Best food?

[TrooperRat]

It has become apparent with the wealth of information available, that the longevity of your dog's life is due, in large part, to what kind of food the dog is eating. I have seen, however, the prices of the "really" good food, and it would be a large expense considering having two dogs, one of which is large. Does anyone have an opinion on what is considered "decent" food in the mid price range? Something like Pedigree. I think the biggest change that will help present and future dogs is that I have completely discontinued giving them table scraps. Well, I take that back, I gave the little one everything he could it in unlimited quantities, and still am, because he was on the verge of literal starvation when I got him two weeks ago. His bones protrude in a very exaggerated fashion, to the point I thought he was on the verge of death - but he has a very healthy appetite and will wolf down food in an incredible manner (I adopted this dog through an agency that brings small breed dogs up from mexico - at www.aeropets.com).

Anyway, just curious. Our dane lived 12 years on science diet. 12 years for a dog that large is considered a very long life. But, my shepherd/dobie mix lived almost 14 on spaghetti, meat fat and plain old dog food. Our chihuahua lived 18 years on anything she could get her teeth on. I have my German Shorthair on Iams at the moment, but I am looking to "downgrade", I guess, to something a little cheaper. I have heard Pedigree is decent food, and at $15.95 for a 52 pound bag (at Costco), that's a good deal.

Also, anyone have any opinion on dog biscuits. I know they are supposed to be good for teeth, but I have no idea what health benefits or detriments they may have. Any input would be at least interesting, if not helpful.

BB

[opokki]

Pedigree is very low in calories compared to other brands...I'd imagine your dogs would have to eat quite a bit more of it than they are currently eating on Iams. If you consider the cost to feed per day rather than the cost per bag you may find that you really are'nt saving much money if any at all.
I beleive Costco also carries Kirkland dog food which is a pretty good food and yet reasonably priced. A few other reasonably priced brands that you may be interested in checking out are Diamond, Pro Pac and Premium Edge.
As far as dog biscuits go....I don't think a few biscuits per day would be detrimental. Moderation is the key. Old Mother Hubbard makes a variety of nice dog biscuits and they are reasonably priced as well.

[TrooperRat]

Thanks. I saw Kirkland in there as well, looks like a "generic" version of Iams. A friend told me she feeds both her dogs the Costco Kirkland brand and the dogs are very healthy. I would have to give my large dog approximately 7 cups of food per day, I think Iams was 4 and a half or 5.
BB

[blenheimbeau]

It would be interesting to read an actual study about the differences in dog foods and their relation to a dogs longevity, and what the real harm of occasional table scraps is to a dog's health or longevity (other than it may upset the stomach, cause diarrhea, and/or lead to heaviness).

For myself, I cannot image not giving my little guy an occasional people treat (in lieu of the mandatory doggie treat), after he performs some magnificent feat such as lifting his paw when I say "shake". :)

[opokki]

Originally posted by blenheimbeau
It would be interesting to read an actual study about the differences in dog foods and their relation to a dogs longevity, and what the real harm of occasional table scraps is to a dog's health or longevity (other than it may upset the stomach, cause diarrhea, and/or lead to heaviness).

I would also like to see a study like that. I don't think there is any harm in giving occasional table scraps. Problems seem to occur when people feed too many table scraps frequently or feed unhealthy table scraps such as fat trimmings. A dog fed fat trimmings frequently may develop pancreatitis or fed onions frequently may develop heinz body anemia or fed liver frequnetly can develop vitamin A toxicity. Lots of deficiencies/toxicities can occur when too much of certain foods are fed.
Like you, I can't resist giving table scraps on occasion and in moderation I don't think there is any harm in doing so.

[DaisyJRT]

Well, I think I'll jump in here. Just because a food is cheaper by the bag doesn't mean it is cheaper to feed it to your dog. Look at the feeding reccommedations on the bag. A food like Pedigree says to feed a 50lb dog~ I'm guessing this, 4 cups of food a day. Now with Canidae it says to feed 2 cups for the same size dog. So I need twice the amount of Pedigree for my dog. Which means 80lbs of food per 40lbs of Canidae. I pay $32 for a 40lbs bag. Pedigree is about 16 bucks I think??....which is $32 for two bags. It's the same cost to feed the super premuim food. I'd rather feed Canidae! I hope I didn't lose you in my thought process.

