[Dana S]

I feed my small dog Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food, but I live in an area prone to hurricanes, especially in the fall. When storms hit, I can be without power for up to a week, so I need a shelf-stable, high-quality wet or dry food as a backup.

I plan to slowly transition to the backup food this fall and stick with it through the end of hurricane season.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Alice Adams]

I also have a dog and faced a similar situation with low protein dog food. Before taking any steps, I always prefer to discuss with my nearby vet Beyond Pets to make sure I’m choosing the best dry and wet options. You can also do the same — discuss with your nearby vet to find high-quality, kidney-friendly food that truly matches your dog’s needs.

[Ray Cacciatore]

Is it safe to feed my dog Acana Premium Chunks every day.
After she was spayed, she suddenly stopped eating her dry food.
After two weeks, I tried Acana Premium Chunks and she loves it.
Now I am wondering if I can feed her this every day.

[crazy4cats]

I have two 13 1/2 lab mix “pups”. They are litter mates in very good condition for their age. I have been feeding them Purina One Vibrant Maturity dry food along with a dollup of canned food. They also get some fish oil and a GlycoFlex supplement daily. One of them is on carprofen due to some stiff joints. They are doing great!
I wouldn’t add any vitamins or minerals to a diet that is already considered complete and balanced. It could potentially throw things out of whack!
Good luck to you. It really stinks that they get old so young.

[Melissa Francis]

Sorry if this is off subject, I’d like to start making dog food properly. I serve the dogs about 2 1/2 cups of homemade dog food. The recipe im trying to figure out is chicken veg. I have a (40% protein, 50% veg, and 10% startch) The protein is chicken, the veg is 3 part broccoli, 3 part carrot, and 1 part celery, and brown rice for starch. I boil the chicken, than use the chicken stock to blanch the vegetables, after I strain and use the stock to cook the rice. I always have a bowl of my dogs regular dry food available for the pups. I’m not confident enough I have a balanced meal, I’m interested in yalls input and suggestions, also any suggestions for any vitamin supplements I could add to the food that can withstand going through a pressure cooker. I’ll be making a liver dish, or something that involves red meat, maybe even fish. I want my dogs to eat good food, but I don’t want to miss anything to keep them healthy.

[nathaniel reid]

Finding a suitable kibble that meets the dietary needs of both large and small dogs can indeed be challenging, especially with varying sizes and eating habits. One option you might consider is a high-quality, all-breed dry dog food that offers small kibble sizes. Brands such as Royal Canin, Wellness, and Blue Buffalo have formulations tailored for mixed breed households, often labelled as “small breed” or “all adults.” These foods are typically designed to appeal to dogs of various sizes, providing balanced nutrition while ensuring the smaller dogs can easily manage the kibble. Additionally, you might want to look into feeding schedules that encourage all dogs to eat together without stealing; for example, using separate feeding stations or timed feeders could help manage access. Always consult your veterinarian to ensure the chosen food meets the specific dietary requirements of all your pets.

[Kate G]

I have a Shepadoodle who weighs 85lbs and 3 small dogs weighing in about 10 lbs. trying to feed them the proper diet has proven difficult. I buy food for large dogs and kibble for small breeds. We all know stolen food taste better, so of course they go straight for each others bowls. They are grazers so I have to leave food down. I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality , SMALL kibble sized dry food I can feed all of them. ( they all are adults). I haven’t been able to figure out one. Any recommendations would be appreciated!! Thank you so much!! ☺️

[michael s]

Our vet prescribed Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Gastroenteric kibble for our 9yo female GSD after she has experienced several weeks of soft/soupy stools. Her goto kibble has been Nutrience Subzero chicken based kibble with a taste of the same but wet (tin), and she has always been hungry for it with only a rare occurrence of stomach upset.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Gastroenteric dry…
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-veterinary-diets-en-dry/

The prescribed veterinary kibble has helped and her stools are again healthy. Gracie’s insurance will pay for half of the veterinary kibble for 3mo but, going forward, I would like to find something other than Purina to migrate her to. For example, Nutrience Care Skin & Stomach – Hypoallergenic Dog Food…

Nutrience Care Skin & Stomach – Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Does “gastroenteric” imply stomach sensitivity? I believe we tried this kibble last year but switched back for reasons I cannot remember. It doesn’t need to be Nutrience brand, but their foods are well sourced. Please advise…

Tia… and cheers from The Avalon Peninsula 🙂

[Ramesh Kumar]

Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Salmon, Veggies & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is generally well-received by pet owners. Many praise it for its quality ingredients, especially the real salmon as the main protein source. Dogs seem to enjoy the taste, and owners report improvements in their pets’ coat health and energy levels. However, some have noted that it may not be suitable for dogs with specific allergies or dietary needs. Overall, it’s considered a good, affordable option for many dogs.

[Pet Servo]

At Pet Servo, we understand that proper nutrition is the cornerstone of your dog’s health and happiness. Our extensive range of dog food and supplements is designed to meet the dietary needs of dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. From premium dry and wet food options to specialized formulas for puppies, adults, and seniors, we have everything you need to ensure your pet receives a balanced and nutritious diet. Additionally, our collection includes a variety of supplements to support joint health, skin and coat condition, digestion, and overall wellness. Browse our selection to find high-quality, vet-approved products that cater to your dog’s specific nutritional needs, promoting a long, healthy, and active life.

[Anya Sleezer]

Hello, I planned to feed our new Pom puppy a fresh food, Raised Right Puppy food. It’s has 60% protein., 28%fat, 8% carbs. However, while shopping at an organic natural pet food store, an employee said this wasn’t as good of a choice for toy breeds because the protein level is so high. Something about it being hard on their stomachs or harder to digest. He recommended a food with lower protein. When I look on the dog food for Poms page, Raused Right is not included. There is only 1 fresh food and I noticed all of them have closer to 30% protein. I cannot find anywhere online where it mentions this issue with toy breeds. In fact, on veterinary dietician site I found that if a dog gets too much protein they simply break it down and eliminate it through urine. So, now I’m not sure what to believe and if this is a good food for a toy breed or if I should instead go with one of the brands recommended here: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/pomeranians/. I prefer fresh food, maybe raw to dry or wet. Any advice? Have others with you breeds fed them Raised Right?

[Frederick Hartman]

Hi there! Regarding your question about verifying changes in product recipes, it can indeed be tricky. Companies don’t always publicly announce such changes, and customer service responses can sometimes be vague. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/forums/topic/when-cos-change-recipes-to-dry-dog-food/

[Sandra Dameron]

This is my first post. I have the pickiest dog ever, have tried all the “good” dry dog foods. I have been mixing half Fromme kibble with half Fresh Pet but is starting to turn up his nose at it. I am now going to try the Fresh Pet with Goodlands kibble, which you can only get at Walmart. I cannot find a review on this food, hoping Dog Food Advisor will do one, Please!

[spaniel Mad]

Hi, the virus has nothing to do with feeding raw and TPMS or any other raw food,I have continually fed my 3 tpms raw amd other manufacturers all the way from beginning and through, personally would not ever feed dry kibbke ever again and a decent quality’s tinned wet food would be fine but you can also get freeze dried and aemi moist food fron Eden etc …personally just keep up with your sanitisation and rules and everything will be fine 🙂

[Justine Mitchell]

Here are two current ones as of 2024: Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Turkey Meal & Pumpkin Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Earthborn Holistic Meadow Feast Lamb Meal & Vegetables Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. These also have no chicken ingredients.

[mamba24]

I wanted to read the reviews on the next level dry dog food and the page wont load , I try different browser with no luck is anyone else having same issue.

[Prism E]

Long Time Member, First Time Poster:

—
I’ve been feeding my Coonhound mix, Rex, 13, The Farmers Dog. Great food. He loved it and actually cleaned the bowl each time.

