Yeah, I know - another food recommendation thread

[OntarioSheltie]

This link is to a study I saw on a tv show a few days ago. They compared the cost of feeding a less expensive dog food vs. a more expensive food. The three brands they used were Purina, Iams and Wellness.

the conclusion was that even though it was more expensive to buy Wellness, in the long run it was the least expensive food because it lasted longer than the other brands.

However, taste wise, the dogs prefered Iams, so they concluded that Iams was the best in terms of value and what dogs like.

I beg to differ, I fed my dogs Wellness for a long time, they loved it. But all dogs are different.

Here's the synopsis to the show. I'll see if I can find the video of when this aired.

http://www.annaandkristina.com/?act...231775&template=tp-test-lab-view-article.htm7

 

[BarbV]

This link is to a study I saw on a tv show a few days ago. They compared the cost of feeding a less expensive dog food vs. a more expensive food. The three brands they used were Purina, Iams and Wellness.

the conclusion was that even though it was more expensive to buy Wellness, in the long run it was the least expensive food because it lasted longer than the other brands.

However, taste wise, the dogs prefered Iams, so they concluded that Iams was the best in terms of value and what dogs like.

I beg to differ, I fed my dogs Wellness for a long time, they loved it. But all dogs are different.

Here's the synopsis to the show. I'll see if I can find the video of when this aired.

http://www.annaandkristina.com/?act...231775&template=tp-test-lab-view-article.htm7

I'm with you on this one. Premium and Holistic brands seem to be cheaper, but the foods are far more efficient and effective. They fill the dogs tummy's in smaller servings so that you actually feed less, and therefore, it ends up about the same overall.

That being said, I know how difficult it is for some people to shell out $70 to $80 for a 30 lb bag. What I recommend is that for these folk, is that they supplement with veggies and fruit: carrots, green beans, pumpkin, sweet potatoe, blueberries, applies, yoguort. Just mix a little bit of fresh food into their kibble every day.

I don't like to steer people away from the better foods, but I also know that sometimes there is no choice.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I'm with you on this one. Premium and Holistic brands seem to be cheaper, but the foods are far more efficient and effective. They fill the dogs tummy's in smaller servings so that you actually feed less, and therefore, it ends up about the same overall.

That being said, I know how difficult it is for some people to shell out $70 to $80 for a 30 lb bag. What I recommend is that for these folk, is that they supplement with veggies and fruit: carrots, green beans, pumpkin, sweet potatoe, blueberries, applies, yoguort. Just mix a little bit of fresh food into their kibble every day.

I don't like to steer people away from the better foods, but I also know that sometimes there is no choice.

I was thinking that Iams or Wellness might be a less expensive alternative. Iams is better than Pedigree but less expensive than Wellness. Plus Iams is usually in grocery stores, so it wouldn't be hard to get.

 

[Tagg]

I have a friend that showed Bearded Collies for years. She was the top breeder for many of those years and fed her dogs - wait for it - Pedigree. Her dogs had huge coats, lots of energy and lived long and productive lives. I asked her once if she supplemented her dogs' foods with anything and she said nope, only some meat or veggies if there are some left over from her own dinner.
After winning everything that you can possibly imagine including a large entry US Best In Show with a 6 month old puppy breeder, owner, handled, she retired and now breeds cats.
It's been a few years so there may have been some changes in the formulation but I would have no objection to a client of mine feeding this brand as long as the dog remains healthy, has normal energy levels and a good haircoat. I would recommend something else but wouldn't get bent our of shape if that was the food they went with. There are a couple that I can think of that I would void the health guarantee if they fed and they are told upfront not to feed it but that is as far as it would go with me.

