[KarenC]

That’s such a sweet story about your Eddie! He knew he would be safe with you (and have a full tummy!). Dogs always know when they are rescued, don’t they? I hope Abby fills what you’re missing from Eddie.

Someone said above to stick around here and you’ll learn a lot…They aren’t kidding! I’ve always been a kibble feeder (due to budgets and lifestyle constraints), and have always gone for the best I could afford at the moment. Believe me that there were some days when me and all the dogs were sharing a bologna sandwich and can of soup. But reading here and the review comments has taught me so much. Things that now make perfect sense, but I never really thought of before. Rotating being one of them. My dogs never ate one single food for years and years because I tried to improve as I could, but now I know that rotation more often is even better! They’ve also gotten cooked or canned toppers as often as I could, but I never would have considered sardines or other canned fish! There hasn’t been a single question I couldn’t get answered by some of the experienced posters here. Stick around and you’ll learn a ton!

[DogFoodie]

Hey KarenC,

Ron shared the sweetest story about how his first dog, Eddie, came into his life on a thread that he started called “Best Dry Dog Foods.” : )

[Ronald]

Thanks…. I believe in commitment. If you take any kind of animal, dog or cat, that is a commitment for the life of that animal..

To many people believe in the throwaway society, easy come, easy go..

Animals are born into our society with no rights, and depend on one of us to care for them..

Ron..

[DogFoodie]

Aww, Ron, that’s a very bittersweet story about Eddie.

It sounds like he found the home he needed with you and your wife. Most people would’ve never had the kindness or the patience Eddie deserved.

That explains your avatar, too. : )

I hope that Abby fills that empty space that Eddie left in your heart a bit.

[Ronald]

I never had a dog except when I was a kid living with my mom and dad, many, many moons ago..

10 yars ago our outdoor floodlights kept coming on for maybe three or more nights..so I got up one night to check and seen this little red dog outside in the bitter freezing cold..
Went outside to see him, he wanted nothing to do with me, tried a few times to nip my ankle, no way was this guy going to do this..

I made a box for him with blankets, even opened the side door to the garage for him to go inside out of the weather..Nope didn’t want that..

Next morning I asked the wife to make me a small bowl of warm oatmeal..That did it, he ate so fast I gave him a little more plus a nice drink of water..

I still couldn’t get near him, then a day or two he came up to the door and I opened it and in he came..He stayed inside where is was warm and cosy and he got fed very well.. I took him to the vet and had him checked out all the shots..

Kept him in a create for maybe a month, always left the door open so he could come and go..This is when he bonded to me and just tolerated the wife, even though she fed him his daily food..He was a one person dog, and that was me..

He was so protective of the wife and I, no one got near us until they got through him first.. But he had problems, very mad little guy, didn’t tolerated people or other dogs. Once a person was accepted by eddie they were OK with him they could come in the house..

He was like a shadow, where I went he went, good thing I was retired, because he’d never let me out of his site..He was a Vizsla mix, all red, red nose and red eyes, no tail..He also fit the Vizsla, he was a home dog..
He may have had problems, but to the wife and I he was our little guy, and always will be..He is waiting in the Rainbow Bridge..
Sorry I am getting choked up. See you later.

Ron…

[DogFoodie]

I know what you mean… I still will never forget the day I had to put down my black lab, Hannah. It was 03/03/2003, and I swear every time I talk about it, it makes my heart ache. It always feels like it was just yesterday. Hannah was the best dog ever (well, one of them).

It wasn’t until 04/29/2011, that I could bring myself to get another dog. That’s when my sunshine, Bella my Cavalier, came into our lives.

[theBCnut]

Vets have to know about medical problems in a whole host of different species, so they don’t spend much time on what nutrition looks like in a healthy animal.

[Ronald]

Thanks for the heads up on the Vet. You’d think they would know about diets, oh well as bad as family Doctors..

Thanks for the kind words on eddie.. I still miss the little guy, and it still brings tears even after this long..He was my sidekick for 10 years, I couldn’t even get out of the front door alone..

I have a friend in the UK who lost his Cavalier about a week later..

So I have a Hosting program, so I opened a web forum for Memorials and just talk about our animals..
Ron..

[theBCnut]

Hi Ronald

I’m sorry to hear about Eddie. It’s so hard when we lose them.

