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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
  
Location: Colorado | CYA Ranch - 2014-02-06 8:28 PM Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:01 PM You get what you pay for!! Those buying "Cheap" because you have multiple dogs. Do you understand that you feed less of a quality food without all the crap fillers. And that means less waste to pick up as well.
For those feeding Pedigree... please don't. It has Red Dye 40 in it which is a known canceragin which was outlawed in human food years ago. Also read the the panel..... Meat and Bone meal can mean euthanized dogs, road kill, etc.. At the very least a company should list the type of protein they are using.
For those feeding Kirkland / Costco brand. These are made by Diamond and labeled for Costco.
Purina is owned by Nestle, Science Diet is owned by Colgate, Iams/Eukanuba owned by Proctor and Gamble. If you believe for one minute the big corps are truly invested in making a good food your are fooling yourselves.
There are a lot of good foods out there that will cost your LESS per Serving. And they are owned by Americans using American products.
Feeding junk dog food is right up there with buying cheap hay and wondering why your horse has issues!
karen
And you recommend feeding what?
Fromm Classic, Canidae, Hi Tek, Breakaway (if you can find it, very new) Victor Grain Free, Pulsar, Nutri Source. These all have frequent feeder programs if you purchase at an independant store. Diamond Nat and TOTW are decent foods but no frequent feeder programs.
My BC and Aussies are getting Hi Tek GF. Lamb and Sweet Potato. But I would be comfortable feeding any of the foods listed.
Keep in mind if your local feed store carries any dog food chances are they can get one of the above for you to try. And by buying at a locally owned store you are supporting your local Economy!
karen
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 A Big Ditto!
Posts: 3600
Location: Jasper, Tx | Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:57 PM
CYA Ranch - 2014-02-06 8:28 PM Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:01 PM  You get what you pay for!! Those buying "Cheap" because you have multiple dogs. Do you understand that you feed less of a quality food without all the crap fillers. And that means less waste to pick up as well.
For those feeding Pedigree... please don't. It has Red Dye 40 in it which is a known canceragin which was outlawed in human food years ago. Also read the the panel..... Meat and Bone meal can mean euthanized dogs, road kill, etc.. At the very least a company should list the type of protein they are using.Â
For those feeding Kirkland / Costco brand. These are made by Diamond and labeled for Costco.
Purina is owned by Nestle, Science Diet is owned by Colgate, Iams/Eukanuba owned by Proctor and Gamble. If you believe for one minute the big corps are truly invested in making a good food your are fooling yourselves.
There are a lot of good foods out there that will cost your LESS per Serving. And they are owned by Americans using American products.Â
Feeding junk dog food is right up there with buying cheap hay and wondering why your horse has issues!
karen
 And you recommend feeding what?
My BC and Aussies are getting Hi Tek GF. Lamb and Sweet Potato.  But I would be comfortable feeding any of the foods listed. Â
Keep in mind if your local feed store carries any dog food chances are they can get one of the above for you to try. And by buying at a locally owned store you are supporting your local Economy!
karen
Â
Ok got a question? What do you mean by frequent feeder programs? Would like to feed Victor but nobody carries it in my area.
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 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
 
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:57 PM
CYA Ranch - 2014-02-06 8:28 PM Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:01 PM  You get what you pay for!! Those buying "Cheap" because you have multiple dogs. Do you understand that you feed less of a quality food without all the crap fillers. And that means less waste to pick up as well.
For those feeding Pedigree... please don't. It has Red Dye 40 in it which is a known canceragin which was outlawed in human food years ago. Also read the the panel..... Meat and Bone meal can mean euthanized dogs, road kill, etc.. At the very least a company should list the type of protein they are using.Â
For those feeding Kirkland / Costco brand. These are made by Diamond and labeled for Costco.
Purina is owned by Nestle, Science Diet is owned by Colgate, Iams/Eukanuba owned by Proctor and Gamble. If you believe for one minute the big corps are truly invested in making a good food your are fooling yourselves.
There are a lot of good foods out there that will cost your LESS per Serving. And they are owned by Americans using American products.Â
Feeding junk dog food is right up there with buying cheap hay and wondering why your horse has issues!
karen
 And you recommend feeding what?
