I want to preface this by saying that I know most of you are feeding raw. I'm not opposed to raw. I just haven't done enough research on it to have a clue how to do it. What little I have read makes me think that at this point, I would not be able to have enough time to run around town finding everything I need to do it and it sounds a bit expensive. I also know that most vets know little about the nutrition they need.

Now, I have for several years, been feeding Canidae, which I believe to be a pretty high quality kibble. Maybe you guys will correct me on that. So with my 17 1/2 week old rottie I had planned to switch him either to Canidae or it sounds like maybe Orijen maybe a better choice. Maybe you guys will suggest another. So here's the first question my vet says not to switch the food yet. I get lost in all the technical speek, but my understanding was that she says the puppies that she sees that have been switched to these all ages, higher protein foods too soon either the joints grow too quickly and the rest of the body can't keep up, or vica versa. I can't remember which way it was but I'm pretty sure it was the former. She gets into all this technical stuff and I get lost. So the first question is, should I switch him now or follow her advice and keep him on the Authority puppy food for now that the breeder had him on?

Second question is, Marco, up unitl the last several days has been eating around 4-5 cups a day over 2-3 feedings depending on my schedule. There have been times when he would leave some of the food uneaten. The last few days, he finishes all 4-5 cups and then clearly wants more. He digs in the bowl, pushes it around the floor, etc. So I gave him 2 more cups and he finishes that. I just want to make sure he's not going to get overweight. 7 cups of food seems like an awful lot.

Does the puppy kibble you're feeding say specifically "for large breed puppies"?

I wouldn't feed a large breed pup an ordinary puppy kibble because most of them have artificially high levels of protein and calories that can cause rapid growth (which you don't want.) The large breed formulas supposedly take care of that for you. The otter option is to feed a large breed pup an adult kibble (which differs from puppy kibble by being reduced in protein and calories.)

As for Marco, you can only go by the dog, not the bag. Feed him enough every day to keep him trim, but not skinny, and no more. For most dogs, hunger is a poor indicator. Mine would all be as fat as fools if I let them eat as much as they wanted. The amount may vary based on his activity. Just watch his waist.

Yes, it does say "puppy food, large breed"

Good. Compare the values on it of protein, calcium, and kcal per unit to the other foods you are considering. You can look those up at the web sites for each brand of food.

If those adult foods that you're considering are no higher on those nutrients than this large breed puppy food, then the vet's warning is unfounded. If they are higher, then what the vet says has merit. IMO.