Dog food insanity! HELP

hah2110 · 01-24-2009, 01:23 PM

Alright, I can't read any more information on dog food. Every time I find a good brand, someone shoots it down. Please someone help me! I have a 30lb, 1 year old boggle (beagle/boxer). She is extremely active, fit, muscular and loves to play. I am currently feeding her Iams but am reading bad things about the quality in their food as well as the way they treat animals. I have no problem switching food every few months as I have read is recommended but I need serious help. All of these "luxury" brands such as diamond, blue buffalo, royal canin, is it worth it? Are they much better? I read good reviews on many of them and then read reviews that counter the good ones saying that these peoples dogs won't eat, are puking, etc. Can someone please offer me advice!?

myminpins · 01-24-2009, 01:29 PM

If you wish to educate yourself about HOW to choose a good dog food, go here:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/

If you want to know which foods are better than others, go here:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...ndex.php/cat/1

The better quality dog foods are DEFINITELY better for your dog. You often feed less, too, of the good quality food so check out serving size before you freak out at the prices

By the way, DO NOT judge a food by price. Some very high priced foods are not very good quality. Most foods sold in vet's offices and in grocery/department stores are not very high quality foods (with exceptions, of course).

Royal Canin, Iams, Science Diet, etc., are NOT good foods.

On the list of dry dog foods, there are quite a few that aren't all that expensive yet are still four stars if you're worried about price.

The problem with most "crappy" quality dog foods are too many chemicals, "junk" for fillers such as sawdust and peanut hulls, too many grains dogs do not neet, very low quality, NOT fit for human consumption meats.

You'll notice a huge difference in your dog's stool, his coat and how often he needs to go to the vet if you feed a really good quality dog food to your dog

briteday · 01-24-2009, 03:16 PM

I like the dogfoodanalysis.com ratings. And I consider anything that is 5 or 6-star to be a good enough food for my dog. So if it were me, I would choose from that selection and sleep well at night! If money is an issue there are even some good foods in the 4-star category that I have fed with good results.

pugmom · 01-24-2009, 04:28 PM

I think a beagle/boxer mix would just be a Bogle....only one g..LOL

I like the dogfoodanalysis.com website....I am currently feeding Wellness to my pug and TOTW to my APBT and Boston (they had too much gas on the wellness)...

You may have to try out more then one brand of food till you find what fits your pup

basicair · 01-24-2009, 05:46 PM

myminpins suggest the two links to websites I always suggest, too.

I would really, highly suggest you use Innova EVO Red Meat and/or regular. They're both 6 stars and considered all over the net to be a top brand. I use them too and so do countless others here. But also keep in mind there's a good 10 or so other brands that are just as good or just a little less quality but still miles ahead of stuff you find at Wal-Mart.

odp1979 · 01-24-2009, 05:50 PM

For your dog, I would recommend a grainless, mostly protein diet. Boxers have lean muscle mass, they need the protein for energy and strength. EVO, Orijen, Wellness Core, all are great grain free foods.

jnite · 01-24-2009, 11:29 PM

Everybody has their own opinion on foods, some people have VERY strong opinions. Basically you have to decide for yourself what is best for your dog. IMHO anything with wheat, corn or by-products are no good. Myself I feed Acana, when Orijen came out I decided not to switch because my dogs were good on what they were eating. It still does surprise me how much difference the foods make on their coats and on what is left behind. We recently got a puppy and the people had him on Happy Hound, never heard of it and never got to look at the details on the food. We started switching him right away to Acana Puppy Large Breed and what a difference. His feces were alot less and alot less stinky too. His coat is getting much better also.

All in all, do your research and decide for yourself. I find that nobody agrees on dog food, so you will never find something that everyone will agree with.

Patt · 01-25-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnite

All in all, do your research and decide for yourself. I find that nobody agrees on dog food, so you will never find something that everyone will agree with.

This is SO true!! You just have to keep reading different websites and suggestions and see what works for your dog. As the old saying goes "one size does not fit all". I feed Innova and rotate with Wellness brands.

