Okay. Help me on the premium dog food.

[Mara]

Mine were eating the Kirkland Nature’s Domain. They did GREAT on grain free and they loved it.

In light of the issues with Diamond, I need to switch (we’re out of the current bag anyway).

Money is an issue! $60-$70 for a 30-lb bag isn’t going to happen, because it CAN’T. The people in this house need to eat too, plus the dogs have become very accustomed to living in the house. Although they would tell you that food trumps paying a mortgage, I’m pretty sure they would not want to become homeless either!

So can someone here who’s been doing the premium pet food thing for a while help me out? These dogs are about 55 lbs. each, 7.5 year old neutered males with no apparent allergies (Simon has a little bit of seasonal allergy itchies, but it’s manageable). They get a pretty good amount of exercise, (+/- hour brisk walks daily), but they’re not performance dogs or anything.

They were eating 1/2 cup of the Nature’s Domain twice daily. I liked the grain free because it really cut down on the shedding. Also it made my “occasionally irregular” dog have much better and more predictable poops. No more walking and walking and walking around and around, wondering “is he going to poo or does he really not need to?” :lol:

Earthborn Holistics is a brand I looked at that looks like it fits the budget, and it gets good ratings.

Other options?

Also, what is the BEST website for good prices and shipping rates? I was looking at dog.com and dogfooddirect.com.

Thanks in advance. I never thought that choosing a dog food could be such a daunting task!

[cute_lil_fancy_pants]

I prefer dog food brands that have board certified veterinary nutritionists on staff that formulate their food. I also prefer that the diets have passed AAFCO feeding trials and are not just “formulated to meet AAFCO requirements”. I don’t want my dogs to be the test subjects!

I think wag.com has the best rates- free shipping over $50.

[MunchingonHay]

Mr. Chewy.com also has free shipping.

[tradewind]

Fromm makes a couple of really good grain frees as well as ones with grain. They have not had recall issues.

[Beckham03]

I am in the same boat as the OP. My dogs have done fantastic on Nature’s Domain and cost is a bit of an issue. I have one dog with allergies, and in all honesty, he has done fantastic on the Nature’s Domain…I had been through a ton of foods in the months up to switching to it.

[tradewind]

Fromm also has a buy 12 bags get one free for owners. It is seperate from their breeders program.

[Zwarte]

I have been happy with the price and my dog has been happy with the grain-free Taste of the Wild. My dog has never had such a luxuriant coat.

I get it at Tractor Supply or at the local premium dog food store.

[Simkie]

@Zwarte;6296705

I have been happy with the price and my dog has been happy with the grain-free Taste of the Wild. My dog has never had such a luxuriant coat.

I get it at Tractor Supply or at the local premium dog food store.

Sure, other than all the recalls.

I’d suggest you go read this thread.

People here are trying to move AWAY from Diamond products, including TOTW.

[Lone]

This spring I switched from TOTW to Nature’s Variety Instinct and have been really happy with it so far. It’s a little bit more expensive than TOTW was, but not by much. The chicken variety is the cheapest (at least where I get it) and my dog is going great on it. I actually think he’s looking better now than he did on TOTW

[Beckham03]

And, I need something under 30% protein. Before I give up and go to stupid Pro-plan…they never have recalls, I am thinking California Naturals. I think I can swing no more then $50 for 30 lbs of food.

[tradewind]

Proplan is not a stupid food. I have fed my dogs Proplan for over 30 years. They have backed up their foods with more research than any other company. As in double blind studies etc. If you do not want to feed it thats fine. I am not a dog food nazi like some on this board, but perhaps you should refrain from such inflamtory statements like stupid. Especially given the fact that half of the foods that people on this board are so gaga over are now under recall. Personally I feel you should feed whatever you are comfortable with and your dog does well on that is within your affordability range.

[Simkie]

@Beckham03;6296986

And, I need something under 30% protein. Before I give up and go to stupid Pro-plan…they never have recalls, I am thinking California Naturals. I think I can swing no more then $50 for 30 lbs of food.

Cal Nat is now owned by Proctor and Gamble.

How about Pinnacle?

http://www.pinnaclepet.com/Canine/

[GraceLikeRain]

[QUOTE=tradewind;6297022]
Proplan is not a stupid food. I have fed my dogs Proplan for over 30 years. They have backed up their foods with more research than any other company. As in double blind studies etc. [/QUOTE]

So you really think this is a quality food deserving of a recommendation?

