any thought on EVO. grain free. I am worried about the high protein for younger dogs and pups. its about 40%. I know there is no scientific proof that the high protein is bad for pups, "BUT" I have heard not to give it for growing dogs and I have labs.

When I fed kibble, all of my dogs went to Innova (not Evo) adult formula at 5 months of age. Never had an issue with them growing too fast at all.

I think all pups should be switched to adult ALL Natural kibble between 5 and 8 months.

Regarding vitamin C (ascorbic acid) I have heard that Ascorbic Acid is required for proper collagen production and overall joint health. I have given ester c or c/ascorbib acid for years, given to a dog with known hip problems and joint issues it is not cure but it does help quite a bit. I am no expert though but I love Vit. C.

What dosages do you give Jennifer?
I am not real informed with Vitamin C so I am curious. I guess what I did read was not to give it so I just do not.

General Question:
Isn't easy to give the dog too much when they do "produce" their own C as well?

Super C 2000 for sale right here at Leerburg. I don't mean to cut in but I just gave Andy 500mg of Ester C.

If it something that will benefit then it may be worth thinking about.

I am just behind on it.

It depends on the dog and the situation, Carol. I give a regular dose of roughly 100-150 mg 3 days a week for an adult dog in 'working condition' (that is being worked physically, mentally and encounters stressful situations both physically and mentally.)

In times of greater stress, increased physical excursion or with puppies during growth spurts I will give 250 mg every other day(4 days/week) but this is when on a raw diet. When kibble fed, because some kibbles include vit c in the food I will generally only give about 50-100mg 2-3 times a week and this is for a large dog at least 65 pounds or a large breed pup over 4 months or 30 pounds. It isn't an exact science and I really don't know exactly where I get my amounts from but I do have a pill cutter for when I get the pill form of ester c/ascorbic acid and a digital scale for weighing the amounts.

As I have understood it natural vitamine C production varies dog to dog and is one of those vitamines that is difficult to really overdose unless you give insane amounts for an extended period of time, like 1000mg a day for a small breed dog (under 25 pounds) I think I read somewhere that dogs, on average, produce about 40 mg per kg of bodyweight but this can vary if the dog has a compromised system and who knows all of the effects of poor breeding practices, illness, and various other outside factors.

I know that vit C is required for the production of proline and lysine, and collagen. I try to tailor the amount to what is happening at the time in the dogs life and I keep a careful eye on the vitamin and mineral levels of various things I give my dogs.

I have been looking into a join supplement that a breeder turned me towards called Prevention (http://www.preventionfordogs.com/Ingredients.htm) but I think for me the main thing is that when kibble fed to watch for overdoses when giving supplements like Prevention that have multiple ingredients.

Makes good sense Jennifer, thank you for taking the time to post all that, I appreciate it a lot.

NP, I am no expert by any means but I was raised in a house full of vit c pushers and I have a tendency to research everything before I give it to my dogs or other pets anyway so it sort of evolved from researching the uses, intented application(s), and benefits or sideaffects of vitamins and suppliments for myself to researching the same for my critters. When I'm bored I read encyclopedias.. I've always been a strange one.

 Quote: Carol Boche

I am with Connie, except for, I do not give Vitamin C but I do give kelp and alfalfa. These are inexpensive supplements that
help these things:



Kelp/Alfalfa

(scroll up to see Kelp)

I think of those as foods rather than supplements. I do give kelp in its fresh form, and should've mentioned it.