[mrslloyd09]

My question is actually two fold. First of all, when we got Mandie, we learned that she was eating Nutro Ultra Small Breed (she's a 25 lb dachsund/lab mix). They had tried her with Blue buffalo but she didn't like it or something because they stopped giving it to her. Anyway we bought a small bag, brought it home. She didn't eat for the first two days here, but we figured, it's all very new, she was just spayed, yada yada yada. She did finally eat her third morning here, wolfed the whole bowl down. Didn't eat at night or the next morning, but did eat at dinner time and again cleaned out the entire bowl. Didn't eat again in the morning, so I tried at lunch, and she ate about half her bowl and then another half a bowl at dinner. Today nothing so far. I was curious how the ingredients rated and according to the sites I've visited, mixed reviews. Then I started seeing posts on her about Nutro having a recall. I wento Nutro's site; nothing on there except for recent cat food recalls (warning bells!). Googled it and found some stuff but nothing mentioning what we've been giving her. Still it makes me nervous. My first question is what information can I get from you all about the Nutro recall? I'm not finding anything useful, perhaps because it was awhile ago??

Also, it looks like we're going to need to change Mandie's food and I was wondering what dog food people suggested. We have a Petsmart and a Petco, so I'm pretty sure I can get whatever's on the market here in town.

She's pretty lazy and a little skinny and I've wondered if that isn't her food but we've only had her a couple days so I didn't want to jump to any conclusions. Also, her stool was pretty runny when we first brought her home, which I attributed to her having surgery and being in a new place. The stool has firmed up but it's this nasty greenish color which can't be right. She gets plenty of water and we limit her treats to training.

Anywho, I would love to hear what people have to say, especially about the recall and/or if anyone ever had their dog eating what Mandie ate.

 

[nico8]

I feed my Husky Blue Buffalo Lamb and Rice and her stool is fine and energy levels are great.She was skinny when I first rescued her but shes started fattening up quickly on her diet of Blue Buff with vegetable oil and ground beef added to each bowl.


After this bag though, I'm going to switch her to a high protein/grain-free food.The best that I've researched so far seem to be Orijen,Innova Evo,Wellness Core,Taste of the Wild, and a few others. You never know exactly how your dog will react until you've actually tried them on the food but I would seriously look into a grain-free.


Petland wouldn't be my #1 choice for buying dog food, as I'm not sure they have any grain-free choices .Petco is where I currently buy my dog's food...I would seriously look into Wellness Core(about $60/30lb and Solid Gold Barking at the Moon(about $50/30lb).Those are 2 of Petco's best foods.They also carry Blue Buffalo which is a step down from those 2 but still a very good quality food in my opinion.

 

[CorgiKarma]

There are many good foods available. At PetSmart the only food I would feed is the Blue Buffalo. Check Petco for Wellness, Innova, Merrick, Solid Gold, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Natural Balance, Timberwolf...if you're leaning towards a grain free diet there's Wellness CORE, Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Instinct, Taste of the Wild, Orijen

 

[mrslloyd09]

Hmm interesting. I was hoping petsmart would have the good choices because I hate shopping at our petco. It's not a pleasant place but I was gonna check their because they have a better selection of dog beds so I'll add food checking to my to do list.

 

[ipreferpi]

One of the big things I take into consideration when I'm looking at pet foods are the first five ingredients. If I see things like "byproduct" and "corn" I pass on the food. But I'm also extremely picky about what my dog eats, and he's a total spoiled food snob.

If you're looking for something in the same price range as eukanuba or nutro, but in my opinion better, go for natural balance. It's grain free, reasonably high in protein, and has a decent variety of flavors. If I was forced to pick between just nutro and eukanuba, I'd go for eukanuba. Mostly due to the fact that I've had the chance to work with reps from both companies, and all of the ones from nutro don't seem to know much about nutrition, and just repeat the "eat less, shed less, poop less" mantra; that's probably just my area though.

If you're willing to pay a bit more money for your dogs food, I'd suggest Orijen, wolf king, or Wellness Core.

Maybe check out this site, keep in mind every dog is different, but this has a pretty good overview of the ingredients and quality of the food:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

 

[luvntzus]

If I only had major chain petstores to choose from I would go to Petco. They have a decent selection of holistic foods. From Petsmart I would choose Blue Buffalo. My favorites aren't sold at either store- Fromm, Eagle Pack Holistic, Before Grain and Orijen.

 

[mrslloyd09]

So I picked up a bag of wellness core at petco yesterday and we started mixing it in gradually today. She ate her entire bowl of food including the new stuff. I was pleased that the new bag suggested feeding less, because that stuff is not cheap. If it doesn't work, we'll try solid gold next.

 

[nico8]

Keep me updated on how Mandie does on Wellness Core as I'm strongly considering switching to that after i get through this bag of Blue Buff. Would love any positive or negative feedback.

 

[mrslloyd09]

Just an update: Mandie has eaten three days in a row, once a day. She really likes the wellness and her tummy seems to be handling it ok. Fingers crossed.

 

[luvntzus]

There are many good foods available. At PetSmart the only food I would feed is the Blue Buffalo. Check Petco for Wellness, Innova, Merrick, Solid Gold, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Natural Balance, Timberwolf...if you're leaning towards a grain free diet there's Wellness CORE, Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Instinct, Taste of the Wild, Orijen

This is exactly what I would have said. I had to double check to make sure I didn't write it! lol

 

[Koteg]

Hm, I wonder what food is best for basset hound?

 

[clarkk41]

I started my dog on Canidae All Life Stages. She did fantastic on it! She is healthy full of energy and her coat is shiny. I kept her on it for a year after hearing it was good to change yearly to prevent food allergies. I am now on Eagle Pack Lamb Meal based and the results are proving to be just as good. Thats my 2 cents ;o)