[DogFoodie]

Aww, Ron, I’m sorry about Eddie. : (

A lot of us here aren’t crazy about the foods our vets recommend. Vets get very little education in nutrition and what they do get is usually sponsored by the very same brands they usually sell in their clinics and recommend to their patients. I see an integrative vet and love that both she and the vet I see for my pup’s chiropractic care, prefer raw ~ but, they’re both far from the norm in their philosophies. All the vets at the practice where I see my integrative vet are Purdue vets (which, being a Purdue alum myself, I love), but for the most part, it’s traditional veterinary medicine.

Keep asking your questions here and stick around, you’ll learn more than you ever thought imaginable about dog food!

[Ronald]

When it comes to our pets, do we ever stick to a budget..

I just got out of having a total hip replacement, the day I came home my other dog I had for 10 years passed away the night before..Replacement was March 1st. Eddie passed away March 3rd..

He had been sick so we took him to the Vets, found out he had very high sugar put him on the needle. But he was also ill in the upper GI, had medications to help, but he still passed away.
We spent just under $4000. trying to keep him alive..
So I don’t think we follow budgets very good..

I just thought maybe NutriSource might be a good selection, since it is a well known brand..
I am going to take Abby to the Vet’s and will see what he recommends..

[DogFoodie]

Hi Ron,

Congrats on the new pup! That’s awesome you’ve adopted a more “mature” pet! Labs are so great, aren’t they.

I will totally second Patty’s recommendation for NutriSource. It does seem that it’s very easily transitioned to and I know that they carry it at PSP, that’s where I buy mine. By the way, NutriSource also has a loyalty program ~ ask them about it at PSP. Also, you can get coupons all the time from NutriSource by texting the word “Source” to 55678 ~ at the store where I shop, there’s also a really sweet NutriSource rep there frequently and she readily hands out coupons ~ even leaves them sticking out between the various stacks of their product at the store when she leaves.

OK, so I don’t work for Nutri Source and there are definitely other foods I like as well. Do you need to try to stick to a particular budget?

[pugmomsandy]

She might also have tummy troubles from switching from her previous food to shelter food then to Pedigree in a short amount of time.

[Ronald]

Got my little avatar, thanks for the help..

[Ronald]

I talked to the girl that has the shelter, she told me Abby was like that when she got her, so she mixed some wet food with the dry food..
I went and got a can of wet food, mixed some with her dry and away she went, just gobbled it down..

But I will switch her to a more healthier diet. PSP has like two or four rows of dog food dry, all different brands and types.. I will also check out TS.. I will check out NutriSource..

Thanks for the help..

[theBCnut]

You have to go to Gravatar dot com to add an avatar. Melissa suggested some really good foods and I really don’t want to add to that list, but I do want to let you know that NutriSource tends to be a food that is easy for dogs to switch to. Also I wanted to reinforce what Melissa said about picking a few different foods and rotating between them. It really is much healthier for your dog, and while you may have to switch slowly the first few times, as your dogs gut gets healthier, there will be less and less need to transition from food to food until one day you can just switch cold turkey to whatever you want. That is a healthy gut.

[Mom2Cavs]

I think you can add an Avatar anytime, but I can’t remember how I did it LOL! Somehow through Disqus, if I remember correctly. Sorry I’m not anymore help than that. I did it awhile ago and just don’t remember how. Again, I’m sure some of the other regulars will post and help you out My Avatar is of Laverne. I have another Cavalier, Hazel and a Mixed Breed, Lucy. Pet Suppies Plus has some decent foods. I haven’t been in one for years but I remember they carried some good ones back then. Again, TSC has 4Health grain free, which is around 30.00-35.00 for 30 lbs. of food! It comes in 3 flavors, too. Their canned 4Health (I buy the grain free stews) are .99 a can….fantastic considering other foods go for around 2.70-5.00 a can!! Btw, remember when looking for dog supplies, like collars, leashes, beds, bowls, etc. don’t forget to check out places like Big Lots, TJ Maxx, Dollar Stores, etc. I don’t recommend buying food or treats from there but I’ve gotten some great buys for supplies from those kind of places. The fun is just beginning!

• This reply was modified 12 years, 9 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Ronald]

Thanks for the reply. I have a Pets Supplies Plus store near by, I also have a animal supply near by and two Tractor Supply Stores near by..

