Food Question

[pugquina]

I know this is a sensitive subject and I am not trying to start an argument, but I would really like everyone's opinion.

While I have grown up with dogs my whole life. I can't remember my parents or grandparents every really paying special attention to food. I think they just bought whatever.

I have usually always gone with what my vet told me to use which was Iams.

But I would like to know is there something better that I can get at a local store like Petco or Petsmart? Or maybe even a specialty store? I know this might make some people mad but I am not willing to spend 100.00 on a bag of food, sorry I just can't swing that.

I have 3 pugs. Two are mine and 1 am fostering. They are all healthy. Ralphie is my older pug who is about 9 and he has a deformed shoulder. He was a puppymill dog and the Vet thinks it was injured when he was younger and being in the cage didn't help it. We have talked about surgery but he doesn't think that at his age it would be such a good idea. He doesn't have all his teeth either. He isn't in any pain he walks and runs he just has a little limp. So for him I am wondering if anyone can recommend a bone vitamin?

Vinny is 6 and was fed Alpo at his old home.

My foster is Yoda and he is two. He came with Science Diet.

There is just so much info out there it is a little overwhelming and I would just like to read you thoughts and your experiences.

Thanks!

[bumble]

Vets don't really get taught about nutrition. I don't think much of Science Diet. What you want is something with meat in the first three ingredients and no byproducts. Keep in mind that corn and wheat are often used as fillers, and alot of dogs are allergic to them. I have used Natural Choice for both my cats and Paddy, and have had good luck. They've all done wonderfully on it. I've gotten it at both Petsmart and Petco, and it's much less than $100.00. Paddy was a rescue with shoulder problems, and I started out giving him glucosamine-chondroitin tablets right away. They seemed to help.

[tall grass pugs]

I can certainly tell you that no one here eats Nature's Recipe Pomegranate kibble. That's for sure. And I think that vets push Science Diet for the profit margin. The people here are very fond of food with different shapes and sizes, the big hit is Kibbles and Bits or Kibbles and Chews and it works fine for them. My beloved pocket rocket, Princess eats a can of Skippy for appetizers in the morning, and does well there too. Don't be bullied by the exotic food thing, feed what you are confident in.

[Cheyenne]

There are alot of high quality, reasonably priced pet foods available. My personal opinion of Science Diet is that it's junk, and I won't even comment on Alpo. As for the high quality brands, I think it's just a matter of personal preference. You want to find one that has a specific meat or meal as one of the first 3 ingredients. You want one that has no corn, wheat, soy or gluten, especially for a dog with allergies. Steer clear of any food that has "meat or animal by-products" listed on the label and you also don't want a food with a lot of preservatives. Some of those can actually be harmful.

My personal preference is California Natural. I feed the dry kibble. It has a lot fewer ingredients in it than alot of others and, to me, less is more in that regard. Especially since Milo has allergies. I buy 5 lb. bags -- Chicken and Rice for Suki, Lamb and Rice for Milo. They love it and I pay about $10.00 for Suki and Milo's is $1.00 more. I supplement their dry food with fresh cooked green beans, baby carrots, yogurt, canned pumpkin and little bits of cantaloupe.

Some folks on PV feed raw. That can be great too, if you are so inclined.

[Otto's momma]

Yep, you are very right, food is a sensitive subject here. Otto gets the Iams Adult Small Breed (green bag) I tried a couple other "higher end" foods and he wouldnt eat them, even when they were mixed with soft food. And he is healthy, has a great looking coat, he isnt overweight. I am lucky he doenst have food allergies.

[Angus2009]

my puppy is obsesed with royal canine. So im not going to change his diet unless really need to for one reason or another. X

[Dieselsmom]

There are alot of high quality, reasonably priced pet foods available. My personal opinion of Science Diet is that it's junk, and I won't even comment on Alpo. As for the high quality brands, I think it's just a matter of personal preference. You want to find one that has a specific meat or meal as one of the first 3 ingredients. You want one that has no corn, wheat, soy or gluten, especially for a dog with allergies. Steer clear of any food that has "meat or animal by-products" listed on the label and you also don't want a food with a lot of preservatives. Some of those can actually be harmful.

