Recommended Brands Discussion -Archived

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

 Please, note we have a new Recommended Brands list posted , here's a link:

RECOMMENDED BRANDS DEC 2011

 

I'm closing this one to replies, to avoid confusion.  

 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO FG ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON, (BETTER KNOWN AS TAQUITO AND PERI'S MOM) FOR PROVIDING THE FORMULA & WEBSITE INFO ON ALL OF THESE BRANDS. ALLY, YOU ROCK!!!!

This list is a work in progress and will be updated as products/evaluations change.

 

THANKS AGAIN, ALLYSON, YOU ARE THE BEST!

 

 

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We don't listen to the "pet food guy", lol. He's a salesman. That said, Wellness might be a good choice.

There are differing opinions about grain vs grain-free. Many people feel that a grain-free, higher protein diet is closer to a dog's "natural" diet. For some, grain-free diets help produce firmer stools or shinier coats. Dogs with  digestive problems may do better with a grain-free food.

But plenty of people here feed foods with some of the healthier grains like brown rice, oats, barley, etc., and their dogs do very well and are very healthy. It takes some trial and error to see what works best for your dog. Grain-frees are also going to be more expensive. I feed grain-free because it was recommended to me by Jack's dermatology specialist for his particular issues.

[Lorraine Bromley]

how would or where would i find a comparison for TLC? Is there a government rating or something like that?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you give me the fuull name and formula or a link, I can do an analysis. No government ratings, even for people food, and for sure not for dog food. Governments only care about nutrition when they're the ones paying the health care bills. That's probably why certain ingredients that aren't allowed in people food in any other civilized countries are allowed in American foods and beverages. America's the only one without national health care.

Although other countries are still stricter about what goes into dog food than we are.

[Harper's mom]

If you go to petfoodanalysis.com they have a review for TLC. My pup is on it now (from the breeder), and I just started weaning her off of it today to TOTW. She did well on it and really liked it, I just want a grain free, high quality food that I could get where I live instead of ordering it online!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The problem I have found with the petfoodanalysis site is that most of thr reviews are several years old, and a lot of the formulas have changed since then.

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thank you Karen for this list.  We all appreciate your work.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Allyson gets the BIG thanks for this; she did all the research and complied the formula lists, as well as providing the website links.

[Lauria Orr]

Karen and Allyson,  Thank you for all the work you have done to provide us all with such an amazing list of great dog foods.  I really appreciate you both!

[Jennifer and Jack]

After Karen and I had a discussion, I am very excited to switch to Orijen. I wanted to know how you know when to order for puppy or adult? Jack is almost two years old

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack definitely needs adult formulas. Puppy food should only be fed until skeletal growth is complete, which is usually between 9-12 months for standard doodles, earlier for minis.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I just tried to get the Orijen food for Jack and my local store does not carry it. I can order it online but with shipping and handling it is quite pricey. I am willing to pay for it but my local store does carry, Taste of the Wild. Can you tell me why Orijen is preferred over Taste of the Wild?

 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Jennifer, did you look at Petflow.com?  We just set up recurring shipments for Orijen and the shipping was free.. they run promos all the time.