Best Dog Food

all4thedogs · 09-27-2006, 06:58 AM

There is ALWAYS exceptions to the rule. My mother fed our cat Special Kitty (Walmart brand food) and he lived to be 21yrs old.

Personally, I wouldnt take the risk feeding that junk. Its full of fillers, dyes, by-products and other junk.

There will always be someone whos pet lived forever on junk food and died young on quality food. Feeding super premium foods is no guarentee that your pet will live a long, healthy, cancer-free life, but it sure increases your odds.

Its the same as people. For example, my 2 Grandmothers. One was active, ate heathly, worked, had low stress, and died at 72yrs old. The other was very inactive, act ONLY junk food, was depressed, had major medical problems and lived to see 86. So because my "un-healthy" Grandmother had a horrible lifestyle and lived longer, should I also live un-healthy? NO, my chances are much better if I live a healthy lifestyle and eat good foods

Pitbull · 09-27-2006, 04:12 PM

Just knowing what ingredients are in regular grocery store brand dog foods is enough to make me say NO WAY. Would you eat that junk? No...so why feed your dog absolute trash?

I just don't get it.....

puppy girl · 09-30-2006, 09:53 PM

[quote=Dave|Xoxide;6262]What do you guys think is the best dog food? Typically I stick with the big name brand stuff, Iams and Purina One Lamb and Rice. Those of you that have experimented with the natural / organic stuff, can you really see a difference in your dog(s), would you recommend it. Hopefully we can spark some good debate. If we come up with handful of really popular ones we can put together a poll as well.

Let's here everyone's recommendations for the Best Dog Food![/QUOTE
I would say kibbles and Mini chunks... it says its really healthy, but we are going to change dog food to a healtheyer one.

all4thedogs · 10-01-2006, 09:50 AM

All dog foods claim to be healthy, they arent going to sell the food if they call it crap. Its up to the consumer to research the ingredients, and purchase what is best for their dogs. Many dogs are allergic to corn, wheat and soy, these are VERY common in most dog foods (including Purina, Iams, Pedigree, Ol' Roy etc). There is a lot of info on the web to help you pick the best food for your pooch

all4thedogs · 10-01-2006, 09:55 AM

Also, most of the great dog foods dont advertise, they dont have to. They use the money that would be used for advertising and put it back in the food. Better ingredients are more expencive, and this keeps the cost for the consumer down.

Iams is owned by Proctor and Gamble, and huge company with many products, most of which are not animals products. The dog food is just another way to put money into big company pockets. For the most part, these companies dont care about the consumer, its more about the $$. (Iams is just and example, Purina is also owned by a huge company, Nestle I believe).

Canidae, Califonia Natural, Solid Gold, Pinnacle, Innova, Wellness, Chicken Soup are a few examples of amazing dog food, that you dont see commercials for. This are top of the line kibbles with only the best ingredients.

dogluver101 · 10-01-2006, 01:39 PM

I like innova. Calfornia Natural is good but after feeding it to my dogs their coat wasn't looking good. But Natural balance is good also. I break the rolls in little chunks and put a few pieces in the food.

all4thedogs · 10-01-2006, 06:19 PM

Not every dog food is great for every dog! My dogs dont do well on Chicken Soup at all, but its still a top quality food. There is just something in it that doesnt agree with their tummies. Canidae is reasonably priced, and my dogs are doing amazing on it.

My mom feeds Innova Evo, and her dog loves it, and looks great!

alundy · 10-02-2006, 01:50 PM

When we got Scout from the foster home she was eating Science Diet (crap in my opinion) and her coat looked dull, plus she seemed to have some allergies with small bumps on her tummy.

We put her on Nutro Natural Balance, which she did not like at all! She just had no interest in eating it.

Then we switched to California Natural Lamb & Rice, and this is perfect for her. Her allergies and coat cleared up and she enjoys the food a lot. I think we'll stick with this brand when we change to adult food as well.

Now my mom's chihuahua has been eating the cheapest Walmart brand out there and is 13 years old, very healthy (from what we can tell). I guess everyone's different.

puppy girl · 10-06-2006, 02:54 PM

I would say Kibbles and Bits, my puppy loves it!

Dog Meister · 10-09-2006, 11:39 AM

I've found that far to many people do not have enough
information on commercial dog food to make informed
decisions on how or what to feed their dogs.

I've been raising dogs for more than 30 years and do know
about commercial dog foods.