My last dog loved the Pedigree so I bought it again.. But Abby doesn’t like it, so I’ll have to try another..

My last dog passed away after 10 years, and we gave all the doggie stuff to a rescue home, never thinking we’d have another dog..

I’ll mark these foods down and look them up..

Thanks Ron..

PS how many postings do I need before I can add a Avatar..

[Mom2Cavs]

Hi, Ron! It is so exciting for you and your new doggie friend to have found each other. As for food recommendations, I would suggest starting with this site and looking at the 4-5 star foods. If you find one (or a few, to rotate with) that you would like to try with your dog then I would see if you can get them locally. Some of us also order foods we can’t get locally from online stores (many have free shipping). I like to buy locally because I like to look at the expiration dates myself before I buy them, but I have bought online, too. Also check out any local feed stores that might be in your area. Tractor Supply has a wonderful, inexpensive house brand, for instance. Also, Costco has some foods people love. Some of the brands I will recommend are (in no particular oder):
Merrick, 4Health grain free, Nature’s Variety, Fromm, Earthborn, Wellness, Holistic Select, Acana, Nutrisource. These are just a few, there are many more. I hope this helps some. I’m sure HDM, InkedMarie, Pattyvaughn, etc. will also have some good suggestions. 🙂

[Ronald]

I have just adopted a abandon Lab. she is 7 years old, very settled and very gentle, seems to have taken to the wife and I, we have had her for one week now..
Trouble is she ate good the first day, now she just nibbles.
I always thought that Pedigree dry feed was good, but upon reading more I see it is loaded with corn filler..
Can I ask what is a good dry food I can give her..
Another thing she doesn’t eat and veggies or fruit..

My passed dog ate all kinds of veggies and fruit he loved these food products, and I guessed all dogs did, but I’m afraid not so..

Thanks
Ron..

[Hound Dog Mom]

I use portion pacer balls.

[theBCnut]

Sprinkling food in the bottom of muffin tins is another good slow down method.

[Mom2Cavs]

Merrick was one I was thinking of….there’s also Acana Ranchlands and Orijen Regional Red. I’m not sure about the size of those kibbles but I think they’re bigger than Merrick. Earthborn also has Great Plains Feast and the kibble is bigger than Merrick. On their site they might even have a kibble size chart with pics that you can look at. 4Health has a new grain free Beef formula that has fairly large size kibble. They’re made by Ainsworth. One solution to the gulping/swallowing whole would be to buy a “slowdown” bowl. I used to have one for my Shih-Poo, Desi, who inhaled any food he ate. It helped a lot. Also, you could put a rock, or ball in the bowl so the dog has to eat around it. Some people put food on a sheet pan to make the dog eat slower, as well. I hope this helps a little. 🙂

• This reply was modified 12 years, 9 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[ebk]

Hi everyone!

I have two large dogs, a Malamute and Black Lab mix. Both are large (over 100 lbs). The Malamute’s digestive system is very sensitive. I have tried many brands over the years. She couldn’t even handle some of the top tier brands. I haven’t defined the specific ingredient/s that she is sensitive to. However, I found the EVO red meat large kibble variety four years ago or so and finally no diarrhea. After this latest recall of some of the Natura Pet (owned by P&G) varieties, I’m done with EVO.

I am looking for a grain free red meat (beef, buffalo, etc.) variety of dry dug food. Here’s the catch, I need all of the above in a large kibble. My Malamute has a very deep chest, which apparently makes her more susceptible to bloat. According to one source, a small kibbles (eaten by a large dog) increases the potential for bloat, since many of the kibbles are swallowed vs. chewed. I just bought some Merrick grain free food. The dogs love the food. However, since the kibbles are small as compared the EVO large kibble, my dogs tend to swallow them. I saw this when one vomited after eating too fast. The vast majority were whole.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts on my search for an EVO replacement. I am certain that others in similar situations would benefit from your suggestions as well.

Thank you for your help!

[theBCnut]

My dogs didn’t seem to like the honey added to their food, but they don’t notice the pollen granules. My JRT who has always had a weepy eye is now dry, the raw honey didn’t stop that.