Well, we recently had a mass in his mouth come back, and after discussions with the Vet, we decided to do a partial Mandibulectomy. And thanks to the The Farmers Dog being a great soft food, we was able to maintain eating. Oh, and there was no cancers found at the incision point, Clean Margins is the term, so the Vet had removed enough.

He is doing very well after about 2 months since the surgery. Figuring out how to eat (it’s still a mess, lol), how to pickup treats off the ground (wood floors are difficult, but carpet easy)

Lately, past 2 weeks or so, he hasn’t shown much interest in eating the food. Oh, he’s hungry, and if I hand feed him a bit, he realizes it too and eats. I am wondering if he is getting fed up with how long it takes since he has to lick it up, or if his tongue is getting fatigued. I honestly don’t think it is pain related based on every thing else I see him do. But anythings a possibility.

I have changed from his Rtic Dog food bowl (8″ diameter, about 4″ deep) to shallower bowls (about 10″ diameter and only 1-1.5″ deep). My thinking is that it would help him access the food. It seemed to help a bit.

My current thoughts are would it be easier for Rex to eat Dry food as he might be able to manipulate it easier than the wet?

So, I am looking for Dry Food suggestions I can research. A short list to get me on the right track would be great.

Thanks a bunch everyone

[Carly H]

Hello I know this is a few years old but can you possibly update it? My opinion is it’s the food! Science diet is poison and it’s killing dogs and has been! Big time. All the foods your vet will recommend – same.
Stella and chewy was bought out by a Chinese company last year and they have to crap too! Science diet is owned by I believe Nestle ! As in the candy company ! Mars as in Mars bars also own a lot of pet food companies and now a ton of vet offices are owned by them as well. They have no business being in pet food and anything related !
More recently though a ton of pet food brands are making dogs sick and exactly how your dog was/is sick is how these dogs are , same symptoms to the t! My exes moms dog recently was on science diet i/d like your dog and almost died on it . Same symptoms ! I told her to stop feeding SD and pray it didn’t do too much damage and her dog is recovering!
It’s likely a pesticide from an ingredient that all these different dog food companies use and outsource from the same source ! These companies will use the same sources for certain things.
None of them are agreeing to recall even though the cases are in high numbers and dogs are still getting sick and dying daily. They don’t care about our dogs and only about money . Candy bar companies shouldn’t be making dog food but even so there are a ton of other companies not owned by them that are making dogs sick right now. Purina , SD and Royal Canin being the top ones.
Stella and Chewys used to a great food until they were bought out, Acana and Orijen were also sold and bought by Mars and went to crap and there are many more!
Please if you haven’t already stop feeding these foods and best to stop kibble all together most of them use very high heat to cook the pathogens from the 4D meat they use in their foods meat that’s from other same spieces animal that the foods made for , and they have been euthanized! The proof is in the fact that dogs foods were testing high levels of phenobarbital in it something they obviously don’t put in dog food unless they are putting euthanized dogs in it since that’s one of the meds used in vets offices to put dogs down! Sick and diseased cattle are being used in dog food and finally plain old road kill! So i get why they heat up the kibble so high to kill all that comes with using this kind of meat source! However the high heat may kill all the pathogens but it also kills any nutrients in the meat and yes this kind of horrible meat does have some !
Once they kill it all they gotta add it back using synthetic vitamin mixes which they are fining to cause cancer and speaking of cancer the carcinogens caused by cooking the kibble to the point of burning it gives your pet a good dose of cancer causing carcinogens !
Don’t use kibble it’s so and as is but right now with this mystery issues going on that’s these pet Food companies are sweeping under the rug you can’t take the risk!
You mentioned your dogs doesn’t tolerate raw meat? Could you try a gently cooked premade ? Or possibly a synthetic free raw premade as opposed to raw from the store ? Keep in mind the detoxing period that there is with raw but after typically is all good. If your dog isn’t tolerating raw meat maybe it’s that particular protein that’s an allergy or too rich . Try rabbit meat it’s good for allergic and sensitive dogs . If you must use a “kibble” try an alternative like Carna4 though it may be a bit rich for your dog especially if it has pancreatic issues but if not carna is not kibble and it’s made safer . I use partial raw and a freeze dried raw called Simple Food Project and they make combo proteins and single protein formulas and my dog loves it. It can be rehydrated with water, raw goats milk or broth or eaten dry with a continuous water source available .
I hope this finds you and your pup living your best lives ever! If this isn’t applicable to your situation any longer I apologize and hope someone else on here can use the info!
Xoxo

[Patty T]

I am sitting in an emergency vet clinic as I am typing this. My mini golden doodle has been having bloody emesis (last week) and BLOODY diarrhea today with loose stools all week. This is the 3rd vet we have been to-ER Vet and family vet last week, and now an ER vet where our vacation home is this wkend. This vet has said that they are seeing an increase of these types of symptoms with dogs that are being fed Blue Buffalo products. I started feeding my Luna Buffalo Blue about 2 months ago. At first she LOVED it – she is a picky eater – and little by little she started trying to cover it up and eating less and less of it and more of her dry food (different brand, which she wouldn’t eat before). They were thinking HGE (Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis). Probably brought on by the Blue Buffalo.
What do u suggest? So FAR… my vet bills are over $1700, and she isn’t out of the woods yet. I signed a form to do everything they can to save her (unless it will create too much pain for her). She is my daughter’s dog, but she is my grandbaby (my kids aren’t interested in children, so I LOVE my Granddog!!!). How can I get information on what is going on with issues with their food and will they help with vet bills?? I know-wishful dreaming-but a person has to try!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Can I post my email – [email protected].

[Charles H]

We have a 3 year old GSD girl. We got her from a rescue about 18 months ago and I found (after some trial and error) that she likes a mixture of Merrick Grain Free balanced Bison, Beef & Sweet Potato dry food and a few TBSP of Merrick Back Country Grain free canned food. She has been eating this mixture for over a year now and she loved it. I mean she would hop around and spin in circles while I get it ready.And always just polish her bowl of food, lick the bowl clean and come back and beg for more.

Starting a 4 or 5 weeks ago, she started to be picky with her morning feeding. Some mornings she won’t touch it. Then in the evening feeding, she’s back to normal. But it seems to be occurring with greater frequency (up to twice this week).

Her stools are very normal. She is regularly tested for intestinal parasites (at least one annually, sometimes twice). Other than this she is very healthy, happy, playful and has energy and prey drive levels beyond belief.

I’m thinking of calling Merrick to see if there has been any recent changes in their formulas for these foods. Could it be she is bored with her food?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions, etc

[Michael K]

Hi. I am new to the Forums, so forgive me if this has been answered, but my scans did not find an answer.

Is there anyway to verify if and when a co. changes the recipe to a product. It does not seem customer service answers are on the up and up. But often there are too many customer reviews of long-time users to not think there must have been some change.

I am trying to find out about
Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula All Life Stages Dry Dog Food

Thank you.

[Michelle R]

I have an old english bull dog. Never had this breed before. He is a rescue and has history of fractures. Appears his back is on the weak side. I am wondering 1) supplements recommended name and why that brand, 2) a good dry food I did see a gentleman named Chris say that merrick was a good quality for this breed but wondering which type 3) is there any other supplement or product that anyone would recommend for strengthen bone and muscle

[eterson P]

To address your 4-month-old Pitbull’s sensitive skin and rashes, consider a limited-ingredient diet to identify potential food allergies. Opt for food high in omega fatty acids like fish oil or flaxseed oil to promote skin health while avoiding grains, which can be allergenic. Suggested food brands include Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult, CANIDAE Pure Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food, and Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support.

It’s essential to stick with one food for 6-8 weeks before trying another and consult your vet for alternatives if there’s no improvement. Additionally, practice regular bathing with mild shampoo, frequent brushing, allergen-free environment maintenance, and use of a humidifier for moisture. In severe cases, consult your veterinarian for prescription medications.

