[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Peggy - your arguments on this subject are fatally flawed.

Michael, I am sick and tired of this arguement. If my argument were so flawed then why are my dogs, not to mention those of many other breeders who do the same thing, just fine?

For example you state that puppies don't need the particular additives that makes puppy food absolutely suitable and vital for normal puppies.

I didn't say that. What I said was that they didn't need a food that EXCEEDED the requirements. An ALL life stages food meets the requirements. The AAFCO standards say that it's just fine for all life stages or they wouldn't be able to lable it as such.

I don't think you have quite grasped the fact that AAFCO standards, as comprehensive as they are, are set low and no quality producing dog food company would stick to such low minimum standards.

What I understand is that their standards are minimum standards. Meaning the mininmum needed for the dog. You can go over that but you don't need to. So what I understand is that if a food meets the minimum requirement it's just fine to feed. You don't necessarily need to go over all the time or at all.

Puppies need to have daily intakes of calcuim that far exceed AAFCO minimum standards.

Says who?

Some puppies have gotten bone spurs due to excessive calcium.

Watch this space because dog food can still develope further and the canine nutrition scientists will discover some other necessary additives to a dog's daily diet for health benefits.

Oh, I have no doubt that canine nutrition may change in the future. And as I learn more I may change my mind on things. As I said at one time I did feed puppy formulas. It's what I've learned that has caused me to change my mind.

As I said before what I do works for me and my dogs. And I know other breeders who follow the same practices and don't feed puppy foods. If feeding a puppy food works for you great. I prefer not to and your arguments aren't going to change my mind.

Peggy