which dog food is best?

FoxyWench

Salty Sea Dog
Joined
Feb 14, 2006
Messages
7,308
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Connecticut
#41
the quality of the dog food itself is actually suprisingly high, no rendered meats, no byproduct despite the plants owners Other buisness. (ive actually seen the plant and was pleasently suprised)
the case of the forgihn objects was a one time on the wingalings, they were metal tags that their chicken supplier had neglected to tell them were actully on the chickens wings and it was only on one in 5.

I think if you look close enough theres something for every food,
the key is finding something they like, but im also one of those freeks that inpects the food as i put it in the dish lol. (after finding forighn object in my own human food, im carefull (and paranoid) in general.
its all dependant on if the quality and dogs opinions outweigh the ehhs behind it.
especially when trying to find a food thats got a good protein level for the Dane that will be entering my life and finding a food the chis will eat lol. the joys of uber picky eaters.
the chis wernt a fan of the canidea dry, turned their noses up at blue buffalo...and id prefer to feed one food to everyone lol.

but thanks for the warning, ive done alot of looking into merrick and other foods when deciding what brands to carry in my own boutique
 

Toller_08

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2006
Messages
8,359
Likes
1
Points
36
#42
There is no best food. One of my dogs can't eat any of the premium brands such as Innova, California Natural, etc. anymore. She throws up one a daily basis and her coat has gotten absolutely awful - however, my other dogs do better than ever on those two foods. Just choose a food that works for your dog. In general though, the two foods I mentioned above as well as Canidae, Innova EVO, Natural Balance, etc. are all supposed to be the "best". I'd definitley try any of those brands with your dog and see if it works after a month or more. I definitely wouldn't ever feed Purina, Science Diet, Iams, etc. to my dogs when there are lots of other choices out there. You've gotten some excellent advice already though. Good luck with whatever you decide to get!
 

Gerald

New Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Messages
62
Likes
0
Points
0
#43
I feed Kirkland from Costco. It is very well priced. Like the Canidae, they do not advertise. I think some people here think it is not a great food, but i love it. And yes, I know it is not considered a "premium" food. However, when comparing ingredients, it has as good, or better than, some of them.
As others have said, there is no one best dog food for all.
 

showpug

New Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2005
Messages
5,218
Likes
1
Points
0
Location
Oregon
#44
the quality of the dog food itself is actually suprisingly high, no rendered meats, no byproduct despite the plants owners Other buisness. (ive actually seen the plant and was pleasently suprised)
the case of the forgihn objects was a one time on the wingalings, they were metal tags that their chicken supplier had neglected to tell them were actully on the chickens wings and it was only on one in 5.

I think if you look close enough theres something for every food,
the key is finding something they like, but im also one of those freeks that inpects the food as i put it in the dish lol. (after finding forighn object in my own human food, im carefull (and paranoid) in general.
its all dependant on if the quality and dogs opinions outweigh the ehhs behind it.
especially when trying to find a food thats got a good protein level for the Dane that will be entering my life and finding a food the chis will eat lol. the joys of uber picky eaters.
the chis wernt a fan of the canidea dry, turned their noses up at blue buffalo...and id prefer to feed one food to everyone lol.

but thanks for the warning, ive done alot of looking into merrick and other foods when deciding what brands to carry in my own boutique
Great to know. Makes me feel better. I was interested in Merrick a while back. :)
 

Tex

New Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
2
Likes
0
Points
0
#45
Problems from the past

I will not feed foods from any company that has had dog deaths in the past. For example..Petcurean which had 7 deaths and illness of many more in Oct. 2003. Merrick Pet Foods was a co packer who was manufacturing for Petcureans.

Natures Receipe in 1995 had a recall due to the presence of vomitoxin in some of its foods and recalled over 16,000 tons of food.

