[DoggyGal]

Alright, trying to get educated on dog feed. I would like to try and find a good feed that would be good for my golden retriever. She is three years old, and quite active!!!! I would like to try and find a feed that is middle range on the price list.. Is this possible?

What do you feed and why???? Thanks for any help!!!!!

[rosemaryninja]

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com

and

http://www.dogfoodproject.com

are both pretty good starting points.

There is a huge range of good dog food out there. Brands you might want to check out include Innova, Canidae, Timberwolf, Blue Buffalo, Solid Gold, Orijen, Natural Balance, Wellness and Eagle Pack...just to name a few. The key to determining whether a certain brand of dog food is decent is the ingredient list on the back of the bag. You want to see a real protein source (like chicken/turkey/fish/lamb - not chicken meal/turkey meal/fish meal/lamb meal) within the first three ingredients. Stay away from brands that include corn high up on the list, and any unnamed animal fats or ethoxyquin preservatives.

[briteday]

I think choosing food is a very personal process. The two wesites mentioned above are excellent starting points, as are the sticky notes and posts in the food forum here.

Once you have compiled a list of 6 or so foods that you think should be explored further then I would go to the manufacturers' websites and use the store locators to find retailers that carry those brands in your area.

Then I would take your dog and go down to the food store. Talk to the clerks about your dog, your interest in the foods on your list and why they make your short list, and your budget. Independent retailers (not big box stores) will usually have free small sample bags to try before you buy.

The rest is really up to your dog. I first tried the sample bags to see what they liked. Once I narrowed it down to 2 or 3 then I went on price, since they were all acceptable to me for quality. I went back and purchased a small bag that would last for a few weeks. During that time I looked to see if the dogs were still interested in the food, quality of their coats, cleanliness of teeth, stool consistency, energy level, ... whatever else is important to you.

I'm sure that we can all tell youwhat we have fed and why. But your dog is an individual and not everything works for every dog. You will find posts that say Canidae caused loose stools. Others will say it is wonderful. I have fed Taste of the Wild, Red Meat Evo, and Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. But others will say those didn't do well for their dogs. For the last few years my dogs have been on a raw food diet. But you'll read both pros and cons on that as well. So it is all a matter of personal needs. You get to decide!