Dog Food Diet?

[Aquatic_blue]

We are looking into getting a dog and I want to have my bases covered beforehand.

What do you feed your dogs? How much does it cost/month?

We are hoping to adopt a larger dog (golden retriever/lab mix).

I was wanting to feed a homemade diet or one in conjunction with a dry kibble, but it might get too pricey, I don't know.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You're going to get a lot of different opinions as far as dog food (everything from raw diets to "whatever's on sale"). So I don't think there's one right answer.

I have 3 dogs, they currently eat 50% Natural Balance Lamb & Rice and 50% Duck & Potato... yes I complicate things. The dogs prefer the duck flavor but it's more expensive and my sister-in-law is a vet and has been recommending that we stick with a food that has grain in it, so the rice takes care of that requirement. Each day the dogs eat 8 cups of food so we go through a bag of each food every month or so. It's pretty pricey (roughly $1 a pound) but I previously had a dog with allergies and he was able to safely eat this brand so I've used it ever since, plus they have nice compact poops from it.

My sister-in-law is a fan of Purina (plain old dog chow) but too much filler for me.

 

[cassie]

Mine get Purina Formula One. Meat is the first ingredient. I feed the chicken and brown rice variety. The dogs like it and they do well on it. Their coats are slick and shiny and their stool is firm and virtually odorless. This last shows that they are digesting it well. The trouble with homemade diets is that it is hard to get them complete and properly balanced.

 

[chickens really]

Try to buy the most natural food ?
I feed Pedigree to my outside dogs and they are doing great. My little house dogs eat Purina one ..

 

[Aquatic_blue]

You're going to get a lot of different opinions as far as dog food (everything from raw diets to "whatever's on sale"). So I don't think there's one right answer.

I have 3 dogs, they currently eat 50% Natural Balance Lamb & Rice and 50% Duck & Potato... yes I complicate things. The dogs prefer the duck flavor but it's more expensive and my sister-in-law is a vet and has been recommending that we stick with a food that has grain in it, so the rice takes care of that requirement. Each day the dogs eat 8 cups of food so we go through a bag of each food every month or so. It's pretty pricey (roughly $1 a pound) but I previously had a dog with allergies and he was able to safely eat this brand so I've used it ever since, plus they have nice compact poops from it.

My sister-in-law is a fan of Purina (plain old dog chow) but too much filler for me.

I figured it was a can of worms type question, but all the perspectives help me decide what I would start with and also seeing how the dog tolerates it and such.

I figure one could get a dry kibble and still some healthy treats and they would more than likely be okay.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Mine get Purina Formula One. Meat is the first ingredient. I feed the chicken and brown rice variety. The dogs like it and they do well on it. Their coats are slick and shiny and their stool is firm and virtually odorless. This last shows that they are digesting it well. The trouble with homemade diets is that it is hard to get them complete and properly balanced.

Yes, that is what I have been reading, that a balance is tricky and needs to be chosen carefully and adjusted accordingly. Some kibble and some homemade may not be too bad.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Try to buy the most natural food ?
I feed Pedigree to my outside dogs and they are doing great. My little house dogs eat Purina one ..

I have been researching ingredients and such of dog foods, but I know my husband would have a cow if he were spending more than $60/mo on dog food. "The dog I had growing up ate cheap processed dog food just fine, had puppies, and was still healthy," as he says. I don't see a lot of these ingredients as natural, especially the heavy grains (like when there is corn, wheat, and soy in the same food) and canola oils (yuck). I have a few options that seem to be better choices. I will write the suggestions down here, too! I only worry about animal health and want to make an appropriate choice.

 

[chickens really]

I have been researching ingredients and such of dog foods, but I know my husband would have a cow if he were spending more than $60/mo on dog food. "The dog I had growing up ate cheap processed dog food just fine, had puppies, and was still healthy," as he says. I don't see a lot of these ingredients as natural, especially the heavy grains (like when there is corn, wheat, and soy in the same food) and canola oils (yuck). I have a few options that seem to be better choices. I will write the suggestions down here, too! I only worry about animal health and want to make an appropriate choice.

Goodness...? I have healthy dogs. Over thinking this is silly..

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have been researching ingredients and such of dog foods, but I know my husband would have a cow if he were spending more than $60/mo on dog food. I will write the suggestions down here, too! I only worry about animal health and want to make an appropriate choice.

You'll be fine (and since I didn't answer directly earlier, I spend around $110-120 on dog food a month, that doesn't include treats - but again, that's for 3 dogs). Some research isn't a bad idea, of course... you'll probably see reviews are all over the place though, no matter what the brand. Consider talking to your vet or the shelter/rescue for their suggestions, the dog you plan on adopting may be used to and doing well on a certain food, or may have allergies or other issues that would require you to steer clear of certain ingredients.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Goodness...? I have healthy dogs. Over thinking this is silly..

Maybe so. I'm a nutrition nut, I know. I will try to cool it a little haha...