[atldoglover]

I know that ultimately it is up to what your puppy/dog does well on, but which dog food (premium) do you think is the best and why. In many areas of life, the more expensive something is,(seemingly) the better. Is that the same for dog food? I understand that with certain issues (developing cancer, congenital diseases)- food can't solve problems but if we put every dog on an equal playing field (healthy), does it even matter about the food? I don't want to start any arguments, I am trying to determine what to feed my dog and I know that there are very intelligent people on this forum with lots of smarts. Opinions, please. Thanks in advance,

[vagnik]

I am surely not an expert, but my first thoughts on premioum dog food where:
Canidae, Natural Balance, Timberwolf, Solid Gold (in random order)....

A few rescources that I find informative are:
http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm
http://www.snoozer-dog-beds.com/Dog%...ndAnalysis.htm
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...ndex.php/cat/1

But try some and you will find 2-3 from the premioum foods that fit better your own dog. Then I would exchange bettwen the every some months.
Hope it helps.
Also see other topics in this forum about food and you will get a good idea.

[atldoglover]

Thanks for the links!

[lovemygreys]

I vote for Natural Balance.

[atldoglover]

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

I vote for Natural Balance.

Why Natural Balance?

[tully]

I am trying a new food called Orijin. IT is out of Canada. NO grains and hormone free. The main proteins are chicken, white fish and egg. There is only one carrier ofthis product in USA right now. There are 3 in Florida and one store you can order on line. My dog has seizures and we have decided to take him off grain. I may use this and raw together. My holistic vet is very excited about this food and really likes it. Timberwolf also has a grain free. Evo has a high fat content and it seems a lot of digestive problems for some dogs. I also like Wysong.

[atldoglover]

Tully,

Can you pm me the website? Thanks

[Wimble Woof]

Originally Posted by tully

I am trying a new food called Orijin. IT is out of Canada. NO grains and hormone free. The main proteins are chicken, white fish and egg. There is only one carrier ofthis product in USA right now. There are 3 in Florida and one store you can order on line.

Its strange to see Americans looking for a Canadian food where I am I would love to get my hands on Timber Wolf organics or EVO RM ( for days when we can not feed raw) but no one within 6 hours of me carries either one

So, yup, my food choices would be TO or EVO RM... I was pleased with Solid Gold Wolf King as well, but outraged with the ingredient changes.

[LovePups]

Blue Buffalo.

Unsurpassed Nutrition & Ultimate Protection (Lifesource bits) formulas. Human grade chicken with no rejects or by-products. Whole grains (no corn, wheat, or soy), unprocessed and natural; and the fats and oils contain the proper amounts of essential omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Fresh vegetables and grasses.

LifeSource Bits are also a manufacturing breakthrough because they are "cold-formed" to preserve the full potency of all ingredients. This is an important difference between BLUE and all the other brands who add antioxidants and vitamins because they process exclusively with heat, and heat can destroy the potency of antioxidants by up to 75%.
The nutrients and antioxidants in BLUE's LifeSource Bits are all natural and easily assimilated so our dogs and cats receive the maximum health and protection benefits.

Fairly priced for premium ingredients.

http://www.bluebuff.com/

[LabLady101]

Originally Posted by LovePups

Unsurpassed Nutrition & Ultimate Protection (Lifesource bits) formulas. Human grade chicken with no rejects or by-products. Whole grains (no corn, wheat, or soy), unprocessed and natural; and the fats and oils contain the proper amounts of essential omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Fresh vegetables and grasses.

Hate to burst your bubble here, but there's something you should know. "Human Grade" is a gimmick. Why? Because although the ingredients are purchased from the same plants that sell to humans, once the ingredients hit the dog food plant's property they are considered BY LAW to be "Animal Grade". Not only that, but despite what many people think, the majority of national brand dog food manufacturers (i.e. Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, etc.) purchase their meat from the same "human" plants as these "Human Grade" foods. I hope you see that the term is very gimmicky and misleading.
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/dogfoods.html

[Snowshoe]

I feed Fromm's Four Star Nutritionals. I switch the formula with every bag.