My fave food research sites are www.dogaware.com and www.dogfoodproject.com

Good luck.

myminpins · 01-25-2009, 05:32 AM

Acana and Orijen are made by the same company

odp1979 · 01-26-2009, 04:43 PM

Samples are your best friend, when it comes to taste, You can't really tell how your dog will do in the long run. I know Orijen has $1.99 .88lb bags and $2.49 .88lb bag for the 6 Fish. I currently feed Orijen Puppy, and I plan on feeding the 6 fish when she turns a year. Fish does amazing things to dogs, the fish oils work wonders. It's a bit on the expensive side, but I figure this is preventative maintenance.

Diezel Man · 01-27-2009, 08:01 AM

I am having a problem with my bullmastiff puppy (6 months) and diarrhea. I am thinking about changing his food, and like the dog food analysis website. Where do you get some of this quality food? Petsmart (largest pet store near me) does not carry any of the 4 or 5 star foods, so where can I buy?

rosemaryninja · 01-27-2009, 08:31 AM

What foods does your Petsmart carry?

odp1979 · 01-27-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diezel Man

I am having a problem with my bullmastiff puppy (6 months) and diarrhea. I am thinking about changing his food, and like the dog food analysis website. Where do you get some of this quality food? Petsmart (largest pet store near me) does not carry any of the 4 or 5 star foods, so where can I buy?

Well, Petsmart should carry Blue Buffalo, they have a Blue Wilderness sub brand which is 6 stars. Also, you can try www.petfooddirect.com, they have almost all types of food, plus new customers get 22% off their order, that should cover the shipping costs.

dansamy · 01-27-2009, 09:29 AM

Also, Petsmart is the largest store because it caters to the largest masses of pet owners, not because it carries the most premium products. For more premium brands, seek out a local pet store or boutique. Pet Supplies Plus is a chain store and they sell quite a number of premium and holistic foods.

basicair · 01-27-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansamy

Also, Petsmart is the largest store because it caters to the largest masses of pet owners, not because it carries the most premium products. For more premium brands, seek out a local pet store or boutique. Pet Supplies Plus is a chain store and they sell quite a number of premium and holistic foods.

Here in the mid-west there's a chain of stores called "Southern Agriculture" and they cater to all kinds of animal needs including cows, horses, etc.

They carry every single top name brand of dog food except Orijen.

I say this just to support your post, dansamy, in that every city for the most part has a special pet supplies store that tends to carry high end foods.

Beethoven · 01-27-2009, 09:36 AM

I figured I'd ask in this topic instead of making another one... Can anyone suggest Blue Buffalo for their pup? They sound very good, but I'd like to hear from someone who's used it.

EDIT: Actually, any really good pup food will do. I want to feed him the best that I can, and I know I'd have to make a switch from his current pet food.

Mom2Sadie · 01-27-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odp1979

Well, Petsmart should carry Blue Buffalo, they have a Blue Wilderness sub brand which is 6 stars. Also, you can try www.petfooddirect.com, they have almost all types of food, plus new customers get 22% off their order, that should cover the shipping costs.

You may have to get it online (as already suggested) or there may be smaller pet food places in your area that carry some better brands.

Around here there are even doggy daycares that carry Merrick, etc.

Once you decide on a food and find out that it agrees with your pup, a little research (even the company's own webiste) will let you know where it's carried in your area. Just don't go buying a 50 lb. bag of something until you're SURE about it!

odp1979 · 01-27-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beethoven

I figured I'd ask in this topic instead of making another one... Can anyone suggest Blue Buffalo for their pup? They sound very good, but I'd like to hear from someone who's used it.

EDIT: Actually, any really good pup food will do. I want to feed him the best that I can, and I know I'd have to make a switch from his current pet food.

The best puppy food, in my opinion is Orijen Puppy.

Beethoven · 01-27-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odp1979

The best puppy food, in my opinion is Orijen Puppy.

Alright, thanks. I've also read about Innova, and that seems really good too. Have you tried that? There are no stores that sell orijen nearby, but there is a store right in town who sells innova.

odp1979 · 01-27-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beethoven

Alright, thanks. I've also read about Innova, and that seems really good too. Have you tried that? There are no stores that sell orijen nearby, but there is a store right in town who sells innova.

I like Orijen because the ingredients better mimick what they would find in the wild, like herbs, botanicals, etc.