[daryl shannon]

Well I think you've oppened up a big can of worms with this question. I bet you wont get a straight answer at the end of the day. However, I will give my 2 cents. I feed my 7 1/2 year old Doberman Purina Pro Plan and have been since he was just over 1yr. I tried feeding him Nutro and was not impressed at all with that brand. I also tried Science Diet. I feel the same as most when talking about the down-falls of the "Fillers" in foods. Some may not like Pro Plan but the bottom line is that my dog loves it. He is healthy and never once, when someone asked how old my boy is, do they believe me. I think it comes down to a blance between what works for your dogs and ensuring that they can live a long healthy life.

[DozerDogg]

I generally (with some exceptions) go by the old adage, you get what you pay for. That isn't universal but it's a good rule of thumb. Of course being the most expensive doesn't necessairly make it the best. I try for the low end premium foods or brands that have a good reputation from consumers. I feed Diamond Lamb and rice meal right now and it seems to be good for my buddies, and it doesn't break me when I buy it.

[UrbanBeagles]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Expensive is not necessarily better. Take Eukanuba for example lmfao... I'm paying less for Canidae and it's higher quality, contains no by-products, potentially harmful synthetic chemicals/preservatives, corn, etc.

ROFL So very true! I'd been feeding Euk for years, its gone in the toilet bowl now, but when I last fed it, I was paying something towards the end of $48 for 40lbs. OUTRAGEOUS!!! And it was pure $*** by the time I washed my hands of it. So no, the more expensive a food is, does not necessarily mean its better.
OTOH, *generic* foods are not worth the packaging they come in. While you shouldn't have to mortgage your house to buy a bag of decent food, generic/economy foods use bottom of the barrel low quality ingredients & I'd never recommend them under any circumstances.
Pro Pac is a basic, bland diet that has no preservatives, colors, by products & is about $23 for 33lbs. I feed Evolve, which is about $1 per lb. but gives me better results than Timberwolf Organics, which was double the cost ...

[mrblackpants]

im glad i ran across this thread. i have had some questions about what to feed my 7 mo old black lab, and they have not been answered by my vet. currently i feed him pedigree complete nutrition, and he loves it. however i know they use a lot of corn, and i am not a fan of fillers. thanks everyone for bringing some light on the subject!!!

[TFTpwnsYou]

On the subject of the using "real chicken" and all. I always found it funny how they can say "complete and balanced nutrition" or "give your dog the best". The Pedigree commercials kill me....lol. I think they should label them for what they really are "good enough to keep your dog alive".....lol.

I was feeding Bil Jac. Switched to Origen, and now I'm switching to Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. The Orijen is a killer to the wallet for me.

Now on the subject of the original topic. Go with your gut on it. If you don't feel comfortable with what's in the food, don't feed it. Although the higher grade foods are much better for your puppy. There are quite a few better foods than Purina for you to look into. You also don't neccessarily have to feed what the breeder was feeding. I hope you find a food that fits your puppy well.

[FredMom]

Originally Posted by daryl shannon

Well I think you've oppened up a big can of worms with this question. I bet you wont get a straight answer at the end of the day. However, I will give my 2 cents. I feed my 7 1/2 year old Doberman Purina Pro Plan and have been since he was just over 1yr. I tried feeding him Nutro and was not impressed at all with that brand. I also tried Science Diet. I feel the same as most when talking about the down-falls of the "Fillers" in foods. Some may not like Pro Plan but the bottom line is that my dog loves it. He is healthy and never once, when someone asked how old my boy is, do they believe me. I think it comes down to a blance between what works for your dogs and ensuring that they can live a long healthy life.

I agree 100%.

[kratos88]

i think kibbles n bits is about as low as u can go. i feed mine eagle pack. it is one of the best out there. the holistic select versions they have are awesome. i doesn't have any corn in it. and the ingredients are superior to Purina and for around the same price as like Purina pro plan.

[JAYBO837]

stay away from corn&wheat fillers, try to avoid dyes.take the time to read the labels.trust me ..you will be rewarded with your pets presence longer by feeding them correctly and perhaps spending a lil more$$$...but you wont be dissapointed in the long run.

[Breeogie]

Look, you get what you pay for...with everything in life, including your pet's food.
Check out this site for more info:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/