Innova Evo...thinking out loud...

[imported_Jennifer Carr]

What would be the downside in feeding a 1+ yr old Shep/Husky a high protein diet such as Innova Evo?

[imported_Jennifer Carr]

What if any, are the cons to a high protein diet? Weight gain if not careful is that it? Any medical?

[Eric Moreira]

You might want to take a look at The Pet Center (http://www.thepetcenter.com ) for some good info. Here is a link to nutrition and protein, http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/nutritioncomments.ht ml .

[imported_Jennifer Carr]

Hey Eric thanks,

In the time from my last post I came across that site. Great site that is!

Thanks,
Jenn

[Rebekah Hartman]

I've talked with the folks at Innova a bit and the biggest consideration they mentioned related to EVO is to make sure not to feed to large breeds until they're more or less finished with their growth phase. Innova does a lot of research and their studies show that the high protein content causes large breed puppies to grow too fast. After they're finished growing, it can be fed without issue regardless of the breed.

Just check the feeding wizard on their website at http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=profil e-wiz and you can find out how much to feed. At the top, you can click "puppies" to find out how much to feed a dog that hasn't reached it's adult weight, but for large breeds, EVO is not the most appropriate food. I've checked a couple other calorie calculators online and it seems to be on target for calories per day, although as with any food, make sure your dog doesn't gain too much weight (or maintains if he's done growing). We have an 18-week-old Rottie/Shep/? puppy and he is growing well at the amount of Innova puppy it suggests.

[Cherielynb]

Food! I have a Chow Chow that just turned a year old. Until he was 6 months old he ate Science Diet for Large Breed puppies. He's eaten food especially for Large breed puppies until now. My Vet told me the same thing. You want to feed them something especially made for large breeds because they grow slower which makes their bones denser and stronger. Sid weighs about 60 pounds now and I'm feeding him Solid Gold Wolf King. I was JUST given the suggestion to feed him the ProPlan by Purina. Food is such a debate amongst dog guardians! :eek: Since the food recalls I've been staying away from anything that has gluten anything in it.

[Lesly Stevens]

I feed Innova EVO and my dogs (Standard Poodles) do very well on it. They're lean and muscular (sufficient road work), and my male, who was prone to eye tearing, no longer has the probelm, even intermittently.

However, I also poach fresh ground meats (lamb, sirloin, buffalo) and chicken breasts with garlic and a stalk of celery, steam fresh vegetables, and add that and the meat mixture to brown rice, and serve as one of their two meals per day. When time doesn't permit cooking, it's EVO and nothing but! They're somewhat disappointed, but, oh well! LOL

Lesly