[Chloe'sMom]

So the Authority brand did not last long...Clancey started having loose poos on it..But I finally think I have come up with a solution, I bought a small bag of Walmart's Maxximum...and they love it, I'm transitioning over from the Dog Chow slowly and adding some Natural Balance Food Roll grated on top for some extra meat..so far so good, they eat every bite enthusiastically..poos are solid and no more yellow frothy bile in the mornings. I think we have a winner!! Thanks everyone for your opinions & comments..But this seems to be working for my kids and works for my budget too.

[sheltiemom]

Keep us posted on that one...I've seen it at Walmart and thought about trying it, but they are always out of the big bags. They also have a food there called Lamaderm that looks ok.

[poodleaddict]

I feed my cats the canned natural life food from wal-mart sometimes. It's inexpensive (at 70 cents a can) and contains no by-products and my kitties usually love it. They have natural life dry and canned dog food at the wal-mart we go to as well. I think it was like $20 for a 20 lb bag, which is roughly the same price we would pay for Canidae by us, and feeding requirements are the same as Canidae as well. Was that available at your wal-mart? I know I haven't seen it at all of the wal-marts but it's starting to be more available.

[Kibblelady]

Originally Posted by guy0677

I think the best value brand that is all natural and high in protein is probably Dave's Simply the Best.

I wanted to agree and say I love Dave's food. I love that it is made at Ohio Pet Foods and I like any product made at that plant...but I would not say that Dave's food is on the economical side.... I only had one place in the area I could get it and they went out of business . I have talked with Dave a few times (owner) nice guy....it is a nice product and highly digestible.


Cherri

[sheltiemom]

Originally Posted by poodleaddict

I feed my cats the canned natural life food from wal-mart sometimes. It's inexpensive (at 70 cents a can) and contains no by-products and my kitties usually love it. They have natural life dry and canned dog food at the wal-mart we go to as well. I think it was like $20 for a 20 lb bag, which is roughly the same price we would pay for Canidae by us, and feeding requirements are the same as Canidae as well. Was that available at your wal-mart? I know I haven't seen it at all of the wal-marts but it's starting to be more available.

They have it at the walmart here...the Lamaderm is the allergy version of Natural Life.

[svovi01]

Originally Posted by SpudNZasha

I'm 23 also, and a student without a whole lot of extra cash.. I feed my dogs Whole Foods brand (365) Maintenance dog food. They love it. It's like $14 for a 20 pound bag that lasts my husky and shepherd a little over a week and a half. So - if you have a Whole Foods market near you, check it out.

I do not necessarily trust 365 brand for pet food, although it would be great if I could. A few weeks ago I was at Whole Foods talking to one of their checkers about her cat who had chronic urinary tract infections and had to have the surgery. I asked her what she was feeding him that caused the problem. She was embarrassed to say 365. It had high ash, or something like that. Now she feeds Natural Balance, Nutro, or Wellness. I guess it is a pay now or pay later kind of situation.

[T.J.K.]

New here everyone

Anyway, I was reading through this and it made me think of a post I saw on a different forum one time. I thought I would post it here.

How to grade your dog's food:
Start with a grade of 100:
1) For every listing of "by-product"
, subtract 10 points
2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat,
meal
or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethox yquin, subtract 10 points
4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5
points
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first
five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewerâs rice", "rice
flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2
meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2

points
11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is
allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isnât allergic

to wheat), subtract 2 points
14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isnât allergic
to
beef), subtract 1 point
15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point
Extra Credit:
1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist,
add
5 points
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6) If t! he food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3
points
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2
points
8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2
points
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the
first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein
source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are
pesticide-free, add 1 point
94-100+ = A 86-93 = B 78-85 = C 70-77 = D <70 = F

Dog Food scores:
Alpo Prime Cuts / Score 81 C
Artemis Large/Medium Breed Puppy / Score 114 A+
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Authority Harvest Baked Less Active / Score 93 B
Beowulf Back to Basics / Score 101 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Blackwood 3000 Lamb and Rice / Score 83 C
Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice / Score 106 A+
Burns Chicken and Brown Rice / Score 107 A+
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Diamond Performance / Score 85 C
**** Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
**** Van Patten's Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice / Score 106 A+
**** Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
EaglePack Holistic / Score 102 A+
Eukanuba Adult / Score 81 C
Eukanuba Puppy / Score 79 C
Flint River Senior / Score 101 A+
Foundations / Score 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 B
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Innova Large Breed Puppy / Score 122 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
Member's Mark Chicken and Rice / Score 84 C
Merrick Wilderness Blend / Score 127 A+
Nature's Recipe / Score 100 A
Nature's Recipe Healthy Skin Venison and Rice / Score 116 A+
Nature's Variety Raw Instinct / Score 122 A+
Nutra Nuggets Super Premium Lamb Meal and Rice / Score 81 C
Nutrience Junior Medium Breed Puppy / Score 101 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Max Adult / Score 93 B
Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice / Score 98 A
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Wheat Free / Score 86 B
Nutro Natural Choice Senior / Score 95 A
Nutro Ultra Adult / Score 104 A+
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Premium Edge Chicken, Rice and Vegetables Adult Dry / Score 109 A+
Pro Nature Puppy / Score 80 C
Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach / Score 94 A
Purina Benful / Score 17 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Purina One Large Breed Puppy / Score 62 F
Royal Canin Boxer / Score 103 A+
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Solid Gold / Score 99 A
Summit / Score 99 A
Timberwolf Organics Wild & Natural Dry / Score 120 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A

