Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 2/10/2009

Question
Hello,
I have a 1yr old bulldog and a 2mth old bulldog.  The 1yr old had been on Wellness Puppy until about 4 mths ago.  We switched him to the Adult Wellness Supermix Lamb and Rice.  His digestive system never did well on this formual.  After doing some research online, I decided to try the grain free formula instead.  I started adding some Wellness CORE reduced fat food to his regular food so as to introduce the grain free formula slowly.  He seems to be doing well so far.  He also takes the NuVET supplement (we started that 2 weeks ago).  My concern is that I've read on other websites that the Wellness CORE may have too much protein for a bulldog.  What are your thoughts on this?  What % protein is good for a bulldog?  

Also, the breeder fed our new puppy Eukanube Large Puppy food.  I am not a fan of the brand but did not want to switch him too quickly since he's so young.  Any suggestions on what we should try with him?  Should I give the wellness puppy another go?  

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Stephanie!  Two bullie kids !!!  I loveeeeee bullies - all kinds.....
Ok, Glad to see your kids are taking the NuVET - the baby can have 1/2 to 1 per day of a NuVET - The 1 yrs old can have 1-2 depends on his weight.
Ok, food - glad you are doing the CORE - is is fine !!!  I have researched this concern and find no problems with CORE and a healthy dog.  Yes, it may be too much protein for a dog in Renal failure and kidney disease.  It doesn't cause kidney disease as you may have heard in a few Blogs or Forums.
If you are concerned you can do what you have been - the CORE  reduced fat mixed with some of the Adult Wellness ( do 3/4 CORE and 1/4 of the other) - YOU don't have to go 100% grain free CORE.  YOU do what you feel is best.  JUST watch and see how your boy does on the Wellness CORE MIX and the NuVET Wafers.

PUPPY Food - I would go with the Old food and some Wellness or Innova PUPPY food / Do a mix of the Eukanuba food and the new food for about 3 weeks.  YOU can do a 50/50 mix for even 4 weeks if you would like. Just go slowly and get that pup onto a better food than what the breeder had him on.  It would cost her too much money to have the pups on Innova or Wellness brands......

I sure hope that I have been some help to you.  Please send me some photos of the kid! My private e-mail :  mtnmom@gci.net

Keep me posted - update me in 30 days ,  OK?

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net

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