Blue Buffalo vs. Pro Plan (for puppy)

Travis · 08-06-2008, 07:24 PM

I've been bouncing back and forth between which food I want to start the pup on once we get her.

The breeder is feeding her Iams Large Breed Puppy, but we plan on switching her over to either Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy or Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy.

I saw in another thread that a lot of people recommend Pro Plan Selects for their dogs but it seems that Purina does not make Pro Plan Selects dry puppy food; just the regular Pro Plan variety.

It looks like Blue Buffalo has the higher quality ingredients, but I'm just not too sure if it's worth the premium over Pro Plan Large Puppy.

Anyone have any experience with the Pro Plan or Blue Buffalo large puppy foods?

**Colorado Dobes** · 08-06-2008, 07:26 PM

I have had no first hand experience with Blue Buffalo's puppy formula, but I fed their chicken and rice adult formula and I really liked it. I think it's a great food.

GoodDog · 08-06-2008, 07:44 PM

I don't know anything about Blue Buffalo. My puppy is doing well Pro Plan Selects Natural Turkey and Barley Puppy. It's a dry kibble that I moisten with water. Petsmart and Petco both carry it. Here's the link to the Purina site -

Natural Turkey and Barley Formula - Products - Purina® Pro Plan®

Good luck with your new puppy!

jaxadam · 08-06-2008, 09:57 PM

Captain eats Blue Buffalo and I think it's a pretty decent food.

**Burns** · 08-06-2008, 10:04 PM

Yes, Pro Plan Selects has a puppy formula - its turkey & barley. There is also an adult turkey & barley. A lot of experienced Dobe people on the board feed regular adult food to their pups and don't feed a puppy formula at all.

Lisn123 · 08-06-2008, 10:07 PM

We just FINALLY decided on Pro Plan Selects--It is a Dry Puppy formula--with Turkey. I have gone around & around and it seems that many have had great success with the Pro Plan--and after laying them all out side by side--looking at all ingredients.. we finally just picked Pro Plan (over Innova) They are All VERY similar to me--one is 2% more protein or 1 % less fat, etc... I think it all comes down to what agrees with your dog the most.
My husband said lets go with the Pro Plan over Innova, because of the cost, if it works.. then lets use the cheaper. BUT after looking closer, at the lbs/bag--we figured out the ProPlan select was actually more $ then Innova.
I'm sorry, i'm sure i'm not much help. I have heard good things about Blue Buffalo. But I will certainly let you know how Pro Plan works out for us over the next week or so.
Good luck!

JG1 · 08-06-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

A lot of experienced Dobe people on the board feed regular adult food to their pups and don't feed a puppy formula at all.

Why is that?

I'm not sure if I should switch my 15 week old over to adult...I have him on pro plan large breed puppy.

**Burns** · 08-06-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG1

Why is that?

I'm not sure if I should switch my 15 week old over to adult...I have him on pro plan large breed puppy.

I'm not exactly sure, tbh. Maybe some of them will chime in and give an explanation. I just know that they have all had great-looking dogs that don't appear to have any developmental problems with just being fed adult food!

jaxadam · 08-06-2008, 10:24 PM

Most adult foods, especially the premium brands, have a very high protein and fat content, a la Innova EVO, which is not advisable for a growing puppy. A lot of commercial "all life stages" or "adult" foods are lower in proteins and fat content, so they are more suitable for a growing puppy if that is the route one chooses to go.

We have never fed any type of "puppy" food to any of our dogs, as most commercial, and even premium brands, are fine for a puppy as well.

JG1 · 08-06-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

I'm not exactly sure, tbh. Maybe some of them will chime in and give an explanation. I just know that they have all had great-looking dogs that don't appear to have any developmental problems with just being fed adult food!

large breed puppy food is more caloric dense then adult food, no?