But I remember running numbers for my fiancee's mother. I compared the amount of food and the prices. A lot of the time it's the same amount or CHEAPER to feed a better food.

[bisquik]

Hey Trooper-
Nice pick on the current dog breed, I have to give you that! I have a 9-month old German Shorthair, and will never have another breed of dog in my life. On the food, I have to back up Daisy. Canidae, in my opinion, is the best stuff out there. Human-grade meat, no filler, rice (proven to help with skin allergies) is the only grain, all-natural vitamins and herbs instead of chemically produced ones. And if you can find it, it is very reasonably priced, but it can be tough to find. I would HIGHLY recommend it. Iams has begun using more fillers since it was bought by Proctor and Gamble a while ago and went super-corporate, but it is still pretty good. I had my pup on Science Diet till I looked at the ingredients and saw #1 was corn meal. $38 a bag for corn?!?! My dog needs about 1/2 the amount of Canidae compared to Science Diet or Purina, he has a beautiful dark and shiny DK coat, holds weight and always has energy. And if the Pedigree is lower in calories like opokki said, don't use it!! A high-energy working dog (whether you hunt or not, it's still such a high-energy breed) needs lots of quality calories, and empty calories will just make him eat a TON!!! Truly, investigate finding Canidae in your area, you'll be very happy with it.

[tinkgirl]

Hey Trooper-
Nice pick on the current dog breed, I have to give you that! I have a 9-month old German Shorthair, and will never have another breed of dog in my life. On the food, I have to back up Daisy. Canidae, in my opinion, is the best stuff out there. Human-grade meat, no filler, rice (proven to help with skin allergies) is the only grain, all-natural vitamins and herbs instead of chemically produced ones. And if you can find it, it is very reasonably priced, but it can be tough to find. I would HIGHLY recommend it. Iams has begun using more fillers since it was bought by Proctor and Gamble a while ago and went super-corporate, but it is still pretty good. I had my pup on Science Diet till I looked at the ingredients and saw #1 was corn meal. $38 a bag for corn?!?! My dog needs about 1/2 the amount of Canidae compared to Science Diet or Purina, he has a beautiful dark and shiny DK coat, holds weight and always has energy. And if the Pedigree is lower in calories like opokki said, don't use it!! A high-energy working dog (whether you hunt or not, it's still such a high-energy breed) needs lots of quality calories, and empty calories will just make him eat a TON!!! Truly, investigate finding Canidae in your area, you'll be very happy with it.

i'm so glad i found this thread!
i have been using this
http://www.pedigree.com/Pedigree/USA/Products/Dry/PEDIGREE+COMPLETE+NUTRITION+for+Adult+Dogs+/Small+Crunchy+Bites+Original+Beef+Flavor.htm?FILTE R=dry
but now i will look for the candaie stuff it seems to have everything i am looking for.

any opinons on wet food,my dogs like a mix fro supper,currently i am using that natural line from dick van patton?

[dog_ma]

Hi Trooper:
I'm quite the newbie too, but I have a web site that you might want to check out regarding dog food. It's www.api4animals.org/79.htm. The organization is the Animal Protection Institute and the above link should take you right to some interesting info about some of the big name dog foods, what you should look for in a food and so on. I feed my little guy Innova brand dry. But since he's a stubborn little cuss (one of the reasons I love him :D ), I make soup to moisten and liven up his dry food. I make either chicken or beef vegetable soup and put it on his food. He loves a wide assortment of veggies and the soup encourages him to eat the dry food. It makes me feel better to know that he is eating (hopefully) a balanced and healthful diet. I can't remember how much the dry food is, but Geoff only eats about 1 cup/day. He seems to be healthy and he is quite active. He is a very Hairless Chinese Crested, a breed known to have skin problems, but he has beautiful skin.

About your dog biscuit question, my dog as a Hairless Crested has lost a lot of teeth but he still likes to chew. He will chew on his nylabones as a last resort, but he LOVES Greenies. I don't know if they are considered a biscuit, but they do help clean the teeth and are supposed to aid in digestion.

I hope some of this might be of use to you.

TW

[opokki]

Wet food: Natural Balance is a good brand. Canidae also makes a canned formula. I give canned food sometimes but not daily and I usually use Innova, Solid Gold, Merrick or Active Life.