Best Puppy Food

[marymrumfelt]

Oh Dr. Ouahog, you made me laugh and laugh!

Here's what else makes me laugh. People who feed a raw diet because they truly believe it is the best choice for the health of their dogs.....and then run to McDonalds for dinner, Pizza Hut for lunch. Hot dogs and potato chips.

So, I have to assume that these people feeding raw to their dogs, are also feeding raw to themselves. It really is the healthiest for you, just ask your dog.

Well, to be fair, it's a lot easier to feed someone else healthy when they aren't able to make decisions for themselves. Dogs are only tempted by what their owners allow in the house. We're tempted with places on every corner, meat in the stores that's contaminated, and we're also tired from working and want something fast sometimes. So in all reality, it's a totally different situation and honestly, incomparable. Also, a dog is a carnivore and we're not so we don't have anywhere near the same dietary needs.

I, however, weigh 95lbs and eat a very healthy diet also that consist of raw milk, free range/grass fed meat, free range eggs, and organic vegetables/fruit only. So, yes, I do practice what I preach. Also in the process of buying land to start raising our own and starting an aquaponics farm. Usually one who realizes how important a diet is to spend enough time to feed raw, understands health and diet go hand in hand and would put more emphasis on it.

Either way, TGO, best of luck in finding a food that suits your needs. You can always return the bag even if it's been opened if it doesn't work... I know, I've done it before...

 

[take4roll10]

I know dog food is a hot topic on this forum, but let's try to keep this thread on topic.

These are the things I looked for when I was choosing puppy food for my dog:
-Corn free
-Grain free (or high quality grains like rice)
-No by products
-No cheap fillers
-No artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
-Meat (chicken, lamb, turkey, salmon, etc) is the first ingredient
-More meat in the first few ingredients

In the end, you can only feed what you think is best for your dog and what your budget will allow. Good luck!

 

[Sumac3890]

I feed Fromm to Maggie and Go to Zak. I don't recall either one ever having a recall.

 

[Emmasmom]

Petcurean makers of Go had a voluntary recall back in 2003 for one batch of food that was suspected. Nothing was ever proven to link symptoms to anything in the product. Petcurean since stopped using this particular plant and make all their food themselves.

 

[The Quahog]

So, what IS a good food to feed the puppies?

Seriously, do not 'overthink' this. You will drive yourself crazy and not do your pup any favours.
There are many fine choices and 'right' ways to feed you dog. In general , as has been mentioned earlier, dogs eat MUCH better than people.

'Research', particularly internet research, can be like reading the inserts on medications. Never a good idea. You know how the beautiful green butterfly, (actually moth), helps the lady sleep, then the guy calmly says 'May cause nausea, diarrhea, night terrors, heart attack, stroke...' Its kinda like that.

Find a decent quality food that your dogs like, have good stools with, have good coats and muscle tone... then relax and enjoy your pups without agonizing over whether it is the single best possible choice.

Where's that 'soapbox' icon go? -Dr. Mac

 

[marymrumfelt]

I know dog food is a hot topic on this forum, but let's try to keep this thread on topic.

These are the things I looked for when I was choosing puppy food for my dog:
-Corn free
-Grain free (or high quality grains like rice)
-No by products
-No cheap fillers
-No artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
-Meat (chicken, lamb, turkey, salmon, etc) is the first ingredient
-More meat in the first few ingredients

In the end, you can only feed what you think is best for your dog and what your budget will allow. Good luck!

This is the best answer! Do you mind me asking what you feed? I'm looking for something like this, exactly, adding in hopefully the meat is grass-fed/chicken free-range but other than that this is a list I'd go by for sure!

 

[Ann]

I know dog food is a hot topic on this forum, but let's try to keep this thread on topic.

These are the things I looked for when I was choosing puppy food for my dog:
-Corn free
-Grain free (or high quality grains like rice)
-No by products
-No cheap fillers
-No artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
-Meat (chicken, lamb, turkey, salmon, etc) is the first ingredient
-More meat in the first few ingredients

In the end, you can only feed what you think is best for your dog and what your budget will allow. Good luck!

This is a wonderful criteria for any food you choose! There are numerous high quality foods on the market that meet this. I feed my dogs Petcurean (Now or Go) and have had terrific results with it. Now makes a grain-free puppy food that I haven't used, but understand is excellent.

PS ... Dr. Mac, you crack me up. Once again, you hit the nail on the head!

 

[rose]

feed what works best for you and your dog/dogs
i have 4, and not all eat the same.what works great on 3 of mine, does nothing for the 4th one.
and Tessa, well, she is just a furry 4 legged vacume. gotta luv her

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Here's what else makes me laugh. People who feed a raw diet because they truly believe it is the best choice for the health of their dogs.....and then run to McDonalds for dinner, Pizza Hut for lunch. Hot dogs and potato chips.

So, I have to assume that these people feeding raw to their dogs, are also feeding raw to themselves. It really is the healthiest for you, just ask your dog.

Yeah, see here's the thing. When I feed my dogs raw, I take the food out of the fridge, and I feed it to them. I might cut it up, I might not. So their food service is mostly instantaneous. Same if they eat kibble that night, scoop food, water, and done.

I want my food to be the same. Remove from fridge, eat. I don't want to spend time cooking or preparing or cleaning dishes. I have an aunt who had a commercial Bunn coffee maker because she didn't want to wait for her coffee.

So yes, I know it's healthier, but I am fundamentally very lazy.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Seriously, do not 'overthink' this. You will drive yourself crazy and not do your pup any favours.

I just went to Myra Savant Harris's seminar last month, and she said she agonized over food, going from raw to kibble to homecooked, and hundreds of hours of research...

Then it dawned on her that DOGS EAT POOP. It really doesn't matter what you feed them, because THEY EAT POOP. Whatever they do well and thrive on will work just fine.

I rarely feed the same bag of food twice in a row, and I rotate between foods and brands and proteins. A few nights ago, my dogs ate kibble, eggs, and Pedigree canned in the same meal. No issues.

So find something decent that works, and go with it. I personally like anything made by Champion, and right now my dogs are eating Wellness Core grain free and doing great.