What food do you feed your dog?

[Robert Sullivan]

Getting my fiest beagle next week and would like to start her on a good quality dog food.  What brand/type of food are people feeding their dogs?

[Fred Woodman]

On food I think you go with what works. If your dog is doing ok with it and its a quality food< you should be fine. I think the key thing to remember is that you shouldnt change foods a lot and only feed as much as it takes to maintain your dog. Hunting season witll require more.. off season less.

Dont keep your dog on the high protein stuff all year round. Its very hard on the liver and you may pay a price later in his life. Puppies can handle the hi pro and same with dogs who work very hard almost everyday.

[Robert Sullivan]

That's a good point Fred... I was wondering about this... I was looking at a brand called "Taste of the Wild" but I think it contains approximately 36% meat protien.  I think this may be a little high for a year-round food... Any thoughts?

[Fred Woodman]

how old is your dog

[Robert Sullivan]

2 years old.

[Fred Woodman]

I found this online, its worth a lookUse the following guideline when choosing a food:
Tips for Choosing a Dog Food Brand

Have you ever wondered whether the food you’re giving your dog is actually healthy for him? Follow these simple steps to “grade” your dogs food and see its true quality.

Start with a grade of 100

1. For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points.
2. For every non-specific animal source (meat, poultry, meal, or fat) reference, subtract 10 points.
3. If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points.
4. For every grain mill run or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points.
5. If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. ground brown rice, brewers rice, rice flour are all the same grain), subtract 5 points.
6. If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points.
7. If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points.
8. If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points.
9. If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points.
10. If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points.
11. If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources) subtract 2 points.
12. If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points.
13. If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog is not allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points.
14. If it contains beef (unless you know that you dog is not allergic to beef), subtract 1 point.
15. If it contains salt, subtract 1 point.

Extra Credit:

1. If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points.
2. If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points.
3. If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points.
4. If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points.
5. If the food contains fruit, add 3 points.
6. If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points.
7. If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points.
8. If the food contains barley, add 2 points.
9. If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points.
10. If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point.
11. If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point.
12. For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count chicken and chicken meal as only one protein source), add 1 point.
13. If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point.
14. If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point.

Score:
94-100+ =A
86-93 =B
78-85 =C
70-77 =D
0-69 =F

Here is how some of the major dog food brands scored:



“A+” Rated Food Brands
Artemis large/medium breed puppy 114 A+
Authority Harvest Baked 116 A+Canidae 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior 115 A+
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato 106 A+
Foundations 106 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables 110 A+
Innova Dog 114 A+
Innova Evo 114 A+
ProPlan Natural Turkey and Barley 103 A+
Royal Canin Boxer 103 A +
Royal Canin Bulldog 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult 106 A+
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison 136 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken 110 A+

“A” Rated Food Brands

Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula 99 A
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice 97 A
Solid Gold 99 A
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold 97 A

“B” Rated Food Brands

Diamond Lamp Meal and Rice 92 B
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice 87 B
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold 93 B
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy 87 B

“C” Rated Food Brands

Alpo Prime Cuts 81 C
Blackwood 3000 Lamb and Rice 83 C
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult 83 C

“D” Rated Food Brands

Iams Lamb Meal and Rice Formula Premium 73 D

“F” Rated Food Brands

Bil-Jac Select 68 F
Diamond Maintenance 64 F
Ol Roy 9 F
Pedigree Adult Complete 14 F
Pedigree Complete Nutrition 42 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb and Rice 23 F
Purina Beneful 17 F
Purina Dog 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It 16 F
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies 69 F

• 3 years ago
• Report Abuse

[Corey Coles]

Good to know...thanks Fred!

[Fred Woodman]

36 % protein is very high I think .I am not familar with the brand. But for a dog that age something thats 22-24% is what Id suggest.Its also important to see what the protein comes from.It should be in list of ingredients