Food Choices Help!

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Hey Everyone,

I know I could put this in the "Food Group" discussion board and I will, but theres so much clutter in there I figured I would start a new conversation here.

Archie is a year old (55lbs) and everyone has told me to get off of Science Diet ASAP.  So...I did some research on the food brands and formulas.  Just to let you know I didn't wanna get too expensive because I am 25 and live on my own with my girlfriend and we aren't trying to splurge on dog food to the max.  Having said that, you will see I have still narrowed my choices down to some good formulas.  Because of my price range I have knocked out Orijen, Solid Gold, Petcurean GO!, Zignature, and ILY.

Anyway, here is what I am down too...all prices are from Chewy.com as well as feeding guide info.

1. Acana 28.6lbs bag & according to feeding guide 3 cups a day.

• Wild Prairie ($61.99) 
• Chick & Burbank ($53.99) (has grain) so not wild about this one...

2. Blue Buffalo 24lbs bag @ $49.99 on chewy.com & according to feeding guide 3 cups a day

• Blue Wilderness Chicken

3. Fromm 30lbs bag & according to feeding guide 4 cups a day

• Chicken A La Veg ($49.99)
• Duck & Sweet Potato ($53.99)
• Surf & Turf ($65.99)

4. Wellness 26lbs bag @ $52.95 & according to feeding guide 2 1/2 cups a day

• CORE Original 
• Super5mix - can't find this on Chewy.com (only see it at PetSmart).

Can you guys give me some feed back on what I should do.  While I like the Fromm 30lbs bag option its 4 cups a day, so at the price you're not really saving much.  I am leaning towards either Acana Wild Prairie or Wellness CORE Original because CORE is pretty cost effective since its a slightly smaller bag at 26lbs vs Acana 28.6lbs, but only about 2 1/2 cups a day versus 3 cups daily.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help with what you guys think I should go with for Archie....Also, if you have any other suggestions please let me know. Thanks!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

There is not a lot of clutter in the Food Group and duplicate discussions are generally not a good thing : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't really understand what you mean by there being "so much clutter" in The Food Group; there is a discussion forum there where you can start new discussions just like this. And that way, all the food conversations stay in one place. 

You can't do better than Champion Foods, who makes Acana. That would be my choice. 

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Clutter was probably is poor choice of words LOL.  Just wanted to start something fresh, but I know no one wants repetitive discussions. 

I added this discussion to the food group as well.

[Kathy]

I just switched to Acana,(wild prarie) from Lifes Abundance,,which was pure crap,,so glad i switched!!!Just because they say to feed 3 cups per day doesnt mean you have too.I think they  always say more so you have to buy more,,,dont forget bottom line there all in business to make money!!Mine are 48 pds and 43  I  feed them almost 2 cups per day,,and treats and there happy and content! I also  order from Chewy,,good luck!

[Adina P]

I'm surprised Fromm says to feed so much.  I feed a cheaper food that makes the 'good' list (Canidae ALS) and both my 60 lb dog and my 100 lb dog only get 3 cups a day, each.  Is 4 cups/day really accurate for Fromm?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No. The range for the duck formula is 50-70 lbs corresponding to 3.25 - 4.25 cups. Since 55 lbs is near the lower end of that range, the feeding amount should be too. I'd say 3 and a half cups would be right. Do I need to look at every one of the Fromm formulas mentioned? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Out of curiosity, I did look anyway. The Chicken formula is the same. The surf n turf is less...3-4 cups for 50-70 lbs, which means you would feed about 3.25 cups, not 4. Four cups is recommended for a 70 lb dog. 

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

thats what jt says on their website under feeding guide.  Obviously this is just a recommendation, but yeah thats what it said. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sam, I just looked at the website, that's where I got the info I just posted above. 50-70 lbs, feeding guidelines say 3.25 to 4.25 and 3 to 4 for the Surf & Turf. Take another look. You're reading it wrong. 

http://frommfamily.com/products/four-star/dog

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Yeah, now I see this...Archie tends to like Chicken formulas best, but its a Grain formula...I was looking for Grain-free, but maybe Grain formula is okay since its FROMM and it has a high rating?  Sam with Acana and Chicken & Burbank.  I wanted to buy Chicken & Burbank but its not grain free.  Do you think thats alright? Or should I stick to grain-free and Wild Prairie if I go with Acana? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's no one "best" kind of formula that works best for every dog. If he is currently eating a food that contains grains and he's doing well with it, there's no reason not to feed another formula that contains grains. 

As far as his liking chicken goes, I imagine that he would also like duck, or turkey, or pork, or whatever if he tried them. :)

Any of the foods you've listed would be fine. There's no way to know how he will like them or how he will do with them until you try it.  

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Thanks Karen!

Yeah, he now is on Science Diet...so I think he would like whatever.

Also, he likes Duck, Turkey, etc. Seafood he just hasn't gone wild for thats all, so I am most likely staying away from that. 

I am leaning towards Acana Chicken & Burbank or Fromm Chicken A La Veg.

If those don't do it for Archie, then I will go to Wellness CORE original because I know I can get it next door (PetSmart).