Commercial Foods-The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Tell us what commercial foods have worked for you and which have caused problems; information, questions, warnings and advice on dog food companies, ingredients, brands, and switching foods.
(Recall information now in it's own discussion here in The Food Group)

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

There are many problems that a list like this doesn't cover. No-one should think this is a final, a perfect or even a supported list. It does show an idea of things you should look for. It provides a place to start research.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Just a NOTE: While a list of this type seems nice and easy to follow, it should be used as a place to start research. I would never advocate someone look at a list and make such an important decision on what they will feed their dogs. Any list or article or advice should be used to make an informed decision. I don't want anyone thinking I am advocating any of these foods. I homecook! I free feed Innova Evo Dry and alternate it with Canidae ALS and Wolf King. I would never rely on one food or one company. This works for me and my 3. You have to make your own decisions.

[3fwmcaopi7kpz]

I am so glad you found this! I am feeding Mylie and Layla Canidea All Life Stages and to see how it does with the numbers makes me feel better about the choice I made to switch them. I had been feeding them Eukanuba because it was pricey and i thought that made it better. but then i found a site called dogfoodanalysis.com and it showed me that i was wrong. This just confirmed my research. Thank you again for this chart system!

[Lucy's Mom~ Liz]

This was such a helpful way to switch! Lucy would just eat & eat her Nutro ( grade B) and I decided to try the Dick Van Patten Natural... She LOVES it! Not that she's ever been picky, but she seems better in other ways. More expensive, but it was about the same price as other more natural varieties and I got a lot of coupons!
I'll be buying in bulk when it's on sale.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know you probably have this site bookmarked too, but I like it best for pet food quality ratings:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Definately. And the Dog Food Project is very informative, too. These are places to start research and to continue an education you might not have thought you would ever have to do. The point is to keep reading. Don't take one person's or one list for gospel.

[Adina P]

Recent random thought. So usually what "they" say with regard to a reason to buy more expensive premium food is "since it's higher quality you can feed LESS!!!" But to me (and particularly to Rosco) this is not generally a good thing. You see for the longest time I have been feeding all of my dogs only one meal a day ("supper"). I've once again, for the second or third time, attempted to move my giant Rosco to two meals a day. This means splitting his three and half to 4 cups into two measly portions. So I'm taking the dog with a huge capacity to eat (bigger capacity than is ever fulfilled) and teasing him twice a day instead of actually giving him some bulk. HE KNOWS THIS.

Even when he just gets one meal a day, HE KNOWS he's supposed to get two scoops. Sometimes, I'll give him one scoop... And then go back to the food bin to get the second scoop. AND even though I have already released him to start eating... When I've returned with the second scoop he's often sitting there looking from his bowl to me "where's the rest of my food?" If I give him the full amount all in one swoop he goes right on ahead and starts eating.

So the poor guy is now on two meals (we've made it two days without me forgetting) and he stares at me when I give him that half a meal in the morning "where's the rest of my food?"

So I am in the MINORITY because I would LOVE a food with great ingredients including a great well tolerated ...drum roll please...filler.

Granted, theoretically, if, like in humans, his stomach will adjust to the smaller portions... Then we'll be fine. We shall see.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm having a similar problem with Jack's new food; although I was feeding him twice a day before, the amount was larger ("It's more expensive but you can feed less"). Where before he was getting 1.5-2 cups twice a day, it's now 1 cup, and the kibble itself is smaller. I am kind of pleased, because he eats the whole bowl right up, whereas before he played around with it a long time...eat a mouthful, walk away, take another mouthful, spit some on the floor, eat a little more... But I do feel bad when he's done in a second and looks at me for more. Because he's such a picky eater, the novelty of an empty bowl is keeping me from giving him more than he's supposed to have...but I can understand where you're coming from.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

HI Adina! I am wondering if you have considered rather than just splitting the feedings, to sneak it in on him slowly? You know not necessarily in half to start but maybe by a 1/4 cup or so and then dear sweet Rosco hits the bonus jackpot when he gets a snack of 1/4C say in the morning. I also wonder if you might trick that smart boy by using a smaller scoop so he 'thinks' he is still getting more. As you are aware veggies are always a good addition. Bark magazine has 10 safe additions to our pets kibble, like pumpkin, green beans, etc...

On another note they also have a delish looking recipe for doggie Thanksgiving dinner, that includes turkey, oatmeal and more. If anyone is interested I will try and post to the recipe post later.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope you can, Dianne- I posted about that recipe in "Homecooking", but can't reproduce it here. I did figure out how to view it on line, which is in the "Homecooking" post. Adrianne has also re-opened the "turkey" debate in a new discussion, "Foods that make your dog sick".

[Holly Paterniti]

For my 2 poodles I have prior to Bear...........we would add All Bran. When my older poodle went into anaphylactic (sp?) shock from an allergic reaction to his DHLP shot he was placed on steroids for 1 entire year. Because the steroids would make him hungry and he will want to eat more, so the specialist said to add bran. Plus he said to give him carrots rather than biscuits.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Mars company will just never learn! Can you believe yet another recall?
http://efoodalert.blogspot.com/2008/09/mars-petcare-retail-recall-l...

Thank God for Jackdoodle's fussy ways; Pedigree Marro-Bones used to be his absolute favorite treat, and one of the only ones he wanted. A couple of weeks ago, he just suddenly started refusing to eat them. Maybe he's smarted than I thought.