Doane Pet Care is one of the largest makers of private label pet food in North America. They make food for Wal Mart, and giant grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, etc. Their own food is Trail Blazer. In 1998 they had a recall because aflatoxins had been found in their food and believed to be responsible for the deaths of 25 dogs. That recall affected 54 different brands and varieties of dog food.

Diamond foods which was very recent.

You can see that I dont feed anything from Petcureans, Merricks, Natures Receipe (owned currently by Del Monte Foods), any store brands, or Diamond.
 

Saje

Island dweller
Joined
Dec 26, 2004
Messages
23,932
Likes
1
Points
38
#47
I would and have been talking to Mordy about feeding Go Natural! from Petcureans. As far as I know those deaths were linked to the Merrick factory not to petcurean and petcurean handled it as well as they could and has since moved their production back up to Canada where it originated. They are coming out with a grain free product in a couple weeks as well which I'm going to look into.
 

shazbot

not so newby
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
1,824
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
NC
#48
I made the switch from Natural Balance to California Natural...OMG the difference. The dogs race to their food bowls now, and my most picky eater dives right in. I feed less than the Natural Balance and they actually seem to be full now. Their skin isn't dry and flakey any more and they are shedding less...yay!!!
 
Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
98
Likes
1
Points
0
#49
I would and have been talking to Mordy about feeding Go Natural! from Petcureans. As far as I know those deaths were linked to the Merrick factory not to petcurean and petcurean handled it as well as they could and has since moved their production back up to Canada where it originated. They are coming out with a grain free product in a couple weeks as well which I'm going to look into.
That's what I've heard, too. Never liked Merricks, and have never recommended it. For me, the food isn't anything special, so it isn't a big loss here.

I've heard of several instances where staples, plastic, cooked bones, etc. were found in the food besides the wingaling (what a name) recall and that Merricks wasn't too helpful with getting back to them or giving them an answer. Enough for me to turn away when I look at the info and options available to me.
 

ToscasMom

Harumph™©®
Joined
Sep 15, 2006
Messages
6,211
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Mother Ship
#51
"Life's Abundance Opportunity"? I ask you this because you have four posts and every one of them is about Life's Abundance. Hope you don't mind my curiosity. I wouldn't feed this food as it has only one meat source and the rest of the first four ingredients are rice, potatoes and dried beet pulp. "Natural flavors" isn't very explicit. Lots of "supplements" that don't appear to be natural sources, but I could be wrong. Kind of looks like feed your dog a piece of chicken and give him a vitamin pill.

Anybody?

Chicken meal, ground brown rice, potato product, chicken fat (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)), dried beet pulp, brewers dried yeast, natural flavors, flax seed meal, egg product, fish meal, salt, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, l-lysine, carrots, apples, canola oil, alfalfa leaf meal, celery, lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, lactobacillus casei fermentation product, bifido bacterium bifidium fermentation product, streptococcus faecium fermentation product, aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, whole clove garlic, spinach, grape seed extract, vitamin E supplement, ascorbic acid, biotin, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione dimethyl-pyrimidinol bisulfate (source of vitamin K activity), citric acid, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, calcium iodate

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein: 26%
Fat: 16%
Fiber: 4%
Moisture: 10%
 
Last edited:

mindif

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2007
Messages
11
Likes
0
Points
0
#52
Actually, the ingredient list is inaccurate. (and yes, I've already emailed the webmaster to fix it). I had emailed Dr. Jane a couple weeks ago about the menadione (Vit K) ingredient that is so controversial. It had been removed from the food, the webmaster just didn't correct it yet.

Ingredients are:
INGREDIENTS:
Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Potato Product, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)), Dried Beet Pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavors, Flax Seed Meal, Egg Product, Catfish Meal, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Carrots, Apples, Canola Oil, Alfalfa Leaf Meal, Celery, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Bifido Bacterium Fermentation Product, Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Spinach, Grape Seed Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Citric Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Selenium Yeast, Calcium Iodate.