[pugmomsandy]

Some people put a little parmesan cheese on their dog’s kibble to make it more appealling for the picky ones. My dogs love goat milk, so I can just pour a tablespoon or two on their dry food. I like Answers Goat Milk.

[theBCnut]

It gets 4 stars here
/dog-food-reviews/newmans-own-organics-dog-food-dry/

you could also mix in some canned food to put a little moisture back in the diet.

[theBCnut]

/dog-food-reviews/newmans-own-organics-dog-food-dry/

[sbrooker]

Hi Hound Dog Mom

I have a 5 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback. He has been fed Natures Variety Instict Raw Boost Chicken dry kibble since he could eat solid food. Is this item not on your list because it contains too much Calcium? He really enjoys his food, but I have noticed his stools are sometimes very runny. I attributed this at first to him eating grass and such, but am now wondering if his stomach is reacting to something in his food? Should I consider switching to the Natures Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Turkey that you have listed in your low calcium document?

• This reply was modified 12 years, 9 months ago by sbrooker.

[Blue1693]

I need help finding a good dog food for my 2 and a half year old, 15 pound Shih Tzu. While at a friend’s house, he was given some Purina Beneful Healthy Weight. I was so happy and shocked that he was eating because he is the pickiest eater in the world. I have tried numerous dog foods like two flavors of Blue Buffalo, Caesar’s, Pedigree, a hypoallergenic type, etc. Well, I ran out and bought a bag of the Beneful because I was so happy my dog likes a food…until I read the ingredients. CORN? Chicken BY PRODUCT? EW! I read some reviews and found it to be the worst dog food that can have serious health consequences. I threw that bag away and informed my friend. Unfortunately, I am back where I started, my dog still refuses to eat and I do not know what to do. I mixed the dry food with water, warmed it up, and added some turkey. That only seems to help for a day and then my dog gets tired of it. I even have resorted to feeding him turkey and rice almost every day just so he will eat and even know he still backs up from food. The vet said that a dog will not starve themselves and there are dogs that live to eat and then there are dogs that eat to live (mine would be in the second category). I then bought Newman’s Own Organic Adult Formula and mixed some water in and he ate it. I want to know if that brand is good? And if not, are there any other brands that are healthy and have no recalls?

[BlackAndTan]

Hi Patty,
Thanks, that is really useful information!
As for the chemicals, you’re preaching to the choir 🙂 What’s tricky is that I kept a pretty natural house before the seizures, so there wasn’t much I could eliminate after. The only thing I can’t eliminate is laundry sheets, because my partner is in the military is extremely persnickety about his uniform. But I know there are natural alternatives, so I’ll keep at it.

Great food suggestions thank you again!!

[jaxsmom]

We have a 6 month old lab mix puppy that has developed a poor appetite and weird eating habits within the last month. He was on blue buffalo lamb and oatmeal puppy food for a couple of months. One day he started getting diarrhea and was acting less energetic and wouldn’t really eat without much coaxing. So we took him to the vet and there were no issues. The vet recommended Prescription Diet food for digestive health and we tried that. He seemed to like that and we decided to slowly get him back on his old food and he would eat his old food when it was mixed with the Prescription Diet. We wanted to get off of that since the first ingredient is corn and get back to something more natural. We tried switching to the blue buffalo large breed puppy chicken and rice to see if he liked that flavor instead. But he really doesn’t have much interest in it and won’t eat it all of it. He will usually take a few kibbles and bring it to a rug and eat it there and then walk away for a bit. His stool is sometimes solid, sometimes loose and it varies how many times he goes in a day. He sometimes has gas too. He also itches his ears and paws a lot, so we are thinking he might have allergies. Does anyone have a suggestion for a dry food that is natural and in the same price range as blue buffalo? Should we get a large breed puppy food? We are considering Hollistic Select as an option.
Thanks for the help!

[theBCnut]

On a rotational diet, if your dog is used to rotating, you often don’t has to transition, you can switch cold turkey. But start by transitioning, until the foods you feed don’t give diarrhea, then if a food gives diarrhea or even loose stools for more than a couple days, you know it is not for your dog. When you are just starting, canned pure pumpkin, digestive enzymes, and probiotics help make transitioning easier. When I first started, I took a month to transition because I had a dog with a sensitive stomach. But after about 3 transitions, I started switching faster and faster. Now I don’t have any problems just switching up her food every day.

