Help with Food Choice

[Andi, Lilly and Levi]

I have had Lilly a whole week now and the family loves her ! :)  The breeder gave me a bag of Purina Pro Plan Puppy food.  I know I need to change her from this food but I do not know which food ???? I have read a lot on this website.   I spoke to my vet and asked what food and asked him about dog foods.  He recommeneded Science Diet, Royal Canin, etc.  He did stated to go with a dog food with higher protein, that it helps with less volume - prettier coat.  I just do not know what food to use -- I am thinking about Wellness Large Puppy Breed or maybe blue buffalo???   I am in a more rural area and also considering what is available in my area.  I have read information on this website about food - but all this is overwhelming.  I would appreciate any recommendations or insight.

 

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I would definitely stick to one of the quality pet foods. Check out the list in the Food Group. Personally, I decided to go with FROMM. Even though only one store in my area carries it, I can order it on-line and have it delivered right to my doorstep. Seems like I do about 95% of my shopping on-line these days anyway. The older I get, the more I HATE to go shopping, so on-line is great from the comfort of my bed or chair.  I have several friends that use Blue Buffalo and several that use Wellness - all quality foods.  Good luck to you in your choice.   :)

[Catherine & Millie Eleanor]

We also use FROMM- the family gold large breed puppy. Millie loves it!

[J&J]

I also have my dog food delivered! We fed Admiral Taste of the Wild Puppy until now (15mos) and transitioned him to TOTW all life stages. Just make sure that when you make the switch you do it slowly (mixing the 2 brands together and add a little pumpkin) if they've been eating the purina pro plan all this time.

[Missy]

Oh she is adorable!! she appears to be very happy!!

I will be getting my doodle in May and have decided to stick with what our breeder uses: Life Abundance.  order it online and it is shipped to your door.  I am a new dog owner, and the food choices were too overwhelming to pick one, especially with all the recalls that are going on. I live in a rural area, so my food shopping stores are limited.  (walmart, or vets office).  our vet uses Science Hill.

Life Abundance is pricey if looking at price per pound, but our breeder indicated that the dogs eat less of it, and the stools are more firm.  I don't have experience, but I know the food choice thing is HUGE!

[Renee Hacker]

Just be aware that Life Abundance is a MLM company.  Meaning your breeder gets paid for every new customer she signs up and every purchase you make.  So it's in her best interest to recommend the food to you whether it's actually in the dog's best interest.  Just my 2 cents.  You can find out more about it on the Food Group.

[Star and Goldie]

You took the words right out of my mouth about Life Abundance! Definitely do the research on the food vs taking the recommendation from the breeder for the simple fact of the commission they get on it. It doesn't mean the breeder isn't trustworthy but its just something to think about.

[Renee Hacker]

Wellness and Blue Buffalo are both good foods and on the recommended food lists.  We feed Blue Buffalo and have been happy with it (the chicken & rice puppy formula), although I'm contemplating switching to Fromm 4 star eventually because they have a wider range of proteins so I can alternate protein sources.  Also you don't need a Large Breed formula.  Those are for the giant breeds...great danes, etc.

Whatever you do, do not change her food until she's been with you at least 2 weeks.

I suggest posting in the Food Group, you'll find a wealth of info over there!

[Julie and Charlie]

Yes, the food group recommended list is where I would start. Food Group Recommended List

Print or take the list with you to your preferred pet store. And then see what is available and in your price range. Consider that cost per bag is not an indicator of cost to feed because the nutritional requirements vary so much. PetsSmart/Petco typically have things like Blue Buffalo and Natural Balance, and maybe Evo, Innova, and California Natural.

If you're looking to feed other foods on the list, you might need to get yourself to a pet store that isn't quite so mass-market. I'm luck that I have a few awesome small places that carry my choice (Acana) and there is a lovely small grocery store chain nearby that carries others (Canidae, Taste of the Wild, Solid Gold) if I really wanted to switch to something else. I always cringe when people say "grocery store junk" because this store doesn't have junk!

[Chelsie]

I agree and would not switch her food for at least 2 weeks! But then I would get away from Pro Plan and choose a better one, in my opinion that is not Science Hill! I have a few great stores fairly close to me, but I also order online. So much easier than hauling a 29 lb bag of food from the store into the house! I feed Acana Regionals and so far we love it! There was a great discussion about cost comparison for food. The sticker shock of some of these foods is a lot to handle, until you learn how much you actually feed each day, then it makes sense! I would join the Food Group and select one from the recommended list! Good Luck and Congrats!

[Linda And Loo]

Both of my dogs have been on The Pro Plan and they have flourished! After reading about how good Blue Buffalo was for dogs, I changed dogs food. They both loved the Blue Buffalo but after being on for about a month, both dogs developed
UTIs, and with RB, she had crystals in her urine. Blue buffalo has a higher % of calcium and phosphorous than the pro plan. Both dogs r doing just fine on the pro plan. As my Vet says different dogs react differently to different dog foods and since my dogs did better on the pro plan, she said go back to what works for them. After about 3 months being on a very expensive special diet, RB is back on pro plan and is back to normal! Good luck finding a dog food that works for your puppy! Lilly is a cutie! Enjoy her!!

[Joan]

I feed my 11 month old pup Darwins's Raw and Brother's kibble. Both are delivered to my doorstep, and my dog loves them. I mix up the proteins, and 'output' is perfect. It took me a little trial-and-error to get the amount of kibble right - it is nutrient dense so not much is needed.

[Kevin Oskow]

I found this site helpful - http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/  

We are on Eukanuba now, which isn't to bad, but will be moving to Blue Buffalo Puppy Lamb and Brown Rice in the coming weeks.