Here is a link: http://www.frommfamily.com/products-fs.php

Here is an example of why I've chosen this brand:


Whitefish & Potato
FOR DOGS
Perfect for the dog watching their weight. This lean, healthy diet of fresh Atlanic whitefish with with cheese, carrots, cauliflower, blueberries, whole clove garlic & parsley is sure to satisfy even the most discriminating tastes.

Fresh Atlanic Ocean Whitefish
Cartilage Rich in Natural Glucosamine
Real Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese
Prebiotics & Probiotics to Aid Digestion
Optimum Omega Fatty Acids Ratio
Ingredients:
Whitefish, Potato, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, White Rice, Herring Meal, Whole Dried Egg, Millet, Dried Tomato Pomace, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Cheese, Flaxseed, Menhaden Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Apples, Lecithin, Chicken Cartilage, Potassium Chloride, Monosodium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate, Cranberries, Blueberries, Salt, Monocalcium Phosphate, Chicory Root Extract, Alfalfa Sprouts, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Folic Acid, Parsley, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Enterococcous Faecium, Vitamin A, D3, E, B12 Supplements, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Sorbic Acid, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite.

Calorie Content:
kcal/gm: 3.968 | oz/cup: 3.3 | kcal/lb: 1,800 | kcal/cup: 370

Daily Feeding Recommendations:
Weight of Dog 5 lbs 15 lbs 30 lbs 50 lbs 75 lbs 100 lbs
Cups/Day 1/2 1-1/4 2 3 4 4 2/3
Weight of Dog 2.5 kg 6.5 kg 13.5 kg 22.5 kg 34 kg 45.5 kg
Grams/Day 55 125 210 315 425 495

Animal feeding testing using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Fromm Family Four Star Nutritionals™ Whitefish & Potato Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages.

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein 23% Min
Fat 11% Min
Fiber 3.5% Max
Moisture 10% Max
Ash 6.5% Max
Omega 6 Fatty Acids 2.2% Min
Omega 3 Fatty Acids 0.3% Min
Lactobacillus Acidophilus 100,000,000 CFU/lb Min
Bifidobacterium Longum 100,000,000 CFU/lb Min
Lactobacillus Plantarum 100,000,000 CFU/lb Min
Enterococcous Faecium 100,000,000 CFU/lb Min



Typical Analysis
Calcium 1.0%
Phosphorus 0.85%
Sodium 0.4%
Potassium 0.6%
Magnesium 0.12%
Zinc 135 mg/kg
Iron 229 mg/kg
Manganese 70 mg/kg
Copper 11.0 mg/kg
Cobalt 0.4 mg/kg
Iodine 1.53 mg/kg
Selenium 0.47 mg/kg
Glucosamine 400 ppm
Chondroiten 40 ppm
Vitamin A 18,200 IU/kg
Vitamin D 1,300 IU/kg
Vitamin E 180 IU/kg
Vitamin K 1.52 mg/kg
Vitamin B12 0.10 mg/kg
Choline Chloride 2,320 mg/kg
Niacin 82 mg/kg
Pantothenic Acid 26 mg/kg
Ascorbic Acid (Vit C) 38 mg/kg
Riboflavin 7 mg/kg
Thiamine 8.7 mg/kg
Pyridoxine 4.2 mg/kg
Folic Acid 1.4 mg/kg
Biotin 0.3 mg/kg

[Alpha]

Eagle Pack.

The place where I get food has recently started carrying Solid Gold and Fromm. Both brands were what I was originally looking for but since they're doing so well on Eagle Pack I decided to not mess with a good thing.

[atldoglover]

Originally Posted by Alpha

Eagle Pack.

The place where I get food has recently started carrying Solid Gold and Fromm. Both brands were what I was originally looking for but since they're doing so well on Eagle Pack I decided to not mess with a good thing.

What a cute avatar...