[Jessica J]

Best Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach 2023
https://catfoodandtoys.com/best-dry-cat-food-for-sensitive-stomach/

[William A]

Tried to find a review for the Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Salmon, Veggies & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food but did not see it in all the reviews. Is it going to be reviewed soon?

[April A]

Hey Lyn, I can relate to your quest for the perfect dry dog food with a suitable kibble size for your large companion. It’s essential to balance their enjoyment and proper chewing habits.

I’ve recently come across luckypet.com.au, and they have an impressive variety of pet products, including dog food tailored to specific needs. I bought mine there, and the selection and quality truly impressed me. They offer precise information about their products, which is a game-changer when you’re looking for kibble size details. If you’re in a similar situation with your large dog, you might want to check out their options here: https://www.luckypet.com.au/?rf=kw&kw=kibble.

Regarding recommendations, you might consider Royal Canin’s “Large Breed” formulas. These are often formulated to accommodate the needs of larger dogs, including kibble size that promotes chewing. Similarly, Hill’s Science Diet and Eukanuba have been known to offer options suitable for larger breeds with kibbles designed to encourage chewing.

It’s important to remember that each dog has their preferences, so you might need to experiment to find the perfect fit. And always consult your veterinarian to ensure the chosen food aligns with your dog’s specific dietary needs and health requirements.

Here’s to finding the ideal kibble size that keeps your furry friend satisfied and chewing happily! 🐾🐶

[Lyn H]

I have a large dog and am trying to find a dry food that has kibbles big enough that she will chew them rather than inhaling. Food bags and/or information on the bags do not show nor state the kibble size. Anyone have a recommendation for a dry dog food for large dogs with chewable size kibbles?

[Chip]

I’m confused about the rating system. Applaws Broth Pots leads the list of wet foods. I looked it up on Chewy as I intended to order some, but in reading the fine print, it’s considered a “natural cat food complement” meant to be used in conjunction with dry food for a “complete meal”. The list of ingredients is considered “limited” at 3 or 5, usually just the main protein source sometimes having carrots or green beans included. Why would this be considered a 5 star food when it lacks all of the supplements needed for it to be considered a balanced cat food (things like taurine)? Also, why purchase this when it would be much more cost effective to purchase a chicken, roast or boil it, shred it, and then make about 50 individual portions and freeze it? The recommended Applaws Broth Pots only contains chicken, chicken broth, rice, carrots, and green beans. Do cats even need the last three ingredients as obligate carnivores? If the main concern about preparing your own pet food is creating a well balanced meal, why are they fully recommending a “food complement” with 5 stars while Wellness Complete Heath meals receive 4 stars? It makes no sense and I now am questioning the integrity of the recommendations presented.

[Ramasubramaniam B]

Hi,
This is regarding your best dry dog food suggestion as per editor choice, the editor has mentioned Taste of wild which has DCM treat controversial, Purina brand which has many recalls history controversial, orijen which has DCM Treat controversial. Royal canine which has full of steriods.
Do you provide healthy suggestions or money minded suggestions which is favor to dog food manufacturing corporates? I followed your articles for about two years for growing my son (golden retriever) healthy. Once you suggested farmina N&D puppy grain free so we bought and using it. Due to the brewer yeast or too much yeast content my kid’s (puppy’s) spleen got swallow due to bloating issues. Spent a lot with tensions apart to make him normal. I hope you are earning through companies in the name of food advisor. Totally fake.

[johanna B]

Hello, Sorry I’m so late to the party. 🙂 I’ve been feeding Titan Raw for about six years. My German Shepherd thrives on it. She’s at the perfect weight, she has a beautifully shiny coat, and unbelievable energy. Her favorite is the Tripe. I’ve tried to explain to her that she can’t live off of that alone, but you know kids lol. I feed the blue, and red and tripe twice a week. I also feed dry just because my pups 92 pounds, and I can’t afford to feed just raw alone. I would if I could….. I would love for the Dog Food Advisor to review Ross Wells Titan.

[Kris H]

I am a pet sitter in Atlanta, GA and have had 6 client dogs go off their regular dry food in the past 6 months. My own dog did as well to the point we thought a mysterious illness was claiming her. Vet did all bloodwork, stool samples, pee samples, dental exams, x-rays for blockages, you name it and nothing was wrong.

The foods are Purina ProPlan, Royal Canin and one other lesser known brand. The dogs have had no problem in the past and are all voratious eaters.

I have a theory that the backstock of kibble companies had from the pre-pandemic years has been exhausted and the new food is being made with ingredients caught up in supply chain problems during the pandemic. ie: made with ingredients that sat on a ship for months instead of timely delivery. Or alternate ingredients were used, but not reported as the change didn’t meet a quality control percentage that requires reporting. I know the ProPlan looks like they’ve added lawn clippings to the kibble. Perhaps it’s chaff from pea pods used as filler. I have had no response from Purina.

Has anyone else found that their dog has stopped eating their kibble, just will not eat it no matter what? I am not asking for suggestions on food, just need to know if this is happening elsewhere.

Thank you.

[Kris H]

I am a pet sitter in Atlanta, GA and have had 6 client dogs go off their regular dry food in the past 6 months. My own dog did as well to the point we thought a mysterious illness was claiming her. Vet did all bloodwork, stool samples, pee samples, dental exams, x-rays for blockages, you name it and nothing was wrong.

The foods are Purina ProPlan, Royal Canin and one other lesser known brand. The dogs have had no problem in the past and are all voratious eaters.

I have a theory that the backstock of kibble companies had from the pre-pandemic years has been exhausted and the new food is being made with ingredients caught up in supply chain problems during the pandemic. ie: made with ingredients that sat on a ship for months instead of timely delivery. Or alternate ingredients were used, but not reported as the change didn’t meet a quality control percentage that requires reporting. I know the ProPlan looks like they’ve added lawn clippings to the kibble. Perhaps it’s chaff from pea pods used as filler. I have had no response from Purina.

Has anyone else found that their dog has stopped eating their kibble, just will not eat it no matter what? I am not asking for suggestions on food, just need to know if this is happening elsewhere.

Thank you.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Chandra-
Sorry to hear about your pup with chronic diarrhea. Can I assume you have done fecal tests to rule out parasites? Giardia can be cyclical and tough to get rid of.

High fiber food and Panacur helped my dogs get over chronic diarrhea.

However, one of my cats has presumed IBD and I tried several different foods. After going to an Internal Medicine Specialist, he is stable by feeding him a novel protein Rx food, added fiber to his wet food, Tylosin powder and probiotics. He also had a series of Vitamin B shots that really helped.

He eats Royal Canin rabbit or venison both dry and wet.

Think about going to an Internal Medicine Specialist if you feel your regular vet isn’t finding a solution. Good luck!

[Chandra H]

Hi! I have a 2.5 year old lab who has struggled with food issues her whole life. We have tried a lot of food and thought we were finally on some solid footing with Open farm kibble and stews. However, she recently started having bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and pain. Her doctor has ruled out obstructions, pancreatitis, parasites, etc. Everything comes back negative.

I will put her on a bland diet of white rice and turkey and she will do ok for that week but as soon as I introduce any dog food, the bloody diarrhea comes back. The vet had me try Purina Pro sensitive turkey and oatmeal (she has been on Purina Pro before) but the same issue keeps repeating itself. We are now on a bland diet again.

At this point we are thinking she has IBS. She has never had a solid poo in her life, but they used to at least not be water and bloody. She tends to be fine for a week, and then has an episode where she is miserable. I have noticed she seems to do better on canned/wet food than the dry kibble. I have put her on a probiotic daily as well but I am at a loss of what food to try. Has anyone had anything similar with their dog? Do you have a high fiber, canned food that has worked? I am really sad for my doggo. She’s miserable and I just want her to feel better. I have debated trying Ollie dog or another fresh food option but not sure if that would help? Or if I should stick with trying all canned food or do a small amount of kibble? I am too scared to cook my own dog food. I feel like I would miss an important vitamin or something. Right now my vet feels like we should just give her an anti diarrhea med and keep her on the Purina Pro but it just doesn’t feel like it is working at all. Thanks for any advice you have.