Try to stay with foods that are at least close in quality like 4 and 5 star foods, or 3 and 4 star foods. It’s big jumps in protein and fat levels that cause a lot of intestinal upsets, so get used to looking at the guaranteed analysis and knowing about what fat and protein level your dog is used to.

BTW, I feed kibble, canned, fresh, dehydrated, and raw, so no you don’t need to stick to one type, but you may have to pay more attention to how much water your dog is drinking if you switch between dry foods and water inclusive foods, so I usually mix the 2 together or feed them both in the same day but at different meals.

[Rthomson]

My proud Llewellin setter is 13 and having significant dry itchy smelly skin issues. I have Dinovite and their fish oil supplement in route. I’m looking for an excellent dry dog food recommendation to pair with it so my boy can enjoy his golden years! Any advice is greatly appreciated. My Vet just wants to sell me Hills Science Diet (which has less than stellar ratings on your site)

[texasniteowl]

I want to give another try to grain free for my lab mix, Wilson. Our first try was with one of the Earthborn Holistic foods (bison I think) and it didn’t go all that well. We mixed in slowly and still hadn’t transitioned completely after 3 weeks with still unpredictable poo. So he’s been back on his Fromm’s Duck & Sweet Potato for now.

I know that Orijen and Acana are some of the most touted grain free foods out there…but the price per pound is up there too. They are still on my list of possibles though.

In the meantime, I had the following on my short list (number in parens is the approx dry matter protein):
Victor – Grain Free Yukon River Salmon (36%)
Taste of the Wild – Wetlands or High Prairie formula (36%)
Wellness Core Original (38%)

I’ve heard mostly good things about these and ToTW is very easy to find as is Wellness Core.

However…a feed store relatively near me…25 minutes away…carries the Victor products. And from a price/pound perspective, Victor is right there with ToTW for value. And since it is also a 5 star food I decided to pick up a 5lb bag of the Yukon Salmon formula to try.

The attributes I was looking for includes: grain free, protein between 30-40% (his Fromm’s is 27% so I wanted to go up but not jump over 40% like the Victor GF Ultra Pro), approx. cost less than $600/yr (Wilson is a 65+ lb lab mix…I have a whole spreadsheet to calculate approx. cost for Wilson per year for around 50 different formulas…yes, I’ve gone a little overboard) AND preferably no recalls…at very least no recent recalls (though iirc, ToTW was part of the Diamond recall last year?).

Anyone, if Victor works well for us then great!

If not, what are some other options I should put on my list?

[jewlz2121]

Hi everyone! I’m brand spankin new here, so hello. I am adopting a 4 and a half month old American Bulldog/Boxer-Hound puppy who currently weighs 41lbs. He’s estimated to be 80 plus lbs as an adult. He has been fed a petsmart store brand dry food up until now. For obvious reasons, I want to change this and feed him something much better. I have looked through the 10 page awesome large breed puppy thread as well as the created doc file on the best foods with lower calcium. Cost is a factor for us. We wanted to go with a Dry Kibble that was able to be bought at a pet store or easy delivery service. From the list, I was leaning toward Wellness Core Puppy and the Kirkland brand. However, I don’t have a Costco membership so that might be a problem! Can anyone help point me in the right direction to make sure puppy has a better finish to his puppyhood than he started out with? He’s currently eating 2 cups in the a.m. and 1 cup in the p.m. – seems like a lot??? How long to stay on a puppy food? Thank you SO MUCH!

[DogFoodie]

I bought some dog rocks also; got them at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Rocks-Prevent-Grass-Supply/dp/B000NE2UH4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1372436745&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+rocks.

I haven’t used them yet. I think I’m hesitating since Sam and Bella drink from the same water dish and Sam makes a huge mess out of the water bowl so I’m constantly rinsing and refilling. It’s recommended that you put the rocks in their bowl and top off every evening and rinse the bowl every few days. I think my frequent rinsing and refilling might decrease the effectiveness. Plus, the manufacturer of the rocks recommends feeding a “premium dry dog food and keep the red meat to a minimum.”

