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Is my puppy's current food okay, or should I switch to grain-free?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chow Chow | Male | unneutered | 4 months and 14 days old | 35 lbs

I want to know the best option for puppy food. I'm currently feeding soild gold wolf cub for large breed puppies. The crude protein is 26.0%. I'm trying to figure out whether I should continue feeding the current brand or adjust to something with higher or lower protein. This food is potatoe free. Should I be more concerned with switching to grain free or is what I'm currently feeding okay?

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 20th, 2018

Puppies do need higher amounts of protein to help them grow correctly, and the current researched recommendation is no more than 28%. If Mushu is doing well on his food, there is no reason to switch him. Do not worry about switching to a grain free food, there is absolutely no research or proof that grain free food is beneficial to dogs. It's actually a fad. In dogs who have allergies, only 10% of these dogs have food allergies and the majority of them are protein related. Grain allergies in dogs are truly very rare, and I never recommend feeding a grain free food unless the dog has a diagnosed allergy. In addition, grains are beneficial to dogs, they provide a source of fiber and sustained energy. Finally, recent research has come out that grain free diets with lentils in it has negatively affected the absorption of taurine in dogs. This had lead over time to dogs developing heart problems due to taurine deficiency. I say it's fine to keep him on his current food, but other brands I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Iams. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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