[Neal B]

Hey great site but pointing out that you have a 5 star rating on evolve dry food (/dog-food-reviews/evolve-grain-free-dog-food/) despite the fact its made by sunshine mills which cannot be trusted (/dog-food-recall/fda-warning-sunshine-mills/). I wouldnt feed evolve or anything sunshine mills to my dog let alone rate it 5 stars. 

[crazy4cats]

Interesting? Do you keep the ears dry and clean?

Purina and Royal Canin have many different formulas. You can check out their websites or Chewy Carrie’s many of their different food lines you could sort through. Good luck!

[PugMomKristyn]

Vet thinks that my pugs persistent ear infection is due to a new food allergy to chicken so we’re on a hunt for a new dry kibble. I didn’t think it would be this hard, but I don’t think this food exists.

Priority of Goals
1. Chicken-Free
2. Grain Inclusive
3. Weight Control
4. Small Breed (Smaller Sized Kibbles)

My pug, Piper, and I would be forever grateful for any suggestions! Thanks 🙂

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Patricia A. Believe me, I’m barely holding my own when discussing dog nutrition. I realize after some exchanges with Aimee that I have some serious gaps in my dog nutrition knowledge. So now I’m trying to remedy that. But I have some pretty firmly ingrained thoughts on some topics (like % protein from meat, and carbs) that go against mainstream dog nutrition, so I’m not sure how that is going to be reconciled in the end.

The info you provided from another forum on Stella & Chewy’s is SOOO DISAPPOINTING. If I understand that post correctly it appears that S&C may be experiencing growing pains, that will probably not end well. I was getting ready to go back to feeding S&C. I used to feed that Wild Red dry product that is mentioned, and my dogs loved it, plus several of the freeze dried recipes. I stopped feeding the dry because there is a chance (probably extremely small, but still a chance) that the rosemary in it could contribute to seizures (in a dog that already has seizures). Then for a while I had other concerns about some of the ingredients in S&C, but have since pretty much let go of those concerns. I have to start letting go of some things. The list of things I’m concerned about has grown to a ridiculous length. I have been surprised that S&C has never made the Thixton Lists – or at least not the years that I bought them. I see in one of your posts that evidently Thixton kind of caught S&C in a lie regarding the source of ingredients. That is unfortunate. Especially since supplements sourced from China are not necessarily a dog food deal breaker in my mind. I think it is pretty hard to find human supplements that don’t come from China. But the fact that S&C lied about it until they knew they were caught is quite troubling.

I’m getting very close to deciding that I will never find a dog food company that I feel good about so I should just start making my own. I say that as though it would be no big deal to just start doing it, but it is a pretty overwhelming thought. Plus, I feel like my dogs need to be accustomed to at least one dry or freeze dried food so I can leave it out if I have to travel. That is what I liked about Vital Essentials mini nibs. I was able to leave it out for free feeding, like I would a dry food. But I’ve decided that I am definitely done with VE.

On the DCM issue, did you see Aimee’s reply in my Raw Food Topic? When someone as well informed as her is uncertain, then there are no answers yet. I’ve done just a little more online research in the last week, and it sounds like there are ongoing studies that point toward diets high in peas, lentils, and potatoes being the problem, but that is hardly a revelation. I want to know why! For now I’m assuming it is mostly peas and lentils (but I am still suspicious of beans too) in high quantities, which results in not enough high quality protein for the dog plus the peas acting as an anti-nutrient or even a toxin. Have you ever read “The Plant Paradox”? He is down on all legumes. I think dog foods that include grains just naturally tend to include less legumes, but in my mind the grains have no protective powers and are not providing lacking nutrients. But then, I really don’t know . . .

The agony you are going through in trying to determine, from order of ingredients and moisture content of ingredients, how much protein is coming from meat vs legumes is why I decided firmly that if a company won’t reveal the percentage of protein from meat (or animal sources is the language some use) then I wouldn’t even consider them. But Aimee brought up a good point about the definition of meat. Companies can play games with that, so I need to make sure I trust the company too. I feel a headache coming on . . .

Thanks for asking about my pup’s health issues. The one who is not doing well is only 6 years old and his issues are illusive. He’s an 80 lb mixed breed – probably boxer and black lab, maybe some pit bull, maybe some great dane. A real mutt. About a year ago (right after I lost a dog to osteosarcoma), he started going downhill. Lack of stamina and not getting around as well as he used to. He has had use of only 3 legs since he was a puppy, but before the downturn he made due pretty well. And his personality started changing and he became a very anxious dog, which at first I thought was a reaction to the other dog’s death. But the anxiety persisted and then he started having seizures. At first the seizures were increasing in frequency, but thankfully now they seem to be going the other way. And his anxiety is much better now, but I go to great lengths to shield him from stress. So, of course I have done a ton of online research on dog seizures and have essentially tried everything that had any potential at all. I didn’t put him on anti-seizure meds (except CBD Oil), but came close a dozen times. If the seizures continue to become less frequent I’m hoping to avoid meds.

One thing I will point out is that (from what I have picked up from your posts) your dogs are healthy and you have a track record of dogs living to ripe old ages. I don’t have such a good record, and it does cause me anxiety when I face that fact. Perhaps, despite my good intentions, I am contributing to that bad record in the way I have fed.
Nice posting with you. Hang in there and be sure to let me know if you have any revelations. M&C

[aimee]

Hi M &C,

Every company uses spin and I’ve learned to tolerate a certain amount but when it veers off into misinformation, I pull way back and when it ends with behavior I see as reckless animal endangerment I’m out. That is where I ended with SRF. Looking at the posted NA, I’d agree with you that the “as fed “vitamin information for the frozen looks to be incorrect. I think what they may have meant with their reply was that the data posted is “as fed” for the freeze dried option and since there is little moisture in the freeze dried it is close to DM basis.

The nutrient profiles IMO highlight numerous problems in formulation with some formulas not appearing to meet AAFCO min or exceeding AAFCO max. AAFCO does not list a Max copper, something veterinarians have been calling for since copper storge disease is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. I believe Europe standards call for no more than 28mg/kg. SRF has reports levels as high as 80.5 It appears they are completely disregarding this health concern.

The company describes their beef diet as “low-fat, nutrient dense……..”, a very direct statement. I see this as an egregious unforgivable marketing error. This diet appears to have a min of ~51% fat calories. To put that into context, a low fat therapeutic diets, Hill’s GI low fat has ~17% fat calories. The general consumer isn’t educated on evaluating nutritional information. An owner with a fat intolerant dog may find this diet marketed as low fat, see an 8% min fat level similar to the low fat diet their vet recommended and purchase it, not realizing that 8% as fed in a moist diet is very different from 8% min fat in a dry diet. I personally am aware of this exact situation occurring.

I’ve found that % calories from fat typically ranges between 25-60% in commercial diets with raw diets on the high end. and some far exceeding that 60% I’d consider low fat to be not more than 25% fat calories, moderate fat up to 40% fat calories and high fat over 40% fat calories. I personally don’t like to exceed ~35% calories from fat for my dogs and for my fat intolerant dog 25%.

You can estimate % calories from macronutrients from the GA alone by using the converter at the balanceit website, or hand calculating. SRF reports a min of 8 grams fat in every 100 grams (140 kcals). 8 grams X 9 kcals/gram /140 kcal in 100 grams ~51% calories from fat.

BINGO! Quality ingredients does not = quality food.