[StarStruck]

Just wanted to chime in here...

I am feeding my Miniature Pinscher and American Pit Bull Terrier Natural Balance...both have loose stools. My terrier mix won't touch the NB, nor will one of my Shepherd/Huskies (he did at first, and he wasn't gaining any weight on it, didn't matter how much he ate and we all know over-feeding is not a good practice!). The other Shepherd/Husky eats it fine, and I see no bad effects on her, at all.

The terrier mix and the other shep mix are now on Maxximum, and they love it. The shep mix gained around 10 lbs on it (vet said he NEEDED the extra weight), and I was/still am feeding a normal amount of it.

My grandparents feed my dogs back home Purina One. The oldest, an almost 9 year old American Pit Bull mix, is doing great. All of them are, really.

A friend of the family is also using Purina One for their 4 dogs, and they're all doing well, too.

I love the Natural Balance, and I really wish my dogs did better on it. It's really disappointing, since I thought I was picking "one of the best." Now, I'd love to try the Kirkland...looks like I'm going searching for a Costco on Monday! I'm glad it was suggested here, or I never would've remembered it existed. A person I talked to a long while ago on another forum was feeding it, and they and their dogs enjoyed it, but I completely forgot the name.

[Messykat]

One I didn't see mentioned here is Iams Healthy Naturals. No, this isn't a perfect food, but it did get decent ratings from a couple sites and it's very reasonable - you can get it at Walmart. It's kind of a kicked up version of their regular stuff.

All the dogs in my family eat it now and love it - well, except mine! But the vet and I think he's got allergies. Here's the main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product

[GreatDaneMom]

Originally Posted by Messykat

One I didn't see mentioned here is Iams Healthy Naturals. No, this isn't a perfect food, but it did get decent ratings from a couple sites and it's very reasonable - you can get it at Walmart. It's kind of a kicked up version of their regular stuff.

All the dogs in my family eat it now and love it - well, except mine! But the vet and I think he's got allergies. Here's the main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product

i think there are many much better quality foods than that that you can get for cheaper.

[gale]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMom

It seems I have caused quite a stir around here. LOL. That was certainly not my intention.

I have done more research and found a brand of food called Premium Edge it received a 4 star rating, and is found at my local feed store. It is also 30$ for a 35lb bag vs. Natural Balance which is 42$ for a 35lb bag.

I have listed the ingrediants below: This is for the Chicken and Rice puppy formula, since they are both still pups 7 months and 10 months.

Ingredients
Chicken, chicken meal, egg product, cracked pearled barley, ground rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), millet, potatoes, tomato pomace, natural chicken flavor, ocean fish meal, flaxseed, salmon oil (source of DHA), choline chloride, dried chicory root, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-Carnitine, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

Looks pretty good to me, aside from the tomato pummace, which I hear is a non needed filler. But still pretty good.

Does anyone feed this? And if so, what have your results been?

Thanks!!

I know this is an older thread. Anyway we have been feeding Premium Edge since about last winter (that's when we switched off puppy food). Our dog has done really well on it. Lots of energy (not sure if that's always a good thing. lol) normal stools, very shiny coat. People have commented on how good she looks. We are switching to Calif Natural only because I have to drive an hour to get the premium edge. The calif natural is more expensive but once I figure in gas money it's the same and I'm saving time by not having to drive to get it (I was getting 2 bags at a time, which last about 2 mos each) and not having to worry in the winter about driving all that way in possibly bad weather. The Calif Natural is just a couple miles from us. Anyway we never had a problem with premium edge.

eta: sorry, I somehow missed page 3 of this thread. I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I think we are lucky that our dog will eat pretty much anything we put in front of her so far.

[Chloe'sMom]

So my husband has gotten a promotion and a decent raise, so we are not as much in a financial bind as we were (thank goodness) so now, I'm still trying to settle on a food for them. We are currently still feeding them the Dog Chow as they seem to eat it readily. And although they seem okay on it, I would really like them on something a little higher in quality.