Premium All Natural Chicken Meal, Catfish Meal, and Eggs provide high quality easily digested animal protein sources to support strong muscles, healthy organs, and overall health.

Whole Brown Rice provides an excellent source of highly digestible carbohydrates for short-term energy and dietary fiber that is gentle on the stomach.

Chicken Fat, Catfish Meal, Flaxseed Meal, and Eggs provide a natural balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and shiny coat.

Fresh Vegetables and Fruit provide natural plant sources of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and potent bioflavonoids that help support an active immune system. - Potato Product is the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standard ingredient name that must be used for anything that uses potatoes and lists it properly in their ingredient list (so whole potatoes, or any other term is not following the established guidelines.

I can also get in contact with Dr. Jane and find out what "natural flavors" is exactly, if you really wish to know, or any other questions. However, I'd really like to know what other companies out there let you contact their product formulator directly and ask questions.
 

ToscasMom

Harumph™©®
Joined
Sep 15, 2006
Messages
6,211
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Mother Ship
#55
Whenever I assess myself, I always do really well.:cool:


The thing is, people don't want to contact the formulator to find out what's in a bag of food. They want to read the bag not have a relationship.


What I really would like to know is: Are you selling this pet food?
 

MzDesz

New Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
8
Likes
0
Points
0
#56
Gosh chosing the correct food is crazy! My breeder had my puppy on Nutro Classic (I believe thats the name). I changed it to Merrick Puppyplate. Now after reading this I guess I need to change it again.

He doesn't eat much so the cost of a higher price food isn't going to break my pockets. Maybe I will switch to Innova.

Now what to do with this 20lbs of Merrick?


*sigh*
 

showpug

New Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2005
Messages
5,218
Likes
1
Points
0
Location
Oregon
#58
Gosh chosing the correct food is crazy! My breeder had my puppy on Nutro Classic (I believe thats the name). I changed it to Merrick Puppyplate. Now after reading this I guess I need to change it again.

He doesn't eat much so the cost of a higher price food isn't going to break my pockets. Maybe I will switch to Innova.

Now what to do with this 20lbs of Merrick?


*sigh*
There is nothing wrong with finishing your current bag of food. Save some to switch over, but no ill effects should come from finishing a bag of food. Merrick isn't that horrible.
 

irotas

Sucker for a droopy lab
Joined
Oct 15, 2006
Messages
361
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Toronto, Canada
#59
Two things I don't like about Canidae:

1) It doesn't contain taurine. This forum is packed full of threads that talk about the benefits and importance of taurine.

2) Its caloric density is pretty high, so you'll have to be careful not to overfeed. If I fed my dog Canidae, he'd be hungry all the time because he wouldn't be getting enough food volume in his stomach. However, you could add volume to your dog's food by throwing in some unsalted green beans.


I did quite a bit of reading and I decided that for my dog the Eagle Pack Holistic is best, and not nearly as expensive (at least at stores around here) as Innova.
 

irotas

Sucker for a droopy lab
Joined
Oct 15, 2006
Messages
361
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Toronto, Canada
#60
I was just reading the ingredients and nutrition info for Black Forest Canid Formula and was generally impressed (their ingredient list includes cranberries, blueberries, taurine, and glucosamine), but a few things that trouble me a bit:

1) They use venison as their primary meat source. For humans, eating chicken is much healthier than venison. I'm not sure if this is true for dogs, but possibly there's a difference in dogs for saturated vs unsaturated fat. However, this may be a good thing if your dog is allergic to chicken.

2) Their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio seems quite a bit out of balance (2.17:1). From what I've read online, the ratio should never go below 5:1, because (among other things) of the impact it has on your dogs ability to fight infection.

3) Their percent protein and fat is less than what I've seen in the other high-end foods

4) The cost is exceedingly high. Their website charges $50.56 for a 33 pound bag. That's just ridiculous!
 
Last edited:

Members online

No members online now.
Top