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Aimee. Thanks, as always, for the good information. You must chuckle to yourself at people like me who are struggling to grasp the AAFCO/NRC data, and dog nutrition in general. I’m finally taking the time now to better understand what I’m doing, but when I look back at where I’ve been, my bumbling is amusing. And, I still have a long way to go . . .

It’s disappointing to learn that there really isn’t much regulation over the dog food industry. So companies can claim about anything and get away with it. I imagine the small companies tend to be even more protected, because no one bothers to go after them for false claims. I notice that all of the foods I feed use the exact same language on the bags “… formulated to meet … AAFCO…” Lawyer approved language that protects them. But, thankfully people like you remind some of these companies that there are some very educated consumers out there who are keeping an eye on them.

Yes, my dog had his first seizure in August and I’ve been obsessing about his diet ever since. I’ve worked myself into a state of high anxiety thinking that what I’m feeding him may be contributing. Although thankfully the seizures have been less frequent lately (last 2 were 18 days apart).

Thank you for bringing up triglycerides. I just looked back at my dog’s lab reports and that was not tested for. Cholesterol was normal, but he was not fasting so I guess the results are not particularly valid. After reading your post I of course went on a Googling spree on cholesterol vs triglycerides but came away with a frustrating lack of understanding, and wondering why his bloodwork included cholesterol but not triglycerides. He is scheduled for bloodwork again on 3/1 so I will have him fasted for that and ask that triglycerides be included. Thanks again for bringing it up. I’m always willing to explore any possibility.

I have been purposely feeding him a high fat diet, even including some MCT Oil, as my research indicated that some seizure dogs do well when fed this way. He was eating high protein and moderate fat before the seizures started. He has never seemed to have a problem with fat (that showed in his poop anyway). Before I started making changes to his diet, and starting supplements, his poop looked great. He did develop diarrhea a few weeks ago that I think was either reaction to a new food or to starting Milk Thistle. I discontinued both. The diarrhea went away but ever since then his poop has remained too soft. He was on CBD Oil too, which I thought was probably contributing to soft poop. TMI on my dog’s poop, right? Sorry, I get carried away. I think reducing his fat intake is a really good thought, and I will definitely get the triglycerides checked.

Thanks for adding some discussion about Steve’s. I need to take my education to the next level to understand some of what you have presented (I’m really lacking in understanding regarding how to interpret calories from fat, etc.), but I do get the point you are making. I think Steve’s has some data presentation issues on the website too. Did you notice that they show the Vitamins being presented As Fed but the Minerals being Dry Matter? And yet it looks pretty apparent to me that the Vitamins are Dry Matter too, particularly when I compare the frozen to the freeze dried. I raised the question and got an answer that was really perplexing – something about using the freeze dried data (even for the frozen), so the As Fed was actually close to Dry Matter. Yikes! The rep seemed thankful for the input, but the website hasn’t changed. My once hopeful thoughts are starting to turn . . .

I probably need to take a time out for a few days before deciding what to do, regarding his diet. I’ve made SO MANY changes in the last 5 months, which I know is not a good thing. I need to be settling in on something and stick with it. Thanks again, for your time. I REALLY appreciate it. M&C

[aimee]

Hi M& C,

I think you’ve got it! The best way to compare foods is on a caloric basis. This takes into account water, fiber, ash and energy density. You’ll note on this site there is a table for each diet and that the macronutrients are given in an as fed. dry matter, and caloric basis.

AAFCO requires that for any diet over 4000 kcals/kg DM a conversion factor be applied. If the diet you are feeding is 5000 kcals/kg that conversion factor is simply 5000/4000 X the number in the table. So many times, I’ve found that companies overlook this. Recently, I got a nutrient analysis table for a diet labeled for ALS. The Ca content was listed as 1.3% DM and AAFCO’s min is 1.2%, so that looks good right? Well, they also reported the kcals as 5400/kg for that diet. Calculating through 5400/4000 X 1.2 = 1.6. The diet needs to have 1.6 % Ca to meet AAFCO min and they are reporting 1.3%. Got ‘ghosted” after inquiring about the apparent discrepancy.

AAFCO writes a model food law which most states adopt in some form, but they do not do any type of regulation. There is no oversite by AAFCO. Oversite is done by your state feed control official and the FDA. IMO for all practical purposes, oversite is nonexistent in most areas. It seems to me that areas that effect humans, like pathogens in food, are monitored via spot check cultures of foods. Some foods may be tested to see if they meet their GA.’s, but overall, no one is checking to verify information on a label is correct.

In regards to high bone content in foods, it could just be a reflection of what sourcing the company has access to and an acceptance of high fat and mineral content in the products available to them.

I didn’t see calorie content listed for the diet to see what mineral content is on a caloric basis. But I found their marketing very oft putting and reckless. They write “Turkey meat is one of the leanest proteins available making it a great option for pets that are sensitive to fat content, such as those with pancreatitis.” which can be true esp turkey breast. BUT their turkey diet is a whopping 35% as fed fat diet! Using their information and doing some rough calculation that would mean ~63% of the calories are coming from fat! This appears to be a very high fat diet being marketed as being appropriate for dogs with fat intolerance. For me that makes me see red and would earn them a spot on my not recommended list.

Just as an aside.. did you mention your dog is having seizures? I’m asking because you mentioned a 5000kcal/kg diet and to reach that high of caloric density fat has to be significant component of the diet. I might get my details wrong on this because it is awhile since I read the literature. But as I recall some dogs have low levels of tissue lipase. This results in prolonged clearance of fat from their blood and the outcome is high triglycerides. High triglyceride can trigger seizures.

A friend’s dog was having horrible cluster seizures several times a month, was seeing a vet neurologist and on 3 different drugs. Her reg. vet noticed that on each blood panel gotten back from the neurologist, the triglycerides were high, and the sample was always reported as “lipemic,” meaning visible fat in the blood. The reg vet called the neurologist and the neurologist said paraphrased “yeah they are high, but not high enough to cause seizures.” The reg vet told her there is no downside to trying a lower fat diet. So, the diet was changed, triglycerides returned to normal, and the dog went from having multiple cluster seizures a month to never again having another seizure. Apparently, the dog didn’t read the medical book.

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Aimee. Well my dog nutrition education is coming along, and thank you for your part in that. I appreciate that you are taking the time to help educate me. I could have educated myself a lot quicker if I had just taken the time to read the 2014 AAFCO document that I have instead of bolting straight to the table.

I think I now understand how it can make a difference whether the vitamin/mineral content of foods is evaluated based on actual calories consumed (or actual caloric content of the food), vs the presumed content used by AAFCO. I don’t pay much attention to the feeding guidelines of companies, and my dog is probably an average keeper, but the way I was using the AAFCO data was problematic. I was converting the AAFCO food content (ppm or %) data to total daily needs for my dog. The foods I feed seem to average about 5,000 kcal/kg so I was using that when doing the conversion. But I realize now that I should have been using 4,000 and by using the larger number I was essentially lowering the AAFCO recommended levels. So when I was comparing the total vitamin/mineral content consumed by my dog in a day to my computed AAFCO daily, it was not a valid comparison. Plus, a food might look like it is barely meeting AAFCO, but is not when it comes down to what my dog is actually getting. Am I thinking straight now?

Does AAFCO conduct any oversight of companies who claim that their foods meet AAFCO standards? Does AAFCO require that they submit a quality control plan and submit lab reports periodically? I suspect there is only so much AAFCO can do and therefore the oversight may be minimal.
How about the calorie content of foods? Who regulates that to insure that what is stated on the bag is accurate? I guess if there is some regulation of that then it would be of some comfort that a company couldn’t get too carried away with adding bone to their recipes because then the caloric value would get very low. Right?

