Some of Purina like Pro Plan is basically good. I also like Bil Jac frozen and Innova. Eagle Pack is good, Canidae, Nutro Ultra, there is good and bad in all feed. None are perfect. With 8 Shepherds I will not cook and make the meals I would live in the kitchen and I do not like feeding RAW as u must add so much more to it. Veggies purreed, vitamins, etc. Pick what fits the dog and does well on it and be happy.
whats the best dog food???
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dts52
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We have a JRT and have tried to be very careful with her diet - she's constantly eating grass and pukes probably 4 times a week (going to the vet for further testing). One thing I think we did do right was to check the ingredients - absolutely NOTHING from China allowed in her food and you need to be careful. Food made in the USA may be sourced from China. However, the vet thinks we made a mistake by unintentionally switching to a grain-free diet because grain-free doesn't supply her with the necessary level of Taurine... (don't ask me what that is). We've now added Fr*shPet (no brand names), that stuff that comes in a refrigerated roll like bologna and the vet says she's getting the taurine she needs from that without the need for a supplement.
Having said that, I think every dog has their own special preferred diet. Our JRT loved the beef knuckle bones until she fractured a rear tooth. No more bones. I'm sure she'll get plenty of bones to chew on the other side. Like Will Rogers said, "If dogs don't go to Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." Couldn't have said it better myself.
dts
Having said that, I think every dog has their own special preferred diet. Our JRT loved the beef knuckle bones until she fractured a rear tooth. No more bones. I'm sure she'll get plenty of bones to chew on the other side. Like Will Rogers said, "If dogs don't go to Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." Couldn't have said it better myself.
dts
Billieg
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One of the best answers. commercial dog food has all kinds of fillers, chemicals and who knows what kind of meat. Not good for your dog. We have had dogs forever and always buy hamburg, chicken, lamb, ham and stew beef for them. We combine cooked rice, green beans, carrots and make a gravy with the meat. We also buy dog minerals\vitamins to put in the food. We have found it's cheaper than buying dog food and they are really healthy. Yes. it takes time but you can spend one afternoon cooking, freezing the meals and have enough for a couple of weeks. If I'm cooking for us and make rice, chicken, ham I'll make double (half without the seasoning) for the dogs.
The main problem with this is if you have been feeding them other dog food you will have to wean them off it slowly or else they become poop and vomit factories. Ask me how I know....
DiamondDan
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My dog is 13 years old and still has the energy of a puppy. All I've ever fed her is Purina One-Lamb and Rice. She's healthy as an ox and her coat looks good, too.
None are perfect. With 8 Shepherds I will not cook and make the meals I would live in the kitchen and I do not like feeding RAW as u must add so much more to it.
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ethanmiller
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different people have different opinions. I think it depend on your dog breed which food suits him but the best food for dog is Pedigree Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food
Honest Samuel
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Best of luck with your pets. I love my cat, Tippy.
RachelWyatt
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Pedigree sucks, unless you want to feed your dog the nasty parts of an animal that no one else will use, like the bits and pieces with cancer and tumors and infection. It's made of pure filler - not good for dogs, but cheap.
Any of the affordable brands that you can buy in the grocery store are awful, filled with nasty fillers, and nothing that a dog would eat naturally. Although Purina has surprised me with their Beyond® label - meat and vegetables with no grain or fillers! I'm impressed that they have jumped on the natural feeding bandwagon! Bravo!
On the Drools website, you really have to hunt for an ingredients list which is not a good sign, but I think it's a "natural" product with no fillers, with chicken advertised as the first main ingredient in the adult dry dog food.
The best dog food to feed your dog is the most expensive natural meat based diet without grain that you can afford. You will save a heck of a lot of money in the long run on vet bills such as teeth cleaning, parasite control and more serious issues. Dogs' digestive systems are not designed to ingest grains as a main diet. That's why you see so many "natural" dog foods on the market these days, with the mass market producers like Purina getting with the program and producing meat based grain free diets. They want to compete in the marketplace that is producing dog food according to the latest research! Meat based and grain and filler free!
So, do the best that you can, which may involve a little research in the beginning (like you're doing with this excellent question!), and you will have a healthy dog that will be your partner for many healthy years!
I wish you (and your wallet) the best of luck!
Tristan Harris
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Our vet says that Optimeal offers great value for money.
I have a 12 year old lab who thinks she is still 5. All that she gets is dry Pedigree Complete, and she looks great!
There are many different foods out there that are perfectly good for a dog. Of caurse, natural foods are healthier. But I also never forget about supplements. I get them from and add them regularly to my Barnie's ration. I think the food you dog likes the best is perfectly fine, as long as it suits your dog. Does your dog like it? Does he look healthy, with a shiny coat and eyes? Does he have plenty of energy? And, most importantly, of course, does he make good poos with it!
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Bucket Lister
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Yeah, this thread is kinda old, but I think the topic is contemporary and relevant.
We fed our Service Labs "Pukanuba" 🤮 (Eukanuba) Large Breed for 24 years.
Then there was a break for 6 months after our last passed--smartest dog I've ever known. Medical issues and a temporary post-Covid shortage of pups.
In the interim, the increase in price was a bit staggering (for us), so we've switched to IAMS (lower cost by the makers of Eukanuba).
Is it the BEST? IDK, but they're both good quality, and have the approval of the several veterinarians in our social/support circle.
We fed our Service Labs "Pukanuba" 🤮 (Eukanuba) Large Breed for 24 years.
Then there was a break for 6 months after our last passed--smartest dog I've ever known. Medical issues and a temporary post-Covid shortage of pups.
In the interim, the increase in price was a bit staggering (for us), so we've switched to IAMS (lower cost by the makers of Eukanuba).
Is it the BEST? IDK, but they're both good quality, and have the approval of the several veterinarians in our social/support circle.
We have had 2 shelties, both lived to be 14 years old.
We fed them beneful and IAMs dry food. We would give them meaty bones from the butcher shop every once and a while.
They loved carrots for a treat too. Strangely enough the 2nd loved corn on the cobb. He was a travelling fool too. But when he smelled the corn on the cobb, he would know what it was. I would leave a few kernels on the cobb for him. He liked some butter on it with just a hint of pepper and salt.
Dang he was a good dog. He liked going to the woods with me when I was working.
We fed them beneful and IAMs dry food. We would give them meaty bones from the butcher shop every once and a while.
They loved carrots for a treat too. Strangely enough the 2nd loved corn on the cobb. He was a travelling fool too. But when he smelled the corn on the cobb, he would know what it was. I would leave a few kernels on the cobb for him. He liked some butter on it with just a hint of pepper and salt.
Dang he was a good dog. He liked going to the woods with me when I was working.
Bucket Lister
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Every dog we've had has loved raw carrots. Corn makes sense; it's used as filler in a lot of dog foods.
Ice cubes are another favorite.
Most of ours have been great travelers, except one that would puke if he got within 10 feet of the car.
I think most are happy just to be included.
Shelties are really nice dogs, and smart! They make pretty good service dogs, as long as they don't need size.
The first dog we had as a couple was a female border collie mix. We had a little female black cat at the same time, and they were besties. Nevertheless, after those experiences, the Missus laid down some new laws: 🤣
- No more cats, period.
- No more females (even our reptiles are all males)
- No more long-haired animals
- No more white fur (except a single spot or blaze)
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