What to feed my puppy?

[rileysmommy]

Interesting to read all of these recommendations. We have a 10 week old chocolate lab who is still on the food her breeder was feeding her and we need to switch her soon. I'll be checking these all out at the pet store tomorrow. Thanks!!

 

[Bob Gnuheart]

Nature's Choice Lassie's Way (something like that).

In general the stuff at the grocery store is full of corn, soy, wheat or animal by-products), but Lassie is available at the same grocery store and uses Chicken or lamb as the first ingredient and rice as the main grain/carb source.

With the store shopping card it's only 15.88 for a 20 pound bag and it's as good as Nature's Way, Blue Buffalo, etc. As a matter of fact it's a good bit cheaper than the Chef Micahels, Pedigree, Rachel Ray stuff that is full of crap, yet people buy it not knowing any better.

My dogs love the Lamb & Rice formula from Lassie - it pairs very nicely with a pinot noir. At least that's what the dogs say.

 

[marie1203]

Nature's Choice Lassie's Way (something like that).

In general the stuff at the grocery store is full of corn, soy, wheat or animal by-products), but Lassie is available at the same grocery store and uses Chicken or lamb as the first ingredient and rice as the main grain/carb source.

With the store shopping card it's only 15.88 for a 20 pound bag and it's as good as Nature's Way, Blue Buffalo, etc. As a matter of fact it's a good bit cheaper than the Chef Micahels, Pedigree, Rachel Ray stuff that is full of crap, yet people buy it not knowing any better.

My dogs love the Lamb & Rice formula from Lassie - it pairs very nicely with a pinot noir. At least that's what the dogs say.

Nature's recipe and Lassie dog food are not even close to Blue buffalo in fact they are comparable with all the other grocery store dog food. They are rated 2 out of 6 starts. Blue is rated 6 out of 6. You can't expect to get quality dog food for $15 quality products costs are higher.

 

[writerriann]

We feed ours California Natural Lamb primarily because our cairn has intense allergies. The 50lb mutt decided she liked it too and was cleaning out his bowl when we weren't watching So they now both get it even though the cairn is the only one that needs to eat it.

 

[Bob Gnuheart]

Nature's recipe and Lassie dog food are not even close to Blue buffalo in fact they are comparable with all the other grocery store dog food. They are rated 2 out of 6 starts. Blue is rated 6 out of 6. You can't expect to get quality dog food for $15 quality products costs are higher.

Yes it is (or at least very close). Sounds like you think you have to spend a lot of money to get quality.

We buy based on ingredients and results, and not marketing.

Lassie is not comparable with other grocery store junk. The overpriced Blue Buffalo markets their product based on ingredients (no corn, fillers, soy, by-products, etc). The difference is we do that also, but haven't been brainwashed to think you have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get a high quality food.

People who think they have to spend 35.00 for a 10 pound bag of food are just as misinformed (though well-intentioned) as people who pay 10.00 for a 50 pound bag of Ol Roy or buy "Chef Michaels" or "Pedigree" simply because of the name and are clueless about ingredients.

 

[marie1203]

Yes it is (or at least very close). Sounds like you think you have to spend a lot of money to get quality.

We buy based on ingredients and results, and not marketing.

Lassie is not comparable with other grocery store junk. The overpriced Blue Buffalo markets their product based on ingredients (no corn, fillers, soy, by-products, etc). The difference is we do that also, but haven't been brainwashed to think you have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get a high quality food.

People who think they have to spend 35.00 for a 10 pound bag of food are just as misinformed (though well-intentioned) as people who pay 10.00 for a 50 pound bag of Ol Roy or buy "Chef Michaels" or "Pedigree" simply because of the name and are clueless about ingredients.

I am sorry but it is not I am pre vet student that took a class in animal nutrition. Natures way use preservatives that are not good to conserve the food. They also use some controversial products and has grains. I don't like blue buffalo either I feed my dogs taste of the wild as it is grain free. Natures recipe is and average dog food it does not compare to the good quality dog food.

 

[sksjasams]

We use this for our shichon puppy. It was what he was being fed at the breeders when we got him. Its chicken and rice based. I can get an 18 lb bag on amazon for $23.99.

He is 10 mos old now, so we will be looking to switch to adult food soon.

Should we continue with Diamond Naturals (Small Breed Adult), or should we switch? Would there be a healthier choice for a similar price?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Happiest mommy]

On a scale of 1-3 how would you rate these dog foods for a small breed pup #1 being the best Taste of the Wild, Solid Gold (wee bits) and Blue Buffalo

 

[CathrynRose]

The associate at the store turned me on to Canidea. Anyone have any input on it???

Like the poster below, I fed Canidae for a few years, until they abruptly changed the formula when they were sold to Diamond, with no warning. I had a very, very sick dog - and couldn't figure out why. A quick Google search, after noticing the dog food nuggets were shaped different (I don't usually do the feeding) clued me in. I was ticked.

So, since they abruptly turned on me, I abruptly turned on them.... to Taste of the Wild.

BUT both food are owned by Diamond ~ who is the one who had all those stinking recalls, and dead pets, a few years back. This is another reason I said "Adios" to Canidae.

The recalls were because of the grains, which made me feel safer with Taste (since there's no grain) but ....

I'm glad we're on Fromm, now.

I fed Canidae for several years and was very pleased with it. About 3 years ago, they changed their formula without notifying buyers. didn't handle the abrupt change well and people got upset. At the same time, the price went up approx $8. I switched to Kirkland Super Premium

 

[princessmom29]

Yes it is (or at least very close). Sounds like you think you have to spend a lot of money to get quality.

We buy based on ingredients and results, and not marketing.

Lassie is not comparable with other grocery store junk. The overpriced Blue Buffalo markets their product based on ingredients (no corn, fillers, soy, by-products, etc). The difference is we do that also, but haven't been brainwashed to think you have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get a high quality food.

People who think they have to spend 35.00 for a 10 pound bag of food are just as misinformed (though well-intentioned) as people who pay 10.00 for a 50 pound bag of Ol Roy or buy "Chef Michaels" or "Pedigree" simply because of the name and are clueless about ingredients.

I just went to the website and read the ingredients. It is NOT of the same quality as Blue. All of the :dried _____________meal" is code for junk byproducts rather than first quality ingredients. With most things, you get what you pay for.

 

[karenbaco]

My puppy LOVES Canidae.....I hope i made the right choice for his food.

 

[rileysmommy]

So after reading all of these responses and doing some research I decided to go with Blue Buffalo for our chocolate lab. I'm still mixing it with her old food but already there is a difference in her stools. More solid and less soft-serve ice cream constistency (gross, I know). Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

 

[shelly3girls]

We feed out puppy Orijen. At first we thought it was giving her gas but then after switching her treats we discovered it was the Wellness treats that were the cause. She loves the food. Our vet told us that although the foods without fillers are more expensive, the dog needs to eat less for the same nutrition which of course means they poop less. We pay $60 for a large bag which last 3-4 months. Our pet store offers a free bag for every 10you buy so we average about $16/month for a very healthy food.