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by LabLady101

Hate to burst your bubble here, but there's something you should know. "Human Grade" is a gimmick. Why? Because although the ingredients are purchased from the same plants that sell to humans, once the ingredients hit the dog food plant's property they are considered BY LAW to be "Animal Grade". Not only that, but despite what many people think, the majority of national brand dog food manufacturers (i.e. Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, etc.) purchase their meat from the same "human" plants as these "Human Grade" foods. I hope you see that the term is very gimmicky and misleading.
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/dogfoods.html

Human grade, means that it could be fed to humans. If it is not human grade, than it probably wouldn't meet Govt. approval for human consumption for one of several reasons. Doesn't matter what plant it comes from, or whether or not it has crossed the threshold of the dog food plant receiving door , it is what the meat consists of. I don't know about you, but I prefer to feed my dog a meat that humans could safely eat if they had to.

The majority of the National Brands use meat byproducts which have everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. Stay away from byproducts......

Here is a good site for information on selecting a good dogfood.

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index....betterproducts

By the way, I like Natural Balance foods..

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

[Wimble Woof]

While my first recommendation would be Timber Wolf Organics,,, I find Canidae to be a great food too, fair price and good quality...

[LabLady101]

Originally Posted by Captbob

Human grade, means that it could be fed to humans. If it is not human grade, than it probably wouldn't meet Govt. approval for human consumption for one of several reasons. Doesn't matter what plant it comes from, or whether or not it has crossed the threshold of the dog food plant receiving door , it is what the meat consists of. I don't know about you, but I prefer to feed my dog a meat that humans could safely eat if they had to.

The majority of the National Brands use meat byproducts which have everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. Stay away from byproducts......

Here is a good site for information on selecting a good dogfood.

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index....betterproducts

By the way, I like Natural Balance foods..

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

You can think that way if you want, even if it is inaccurate.

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by LabLady101

You can think that way if you want, even if it is inaccurate.

Gives us all a link to a web page to prove that I am wrong..

[LabLady101]

Originally Posted by Captbob

Gives us all a link to a web page to prove that I am wrong..

Here's one from Breeder's Choice (makers of AvoDerm and Pinnacle):
http://www.breeders-choice.com/about...grade-meat.htm

Here's another from Old Mother Hubbard (Wellness):
http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/well...q_index.html#7

And here's Timberwolf Organics view on the subject:
http://www.timberwolforganics.com/s.nl/it.I/id.8/.f

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by LabLady101

Here's one from Breeder's Choice (makers of AvoDerm and Pinnacle):
http://www.breeders-choice.com/about...grade-meat.htm

Here's another from Old Mother Hubbard (Wellness):
http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/well...q_index.html#7

And here's Timberwolf Organics view on the subject:
http://www.timberwolforganics.com/s.nl/it.I/id.8/.f

They all basically say the same thing. They claim that the meat they use is the same meat that humans eat i.e. human grade, but once it goes though the pet food plant, it can't be called that anymore.

I understand that point. What is the quality of meat that is coming into the receiving end of the plant prior to any processing, is it an approved meat that could be sold for human consumption, or is it meat that could not legally be sold for human consumption like most of the junk dogfood companies use in their products? . I don't see how this is so complicated to figure out.

[LabLady101]

Originally Posted by Captbob

They all basically say the same thing. They claim that the meat they use is the same meat that humans eat i.e. human grade, but once it goes though the pet food plant, it can't be called that anymore.

I understand that point. What is the quality of meat that is coming into the receiving end of the plant prior to any processing, is it an approved meat that could be sold for human consumption, or is it meat that could not legally be sold for human consumption like most of the junk dogfood companies use in their products? . I don't see how this is so complicated to figure out.

I think you missed the part in the TO link that said that farmers/growers/raisers/etc. don't have seperate stock for human and dog consumption. They come from the same place, so the quality of the meat is all the same. It's just a matter of always using the same suppliers and specific meats which defines the quality of the ingredient. For example, a company that uses whatever meat(s) happens to be cheapest at that point in time and therefore doesn't have a set specific meat formula- this is the "Meat and Bone Meal" foods- isn't as high in quality as one that buys Chickens from the same quality supplier regardless of cost.