The only problem is Clancey seems to be very sensitive to richer foods such as canidae etc...and he gets loose stools very easily (Vet work done, no medical reason) So I'm wondering if some grains are necessary for him as a stool hardener..

I was talking to a blue buff rep at Petco this past weekend and although she was very pushy...it seems like a good food, but I've read on several forums that some dogs have very loose poos on it as it's a richer food.

I'm at a loss. I'm thinking of Pro Plan maybe...ingrediant wise it's not the greatest I realize, but result wise the consensus seems to be great..I dunno

[Don152]

Above list sorted by scrore. I would sure not go by this list alone, but it might be a good place to start:
Merrick Wilderness Blend 127 A+
**** Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium 122 A+
Innova Large Breed Puppy 122 A+
Nature's Variety Raw Instinct 122 A+
Timberwolf Organics Wild & Natural Dry 120 A+
Authority Harvest Baked 116 A+
Nature's Recipe Healthy Skin Venison and Rice 116 A+
Chicken Soup Senior 115 A+
Artemis Large - Medium Breed Puppy 114 A+
Innova Dog 114 A+
Innova Evo 114 A+
Canidae 112 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables 110 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken 110 A+
Premium Edge Chicken, Rice and Vegetables Adult Dry 109 A+
Burns Chicken and Brown Rice 107 A+
Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice 106 A+
**** Van Patten's Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice 106 A+
**** Van Patten's Duck and Potato 106 A+
Foundations 106 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult 106 A+
Nutro Ultra Adult 104 A+
Royal Canin Boxer 103 A+
EaglePack Holistic 102 A+
Beowulf Back to Basics 101 A+
Flint River Senior 101 A+
Nutrience Junior Medium Breed Puppy 101 A+
Royal Canin Bulldog 100 A+
Nature's Recipe 100 A
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula 99 A
Solid Gold 99 A
Summit 99 A
Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice 98 A
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice 97 A
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold 97 A
Nutro Natural Choice Senior 95 A
Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach 94 A
Authority Harvest Baked Less Active 93 B
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold 93 B
Nutro Max Adult 93 B
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice 92 B
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Wheat Free 86 B
Diamond Performance 85 C
Member's Mark Chicken and Rice 84 C
Blackwood 3000 Lamb and Rice 83 C
Alpo Prime Cuts 81 C
Eukanuba Adult 81 C
Nutra Nuggets Super Premium Lamb Meal and Rice 81 C
Pro Nature Puppy 80 C
Eukanuba Puppy 79 C
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium 73 D
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies 69 F
Bil-Jac Select 68 F
Diamond Maintenance 64 F
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ 63 F
Purina Dog 62 F
Purina One Large Breed Puppy 62 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice 23 F
Purina Benful 17 F
Purina Come-n-Get It 16 F

[Pasofino]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMom

So my husband has gotten a promotion and a decent raise, so we are not as much in a financial bind as we were (thank goodness) so now, I'm still trying to settle on a food for them. We are currently still feeding them the Dog Chow as they seem to eat it readily.

Kudos to you for trying to find the "perfect" food for your pups!

I, personally, am very passionate about canine health and nutrition....(as was mentioned on a previous thread!)

At any rate, all you have to really do is feed what you can afford and make sure it is healthy for your dog.

Both needs can be met.

I read on this thread that once switching to a higher end food, the dogs started "losing their hair", or losing weight", or not liking the food, etc.

Two things...

First, most lower end dog foods must add sugar, salt or flavoring to get the dogs to eat it with such vigor that the OWNER will buy it again, thinking that the dog must love the food, regardless of it's nutritional value.

Second, if your dog is not doing well on it after the first week, give it at least a month. It will take at least that long for all the toxins to be flushed from your dog's system. All the preservatives, colors, fillers and such are not present in the higher end dog foods, so when they eat, they get fuller faster, due to REAL nutrition.

They do not need as much food at each meal. After their bodies are used to it and not looking for that sugar or salt fix, they will thrive and look great.

My personal favorite is Blue Buffalo, not the Wilderness, (although I do mix it in with the Senior) and my dogs love it.

I have 9 rescues and I switch each week from one HIGH end dog food to another...as long as I stay in the same nutrition range, they are fine.

So, buy what you can afford, that has no soy, corn, filers, by products or grain in the first 3 ingredients and see how they do.

Chicken Soup is a great food, not too expensive and a great start in getting away from the low end foods.

OK, of my soap box!

[Wimble Woof]

Originally Posted by Pasofino

Second, if your dog is not doing well on it after the first week, give it at least a month. It will take at least that long for all the toxins to be flushed from your dog's system. All the preservatives, colors, fillers and such are not present in the higher end dog foods, so when they eat, they get fuller faster, due to REAL nutrition.