My BC and Aussies are getting Hi Tek GF. Lamb and Sweet Potato.  But I would be comfortable feeding any of the foods listed. Â
Keep in mind if your local feed store carries any dog food chances are they can get one of the above for you to try. And by buying at a locally owned store you are supporting your local Economy!
karen
Â
 Excellent post! I feed and love Fromm, great quality and price and made in Wisconsin. I've fed Premium Edge by Diamobd, Taste of the Wild, Nutri Source (another fav), Soild Gold, Nutro, Exclusive, ProPlan and a few others. I love Fromm and currently have been trying out a new one called Northstar Premium dog food that my local pet food place had made for them. All made in the USA including the bags. I pay $35 for 40lbs, no corn, wheat, soy or by products or fillers, has fruit and vegetables and prebiotics. Pretty happy with it as well. |
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Expert
Posts: 1336
Location: Central Arkansas | I had never heard of Fromm until the doggie babysitter told me about it. I have been feeding it for a year now. We have to go to Little Rock to get it but it is not to far. |
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  Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | My dogs love their occasional snacks of fresh carrots, green beans and sweet potato. I try to do that rather than commercial dog treats. They are veggie junkies, you'd think I was feedling them filet mignon!
Edited to add: I always try to remember - and not judge - that some people simply can't afford the higher quality foods. One day when shopping at Wal-Mart I saw someone with a big bag of Ol' Roy in their cart and commented to my hubby about it, he reminded me that at the least they dog is eating! After volunteering in rescue for a few years, I totally appreciate that. If you can't afford high quality food (and yes, I know they eat less of it, but that doesn't make enough of a difference for some people's budgets) just educate yourself and get the best you can afford. And don't forget that those fresh snacks are cheap and good for their heatlh
Edited by Calangelo 2014-02-06 10:51 PM
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 Chatty Kathy
Posts: 6635
Location: In Ky following Barrel Races & Walker hounds. | Calangelo - 2014-02-06 10:46 PM
My dogs love their occasional snacks of fresh carrots, green beans and sweet potato. Â I try to do that rather than commercial dog treats. Â They are veggie junkies, you'd think I was feedling them filet mignon!Â
Edited to add: Â I always try to remember - and not judge - that some people simply can't afford the higher quality foods. Â One day when shopping at Wal-Mart I saw someone with a big bag of Ol' Roy in their cart and commented to my hubby about it, he reminded me that at the least they dog is eating! Â After volunteering in rescue for a few years, I totally appreciate that. Â If you can't afford high quality food (and yes, I know they eat less of it, but that doesn't make enough of a difference for some people's budgets) just educate yourself and get the best you can afford. Â And don't forget that those fresh snacks are cheap and good for their heatlhÂ
Ditto. I have way more respect for someone who may not be able to afford the best food, but loves the dog unconditionally. Than I do someone who just flat wont feed one.
Mine love raw veggies too!!! My husbands lab is still trying to figure them out, and the 2 coondogs dont care for them, but the Doberman and Beagle LOVE them! |
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 Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | We feed our dogs Origin dog food. I read an article on it in the Dog Journal and did the reseach. We have Alaskan Malamutes that seemed to have stomach and skin issues. When we made the switch we have had no problems. Its pricy but you don' thave to feed a lot of it. We mix it with Taste of the Wild wet dog food. We order ours online, dogs LOVE the 6 Fish formula. |
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-06 7:43 PM
Used2B - 2014-02-06 7:07 PM I feed Taste of the Wild too but Walmart just came out with a new grain free dog food and my dogs LOVE it and do great on it! One of my chihuahuas is a picky little thing(3.5 lbs) and she holds her weight the best on the new Walmart grain free food. Its in a dark brown bag with maroon writing and says "Grain Free" on the bag. Seems to be great stuff and the kibble is really small and not too hard for tiny little dogs to crunch.
 Who is the maker?  I used to feed a locally made food that was great, but another company bought them out, got a big contract with Wal mart, and quit distributing locally.  I didn't really trust them to keep up the quality tho, because the new company made a lower end food already.
Hmm....I really don't know the maker and I don't have an empty bag here to look it up. As soon as I buy a bag I store it in an airtight, mouse proof container and my Chihuahuas don't eat much so I don't buy it often. If you find out please let me know. Sometimes I have some Taste of the Wild left over in my container and when I scoop it out in their bowls they will pick out and eat every single Walmart Grain Free kibble before eating the Taste of the Wild. |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| I used to have everything on Blue Buffalo...
Cats...Dogs....
THEN....husband lost his job and having five dogs and six cats feeding this type of food we had to cut back this expense.
Working at a feed store I do know what a good quality bag of dog or cat food looks like on the ingredients list, and I know what foods provide more bang for their buck.
And I am ashamed to admit all my dogs and cats are eating crap food (minus the horses).
They get the southern states cat food and dog food. The funny thing is-I have no issues with any of them and my one heeler got really fat on this dog food too.
I would have probably changed back if I had any issues, but I don't-so they are still on crap.
Edited by magic gunsmoke 2014-02-07 8:53 AM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | magic gunsmoke - 2014-02-07 8:49 AM
I used to have everything on Blue Buffalo...
Cats...Dogs....