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Formula:

Chicken, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), whole grain wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), pea fiber, fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), dried egg product, fish oil, natural flavor, salt, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, potassium citrate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried colostrum, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, garlic oil, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.
I-4457

[GraceLikeRain]

[QUOTE=Mara;6296142]

Money is an issue! $60-$70 for a 30-lb bag isn’t going to happen, because it CAN’T. The people in this house need to eat too, plus the dogs have become very accustomed to living in the house. Although they would tell you that food trumps paying a mortgage, I’m pretty sure they would not want to become homeless either! [/QUOTE]

So 1/2 cup 2x day per dog is 2 cups a day. 1 cup of acana or orijen is around 1/4 lb for 4 cups per lb. A 30 lb bag is just under 120 cups of food divided by 2 cups a day equals 60 days worth of food (if I did my math right).

Acana: at $50-60 a bag should be $25-$30 per month
Orijen: adult formula is more expensive at around $70 so that should be $35 a month

If that’s not feasible for you, pinnacle, Fromm, and Earthborn Holistic might be closer to your budget.

Good luck finding the right match.

[cute_lil_fancy_pants]

[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;6297396]
So you really think this is a quality food deserving of a recommendation?

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Formula:

Chicken, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), whole grain wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), pea fiber, fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), dried egg product, fish oil, natural flavor, salt, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, potassium citrate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried colostrum, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, garlic oil, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.
I-4457[/QUOTE]

I see nothing wrong with these ingredients unless your dog has been shown via a limited ingredient novel protein diet and subsequent rechallenge following resolution of symptoms shows that your dog has an allergy to one of these ingredients. Otherwise this diet has been shown via AAFCO feeding trials to be appropriate. And if you think AAFCO feeding trials are not worthwhile and too easy to pass, then you should maybe question why the “premium” diets that have been commonly recommended here have not passed those feeding trials. This diet has been formulated and studied by board certified veterinary nutritionists. There has been nothing proven to be wrong with feeding corn or wheat to dogs except what has been perpetuated by other corporate pet food companies like Diamond in order to sell their own dog food and make it appear to be more special “premium” whatever!

[glfprncs]

Up until a month ago, I’d been feeding Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice. I found a ‘new to me’ store that specializes in more premium types of dog foods in the area, took my list of Diamond produced foods and had my dogfoodadvisor.com website pulled up on my phone.

I came across a company called Hi-Tek Rations. After a lot of reading, hemming and hawing, I chose their grain free Lamb & Sweet Potato kibble. The 30 pound bag cost me $39. I have 3 dogs who are pretty easy keepers, so while I am now paying $12 more for 10# less dog food, I’d rather not have to worry about another recall.

You don’t hear much about Hi-Tek…they’re a fairly small company out of Georgia. I like that each product is produced separately which should eliminate any cross contamination. I can live with the ingredient list and the price.

www.hitekrations.com

[cute_lil_fancy_pants]

I think that dogfoodadvisor.com website has single handedly done more damage to pet owners and disseminating bad information than any other pet website.

[GraceLikeRain]

[QUOTE=cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony;6297472]
I think that dogfoodadvisor.com website has single handedly done more damage to pet owners and disseminating bad information than any other pet website.[/QUOTE]

based on what?

Why is corn and wheat in Purina Pro-plan superior to having multiple meat sources and providing a lower carb diet?

[Bacardi1]

[QUOTE=tradewind;6297022]
Proplan is not a stupid food. I have fed my dogs Proplan for over 30 years. They have backed up their foods with more research than any other company. As in double blind studies etc. If you do not want to feed it thats fine. I am not a dog food nazi like some on this board, but perhaps you should refrain from such inflamtory statements like stupid. Especially given the fact that half of the foods that people on this board are so gaga over are now under recall. Personally I feel you should feed whatever you are comfortable with and your dog does well on that is within your affordability range.[/QUOTE]

AMEN!!!

I’ve been feeding Nutro’s Lamb & Rice dry dog food for DECADES now, & while I know it’s not on anyone’s “premium” list, all of the dogs I’ve owned over the years all had gorgeous coats, good teeth, & lived long healthy lives - like into their teens. And all LARGE dogs. The only dog I lost young was a 100# white shepherd who had a genetic enlarged heart problem. Not diet-related. My vet(s) have all approved of the food, & it works for me. Also - as far as I’m aware it’s NEVER been recalled.

Don’t want to feed it? Don’t. But don’t ever infer my dogs aren’t well taken care of because I feed it.

[Bumper]

dogfoodadvisor.com

dogfoodanalysis.com

dogfoodproject.com

I use all three and compare notes.

I believe in feeding the best food i can afford. If a dog is healthy and happy, that’s bonus. I keep my nose out of the air when touting what i like and i don’t look down on other’s choices (with the exception of foods like Beneful and Ol’ Roy, i mean,…REALLY??). I don’t assume others are idiots because they don’t believe as i do. And i don’t go from post to post making snide remarks about the lack of education some folks have when it comes to dog nutrition.

Sounds like a few folks need to think about their approach.