Actually, the new Authority formula is much HIGHER quality than it ever was before. Until the new formulation and the Authority relaunch coming to PetSmarts in October, Authority was actually a LOW quality food. Now, it's above average.

Also, I question your use of large breed puppy formula for your dane pups. Large breed puppy food has higher protein than regular puppy food, and high protein diets in Danes under 9 months of age have been linked to greater chance of pano and potential joint issues later in life.

Since I have not purchased the new formula, as I said, I don't know. What I do know is that the old formula for Large Breed Puppies was right in the recommended ranges for protein and fats, and overall calories. I have raised over 100 puppies on it, and all are extremely healthy and have no issues, either with pano or HOD. Further, all of my danes, adults and puppies, have the most beautiful coats I have ever seen on a dane. That is the comment I get everywhere I go, including dog shows. I know some didn't agree with the food, and some of my puppy owners were convinced to switch to a "better" food. I have had more trouble with those puppies than with any who remained on the Authority. I originally tried to use the Eagle Pack Large Breed puppy food. While it may be a "higher" quality food, I found that when the puppies got to be 6-9 months old, they simply refused to eat it. All most all of them became so underweight as to start to lose their energy. When the owner switched them to a different food, they immediately began putting on weight and picked up their energy level. I had two puppies from the same litter who were fine here. The buyers switched the puppies to a "better" food soon after taking them home (each used a different food). Both developed severe food alergies and had to find a food which would not break them out. As I said, they had no indication of a food alergy on the Authority. I personally think vets and owners sometimes lose sight of the overall goal. The dog should be healthy, no matter what you are feeding. I just lost my first dane, at the age of 10 1/2 to a second bloat. The bloat was due to stress, and he survived the surgery, but the overall experience was too much for him at that age, and he never made it home afterward. The emergency vet who handled him was impressed with his overall condition and health at 10 1/2. He had eaten the Authority since the age of 3 when we got him. As a vet tech, you know that 10 1/2 is considered OLD for a dane.

And I very much agree that if a food works, use it. I'm happy that Authority has worked for you... just suprised, as from a clinical standpoint, it shouldn't.

Sorry to hear about your loss, AllDanes :(

Hi,

We are using the last of the old bags of Lamb/Rice adult authority here and I see they have reduced the bags from 40 lbs to 34 lbs and changed the formula and the price has gone way up.
So I am thinking of buying something else to switch them to.

Since the lamb and rice worked for your dogs I am thinking of looking at the new food you have your danes on as a possible switch for our dogs.

So what brand? formulas and prices is your new food?

Looking forward to hearing from you soon,

stdpoodle