THEN....husband lost his job and having five dogs and six cats feeding this type of food we had to cut back this expense.
Working at a feed store I do know what a good quality bag of dog or cat food looks like on the ingredients list, and I know what foods provide more bang for their buck.
And I am ashamed to admit all my dogs and cats are eating crap food (minus the horses).
They get the southern states cat food and dog food. The funny thing is-I have no issues with any of them and my one heeler got really fat on this dog food too.
I would have probably changed back if I had any issues, but I don't-so they are still on crap.Â
exactly.
Sorry, but I'm not about to spend a boatload of money on cat or dog food. All of ours are rescues. If Purina One isn't better than NOTHING, I suppose they were better off on the street or headed for a shelter.
For the record, my cat gets friskies canned food too. The horrors! lol My mom's cat lived to 17 or 18 on the stuff so I am guessing he will survive.
None of these animals are having any health or skin issues, ironically they had more gastric issues on TOTW. Which is approx twice the cost.
My horse still gets his Triple Crown...guess he is the favorite. lol |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 993
Location: Northern California | We feed Fromm's to all five of ours. I have a friend who had a Jack from the same litter as our's. Our guy is 14 this year and going strong. He has always been fed grain-free and the best food I could buy for him. Our friend lost their Jack last year and I can't help but wonder what she fed him. Our dogs are our children. . . I want to keep them for as long as I possibly can!!  |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Used2B - 2014-02-07 8:47 AM Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-06 7:43 PM Used2B - 2014-02-06 7:07 PM I feed Taste of the Wild too but Walmart just came out with a new grain free dog food and my dogs LOVE it and do great on it! One of my chihuahuas is a picky little thing(3.5 lbs) and she holds her weight the best on the new Walmart grain free food. Its in a dark brown bag with maroon writing and says "Grain Free" on the bag. Seems to be great stuff and the kibble is really small and not too hard for tiny little dogs to crunch. Who is the maker? I used to feed a locally made food that was great, but another company bought them out, got a big contract with Wal mart, and quit distributing locally. I didn't really trust them to keep up the quality tho, because the new company made a lower end food already. Hmm....I really don't know the maker and I don't have an empty bag here to look it up. As soon as I buy a bag I store it in an airtight, mouse proof container and my Chihuahuas don't eat much so I don't buy it often. If you find out please let me know. Sometimes I have some Taste of the Wild left over in my container and when I scoop it out in their bowls they will pick out and eat every single Walmart Grain Free kibble before eating the Taste of the Wild.
It's Pure Balance that they're making for Wal mart. They also make Source and Back to Basics food. When Dad's bought the plant, they changed the name to Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. We used to be able to buy locally from distributors or straight from the plant, but they cut us off. They also used to make a wonderful ration balancer for horses made from locally grown stuff until Dad's bought them, and they phased out the horse feed. I had some heartburn over that deal because we had no warning and I had to change my program suddenly. |
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 Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | Deedoe - 2014-02-06 8:38 PM Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:01 PM You get what you pay for!! Those buying "Cheap" because you have multiple dogs. Do you understand that you feed less of a quality food without all the crap fillers. And that means less waste to pick up as well.
For those feeding Pedigree... please don't. It has Red Dye 40 in it which is a known canceragin which was outlawed in human food years ago. Also read the the panel..... Meat and Bone meal can mean euthanized dogs, road kill, etc.. At the very least a company should list the type of protein they are using.
For those feeding Kirkland / Costco brand. These are made by Diamond and labeled for Costco.
Purina is owned by Nestle, Science Diet is owned by Colgate, Iams/Eukanuba owned by Proctor and Gamble. If you believe for one minute the big corps are truly invested in making a good food your are fooling yourselves.
There are a lot of good foods out there that will cost your LESS per Serving. And they are owned by Americans using American products.
Feeding junk dog food is right up there with buying cheap hay and wondering why your horse has issues!
karen
Wow! did not know that about pedigree!!! Looks like I wont be feeding Pedigree anymore. Thank you stitch4k9 for educating us.
I had a doberman that ate Purina dog chow and pedigree all her life. No fancy food, dad couldn't afford it and honestly we didn't know better. We thought the name brand stuff was better than the always save brand. She lived to a ripe age of 13,which is dang old for a doberman. She didn't die of cancer, she had a stroke and I put her down. Not going to say that there isn't better food out there....I'm sure there is, just like horse feed. I feed my current 3 Pedigree. One of them is going on 9 yrs of age. I have researched some of the foods here and might try one of the more economical ones |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | Deedoe - 2014-02-06 9:01 PM Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-06 8:57 PM Ok got a question? What do you mean by frequent feeder programs? Would like to feed Victor but nobody carries it in my area.