Alright... so what would your suggestion be if after well over a month actually closer to 2.5 months, the dog still doesnt do well?? Keep feeding it something that is not agreeing with it?

My personal favorite is Blue Buffalo, not the Wilderness, (although I do mix it in with the Senior) and my dogs love it.

http://www.bluebuff.com/products/dog...or-chick.shtml

Seems a bit grainy no? Granted the grains listed are decent grains, but still remove the water from the chicken as it is based on a precooked weight...
The top ingredients would now be as follows.

Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Whole Ground Barley, Chicken Meal, Rye, Rice Bran, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Whole Potatoes, Natural Chicken Flavor, Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries and ect... ect...

So, that being said and seeing as though your dog(s) are now eating a primarily grain food... I think you yourself could get more bang for your buck on this one.

I have 9 rescues and I switch each week from one HIGH end dog food to another...as long as I stay in the same nutrition range, they are fine.

Something HIGH end for you... isnt for others, so really this food in particular in my honest opinion is not the best thing you could be feeding.

So, buy what you can afford, that has no soy, corn, filers, by products or grain in the first 3 ingredients and see how they do.

The food you just suggested is a grainy food

OK, of my soap box!

yeah, same here

[Pasofino]

You are right wimbel, on some points....

If it had been 2.5 months, I probably would not stay with that food, but still try a food with no preservatives, corn, soy ..OR, make homemade foods to try to eliminate the allergy source.

Something would be upsetting the dog's stomach and I think my goal would be to find it...food should not be upsetting any dog....so finding out why may help.

I mix the Wilderness (42% protein) with the BB to make it more of a meaty source.

I also did not mention, but I feed one meal of kibble, the other meal is fresh fruits and vegetables...raw. So the kibble is the only neat source and I try to make it a whole meat source, not meal and definitely NOT by-products. I do switch feed every few weeks. IMO, most dogs need to be switched just to get a balanced source of protein and other nutrients.

I have 9 rescues and I switch each week from one HIGH end dog food to another...as long as I stay in the same nutrition range, they are fine.

Something HIGH end for you... isn't for others, so really this food in particular in my honest opinion is not the best thing you could be feeding.

You are right...it is not the best, but in my remote area of the world it is what is available to me other than on line, so if I need dog food, I need to get it within a 50 mile radius of my farm...

Also agree, what is high end for me, is not necessarily high end for another...but I do think it needs to be chemical and preservative free!

So, buy what you can afford, that has no soy, corn, fillers, by products or grain in the first 3 ingredients and see how they do.

The food you just suggested is a grainy food

"Grainy"is not so bad, as long as it is not corn, soy or fillers...WHOLE grains are OK.....


Again, there is the argument, "do dogs even need grains?"

Who knows! I have read enough on both sides to make me question it....

That is a whole other thread!

[Wimble Woof]

indeed it is.

Please dont think i am picking on your posts either, I just realized that the main replies have been to your stuff, nothing personal, but this is also a passionate topic for me.

As for protien sources being the culprit, trust me I have changed them up as much as the foods, its not a protien allergy or intolerance either. Its just a mystery as to why grainy "lower end" food works for this situation.

Feeding animals or even people for that matter isnt something that comes out of a mould, it would be nice, but sadly it just doesnt work that way sometimes.
While most dogs would be true to the mould for feeding, there are always some exceptions to everything in the world. Such as the general rule is a liquid shrinks when frozen, except for water...) not everything fits as it is supposed to

[Pasofino]

Originally Posted by Wimble Woof

indeed it is.

Please don't think i am picking on your posts either, I just realized that the main replies have been to your stuff, nothing personal, but this is also a passionate topic for me.

No offense taken at all, I thoroughly enjoy an intelligent (UNheated)discussion on most topics!

While I do feed my dogs what I consider a high end food, I also supplement their diet with fresh veggies and fruits...daily.

So I think I go against the norm, because while they are not vegetarians, they do get more carbs than most dogs. I am not sure if that is good, or bad...

Either way, they seem to thrive on it and I am sure there is a lot of controversy on that subject!

I also agree, that whatever dog food works for your dog, keep it up ... to each their own.

I also dislike fast foods/packaged foods for humans, but that doesn't mean people don't eat that and thrive on it as well.

It all boils down to a personal choice, either based on economics, convenience or knowledge....

[Chuckles]

I am glad Costco's Kirkland brand has such a positive review. I went to Costco just last week and looked it over and didn't buy it because.... it was so CHEAP! I was afraid something might be off about it even though Kirkland brand mostly has quality products in my experience. My beagle mix currently uses Science Diet and I am definitely switching off of it after reading some of the comments on the forum.

I will go back tomorrow and take a closer look at the content and nutrition info of the Kirkland stuff. This is might be a keeper!