I sure have changed my thinking on how I evaluate the quality of a commercial food, and I’m very thankful for the information you have provided me that nudged me to rethink.
And speaking of that, I noticed something discouraging (heartbreaking, really) about Steve’s online data. I recently started feeding Steve’s and was hopeful that this was going to become the food that I finally could feel good about. But they recently put some updated data on the website and the Ca and P increased dramatically. Not quite as bad as what I had mentioned previously about Vital Essentials, plus I do applaud Steve’s for actually keeping their online data current. But, I’m realizing now that very high Ca and P are troubling to me. Especially since I feed turkey necks too.

This is how Steve’s Turkey recipe changed. The frozen and freeze dried are supposedly the exact same recipe and all data is dry matter basis.

Turkey Frozen
old new
Ash 2.13% 10.8%
Calcium 2.2% 2.9%
Phosphorus 1.7% 1.8%
C/P 1.3 1.6

Turkey Freeze Dried
old new
Ash 8.01% 9.2%
Calcium 2.06% 3.83%
Phosphorus 1.59% 2.31%
C/P 1.3 1.7

This bone content issue is starting to feel a little like the pea scandal. Companies increasing the bone content more and more to increase their profits.

What is the Topic name for the No Hide thread you mentioned? I see that you are a very busy poster. Looks like a lot of good reading in your Topics, to be explored when I have more time. Sorry to bombard you with so many questions in this post. M&C

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi again Aimee. Regarding my analysis of my dog’s diet, I look at both the NRC recommendations and AAFCO. I tend to look more at AAFCO (using dry matter basis ppm or %) because of ease in comparing to the vitamin/mineral data I get from companies. I just use an Excel spreadsheet to add up the total of all vitamins/minerals from all the foods they eat. This is the only descent exercise my retired brain gets now.

I do realize that I am going to have to add more variety to the self-prepared portion soon. Because of my dog’s (alleged) food allergies, I have ended up feeding almost a Prey Model diet for the last couple months, but I’m not sure that I think this is a healthy way to feed. As I imagine you have picked up on – I’m not sure about a lot.

Regarding that certain company I have become disenchanted with – they have evidently blacklisted my email. I don’t get a reply any more, and I’ve decided that I’m done with them. I really tried hard to talk myself into trusting them, because I hated to put my dogs through yet another food change. Plus, unfortunately, Chewy had a big sale on their foods a couple months ago (right before I started becoming suspicious) so I now have a very large stockpile of food I don’t feel good about.

The company does claim that the food “… is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO …”. The vitamin/mineral data that they have on their website does, from what I had looked at. The disturbingly high calcium and phosphorus numbers came from data emailed to me by a rep when I asked a question about what was online. What she emailed me was significantly different in many ways from what is online. For both the Duck and Turkey recipes. When I asked about that the communications stopped. As I said, I’m done with them. There is no point in pushing the issue any more, plus I don’t want to get the rep who sent me the updated data in trouble. She was just trying to be helpful.
Well I had better sign off and take the mutts for a walk. M&C

[Mutts and Cats]

Aimee and crazy4cats – if you guys care to weigh in on this other obsession of mine too – maybe help me see errors in my thinking – that would be great. Reading on the AAFCO page from the link crazy4cats provided, the definition of “meat” clearly states that it does not include bone. I was pretty sure that was the case, and most companies who add bone either state “including bone” or list the bone parts as individual ingredients. This got me thinking about another topic that has been bothering me. I mentioned earlier in this post how I lost my trust in a certain company because of anomalies in their online vitamin/mineral data, and my suspicions that the data didn’t jive with the ingredients.
One of my big concerns was the high variation in calcium and phosphorous content (between different recipes and between what is online vs additional info provided by a rep). That, plus my feeling that just based on the ingredients listed on the packaging I can’t figure out how these high calcium and phosphorous numbers are even possible. But, I’ve just recently become interested in the gory details of dog nutrition, so I’m probably missing something.

For example, for their Duck recipe, the dry matter values for calcium and phosphorous are 3.91% and 3.15%. These were provided by a company rep as the most current info and are much higher than what is currently on the website (1.79% and 1.52%). The large increase is disturbing, given there has been no change in the ingredients, but even more disturbing to me is how the heck could that food even have 3.91% and 3.15% given the ingredients? Seems to me they would have to be including bone and even then it’s pretty hard to get to 3.15% phosphorous just using meat with some bone included, isn’t it? I can’t help but suspect they are using something like dicalcium phosphate, but not listing it as an ingredient. Or, there is something terribly wrong with their analysis methods.
Ingredients:
Duck, duck gizzard, duck heart, duck liver, herring oil, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamin E supplement, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex

[aimee]

There is always risk associated with eating. It becomes confusing because marketing exploits risks to secure sales. All companies do it: ingredient A has problem X so buy food which uses ingredient B, left out is that ingredient B also contains X Applying to aflatoxin, it can be present in grains, aflatoxin producing molds can also affect ingredients commonly used in grain free diets, they are ubiquitous. Aflatoxins are in milk, eggs, meat, you name it they are there. The commodity most commonly affected is corn; peanuts are also commonly affected. I personally do not avoid corn or peanuts in my diet, nor do I avoid them in my dog’s diet. It comes down to company sourcing and quality control. Corn from company A no concern, Corn from company B, nope not buying it.
It could be that both company A and B tell me they are using food grades 1 and 2 corn, test all incoming batches and test post- production so why do I feel comfortable with company A and not B? I make a decision based on how they respond to my questions, statements they make on their websites, how they responded to recalls, FDA inspection reports, if I feel they show a vested interest in animal health through funding research and employment of veterinary nutritionist… etc. No company is perfect, they all have warts but if I see a pattern of misinformation they are off my list. Years ago, I found information about a company which I found alarming, so I eliminated them. More recently, as I recall it, the company described their meats using word like “kosher” and “human grade”, yet they were found to be apparently sourcing from a dead stock removal service.
To address “human grade” I’d say both Tuft’s and Thixton are correct. It isn’t that those things Thixton talks about can’t happen or never happen, but in terms of tonnage, there are just not very many diseased, died otherwise than by slaughter animals around to support the amount of product needed by the pet food industry. Large companies have leverage and contracts with slaughterhouse with integrated rendering and can specify their own terms such as no 4D meat. Smaller companies may not enjoy the same. But by far the vast majority of products available to the pet industry are from animals slaughtered for human consumption. Things like milk lines in livers that get them banned from human consumption are not dangerous just unsightly. The real concern is how are the products handled after harvest and this goes back to quality control and company standards. For me that is based on my own assessment of a company not a label claim which may or may not be true.
Do all Purina foods meet WSAVA. IMO Purina branded products do. Companies that Nestle-Purina owns, I honestly don’t know. They may be operating independently. Mars recently acquired or is the process of acquiring Champion. Does that mean that once the ink on the paper is dry Champion now meets WSAVA. Not in my book. Whether you continue with a legume and pea diet or not is your decision. I find the data linking diets high in peas and legumes to DCM compelling enough that I won’t feed them in any significant quantity. The added taurine is marketing, it doesn’t offset current DCM risk and I find it oft putting. If my dog needed a therapeutic diet that contained those ingredients, I’d screen for DCM every 6 months, especially after this most recent study was published. (To my untrained eye 2 of the 23 look to be in trouble in regard to contractability). But since the problem hasn’t been limited to pea and legume diets, until more is known, I’m sticking with diet types that have been shown to reverse the problem, Currently, the bulk of my dog’s diet is PPP. I have no problem with corn in the diet. If you considering switching and aflatoxin concerns you, consider using a formula without corn. Lots to choose from.

[Lisa V]

I responded several years ago to a post here called “Diet for Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE)” when my dog was diagnosed with PLE or an auto immune disease 8 years ago. For the past 3 years he’s been on a homemade diet of boiled chicken breast (no skin), brown rice mixed with frozen veggies, a hard boiled egg and some pumpkin. I also give him a can of Kasik’s salmon for 1 meal daily. It’s almost 100% salmon other than some amount of pea starch. You might want to investigate that. My guy is turning 12 in February, his vet at Tufts said he would die within days to weeks 3 years ago when I took him off meds but he’s doing pretty well getting mostly homemade food. I do supplement with a small amount of Royal Canin Veterniary Diet Gastrointestinal low fat dry dog food just to give him some texture. He’s about 101 lbs.

