Evaluating Dog Food

[southernhen]

no, we don't have tractor supply company.

....Walmart, Sams, Petsmart..which is kind of pricey and these places are 2 hours away.......

 

[jessica117]

Eek, you sound about like me

We just got our Tractor Supply last fall, before that it was Wal-Mart, and well... Wal-Mart. That was it, unless you were going to drive 50 miles or so. Good luck with finding something, I used to feed Alpo Prime cuts before we got our TSC.

Alpo Prime Cuts / Score 81 C

I could get a 15 lb bag for $6.50 at dollar general. I think they also carry it at family dollar and in bigger bags a K-mart (didn't venture to the city often, but the huge bag lasted a while.) It isn't as good as some of the other brands, but was much better than anything I could get a Wal-mart.

Jess​

 

[MonkeyZero]

I give my dogs Iams puppy food. What is that rating?

 

[Cara]

Diamond appears to be cheaper than comparable foods, but they had a serious recall issue after poisoning many dogs. That alone has stopped me from ever buying it or anything else they make, such as Chicken Soup for the Doglover's Soul. The ingredients appear good, but that stuff smells very very strange.

 

[mtnhomechick]

Well, I have to admit I didn't read all the posts.

A year ago last March when they had the recalls.....I made a decision to make Sadie's food myself. I figured ( just like my haircuts)...that I could screw it up for free. She had been eating Eukanuba prior to this.

I buy ground turkey or other ground meat, but usually turkey, and add rice, canola oil, veggies..........usually spinach, sweet potatoes or green beans, or broccoli and an egg. I try to get about a third meat.

I use my processor for the meat and veggies cause' I think to have the flavor thoughout would be more tasty. I have, but don't always add eggshells ( crushed in a coffee bean grinder ) or anything else I have that might be healthy.

I heat it in the mike for 1 minute, she's a big dog ( big bowl ), so it's tepid. I make this every other day so it's fresh. In the microwave. I feed her morning and night.

She is healthy and no I don't add vitamins and all that ( I am not a scientist ) but I don't want a bunch of bad wheat gluten or any other crip in her food.


The really DOWN side is that when we travel in our motorhome, I have to prepare and refrigerate food. It's a hassle but I just do it.
We used to give our dogs table scraps when I was a kid, back in the dark ages and they lived long and healthy lives.


We have a big space for her to run free everyday ( never a leash ) and I wish I was as fit and healthy as my dog, Sadie.


That's my story!

 

[mtnhomechick]

Just wanted to add......the cost is the same if not less.

 

[Katy]

Yikes! I'm just in the process of switching my dogs over to diamond brand.....what was the deal with the recall!?

 

[mtnhomechick]

The wheat gluten they used from China was tainted and small dogs and cats were dying.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
They had a recall in 2006 for deadly Aflatoxin contamination. It is a fungus that grows on improperly stored corn and wheat. It caused liver trouble, liver failure and even death as a result of the dog developing clotting problems and bleeding into its gastrointestinal tracts. Two thirds of the dogs showing symptoms died.

In 2007 Natural Balance (made by the same manufacturer) was recalled for melamine contamination. Canned Diamond and Chicken Soup food was also recalled.

They also sell food that has expired by most manufacturers' standards; their sell-by dates are typically 18 months in advance. Kirkland is also made by the same manufacturer in some of the same factories.

 

[redkan]

Canned Diamond and Chicken Soup food was also recalled.

Just want to stress it was Canned CS, the dry food was fine and is actually a very good quality food. I had a dog with severe allergies and CS was one of only a handful of foods that his skin didn't react to.​