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!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Sam, I am glad to see you have done your homework and are asking the important questions to help you decide. The list includes very good choices and you probably won't go wrong with any one of them. I have used Wellness, Fromm,Taste of the Wild, Candidae and recently went back to Fromm. Mine have done well with all of them and I've only changed because I wanted to give them different formulas throughout their lifespan, the availability at the time at our "Natural Pet food store", and what I wanted to spend at the time.
I also have fed a Raw Diet and still do some home cooking which I alternate during the week with. I make all of their treats with a dehydrator which is the best way to control what is going into their treats. And it is pennies compared to buying packaged treats. A pound of beef liver or a few organic sweet potatoes goes a long way once dried. So you can make up the difference in what you spend on kibble other ways and still give them excellent foods. BTW, my two get 2 cups a day of any food I buy anymore and I watch their weight carefully. Its hard to go by the recommended amounts on the bag, as activity levels change with the seasons and when I have given the recommended amounts they have gained weight during different times. They are 60-62 pds year round now.

[Sally S Miles]

I had Journey on Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch,  she has thrived.   I dug and dug and reasearched to make that choice.  We did try some Acana a couple of months ago, but it did not sit well on her tummy.  I find it oddly appropriate that I would decide on a food that was hard to come by.   I ran low and could not get more, so we settled on Wellness and the list was similar, but the digestion did not go so well. 

About two weeks ago I switched both dogs to Fromm Surf and Turf and frankly I am not impressed. Each of them seems off somehow, constantly hungry, lots of uber stinky pooo, and I'm going back to Earthborn, but I'm putting it on auto-delivery.   At 43lbs she eats less than the suggested amounts, until the Fromm and she seems soooo hungry.

Wild Prairie is cheaper via Amazon or Pet Flow.  I don't like all the recalls from TOTW and the Blue gave her the runs.   Both of my dogs will eat pretty much anything, but paying attention to the results is our job.  Go Sam - it still may take a trial and error, but you will be happier in the long run with good nutrition and quality food for you dog.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Sally,

Thanks for all the helpful information. Yeah, we just went with Acana Wild Prairie, but he has yet to try it. We bought the smallest bag at a local store yesterday and mixed just a little in with his Science Diet since we are trying to ween him off the Hills now. I did'nt wanna order one online yet, until I know he will like it.  He just goes over to the bowl and either sniffs and walks away or tries to brush his nose over like he's trying to cover it LOL...I figure eventually he will dive in and try it.  But he currently has an upset tummy today as he has had loose stool since late last night, so the chances of him eating at all will be much more difficult.  We will see, but I hope he likes the Acana. It looks like the perfect food for him.  If that doesn't work, I think I'm going to Earthborn.

Also, I got him the buddy biscuits PB flavor and he had a few of those little treats yesterday, so I am wondering if that potential gave him loose stool? Hmm...we shall see.