Dog Food Suggestions

[Velvet Hairpiece]

I feed my 130 lb St. Bernard mix rescue dog, as well as my 15 and 17 lbs cats, Blue Buffalo brand. I love it, and so do they. For the big bag of dog food it's around $50, but it lasts for about a month. Zeke is super picky- you'd think at his size he'd love food, but that was not the case. We couldn't get him to eat much for the first couple of weeks we brought him home last October. But he does love this stuff. I get the large breed chicken variety- it's in an orange bag.

My cats have always cleaned themselves well, but their coats are so shiny, soft, and sleek- I really think the food change made a huge difference. With them I switch between the duck, chicken, and salmon varieties.

I've read other places that people are afraid that this high quality food will make their pets fat, but I don't think so at all. They don't eat as much because they're getting the nutrition they need, and in the end it costs the same because though it may be more expensive per bag, they're eating less at meal times thus making that bag last longer.

Of course growing up, we always fed all of our pets purina food, and most of them lived fairly long and healthy lives. So maybe it doesn't mean a darn thing. I feel better about feeding them better quality food, though.

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
I wonder if that is a breed specific thing? One of my best friends has a St. Bernard and she says he is NOT food motivated at all. Her DH likes to sit on the couch and throw him treats but if one lands even inches out of his reach, he can't be bothered reaching for it let alone actually get up to go and get it! She also feeds the Blue Buffalo and I was surprised that it lasts him a month too, but its because he's not a big eater.

 

[mama24]

I think it's actually the opposite. High quality food will probably help your pet stay thin b/c they won't crave extra food to get the same nutrition they would get from fewer calories in the higher quality food. Just like people who frequently eat fast food are terribly overweight. They crave more food than they need calorie-wise b/c they aren't getting all of the vitamins they need from the crap food.

 

[GreatPyrLover]

Thanks for all the replys!!! My Pyr is not food motivated either...I dont think he will ever break 100lbs...he could care less about eating

But I got them the new bag of TOTW yesterday...its a lamb based...so I am gonna try that and see how it is...I think I can find it cheaper than what I paid for it yesterday.

 

[Katy]

I feed mine Taste of the Wild. I have two 80+ husky mixes, a rat terrier and a 4 1/2 month old Saint Bernard. My inside dog (one of the husky mixes) had bad allergy problems before I switched them all over and those have cleared up totally....no more hot spots and constant scratching. I don't spend any more on it than I was the Diamond Naturals (made by the same company that makes TOTW) because they eat much less of it.

 

[twistedwire]

Another vote for Taste of the Wild here

A while back, before I discovered TOTW, I tried Canidae and I've never seen such a horrible hot spot on one of my dogs before-he was MISERABLE. My dogs have been on TOTW since November and they're doing fabulous.

 

[CupOJoe42]

My dogs had wicked gas from the Diamond brand, so I switched to "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul" and they are doing much better. Have done all the expensive brands. Canidae is good too. Purina One isn't that bad (not a Purina fan either.) Iams used to be good, but is not as high quality as it used to be. One of our dogs had kidney problems after being on Iams and Eukanuba.

 

[key west chick]

If you have a PetSmart, try their Authority. We use the lamb and rice formula. It has no corn or wheat, and is a good meat based food. Its very reasonably priced also. And remember, what goes in, must go out. Corn is hard for a dog to digest. It pretty much goes out as it went in. Dogs will generally poop more on a food thats corn based versus one that is meat based. You will actually save money in the long run by feeding the best you can afford.

 

[CMTSMWC]

Just find a brand with no corn, no wheat flour, etc. these can cause ear infections, bad ones. Not all dogs are the same so I would say find something they like and that is healthy for them and you should be good!

 

[QH Girl]

Another vote for 4Health from Tractor Supply. I feed that and Diamond - both run about $20 for 40 lbs. They don't eat as much of it and no stinky farts