 

[Lightplum]

I have a friend that showed Bearded Collies for years. She was the top breeder for many of those years and fed her dogs - wait for it - Pedigree. Her dogs had huge coats, lots of energy and lived long and productive lives. I asked her once if she supplemented her dogs' foods with anything and she said nope, only some meat or veggies if there are some left over from her own dinner.
After winning everything that you can possibly imagine including a large entry US Best In Show with a 6 month old puppy breeder, owner, handled, she retired and now breeds cats.
It's been a few years so there may have been some changes in the formulation but I would have no objection to a client of mine feeding this brand as long as the dog remains healthy, has normal energy levels and a good haircoat. I would recommend something else but wouldn't get bent our of shape if that was the food they went with. There are a couple that I can think of that I would void the health guarantee if they fed and they are told upfront not to feed it but that is as far as it would go with me.

yup my brother feeds his Labs Pedigree...his oldest is almost 15...sure he has his bad days but heck for a 15 yr old lab...he's doing pretty darn good overall!! Hes been on it since a puppy too..no supplements, just the cleaning of the dinner plates

 

[BarbV]

I was thinking that Iams or Wellness might be a less expensive alternative. Iams is better than Pedigree but less expensive than Wellness. Plus Iams is usually in grocery stores, so it wouldn't be hard to get.

But IAMS is really not a good food. Even their web-site is full of hedges.

I've never heard of chicken by-product meal....(I've heard of chicken by-product and chicken meal) but they seemed to have coined a new term that makes it sound ok....

http://www.iams.ca/en-ca/pet-health...=sbUAC5qUJ_iams ingredients_p_10488764562#qa1

Wellness is pretty ok food, but not really a whole lot cheaper than other holistic and premium brands. Maybe a couple of dollars...at least in Canada.

But you can get a grain-free diet here for just about 5 dollars more for a 30 lb back (and feed less).

Just saying.....

 

[Jaynie]

I might add here, that I feed my girls Pedigree because I fed my boys Pedigree for many years. Neechee lived to be almost 18, and Max lived to 12 or so. Back in those days, it was the only food on the market that didn't have ethoxyquin.

Other than the digestive issues, Bela is extremely healthy - her coat is thick and gorgeous, and her eyes bright and shiny (they were cloudy when I first got her). She has very good energy and seems to be thriving on it, but every so often, when we get a new bag, she has vomiting, diarrhea, or both. After a few days, she's all better, and none the worse for wear. Very odd.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Other than the digestive issues, Bela is extremely healthy - her coat is thick and gorgeous, and her eyes bright and shiny (they were cloudy when I first got her). She has very good energy and seems to be thriving on it, but every so often, when we get a new bag, she has vomiting, diarrhea, or both. After a few days, she's all better, and none the worse for wear. Very odd.

That sounds like exactly what I went through with Sadie. Sadie was a little under a year old when her problems started and they went on over an extended period of time. She'd be fine for weeks then have severe bouts of vomitting and diarrhea. She was tested and treated for parasites and underwent a bloodwork for Cushings Disease and a few other things. All testing came back inconclusive. I tried some healthier, though not grain free brands of dog food but nothing helped.

Eventually I put her on a hypoallergenic vet food, which did the trick. I had to closely watch what she ate for a year before the problems completely disappeared.

Can you afford a vet food from your vet?

 

[OntarioSheltie]

But IAMS is really not a good food. Even their web-site is full of hedges.

And Pedigree is a good food?! I'm not particularly a fan of Iams myself, but I'm just trying to suggest alternatives to Pedigree since the original poster of this thread is on a tight budget.

I've never heard of chicken by-product meal....(I've heard of chicken by-product and chicken meal) but they seemed to have coined a new term that makes it sound ok....

No, they did not coin the phrase, its used by a number of the lower end dog foods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultry_by-product_meal

Wellness is pretty ok food, but not really a whole lot cheaper than other holistic and premium brands. Maybe a couple of dollars...at least in Canada.

Again, I was just trying to make a suggestion. I don't know how dog foods are priced in her area but I've found it can vary considerably depending on where you're located.

Wellness is a brand that my dogs thrived on, this after Sadie had digestive issues similar to her dog's issues. I used the Super5Mix variety, which is not grain free. At the time it didn't seem unreasonably expensive or I wouldn't have bought it.

But you can get a grain-free diet here for just about 5 dollars more for a 30 lb back (and feed less).

Which brands are you thinking of? I'm just curious, since in my area I found Acana to be easily the least expensive grain free food.

 

[Jaynie]

I am the original poster, and my stressing over the type of food may very well soon be at an end. My disability has been approved (after 2-1/2 years of jumping through hoops) and once payments start (within the next two weeks), the girls are going back on Wellness or Royal Canine, which isn't a lot more expensive, but when you're a one-income couple with a lot of medical expenses, you have to count the pennies.