewGSDPUPOwner]

He feeds her Eukanuba large breed puppy., which I do not want to feed her.

[BMDLuver]

I can well understand that..... I believe the second ingredient in that is corn.

[rainbow]

Innova is made by Naturapet at their own manufacturing plant. They also make California Natural for dogs/puppies that have sensitive systems which is another option ....

http://www.naturapet.com/brands/california-natural.asp

[AnnHFashion]

My pure white german shepherd was allergic to glucosamine and I had a awful time trying to find a food without it in it. Plus the vet did not believe me. When we got her paws cleared up ( she was bitting and licking them raw) the vet said and she is on the glucosamine ? well no....so back on and with-in 2 days she raw again took her off and she stopped. The dose was 1500mg a day.
I had bought Pet insurance and they would even pay for the glucosamine if it was vet prescribed and bought at the vets.

Later on we got metacam for her and just a small dose worked wonders.


AnnHFashion

[kandy]

Glucosamine and metacam are two totally different things. One is supplement meant to help keep joints working smoothly and the other is a anti-inflammatory pain medication. Managing the pain caused from bad joints/injury should not be confused with managing the condition itself.

If your dog was allergic to glucosamine then I would imagine you had a very tough time with dog food since glucosamine is found in all forms of cartilage, which definitely gets used in dog food. So even dog foods that don't add additional glucosamine will still have some in it. The amounts you find in dog food are not normally sufficient to give any benefits to the cartilage, tendons or fluid in a dogs joints though.