Frequent Buyer programs...... Buy 10 or 12 get one free. Either you keep the UPC's or the store will. When you have purchased your 10th or 12th bag the next is free.
Send Victor an email and tell them where you are and what you want. Hopefully they will fallow up and try to get a store in your area to pick up their food. They are pretty cool folks!
karen |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | My girl had allergys .. I switched to grain free merritt.. (chicken) still had issues bad
vet said sometimes its not the grains but the high level of proteins.. so I switched to all beef and no more issues.. |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | mine get harringtons..turkey and veg (i think)
they seem to like it
m |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Bibliafarm - 2014-02-07 10:14 AM My girl had allergys .. I switched to grain free merritt.. (chicken) still had issues bad
vet said sometimes its not the grains but the high level of proteins.. so I switched to all beef and no more issues..
My sister's terrier has a meat protein allergy, of all crazy things. His food looks like corn pops, but he finally got healthy after switching him. |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | livinonlove&horses - 2014-02-07 9:27 AM I had a doberman that ate Purina dog chow and pedigree all her life. No fancy food, dad couldn't afford it and honestly we didn't know better. We thought the name brand stuff was better than the always save brand. She lived to a ripe age of 13,which is dang old for a doberman. She didn't die of cancer, she had a stroke and I put her down. Not going to say that there isn't better food out there....I'm sure there is, just like horse feed. I feed my current 3 Pedigree. One of them is going on 9 yrs of age. I have researched some of the foods here and might try one of the more economical ones
I understand that a lot of dogs have done okay on the cheaper foods. Years ago my dad and I raised and trained stock dogs. There were very few choices of kibble. Dog nutrition has come a long way in the last 15 years. The only reason for Red Dye 40 is to make those cute, pretty pieces for us the human buyer. Most of the lesser foods also spray on a flavoring. In the industry it is ref. to as "kitty crack". Sort of like the surgary cereals marketed to kids.
At the end of the day you (collective you) will spend less because you will be able to feed less. Higher nutrition value means the animal absorbs more. Less poop means the dog/cat is absorbing more. Cat litter boxes smell better, etc.
If you decide to try another food email the company. Tell them you would like to try their food but the price differance makes it difficult. Most will send you coupons. With the exception of Diamond. They just don't do coupons. Fromm runs coupons on their face book page monthly. Call Canidae and they will send you coupons.
The insanely high rate of Cancer in dogs is frightening. And approx. 30% of small dogs die of heart disease. CSU is studying both of these issues now and hopefully will have a break through soon.
karen
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I agree about some cant afford high quality feed so no judging here.. i am happy animals are fed and have homes.  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| barrelracr131 - 2014-02-07 7:58 AM magic gunsmoke - 2014-02-07 8:49 AM I used to have everything on Blue Buffalo...
Cats...Dogs....
THEN....husband lost his job and having five dogs and six cats feeding this type of food we had to cut back this expense.
Working at a feed store I do know what a good quality bag of dog or cat food looks like on the ingredients list, and I know what foods provide more bang for their buck.
And I am ashamed to admit all my dogs and cats are eating crap food (minus the horses).
They get the southern states cat food and dog food. The funny thing is-I have no issues with any of them and my one heeler got really fat on this dog food too.
I would have probably changed back if I had any issues, but I don't-so they are still on crap.
exactly. Sorry, but I'm not about to spend a boatload of money on cat or dog food. All of ours are rescues. If Purina One isn't better than NOTHING, I suppose they were better off on the street or headed for a shelter. For the record, my cat gets friskies canned food too. The horrors! lol My mom's cat lived to 17 or 18 on the stuff so I am guessing he will survive. None of these animals are having any health or skin issues, ironically they had more gastric issues on TOTW. Which is approx twice the cost. My horse still gets his Triple Crown...guess he is the favorite. lol
Im with you 100%. Our Heeler who gets "whatever's on sale" is super healthy... no skin issues, no bowel problems, no behavioral issues (aside from hating anyone who's not us as he gets older, but lets be real, he's a heeler)... if he started having issues I'd get him on more of a program, but he doesn't seem to care what you put in front of him, and he's in great health!
My old Border Collie was the same way and she lived to be 16. As she got older we put her on higher quality food, but from day one everytime we went to the vet (which was just for routine stuff) she was complimented on how healthy she was. The vet (my brother's best friend) used to ask what we fed her, and I'd tell him "whatever brand she was on at the time, horse poo, and whatever she found in the dead pile at the feedlot" and he'd just shake his head and say "well it must be working for her because she looks half her age!".
Thinking back, I seriously wonder if the flax I feed the horses is why my dogs are always so shiney and healthy looking... lol
My barn cats eat mice, and get the cheapest food that can be bought and it doesn't seem to bother them one bit. |
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