Burns

After reading this thread, I'm sold on the Pro Plan Selects and will be switching after I finish of this bag of food.

My question is about amounts. I currently feed Science Diet Nature's Best Chicken & Rice dry (377 kcal/cup), and Science Diet Chicken Entree canned (161 kcal/5.5oz can). He gets 3 cups per day (1.5 cups morning and evening), and 2 cans (5.5oz cans) per day (1 can morning and evening), for a total of 1453 kcal/day. I just cut him back to the 3 cups/day because he was starting to get too heavy at 90 lbs. (hubby was overfeeding), so hopefully he will slim down a bit now to closer to 85 lbs.

The Pro Plan Salmon & Brown Rice is a bit higher in kcal at 430 kcal/cup dry and 185 kcal/5.5oz can. For the same amount of calories that I'm currently feeding, this would come out to 2.6 cups/day and 2 cans/day.

Does this sound about right? For the people feeding the Pro Plan Selects (or particularly the Salmon), how much are you feeding and how much does your dog weigh?

Also, on a side note, I've been supplementing with 3V Caps (fish oil, omega 3) while on the Science Diet, and I'm wondering if I switch to the Salmon if I should continue supplementing or not? considering he'll be getting more EPA in the food - I don't want to overdo it.

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Gorrmae's Fantasy Red XIII CGC
DOB 2/17/07
red/rust, male neutered Doberman

dobermansrule

it sounds about right, but...

we might not be reprentative of the general Pro Plan population. For one, Quincy is a weight hardgainer. We've fed up to 6 cups a day dry kibble Pro Plan Selects and/or Performance and the dog will not gain weight. He is stuck at 72lbs. He is 20 months old, intact, and reasonably active. Then, also, he has a picky eating streak where he randomly chooses to not eat a meal here and there. It sounds like your dog is more 'normal' and predictable and your numbers sound reasonable. Gosh I wish I had your 'problem'

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BackInBlack

I have only been feeding it like a week, but I can already tell that I am going to have to cut back. Rommel has been getting 4 cups of dry food a day and 2 large cans of food. (California Natural Kibble and Merrick canned)

He is getting 4 cups of Pro Plan and 2 small cans of the Pro Plan Select's Canned Food. I think he has already gained a few pounds.

Ziris is only getting 2-3 cups a day and might even cut her back to 2. She gets food when we track also, so she doesnt require as much and she keeps weight very easily.

If I ever start adding in the Performance version, I have a feeling I will have to cut back even farther.

So just from my very limited experience with it.......mainly Rommel being my example (He is around 80lbs), yes....I would say you would need to cut back.

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BackInBlack

Also, for the record........I have always had trouble keeping weight on Rommel also. It wasnt until I started adding the canned that he finally got to a good weight with nice muscle tone, where I like to see him at.

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dobermansrule

we might cave and try the canned. We did it in the past and of course he inhaled it, but we didn't want to lock ourselves into having to feed in addition. We might have to though.

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natdobe

We are currently switching our girl to the Pro Plan for Sensitive Skin/Stomach, because she is battling dry skin and staph. Her vet wants me to try it for a few months and see how it goes. She has also just started the 3V caps. She is not totally on the Pro Plan yet, because I'm in the process of changing from Canidae, so I'm not sure if she will be getting the same amounts or not. Both my vet and her tech. said that a number of dobies do well on Pro Plan Sensitive Skin, and Pro Plan in general, so we'll see how it goes. It sounds to me like you should feed less also, and it's up to you if you want to cut back on the 3V caps, but I would probably stick with them, as long as Red is doing well with them. I don't think you would be over doing it. I've read nothing but positive things about the 3V caps. You could always try taking him off them, and if he does well then great, but if not you could always go back to them.

voodoolizard

wow that sounds like a lot to me..

if i fed mine 2 cans of dog food a day they would never eat any kibble at all !!

they must have small stomachs !!

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Zeus,Missy & Clare

Dragon Slaying Dobermans Incorporated Member #030

Zeus..Dragon slayer extraordinaire.

Missy..Damsel in distress .

Sizzledog

When I switch to new food, I usualyl feed the same amount I did with the old food, see how they do, and adjust from there.

Kudos for switching - I'm sure you'll see a marked improvement, Science Diet isn't really a good food IMO.

I'm a diehard fan of Pro Plan Puppy - I don't know WHAT it is about that food, but puppies do great on it. It's just bizarre, I can't explain it.

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DobieLuver

Hey Natdobe...........I know its early, but how is it going with the switch? From the post about BIB doing the Pro Plan trial, I'm thinking of trying PP Turkey and Barley. I too feed Canidae, and my girl has staph and dry skin that I seem to battle off an on. Its hard for me to believe that I'm thinking of trying this food (from the negative comments that you read about Purina), but I have tried the premiere foods and they all seem hit and miss too. Thinking back, I had Mya on SD (and I know that isn't great food) when she was a pup and don't recall having any issues, so maybe she will thrive on Pro Plan Selects.

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"You never stand so tall..... when you bend down to help a child."

jdd

It all depends on the dog but you really don't need to feed that much canned. Mine get a table spoon or two just for flavor.
I look at my dogs each day before putting food in their bowls. They are given about the same amount every day but if they look like they've gained I give them less if they look lean I give them more. Alex eats about 4 cups a day, he weighs about 80 lbs. Holli eats 3 to 4 cups a day depending on how much running she did that day and how she looks. I got a new male in to show who needed weight, he's VERY active. I've put weight on him feeding 4 cups twice a day but now that he's where I want him I'll cut him back. The great eaters I use very little canned, the not as great eaters might get a little more but never a whole can in one day.
I'd just feed the amount of dry you normally do, look at him each day and give more or less accordingly.