[Jack L]

Raw Food Diet For Dogs Cost

Raw food diet for dogs cost varies depending on the source and quality of ingredients. There are also many freeze-dried raw options available at different price points. Commercial raw food costs between $12 per day and $353 per month. This cost can vary depending on the supplier. If you feed your homemade dog meals, the price will vary depending on what veterinary advice they need for their diet plan! These can be more expensive than traditional home-prepared meals but require less preparation time and effort. The cost could also depend on the pet’s size. Smaller breeds may require smaller portions, while larger breeds may need more food to meet their nutritional needs. Additionally, some raw diets are nutritionally balanced and contain all of the necessary vitamins and minerals that a dog needs for optimal health. This can result in higher costs than homemade meals or other diets that may include only some of the necessary nutrients. Regardless, a raw food diet is an excellent choice for many pet owners looking to give their furry friends the healthiest and most natural nutrition possible.

Overall, a raw food diet for dogs cost is worth it if you are looking for optimal nutrition and health benefits for your pet. The cost may vary depending on the source, quality of ingredients, and size of your pet, but it is still a great choice for many dog owners. With careful research and understanding of your pet’s specific nutritional needs, you can find the best raw food diet that will benefit your pup at an affordable price.

The Top 5 Raw Food Diets For Dogs

1. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper
Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper is great food for kibble and dry food lovers. It is made with real meat, fruits, and vegetables and contains real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein-packed & minimally processed high protein, plus real freeze-dried raw meat pieces with natural ingredients to support healthy digestion and skin & coat. . A great way to make sure your pup gets all of their necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins in the meal. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the cost of a raw food diet for dogs cost. However, with careful research and understanding of your pet’s nutritional needs, you can select a high-quality option that will provide them with optimal nutrition at an affordable price.

Pros:
Grain-free, potato-free, corn-free, wheat-free, and soy free
Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
Rich in antioxidants
High protein content to support muscle growth and weight management
Cons
May require more preparation time than traditional dog food.
Some dogs may not take to the new diet as easily as others.
Raw diets may contain bacteria that could make your pet sick if not properly handled.
Raw food diets for dogs cost can be expensive to feed on a regular basis.
May require more research and understanding of pet nutrition than traditional dog food.
Overall, a raw food diet for dogs is an investment that can be worth it if you are looking for optimal nutrition and health benefits for your pet. With careful research, selecting a quality product, and understanding your pet’s specific needs, you can provide them with the most natural nutrition possible at an affordable cost.

2. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Dinner Patties
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Dinner Patties is best for raw food diet for dogs because it is made with 95% beef, organs, and bone, such as beef tripe. Our grass-fed Beef recipe will delight your pup. It also includes organic fruits and vegetables and added live probiotics to support your pup’s immune system. Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried raw dinner patties provide complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages without any fillers. All Stella & Chewy’s products are made in the USA and sourced from responsible farmers, ranchers, and suppliers.

Pros:
Raw food diets are high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals for your dog’s health.
It may be easier to digest than kibble, making it a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Since the ingredients are more natural, there is no need to add fillers, artificial preservatives, flavours or colours.
Dogs fed raw food diets tend to have a glossy coats, brighter eyes, and healthier skin and teeth.
Cons:
Raw food diets for dogs can be more expensive than traditional kibble or canned food diets.
Raw diets may not meet all of your pup’s nutritional needs, as they lack certain vitamins and minerals found in kibble or canned diets.
Overall, Raw food diet for dogs cost is an investment, and you can provide natural nutrition possible at an affordable cost.
3. Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken Formula
Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken Formula is the best food for dog owners looking for a complete and balanced raw food diet. It is packed with protein and healthy fats, and this grain-free recipe is made with humanely raised chicken. The formula also contains natural source vitamins and minerals for optimal nutrition. This formula is a convenient way to provide your pet with top-quality nutrition, and the pre-portioned nuggets make it simple to tailor their diet for optimal health and happiness.

With Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken Formula, you can give your pup all the benefits of a raw diet in an easy and cost-effective way. This grain-free formula is made with real, high-quality ingredients for optimal nutrition and flavor, and it’s crafted in the USA for added peace of mind. Feed your pup this convenient and delicious freeze-dried raw food and provide them with the best nutrition possible.

Pros:
High-quality ingredients and humanely raised chicken with no added hormones or antibiotics
Organic produce and botanicals for additional health benefits
Grain-free formula for those who need to avoid grains
Preportioned nuggets make it easy to tailor the diet to your pet’s needs
Made in the USA for added peace of mind
Cons:
May be more expensive than other types of pet food
4. Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is the best dog food. It includes natural ingredients and also freeze-dried raw meat. A grain-free diet provides protein and healthy fats to keep your pup’s energy levels up. This formula contains probiotics and prebiotics to promote digestive health. In addition, it has added omega fatty acids, flaxseed, and salmon oil to support healthy skin and coat. It does not contain by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, this recipe will give your furry friend optimal nutrition.

Pros:
Grain-free
High-quality ingredients
Contains freeze-dried raw meat for added flavour and nutrition
Probiotics and prebiotics to promote digestive health
Made in the USA without by-products, corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives
Cons:
May be more expensive than other types of dog food
Can be difficult to find in stores or online, so you may need to order it directly from the manufacturer.
Overall, this raw food diet for dogs cost is affordable, and this product is also best for your dog.
5. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Freeze-Dried Raw Adult Grain-Free Dog Food
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Freeze-Dried Raw Adult Grain-Free Dog Food is a delicious food. It includes Freeze-dried raw grain-free food with added protein and carbohydrates and is an excellent source of Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids. The cost of raw food diets for dogs depends on the size and type of protein you choose. This is an affordable option for those looking for aliments your dog needs. This food is made with natural ingredients and contains no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Additionally, it is excellent for dogs with sensitive stomachs since it helps to reduce allergens in the diet.

Pros:
A fresh, natural, and nutritious diet for your dog.
Raw diets are generally high in protein and promote healthy digestion.
Can help reduce allergies and sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Cons:
Risk of infection from bacteria or parasites if

What Is a Raw Dog Diet?
A raw dog diet is a type of nutrition plan that includes feeding your pup fresh, uncooked ingredients such as muscle meat, organ meat, bone broth, and whole eggs. Raw diets typically eliminate grains and processed foods from the equation in favour of natural vitamins and minerals found in real food sources. The belief behind this form of nutrition centres around the idea that dogs are biologically designed to eat raw meat and other natural ingredients rather than commercially-processed foods. Raw diets have become increasingly popular over the last few years due to their ability to promote overall health, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions in some pets.

Raw diets also allow pet owners to control what goes into their pup’s food. By preparing meals at home, pet owners can make sure that their pup is getting all of the nutrition they need and avoid any ingredients that may be harmful to them. Additionally, raw diets are often more cost-effective than commercially available options since they require fewer additional supplements or ingredients.

Should You Feed Your Dog Raw Food?
Ultimately, the decision to feed your pup a raw food diet should be made after careful consideration and research. While raw diets can be beneficial for many pets, it’s important to ensure that you are providing them with the nutrients they need for optimal health. Additionally, some dogs may not adjust well to this kind of nutrition plan and could experience digestive issues or other adverse effects. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian before making any drastic changes to your pup’s diet.

10 Benefits of Raw food diet for dogs

1. Increased Digestibility:
The high moisture content and the lack of added fillers and preservatives in raw diets often make them easier to digest.

2. Improved Dental Health:
The chewing action required for a raw diet helps keep your pup’s teeth clean and free from plaque buildup.

3. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption:
Raw food diets are usually unprocessed and contain fewer additives and preservatives, allowing your pup to benefit from increased nutrient absorption.

4. Increased Energy:
The higher protein content in a raw diet helps keep your pup energized throughout the day.

5. Fewer Allergies:
By eliminating processed foods and fillers, you can help reduce the possibility of your pup having an allergic reaction to their food.

6. Natural Balance:
The natural balance of nutrients found in raw diets helps keep your pup healthy without the need for added supplements.

7. Better Weight Management:
Because raw diets are typically lower in carbohydrates, they can help keep your pup’s weight under control.

8. Healthier Skin And Coat:
The fatty acids found in a raw diet can help promote a healthy coat and skin for your pup.

9. Reduced Vet Costs:
By providing your pup with optimal nutrition, you can help reduce the likelihood of them having to visit the vet due to health issues.

10. More Variety:
With a raw diet, you can mix up the types of proteins your pup is eating and make mealtime more interesting for them.

10 disadvantages of Raw food diet for dogs

1. Potentially Dangerous Bacteria:
Raw diets can contain dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and e.coli, which can make your pup ill.

2. Lower Nutritional Value:
Due to the lack of processing and preservatives in raw dog food, some nutrients may not be able to be absorbed by the body due to improper cooking techniques.

Raw food diets can contain bacteria that can be harmful to your pup. It’s important to take extra precautions and practice safe food handling when preparing meals for your dog.

3. Risk Of Nutrient Deficiencies:
With raw diets, it’s important to ensure that you are providing your pup with the proper nutrients in the right amounts. If not, they may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies.

4. Time-Consuming:
Raw diets can take more time to prepare and require careful research to ensure that all nutritional needs are met.

5. Higher Cost:
Raw food diets can often be more expensive than commercially prepared dog foods.

6. Difficulty In Sourcing:
Finding the right ingredients for a raw diet can be difficult, depending on where you live.

7. Messy:
Raw diets can get quite messy and require more cleanup than other diets.

8. Intolerance To Specific Proteins:
Some pups may not be able to tolerate specific proteins in a raw diet, so it’s important to monitor your pup for any adverse reactions.

9. Difficulty Transitioning:
It can take time for pups to get used to a raw diet, and there may be issues with digestion or intolerance during the transition period.

10. Poor Palatability:
Some pups may not find raw diets as appetizing as other types of food, which can be an issue if they’re picky eaters,

Overall, a raw diet can be an excellent nutritional choice for your pup – but it comes with some risks and potential disadvantages. It’s important to research the benefits and risks associated with this type of diet before making the switch. Once you are sure that it is right for your pup, you’ll be able to enjoy the numerous benefits that a raw diet can offer.

Conclusion
A raw food diet for dogs can be an excellent nutritional choice, but it does come with some risks. It’s important to do your research and make sure you understand the potential benefits and disadvantages before making the switch. With careful planning and preparation, a raw diet can provide numerous health benefits for your pup and help them live a longer and healthier life.

[aimee]

Hi Patricia,

I think you have stumbled upon a stunning example of what I mentioned in the previous comment “Also, I’ve found numerous companies whose feeding recommendations if followed would also result in deficiencies. In my experience this has been with smaller companies and expensive diets like freeze dried and fresh.”

Like you I calculated an average of 230 kcals for a 6 lb dog with a range of 118-354. I suspect the chance that their feeding recommendation of 70 kcals would meet nutrient needs is abysmal. But for laughs and giggles I’ll walk you through looking at a few nutrients using NRC recommended amounts on a metabolic body weight basis. Metabolic body weight is weight in kg to the .75 power, for a 6 lb dog it is 2.12kg MBW

The company has told us that each chicken patty is 73 kcal and that there are 4.33 kcals/gram of food which means each patty weight would be ~17 grams

Their nutrient analysis is on a dry matter basis and not as fed. If we corrected for moisture content, the amount fed on a dry matter basis may be closer to 16 grams but let’s give them the best case scenario and say the DM basis is 17 grams .

Looking at a few nutrients: Vit B1: NRC rec amount is .074mg/kg MBW x 2.12 = .157 mg
Vital Essentials chicken fed as directed 0.00235mg/gram X 17 grams= 0.04mg

Vit B2: NRC rec amount is .171mg/kgMBW X 2.12 = 0.362mg
VE chicken fed as directed 0.0055mg/grams X 17 grams =0.09mg

I could go on, but I think you get the picture When using their information and when fed as they directed, you’d meet about 25% of NRC recommended nutrient amount

Looking further, let’s compare the nutrient analysis they gave us to AAFCO for the same nutrients AAFCO requires 2.25mg/kg DM of B1 and 5.2mg/kg DM B2
VE reports their diet has 2.35mg/kg DM B1 and 5.5 Mg/kg DM B2 So that looks good right?

Well, we need to correct for energy density. AAFCO requires this be done for any diet exceeding 4000kcals/kg DM VE reports as fed kcals are 4330 /kg and they report moisture max as 8%. Let’s go with 5% moisture instead to give VE a buffer 4330/.95= 4558kcals/kg DM. To correct for energy density the correction factor is 4558/4000= 1.14

Applying the correction factor of 1.14 X 2.25mg/kg = 2.56mg/kg so their diet at 2.35mg/kg, based on the information they provided seems to fall short of AAFCO min. Even if we went with their as fed kcal of 4330 it still falls short.

Looking at B2 1.14 x 5.2mg/kg = 5.93mg/kg and they report 5.5 mg/kg, and like B1 even if we used the as fed caloric level of 4330 it still falls short.

So for me, when a company does not appear to understand something as simple as setting a feeding recommendation to meet nutrient and caloric needs or how to assess if their diet meets the AAFCO profile It is not a company I’d ever feed. Rightly or wrongly if a company apparently can’t seem to grasp such simple nutritional concepts, then how can I trust that they would understand the complexities of food formulation and quality control.

[Mike Sagman]

“…for me the ingredient list plays a minor role in my overall assessment of a food.”

Nope. That’s not true for me.

The complete assessment of any pet food is never only about the ingredients list. It’s also about ALL of the information included on the label. Verifiable facts like caloric density, the Statement of Nutritional Adequacy (AAFCO), fat-to-protein ratios, preservative content, moisture content (which affects comparative macronutrient content) and much more.

I would never recommend ignoring or minimizing the label content. The information contained on the label is required by U.S. Federal Law for a reason and must be an important part of choosing any dog food.

Without label analysis and a science-based understanding of ingredient splitting and dry matter basis, how could you possibly compare the relative amounts of various ingredients or the primary components in any food? They can easily and legally be manipulated by the manufacturer. Yes, even by Purina or Royal Canin. They do it all the time.

Nope. That’s not for me. I’ve always been and still am an avid label reader whenever I buy ANY food (for humans or pets).

After studying more than 5900 different recipes every day for the past 14 years, ingredient lists combined with a solid understanding of AAFCO nutrient profiles (which are based on the data included in the “Nutritional Requirements of Dogs and Cats” and published by the National Academies of Science cited above), I’m not sure how any processed food can ever be magically better than the ingredients that were used to make it?

Of course, labels should never be the only thing to study when choosing food. But they provide a critically important piece of the puzzle. They’re a valuable and informative place to start. And a risky thing to ignore.

[Barbara R]

In my opinion, adding at least a little fresh food to any kibble is better than only feeding your pups dry dog food. One thing to know is that kibble and raw dog food digest at different rates, so dogs with sensitive stomachs may have trouble with this combination. One way around it is to feed kibble in the morning and then raw at night, or vice versa. Or you can try adding a spoonful of organic ACV (apple cider vinegar). I wrote about it on my blog – feel free to check it out here:

https://www.k9sovercoffee.com/nutrition/can-kibble-and-raw-dog-food-be-fed-together/