I really need HELP!!!!!

[Holly Paterniti]

Ok, so I want to start Bear on a more healthier dog food without it being too expensive.......I tried to grade this Nutro Natural Choice, but I am having trouble............can someone PLEASE help???? Here are the ingredients:

Venison meal, whoel brown rice, ground rice, rice gluten, rice bran, poultry fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), rice flour, dried plain beet pulp, oatmeal, natural flavors, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), soybean oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), dehydrated potatoes, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, L-Lysine, dried egg product, dried kelp, taurine, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, zinc protienate, ferrous sulfate, ascirbic acid (source of votamin C), biotin, maganese protienate, manganous oxide, niacin, calcium iodate, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), vitamin A supplement, glucosamine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), copper protienate, sodium selenite, chondroitin sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement

I have also noticed for only getting a 1/4 cup with his 3 3/4 cup of other dog food (Iams: yellow bag) he has had a lot of gas :( what should I do? Should I take it back or wait it out a bit? thanks!!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Holly, maybe you should stop trying to rate ingredients and examine who is making the dogfood. Nutro is made by the Menu Foods company who is the big culprit in the 2007 recalls. Iams is also made by Menu Foods. If you read through the discussions in the Food Group, as Karen sugested, you will be better able to make a better choice in what to feed.

[Holly Paterniti]

But the problem is I am trying to find a dog food that is good for Bear and does not cost an arm and a leg. If I did not have any children then I would have no problem with giving him the best which is usually the most expensive. I am looking for someone who could help me and understands my position.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Hi Holly,

We feed Innova for adult dogs and Innova Evo (I mix the two); this brand is not the cheapest, but my dogs only eat 2- 3 cups per day, so I think it's comparable to less expensive brands.

The food group here on DK has many good ideas also, as Lynne points out.

Or check out these reviews:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

If you search old forum discussion there are many food related ones that may highlight some good brands. I remember reading that several people like Kirkland dog food brand (from Costco).

Good luck!!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

It's not that we don't understand your position, but that we are trying to help. There are alternatives out there. You can switch over slowly without too much trouble. I change dry brands every other bag and only have a day or two of gas. The other thing to keep in mind is that in the long run better food will save on vet bills. What is the trade off worth?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I just did a quick price comparison at the place I get my food from of Nutro Natural Choice 15lb was $25.99. Evo Large Bites 13 lb was $23.99 and Innova Adult for 15 lb was $22.99. So I don't know where you are shopping but you could do some price comparisons online at many stores. Many even ship. I have a place close by that delivers for free. Better food is not always more expensive.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Holly,
Whole Foods has a few stores in Ohio. Not sure if they are close to you but for Samantha, their Holistic Puppy food has been great. She eats it! She loves it! the ingredients speak for themselves. I only suggest that you look into it. I purchased the small bag (that's all they had) and have beenback3 times to get more, for Ms. Picky Kbble Eater that says something.
Again, it is a suggestion because Samantha does eat it.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

oh, I forgot - their kibble is no more expensive then the other better kibbles out on the market. I paid the exact price for Solid Gold - which she would not eat. unless mixed with a chicken leg.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Blake eats the Whole Foods kibble...He loves it!...I actually switched from the Nutro Small Bits Lamb and Rice Formula to the 365 Baked Holistic 4 months ago...Of course I do mix with home cooked chicken, beef and lamb, brown rice and veggies and Nupro Powdered supplement.....There are numerous discussions in "The Food Group" on comparing kibble, home cooking and supplements.....

[Holly Paterniti]

did you have problems with gas when she started eating it?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Funny you should ask that now - she eats kibble only in the morning. Tonight she had ground beef, sweet potato and carrots for dinner and that was at more than 5 hours ago. Now she is taking a nap app 3 feet from me and I just looked up and thought 'boy, does she need to go out and poop'!!!
I can't imagine could be the kibble 12 hours later. But even with the little stinky smell poop is good. What more could a mother want? (I make myself laugh)

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I cann't help with which food is best but the link below is a $10 off a $20 order at Petsmart. This is an in store coupon. Today I was able to combine it with a manufacturers coupon to get $13 of a bag of $39 dog food.




http://static.dealspl.us/images/coupon/1227904601_652.pdf

[Maya]

Thank you so much for posting the coupon! I went to Petsmart today, and bought a 40lbs bag of Nature's Recipe Healthy Skin Venison and Rice: it was ~ $40 originally, and currently on sale for ~ $35, then I used your coupon and got it for ~$25, yeah!!!

Maybe we should start a group that discusses good deals on pet food and supplies! Come to think of it - I should check it first - maybe we already have one!

Thanks again,
Maya