How to pick a dog food

Ron · 08-10-2008, 04:13 PM

All dogs are different, so what may work for one, won't work for another. As a dog owner, it is our responsibility to read labels and buy the dog food that we feel comfortable feeding our dogs.

For the best nutrition, look at the first 5 ingredients on the label. The ingredients in dog food are required to be listed in order of weight, so the first ingredient on the list is the one with the greatest volume in the food. Should be a meat source, run away from a food that has corn, or any sort of grain or byproduct in as the first ingredient.

Be wary of labels that contain unidentified “meat” and never a "by-product".

Note also that since the list runs in order of weight, it is better to see “chicken meal” than “chicken” at the top of the list. “Chicken” includes a high degree of water content, “chicken meal” does not, it is weighed after the water was taken out.

For example, “chicken” may be listed first, but after cooking and the water is removed, it may actually be the fourth or fifth ingredient, not necessarily the first as suggested.

Do not forget to look at the preservatives used. Some are carcinogenic(cancerous). Some common cacinogenic preservatives are: BHT, ethoxyquin, BHA and propylene glycol (a less toxic form of anti-freeze). Citric acid as a preservative can also be problematic as it dramatically increases the risk of bloat if the food is moistened before feeding. Look for food using tocopherols, ascorbic acid (The L-enantiomer of ascorbic acid is commonly known as vitamin C.) or anti-oxidants such as rosemary extract. Better yet, purchase a food that doesn’t contain preservatives at all (there are a few).

Some helpful links:

http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/lfood2.html
http://www.flintriverranch.org/dogeatdog.html
http://www.dachshund.org/article_wheres_the_beef.html

jena · 08-20-2008, 06:56 AM

thank you again

BigDawg20 · 01-21-2009, 03:56 PM

hey thanks...i was just gonna ask that question but saw ur thread!

whitedaisy · 05-06-2009, 10:53 PM

I like to check foods here too. http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

Boxer100 · 09-10-2009, 02:15 PM

Good advice. However, some premium food may not go well with your dog. Try it first (buy a sample or a smaller bag) and see how your dog reacts to it. Just because some food is premium and has majority of meat content and 40% protein content does not mean your dog will react to it very well. If you want to be sure you're feeding healthy food to your dog, introduce more raw food to his diet and less kibble.

Boxer100 · 09-18-2009, 09:55 PM

I recently made a post on our dog blog about top dry dog food brands. I made the list based on some research I did online, but I still believe raw diet is the best if you have the time and knowledge as to what to feed your dog. You can check the list and maybe give suggestions for more brands or say what you think about the current brands that I listed in the comments.

nikita&memo · 09-19-2009, 02:58 PM

Before we raw fed, our dogs were on Merrick...excellent food, all the eye boogers, Nikitas leaking issues, shedding etc went away. It's pricey, but well worth it. But, as mentioned, raw would be the best

JoeV · 06-10-2010, 12:09 PM

Thinking of switching back to a premium kibble - reason is because now with the baby in the house, we want to be as sanitary as possible, of course. We clean up after the raw prep and everything, but still... I just keep thinking that it is too much of a risk with a little one soon to be crawling around everywhere. Does anyone have advice? Anyone have a baby in the house with a dog eating raw?

JoeV · 06-10-2010, 12:23 PM

Thinking of this Merrick product (Before Grain, Chicken) - The Hungry Puppy - Before Grain Dog Chicken

Doreen · 06-10-2010, 06:29 PM

I've been buying this one since I don't use raw any more for Rex... we all know how grossed out I always was with raw. I was bleaching so much, my hands were turning RAW... cleaning the dog bowls, areas, mats etc. EVERY TIME they ate. I was so afraid of salmonella. And I have my grandkids on my floors all the time. Cleaning the kitchen 3 times a day was taking over my life. So I gradually kept adding this dry food to the raw until the dry took over and no more raw for me, LOL.

I see on one of the lists on the forum here, that this is only a mediocore food, but I needed something that I could get easy enough since I go through a bag every 2 weeks. It is around $50 a bag, I guess it is a 25lb. bag. I can get at Petco.

I have to add also the that Rex has filled out so perfectly, his stools are great and I couldn't be happier!!!

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Organic Formulas® Dry Dog Food