Clueless in New Zealand

[midnightblue]

Hi Everyone,
I live in New Zealand and have a 12 week old long-haired chihuahua (who is absolutely adorable- I'm not biased or anything!!!)
I would be really grateful if anyone could give me advice on food.
We don't have Innova here, so that is out. We have Royal Canin, Science Diet, Nutro, and Canidae, plus more brands that you probably wouldn't know.
He is currently on Science Diet (i now know is not ideal, but a friend swears by it). I have just ordered Canidae to be sent (only one person here sells it!)
Is Canidae my best choice here? I have been doing my research and reading what people prefer on this site, but I am still worried about my choice.
Any feedback would be appreciated

thanks

 

[Fran27]

In your list definitely.

 

[Adrienne]

Canidae is an excellent food. If any of your foods that we don't have are comparable in ingredients then check them out too.

 

[Mordy]

yup, canidae is the best of those you listed.

but why feed expensive import food? isn't the new zealand "country pet" food available there?

 

[midnightblue]

Thank you all for your replies.
Mordy what do you mean by country pet?
We have some other brands here which I have never heard mentioned on this site i.e Nutrience, Advance, Mastery.
Canidae isn't really any more expensive than any of the other non-supermarket brands, all the pet shop/vet supplied brands are about the same here- around $25 a 2.5 kg bag.

thanks again

 

[Mordy]

the food is called "country pet", it's a new zealand brand of lightly blanched fresh meat and veggies, sold for example in health food stores here in the US.

i just really don't know if it's maybe only exported. the only website address i have only has contact info for the US.

http://shopping.netsuite.com/countrypet

 

[midnightblue]

I looked at that link you posted Mordy, and we have the Butch dog roll here, and I suspect that the Country Pet brand is made by the same company but under a different name.
The Butch dog roll is sold here in supermarkets, it has been around for years.
I was at the vet today and they were trying to give me a sample of the Science Diet, why do most Vets promote this brand if it is no good?

 

[Adrienne]

I looked at that link you posted Mordy, and we have the Butch dog roll here, and I suspect that the Country Pet brand is made by the same company but under a different name.
The Butch dog roll is sold here in supermarkets, it has been around for years.
I was at the vet today and they were trying to give me a sample of the Science Diet, why do most Vets promote this brand if it is no good?

Because they get a "kickback" from the company for pushing their product.

 

[bridey_01]

What exactly is wrong with science diet? My pup is on it and seems to be doing fine, I couldn't find any of the more recommended brands here, it was either that or Pal or chum (yuck).

 

[Adrienne]

What exactly is wrong with science diet? My pup is on it and seems to be doing fine, I couldn't find any of the more recommended brands here, it was either that or Pal or chum (yuck).

Bridey, if yor dog does fine on it then thats great. It just has a lot of fillers in it like corn. A lot of allergies in dogs have been linked to things like corn, soy, and wheat. It just isn't as optimal in ingredients as some of the other brands but that doens't mean your dogs won't do well off of it.

Disclaimer! These are my opinions based on research into what goes into our pets foods.
"Walks cautiously off hoping to avoid any arguments"

Just covering my butt

 

[Mordy]

my opinion:
http://www.ourdogsonline.com/index.php?section=27

 

[bridey_01]

I'm sure you guys no more about food than I am, so I'm open to anything. Science diet seems to be the best choice that I can get my hands on. Azlan does scratch a bit (though I know he has no fleas), could this be due to allergies from the fillers?

 

[bridey_01]

Very informative article, boy was I scammed. I hope I can find something better!

 

[Fran27]

I love your article Mordy... Crossposting it on other forums.

 

[Spikestrike]

New Zealand

Hi Everyone,
I live in New Zealand and have a 12 week old long-haired chihuahua (who is absolutely adorable- I'm not biased or anything!!!)
I would be really grateful if anyone could give me advice on food.
We don't have Innova here, so that is out. We have Royal Canin, Science Diet, Nutro, and Canidae, plus more brands that you probably wouldn't know.
He is currently on Science Diet (i now know is not ideal, but a friend swears by it). I have just ordered Canidae to be sent (only one person here sells it!)
Is Canidae my best choice here? I have been doing my research and reading what people prefer on this site, but I am still worried about my choice.
Any feedback would be appreciated

thanks

Hey !!!

I also live in New Zealand

So whereabout are you from? I am from Auckland =D

 

[sakura]

If you're considering canned food, Nutripe is pretty good (http://www.nutripe.com). It's made in New Zealand too.

 

[midnightblue]

Hey !!!

I also live in New Zealand

So whereabout are you from? I am from Auckland =D

Hi Spikestripe,
I live in Auckland too

 

[Mordy]

not to hijack this thread, but i hope you NZ people fully appreciate the beauty of the country you live in. i'm jealous and want to move!

 

[midnightblue]

not to hijack this thread, but i hope you NZ people fully appreciate the beauty of the country you live in. i'm jealous and want to move!

Hi Mordy,
yes I love NZ, but The USA has some amazing and beautiful places too. I spent 3mths there travelling around and I absolutely loved it, I really want to go back there but I am too broke at the moment!!
Also I just want to say thanks again for all your helpful info about dog food, its been a real eye opener for me
Debbie

 

[norskgra]

Nutrience and Advance are also good, although Nutrience is better.