4Health Dog Food -- Only at Tractor Supply Store

[HeatherA]

I tried searching for "4health" and nothing came up.

Has anyone tried 4Health?  It's a newer product started earlier this year, labeled only for TSC stores.  From what I've been able to find it is made by Diamond - the same makers of TOTW.  http://www.tractorsupply.com/content/storeevents/4health   

I found this evaluation of the food http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/4health-dog-food-dry/  Stating that it appeared to be ethoxyquin-free.

I am looking at the puppy formula.  It's $30 for a 35lb bag.  The Puppy formula also has no beet pulp, (apparently there is a debate on it's pros and cons?)    http://www.tractorsupply.com/pet-care/dog-products/dog-food/dry-dog...

I have been buying Nature's Recipe from Petco, before coming here which was $40 for a 35lb bag. I was paying a lot, so I thought I was getting a decent dog food.. after comparing it's ingredients and some of the info available here - I am not impressed. I am looking for something in the same price range (less would be great!) but with better quality ingredients. 

Anyone have any experience with this food?

Thanks!

Heather

[HeatherA]

I spoke with Petco, and I think I bought it recently enough and used a low enough amount) to bring back at least two of the bags (one opened), if not I will call and ask about donating them. Thanks for the suggestion!

[HeatherA]

That would be awesome.. to see a chart that shows the price and maybe even works out the price per feeding according to recommended portions. Maybe comparing the top 5 or so brands? It would be nice for people on a budget trying to get the best for their dog food dollar.

I am trying to find a good balance. I don't want my girls eating the equivalent of dog food Ramen Noodles, but I don't feel like they need Filet Mignon every night either.

I might give the 4Health Puppy and Performance a try. It is better then what I have been feeding the girls, and significantly less expensive then most. I'm thinking of balancing their diet out with a few raw bones a week, after reading the benefits to their dental care and overall health.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I wouldn't consider Fromm to be the filet Mignon of dog foods - it is a little more expensive but it is a family owned company who uses the highest level of ingredients and heavily regulates what they put in their food.

I would encourage you to try the Blue brand or even the Fromm.

I think you will find many of us Food Groupers that are a little obsessive about our dog food. I am in particular. My chihuahua almost died a few summers ago from the recalls. I am not lying when I say I have spend probably $3,000 on him since then - to simply keep him alive! And he has kidney problems now as a result - we are keeping them at bay but I have to take him to the vet much more often for bloodwork and at the drop of a hat if he is dehydrated or throwing up.

Soo...bottom line is, you usually get what you pay for. I may be paranoid, but I also have been through hell and back with Taquito and will not put another dog (or myself!) through it if I can help it.

[HeatherA]

That's good to know. My last two dogs I got when I was 19. I fed them grocery store dog food. Back then I looked at labels, but only for the first ingredient to be some kind of meat. Logic told me meat was better for dogs, but I had no idea what the other ingredients were or what kind of meats mattered... or what meat by-products are.

I admit ignorance to all of this... which is why I joined to learn more. This time around - I *thought* I was buying a nice dog food. The puppy Nature's Recipe was $11 per 5lb bag, certainly far from "the cheap stuff" at the grocery store. It was the brand the Petco people had recommended because of the lack of corn and more natural ingredients. Reading here has been a frustrating eye opener... I wish I had known some of this a year ago :)

I don't have any experience seeing the difference between a premium food and a decent mid-range food. I, thankfully, have no personal exposure to the recall problems in the past... I can definitely see where that would make a life change. I can also see why, in your experience, it's worth the extra 10-15 dollars a month or two for peace of mind.

I am trying to get comfortable with the idea of buying Fromms. This is how my processes work - I talk things out and debate a LOT with myself. Trying to understand the value and necessity and educate myself. haha. I did find a local seller that stocks everything by Fromms.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is exactly my point. There's more to the price than it appears...you have to look at all the factors. If the EVO lasts twice as long as the Iams, then 30 lbs of Iams = 15 lbs of EVO. Thirty lbs of Iams would be 26.25, so now the difference in price is $8.75 for the same time period, and the difference in nutrition is immeasurable.
The other thing that has to be considered when you think about feeding dogs is that they eat the same thing all the time. It isn't like feeding a family, where the kids eat fast food for lunch but have a homemade nutritious dinner, so it balances out. A dog who eats primarily kibble depends upon that kibble for all of his nutritional needs. To me, that's worth spending a little more.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Plus you might end up saving on vet bills....

[HeatherA]

http://www.petfoodratings.net/dogtable.html

I found this in my readings. They rate and rate the cost... it's interesting for a comparison. It doesn't have all brands but its a decent resource for beginners.

[HeatherA]

According to the store locator there are some places that sell the Fromm around here, many are groomers and training locations from what I can tell - so I am not sure if they would have the larger bag sizes. I'll have to make some calls.

I see a lot of online retailers, but it's nice to have somewhere to be able to grab a bag if you run low.

As I was saying to Karen, I guess I am having a hard time understanding the difference between the Blue Buffalo and the Diamond 4Health at TSC. Especially with the significant savings between the two. Since we do have baby number 4 on the way, and two dogs to feed, I am drawn to the idea of a balance of quality and overall price. I feel a little like a sucker for paying so much for Nature's Recipe -- seeing that it's really not much better then a lot of mediocre (and MUCH cheaper) foods. blah.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is a lot cheaper for Fromm I think than it is around here.

[HeatherA]

Thank you everyone for all the help.. I got the Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula after much debate. It's easier to access, and I did confirm that they are no longer using ethoxyquin. I found a $5 dollar off coupon for Tractor Supply Company and just decided to get the better food.*** (It was 42.99 for a 30lb bag.. so very close to what I was paying for Nature's Recipe and a MUCH better food. Plus I got PETCO to take back two of my three bags of Nature's Recipe.)

*** Side note: If you're interested in the Tractor Supply Coupon -- you get $5 off your purchase in store, or 10% off online. They email it to you for signing up for their newsletter. They also had a "yellow tag" sale and had 9 inch braided Bully Sticks, 12 inch regular ones and some other bones for $1.99. http://www.tractorsupply.com/

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heather, please keep us posted on how your dogs like the TOTW. I think you'll be very pleased with it after they adjust to a grain-free food.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

That's great - I hope they like it. I am glad you made this decision!!!