[theBCnut]

Each review is updated at least every 18 months, more often if someone reports that they have had major fomula changes. The reviews are grouped together though, so more than one Natural Balance formula will be on the page. Look for Natural Balance (dry) as a for instance, and you will find a list of what flavors that review covers near the top, just above the big yellow box. Then in the box, Dr Mike has selected one that he feels is representative of all the formulas in that review to break down and go over in detail.

Are you aware that Natural Balance was just sold to Mars, the candy bar makers?

ETA: Whoops! Sandy was faster than I was.
Also ETA:I don’t know where I left my brain today. Should be sold to Del Monte, the fruit cup people. I guess I can’t keep track of all the different big businesses that have no business making dog food anymore.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 9 months ago by theBCnut.
• This reply was modified 12 years, 9 months ago by theBCnut.

[pugmomsandy]

This site tries to maintain articles every 18 months. The food you’re looking for is in the article Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry and it’s in the whole group not reviewed individually. The Bison and Venison formulas do not contain any meat meals, only whole meats and they are the lowest in protein at 22% and alot of that comes from potato protein and pea protein. Might adjust that rating next time around! The other recipes are also low in protein but at least have a meat meal and not as much veg protein. Nature’s Variety Instinct LID only has 5 ingredients and has more protein.

[theBCnut]

Brands that advertise are the ones selling the most. That makes them convincing to the masses, not good. Most people think dog food is dog food. They think that the AAFCO statement means something other than that a food met the most basic bottom of the barrel requirements to sustain life. And as long as Fluffy doesn’t die immediately after eating, they don’t care to find out better. There aren’t any of the top brands being sold that I would allow my dogs to eat.

BTW, if you care to impress the ladies with purse dogs, you need to tell them you feed filet mignon. No dry food would be good enough for GiGi.

[Newfs]

Hello Hound Dog Mom and all remaining Members 🙂
I am here new, for the last few days I read this forum and I found here many interesting and useful information 🙂
I would like to ask for the help in the selection of the fodder for mine 3,5 the monthly newfoundland pup.
Unfortunately the most recommended feed by you is in Poland inaccessible or they are in cosmic prices.
I consider following fodders, the most of them contains unfortunately cereals: Fromm Family Gold http://frommfamily.com/products/gold/dog/dry/large-breed-puppy-gold or Enova ( http://www.penner.ee/index.php? http://www.enovapetfood.com/default.aspx?mid=18456 page=138&action=show_product_details&product_id=508&group_id=45 or http://www.e-karma.pl/product-pol-750-ENOVA-Breeders-Bag-Grain-Free-Simple-20-kg.html ) or Husse Valp Maxi http://www.husse.co.uk/dog-food-products/dry-food-for-dogs/?product=110 or Canidae ( in Poland are accessible: All Life Stage Formula, CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Elements: chicken, turkey, lamb, ocean fish)
Possibly: Nutra Gold http://www.nutragold.com/products/which_formula/dogs/large_breed_puppy/ or Hills ( http://www.hillspet.com/products/ha-canine-puppy-large-breed-healthy-advantage-dry-dry.html or http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-canine-puppy-large-breed-dry.html or http://www.hillspet.co.uk/en-gb/products/nb-canine-natures-best-puppy-large-breed-giant-dry.html )
What do you advise to me ?
I greet

[BlondieMIA]

Ive been searching the web for some numbers, just out of curiosity I suppose, of what the best selling dog foods on the market are. I mean, we all agree that there are many dog foods that are on our personal do not buy list; whether it be because our dogs may not like the food, or because we do not like whats in the food, then theres the dog foods that people say they buy, but the real truth lies in the actual sales of these foods. I started searching for top dog food sales for the most recent year & I can’t seem to find anything definitive. I was looking for quantity as well as top sales. For example, Yum Yum Food sold 10,000 pounds of dry dog food or 2000 bags of dry dog food (I wouldn’t know how the companies break down their “quantity” sales). Then also Yuck Yuck Food sales were at $1.2 million. (both dog food names are just made up). Does any one know how to collect this data or find it? Any help would be appreciated.

