Hate Purina, need to switch

Tabitha said:
Thanks again! Your right, I feed 1 cup a day and Jody could even use a little more. I'm also going to start feeding them twice a day. I'll look at the DogFoodAdvisery and see what they say about the fresh rolled foods at Petsmart. As far as kibble, I think I'm leaning toward TOTW, Wellness Super5Mix, or Fromm and maybe Blue Buffalo Wilderness. Still thinking though...

Edit: I just checked the rolled food. Deli Fresh was very good (5 stars), Authority and Vital weren't on the list (but I would think that the Vital would be good, considering the other Freshpet food had such a high rating), and Pet Botanics had a very low rating (2.5 stars).
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If you have a local store that carries those brands, I'd see if they can give you samples to see what your dogs like. The place I buy my Fromm will give samples. TOTW is a great good, first one I tried for my guy but he wouldn't eat it! Picky brat. He also turned down verus before I tried Fromm.
All good foods you have listed (and there are a lot of other good brands out there.. orijen, merrick, acana, verus) but it all boils down to what your dogs like!
I know some sites were already mentioned, but wag.com also sells great foods (wellness, totw, orijen and probably others) free two day shipping over $49 which is really nice! Often my orders from there come the very next day.
 
I have been feeding Riley Earthborn Holistic Grain Free and my parents feed their Springer Fromm - both dogs do well on their respective kibble.


Here is another good website to order from http://www.chewy.com/ - I have not ordered food but I have used it for ordering treats and toys.
 
We are very fortunate, we have a private pet store and the owner has many years experience with pet nutrition. She refuses to sell anything that is not made with american or canadian ingredients. And only reputable manufacturers. Any company that has "production" issues will not be on her shelf. She even calls them directly to ask questions and if they are the least bit shady no go for her. She is such a valuable resource.

Almost everything suggested here she carries. She claims that they are all high quality and it is just a matter of what you and your pet prefer.

We just switched to Canine Caviar which is essentially dried raw. So Shelby has been doing well with it. It is single source protien so I just buy smaller bags of different protein to mix it up. I am still working on feeding the right amount. She has gained 1lb so I backed off a little. We are feeding 1/2 cup twice a day along with whateve fruits and veggjes we may eat that day.

We were pulling our hair out trying to decide what is "best" when this owner told us they were all acceptable and not to over think it.
 
Minniesmom15 said:
You can probably return the purina. Worth a try at least, if you just bought it last week.

I personally feed Fromm and love it, my boys coat is SHINY and smooth and beautiful. I have several friends who feed it to their shelties, as well as my breeder.

I don't know what stores are around you but Wellness is IMO the best you can buy at a chain petstore, and petsmart and petco carry it. I like the Wellness core line. I've also heard good things about Blue Buffalo.
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The guys do Fromm also. I would not consider it cheap but there is a chance you will use less food than Purina. Currently I feed the guys 1/2 cup twice a day (yes Spitfire eats as much as Sca most of the time). I will likely increase morning to 3/4 as the weather cools and they get more active during the day. I do the 4 star (more $$) and mix in Gold occasionally. I don't do fish based as I dislike it. I just got a bag of this http://frommfamily.com/products/four-star/dog/dry/grain-free-game-bird-recipe

The range of amounts put Spitfire in line and Sca a bit low (might be correct as he had to lose some lbs to get back to race trim) Most foods would have them weighing 400lbs by the recommendation.

EDIT: oops nope drop down one weight bracket for the guys
 
Is there a Costco near you? I couldn't believe it when my breeder recommended it (he switched from Purina after seeing the rating). I buy the "Nature's Domain" (I think it's called) variety, in salmon and sweet potato. Highly rated, under a dollar a pound. A 35-lb bag costs $33, lasts my two almost three months, and they love it.
 
I feed FreshPet - both my dogs and all fosters I have had LOVE it.

The Sheltie coats shine and a nice benefit that I wasn't expecting - dental cleanings are farther between.

Be sure that whatever food you decide on uses sourced products from the USA or Canada. Many companies can legitimately claim their food is made in the USA, yet they can source raw material from China (this is going to become more prevalent with the USDA's recent decision to allow China to export their chicken to the USA).

I too, have heard that the Costco food is a pretty good food. Wish I could figure out who is producing it for them.
 
I know we've been kinda all over the map on you.....that's what happens when you ask about what food to feed.

Its a very personal choice, and mostly revolves around your dog (does he have specific diet concerns, like allergies, weight control, dry skin, etc.)

I can tell you that IAMS, Eukaneuba, etc. are generally not considered good quality food. Pro plan is a moderate step up, as is Science Diet and Royal Canin. But not a lot cheaper than the holistic and super premium brands.

If you really want to feed your dog the best grade possible, your need to be looking at super premium or holistic foods.

The choices are very broad. Wellness, Chicken Soup, Blue, Natural Balance, Now! Go! TOTW, Holistic Select, Nature's Variety, etc. It will make your eyes spin.

I find that most times if I can I isolate the feeding issue the dog is faced with, I can find a solution.

Grain free is often the best result, but not for every dog (for instance I had to take one of my own dogs off GF Now! because the protein is too high). But I still feed my other dog Now! I love that its grain-free and Canadian made in one factory. (They also make Go! btw)

I'm sure I'm not helping here....but to answer your question, I guess we need more info from you as to price point and goals. :o

Honestly,
 
BarbV said:
I'm sure I'm not helping here....but to answer your question, I guess we need more info from you as to price point and goals. :o
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Barb, I can't spend TOO much. But I think $50 to $60 for a large bag would fit into my budget OK. My goal is to get a high quality dog food that I can afford and will keep my dogs happy, healthy, and beautiful. I did try the Chicken Soup last year when Ida was a young puppy but it gave her gas and very bad poo (consistency of partly melted ice cream:ick). So I switched her back to the food her breeders fed her (ProPlan). As far as health, F-kap is a little over weight but he's doing very well and is almost down to his appropriate size, so I don't think a weight management food is needed. I think Sarah may have dry skin though. She isn't flaky (her skin actually looks very healthy), but she itches a lot and has no fleas or ticks.
 
I feed Logan & Holly 1/2 cup of Orijen Regional Red twice a day. I also mix in a half a tray of Nutro Natural Choice. The large bag of Orijen runs about $90.00 but it lasts me at least 6 weeks for 2 dogs. They both have beautiful soft, shiny coats and no skin problems.

Piper has kidney disease so she is on a special diet.

~Kimberly
 
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