[Diggie]

I have an eight year old golden retriever that has been eating different kinds of food each week all of her life. I absolutly realize that this is a horrible way to feed a dog, but I am wanting to put her on a steady diet because she is getting older. She weighs 75 pounds, and I would love to know from any of you which food I should put her on (I am on a tight budget- so I was thinking Beneful???), how much, and how often. Thank you so much and I hope to get a reply from anyone.

[workingdog]

since she is an older dog Beneful would be one of the worst to have her on. There are lots of good dog foods out there. I'm sure others will come on and let you know how you can tell a good dog food.

[terrier terror]

Originally Posted by Diggie

I have an eight year old golden retriever that has been eating different kinds of food each week all of her life. I absolutly realize that this is a horrible way to feed a dog, but I am wanting to put her on a steady diet because she is getting older. She weighs 75 pounds, and I would love to know from any of you which food I should put her on (I am on a tight budget- so I was thinking Beneful???), how much, and how often. Thank you so much and I hope to get a reply from anyone.

I don't find rotating wrong, it's what you feed that counts imo and if your dog can handle it. Though I wouldn't do it daily, and a bag here lasts more than a week, my dog gets a different formula/brand each time a bag of kibble is used up, canned food changes constantly (one can lasts us 2-3 days -- tomorrow they will finish a chicken formula, and next they will get duck, then tripett). My bitch will stay with one formula (Innova) but a rotation of canned food until she is older.

Personally, I stay away from foods formulated for seniors (most are too low in protein/fat for my liking). www.dogfoodproject.com is an awesome site to learn about nutrition, Natura seems to be *my* favorite company for dog food. But Eagle Pack, Canidae, Solid Gold, and Nature's Variety (love their frozen raw) are other favorites (and a few of Natural Balance's formulas).

[Diggie]

Thanks so much for telling me. What are some affordable dog foods that are good for seniors? I had no idea that Beneful was bad for older dogs. Why is this? Thank you so much for your reply, and I hope to hear from you again!

[terrier terror]

I don't think it's good for any dog. The most affordable dog food I've noticed is Natural Balance (NB is sold at most Petcos), but it really depends on your location (if you post what general area you live in, maybe we can post pet stores that sell better brands). Something to take in account is the good stuff might be more expensive, but in most cases, you will be feeding less (I know of an 85lb, extremely active dog that gets by on 1.5 cups of Innova EVO). If you take a look at the site I posted, it gives you an explanation of ingredients to avoid, what to look for, etc. so you will realize why there are people who don't recommend the food. I think "crap" is an understatement personally.

Beneful Adult Dog (Original):
Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, sorbitol, tricalcium phosphate, water, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried peas, dried carrots, calcium carbonate, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, zinc sulfate, glyceryl monostearate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.

Natural Balance Venison (I don't like the "Ultra Premium Dry"):
Venison, Venison Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Rice, Rice Bran, Peas, Tomato Pomace, Canola Oil, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Taurine, Natural Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B).

[Diggie]

Thank you so much! I will definetly look into this and get Maggie on a better diet.

[Diggie]

Which is best???
· Active Care

· California Natural

· Evanger’s

· Innova

· Natural Balance

· Nature’s Variety Prairie

· Pinnacle

· Premium Edge

· Wellness

[terrier terror]

My first choice would be Innova, followed by Nature's Variety and CA Natural.

Active Care has brown rice as the first ingredient in all of their formulas, not always a bad thing but there's better brands out there so I don't or wouldn't feed it. Evangers has menadione, so that isn't an option for me as I avoid it. Natural Balance, Pinnacle, and (if I'm thinking of the right food) Premium Edge are all good foods, but wouldn't be my first choice. Wellness seems to have downgraded and too many people are having issues with it (mainly with poop), so I don't consider that a great brand.

I'm glad your taking the time to look into better food for Maggie!!

[Diggie]

Thank you so much for helping me with this. I have done some research and heard good things about Eagle Pack. It is pretty affordable and good for dogs- do you think so? Sorry about all of these questions but they are really helping me find a good food for my Maggs.

[terrier terror]

Originally Posted by Diggie

Thank you so much for helping me with this. I have done some research and heard good things about Eagle Pack. It is pretty affordable and good for dogs- do you think so? Sorry about all of these questions but they are really helping me find a good food for my Maggs.

Yep -- EP is another favorite. They now have two lines instead of one, their "Holistic" and "Super Premium." The holistic line does not have corn and a few other things here and there (don't have time to take a look). But both lines are excellent, and it depends on whether or not you like certain things. Though they use high quality ingredients, I like the holistic line, the sole reason is because terriers are notorious for allergies so I take extra steps and avoid certain things.

[Diggie]

OK thank you so much! You have really helped me and Eagle Pack will be my best friend's new food! I look forward to seeing her enjoy a healthier and more steady diet! Thank you for helping me and maybe I will talk to you later!