Why did I start to search for dog food sales?
Well, I have 5 dogs. I love them all dearly, but dog food prices have really seemed to sky rocket. Back when I only had 3 dogs, they all ate “good” dog food. (Taste of the Wild). I actually switched from Eukenuba (excuse my spelling) because my oldest, Nikita, started to develop skin problems & allergies. Then when the youngest 2 we rescued joined the family, I was feeding them all Taste of the wild. But the $60 something plus tax with everything else, my 2 trips a week to the pet store was exceeding easily $300…$1200 a month just in food, treats ect. (edible items) So, I started buying both Taste of the wild and some less expensive food. My thoughts were to feed Nikita TOTW, & feed the others a mix of both. But of course they all want what the other has & lets face it, sometimes you just want Mc Donalds.

Now, I am aware of whats in certain foods and whats better for my dogs to eat. If I were able to, I would feed them the best of the best. If someone asks me what I feed my dogs, to be honest, my answer may vary depending on whose asking. The only one I know Im 100% truthful with all of the time is our vet. It seems dog food brands are becoming a “human” category. If I were to meet a person with a LV purse & a yorkie in it, Im most likely to say that all my dogs eat the best foods. Why? Im not sure, but I feel if I were to say for example, Pedigree, you might as well tell the woman you live under a bridge. The conversation would most likely end quickly & she would run in the opposite direction. (yes extreme, but just so you get the point.) Does buying Pedigree make you poor, cheap, uneducated about dog food or d. all of the above?

So that being said, Im curious to see quantity sales numbers vs revenue. How many people are actually buying quality dog food? How many pounds of dog food did pedigree sell vs taste of the wild or blue? I bet blues $$ numbers are up there, but Im assuming pedigree exceeds most in quantity (lbs).

Whats your perception of the top brands sold? Food for thought… Thanks in advance to all that can help me get this solved. 🙂

[Care4Kooper]

Can anyone offer suggestions/experience/advice if vitamin or other supplements are necessary to add to a raw diet and mixed 5 star wet and 5 star kibble for a Vizsla puppy. This will be my 3rd Vizsla – want to start off doing things as best as I can this time now that I have learned more information (scared about what I didn’t know before – its no wonder the first two died of cancer). I’m all for preparing most of the raw diet recipes I’ve seen and then interchanging with some of the higher end 5 star wet and dry mixes but I don’t want to overlook any nutritional supplements that may be inadvertently left out – especially at the puppy phase.

[pugmomsandy]

For all the meat proteins they boast, why do they say the food is 52.5% carbs dry matter with protein and fat making up 55%? That is what gets me. That doesn’t make sense. The numbers don’t add up. And they didn’t reply to Dr Mike’s questions so it is not reviewed.

[Cyndi]

Paige you can’t believe everything you read on the internet. Look what Purina Beneful’s website says about their food “Help keep your dog happy and healthy with a perfect balance of real, wholesome ingredients, quality nutrition and great taste found in Beneful® brand dry dog food.” If THAT was true, why would so many dogs be dying on it. That is one of the worst of the worst foods.

& Dr. Mike isn’t basing his reviews on “his opinions”, he is basing them on fact, the ingredients, black & white! Go try to sell your food somewhere else!

[pugmomsandy]

Raw green tripe. greentripe.com

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-stink-on-tripe/

[carolsch]

Thank you very much. Based on the standard of less than 3.5g/1000kcal of calcium, I have added Darwin’s beef raw frozen food to my Rottweiler puppy’s diet. She’s also eating Primal’s Duck (1.22% Ca DMB), lamb (1.28 % Ca DMB), and Venison (1% Ca DMB). I’ve looked at several other varieties from different brand of raw frozen but haven’t found anything else with an acceptable calcium level. Any other suggested brands/varieties?

[theBCnut]

For calcium you don’t need to convert because there is already a standard in grams per 1000 kcal. You want less than 3.5g/1000kcal of calcium.

[carolsch]

Some products such as Darwin’s raw frozen food provide the guaranteed analysis of vitamins and minerals in grams per 1000 kcal ME. Since the amount of calcium and phosphorus is important for large breed puppies, I’m hoping someone knows an easy method to convert grams per 1000 kcal ME to dry matter.

[carolsch]

I have found a few products such as Darwin’s raw frozen food where the guaranteed analysis of vitamins and minerals is given in grams per 1000 kcal ME. The amount of calcium and phosphorus in dog foods are important to know for large breed puppies. I’m hoping that you can discuss how to compare products that provide nutrients in this way. Hopefully there is a easy calculation to convert grams per 1000 kcal ME to dry matter.