Please take a minute to visit my blog @
Dog Health ~ Dog Food Recipes
and read the various posts on commercial dog food.

Or go to this link
Dog Food Recipes - Best Dog Food Recipes
and use Google Site Search for the over 60 articles
I've written on commercial dog food by typing in "commercial dog food"

You won't be sorry!

Boxermom4 · 10-09-2006, 03:24 PM

Well, we personally feed Timberwolf Organics, wild n natural. That's what works really good for us. However, 14years ago we started out with Eukanuba, at the time, that was the best around, we went to Wellness, Nutro, Iams. I think over the first 4 years we tried alot, thinking it was good. We learned because we wanted to learn, we wanted to improve their food. I think that everyone learns if they want to and sometimes they find a food that may not be "top of the line" in someones opinion, but that doesn't matter, if your dogs like it and their happy and healthy and that's what your compfortable feeding then that's what you should feed. There are alot of resources out there to get information from, good luck with whatever you decide.

tirluc · 10-09-2006, 08:30 PM

i think this topic should be titled "WHAT FOOD IS BEST FOR YOUR DOG" because nobody will ever agree on it anyway.....

all4thedogs · 10-10-2006, 06:53 AM

I agree, it should be titled "What do you feed your dog?"

LabLady101 · 10-14-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxermom4

Well, we personally feed Timberwolf Organics, wild n natural. That's what works really good for us. However, 14years ago we started out with Eukanuba, at the time, that was the best around, we went to Wellness, Nutro, Iams. I think over the first 4 years we tried alot, thinking it was good. We learned because we wanted to learn, we wanted to improve their food. I think that everyone learns if they want to and sometimes they find a food that may not be "top of the line" in someones opinion, but that doesn't matter, if your dogs like it and their happy and healthy and that's what your compfortable feeding then that's what you should feed. There are alot of resources out there to get information from, good luck with whatever you decide.

I totally agree! Whatever food works best for you and your dog is the best food. For crying out loud, some of the top breeders in the country feed their dogs *gasp* Dog Chow! But, that is what works best for their dogs and I'm certainly not going to tell them they're wrong for feeding it. I, personally, don't ever base my decisions on opinions of what is good or bad- not without some solid research to back it up. If I did, my dogs would NEVER find a stable diet (as opinions seem to change like fads) and my dogs would, therefore, be the ones paying the ultimate price for switching so frequently. Food rollercoaster and allergies, here we come!...

My dogs have been and are doing excellent on NutriSource, so that is what I will continue to feed (unless they begin to have issues with it)- regardless of what other opinions may or may not be about it.

Just my 2c,
Darcy

Schnauzer · 10-17-2006, 03:39 PM

I've been feeding my dogs commercial dog foods for 15 years, but due to recent health issues I've started looking into alternatives. Like the original poster, I'm trying to identify the "best" commercial dog foods. I'm also looking into alternatives to commercial dog food (home-made, etc.).

As part of this research project (I'm a professional student), I've created a site which discusses all the alternatives I've been able to find. You might find it interesting. I would certainly be interested in any comments or feedback on it. The site is:
Natural and Premium Dog Food

exotic · 10-17-2006, 04:49 PM

My dogs get pretty much the same food that my African Servals get. They have a prey model raw diet that has always worked very well for them.

BTW, in my breeds' natural habitats (because of the type of dogs they are) they would eats what I feed them now.

mrggnzlz · 10-17-2006, 07:41 PM

I have 10month old husky that has had diarrhea ever since I got her! She Pro Plan sensitive stomach worked good for a little while..but just about every other day her stool is very mushy! Is homemade cooking really the way to go??

all4thedogs · 10-17-2006, 09:28 PM

Home cooked, Raw, BARF are all great diets, but require a lot of research. Start reading up on it, and then you can decide if its for you and your dog

Kodi · 10-17-2006, 11:34 PM

Despite what was said about purina one , In my opinion its a good food, the first 2 ingrediants are meat products (which the vet i worked for said was the first thing to look for). And my dogs have maintained good wieght nice coats and healthy joints and theyve been on purina one lamb and rice for 2 years. I certainly wouldnt call it junk, its a premium food. I think its what is healthy and appetizing for your dog that makes a food good.

exotic · 10-18-2006, 12:50 PM

Really, you should be looking at the first few ingredients, not just the first two.

I also go on the companies that own the brands...Purina is owned by Nestle for example.