My personal preference is California Natural. I feed the dry kibble. It has a lot fewer ingredients in it than alot of others and, to me, less is more in that regard. Especially since Milo has allergies. I buy 5 lb. bags -- Chicken and Rice for Suki, Lamb and Rice for Milo. They love it and I pay about $10.00 for Suki and Milo's is $1.00 more. I supplement their dry food with fresh cooked green beans, baby carrots, yogurt, canned pumpkin and little bits of cantaloupe.

Some folks on PV feed raw. That can be great too, if you are so inclined.

Sandi said it perfectly. In my opinion, although some people feel grocery store dog foods are perfectly fine to feed, they're nothing but junk. There's a reason companies are developing high quality foods - it's important to feed a quality diet.

My three eat Addiction - although it's difficult to find in stores, more likely to find it online and it is a little pricey, but not so pricey you can't afford it. Petco and Petsmart are really starting to carry better quality foods, such as Wellness and Blue, so you don't always have to go to a specialty food store to find a good quality food anymore. Do some research online - if you find a couple brands that you want to try, compare them, including the ingredients in each one. And if you're still not sure, pick up samples of each. I'm not sure if Petsmart or Petco gives out samples, but specialty stores typically will. We have a local feed store that gives 100% money back if your dogs don't like the food. So even if you buy a 30 pound bag and find out your dog doesn't like it, they will give you your money back.

[PugSavers]

You are right that in the "olden days" people often fed table scraps and there were few dog foods to choose from. I remember feeding Gaines Burgers and Alpo and thinking that was great, not realizing that the pretty red color of the Gaines Burger was all food coloring. I grew up near an Alpo plant and I always liked driving by and seeing the horses in the field...but I always wondered why I never saw the same horses...uh, thats because those pretty horses were what was in the Alpo can!!

Luckily there are now lots of good quality dog foods out there that will help the health of your dog and you don't have to spend $100 a bag.

My issue with Science Diet is that they use ethoxiquin as a preservative which is known to cause cancer. (the dry food), so I steer away from that unless there is a prescription diet that a dog must follow (and then I try to find another brand).

Personally, I like fish based diets for my pugs...Wellness, Taste of the Wild, there are lots out there. Also, Royal Canin is a good one that I think Petsmart carries. If you belong to Costco, they have an organic food that is pretty good (their own Kirkland brand) and is very affordable!

Thank you for wanting to take the best care possible of your babies and the fosters!!!

[HomerNMarge]

We went from feeding Iams Lamb & Rice to feeding Nutro Lamb & Rice small bites.

I made this change years ago.. and they've had no issues at all with the change. They LOVE it!

[Furricane]

Here is a foolproof way to test the quality of your pets food. Put some in your mouth chew it up and swallow it. If you hesitated to do this it is because you do not REALLY know what is in the commercial food you are buying regardless of what the label tells you. No large food corporation (even the ones who make food for humans) is properly inspected or regulated by anyone nowadays. There are thousands of recipes on the net for dog food you can prepare yourself. This gives you complete control of what goes into your pup and is less expensive than so called "high quality" commercial foods.

If you decide to try this be sure to educate yourself as to what vegetables are dangerous for dogs such as onions etc.

Here is one for peanut butter treats (I usually throw in a couple of bananas as well as the peanut butter)

Super Simple Chunky Peanut Dog Treats
Natural peanut butter does not contain hydrogenated oil or sugar so it makes a more healthful treat for your pup.

I N G R E D I E N T S
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup chunky natural peanut butter
1 cup non fat milk

I N S T R U C T I O N S
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.

In large bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Use another bowl and combine the peanut butter and milk.

Add the milk and peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.

On floured surface, turn out the knead. Roll out to 1/4" thick. Cut out using cookie cutters.

Place on baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Place on racks to cool then store in airtight containers.

A main course would substitute chicken breast and vegitables for the peanut butter.