What do you think?

Well, it's not what I would feed my dogs.  And exactly what to feed Phideaux can get to be a very heated debate.  I don't think there are really any easy answers in how or what to feed your dog.  The best advice I can give is to do some research and figure out what you're comfortable with.  At the very least, I suggest people learn to read ingredients and learn a little about what those inredients are.  Then you can decide what you're comfortable putting in your dog's dish.  Some people are comfortable feeding by-products, some choose to feed raw, some don't mind beet pulp, others object.  Here's some sites to start your education.
 
[linkhttp://www.mordanna.com/dogfood/]http://www.mordanna.com/dogfood/[/link]
 
[linkxsl=%2F%2Ffaq%5Btype%3D%27ingredients%27%5D&searchval=&x=15&y=6]http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=faq-results&xsl=%2F%2Ffaq%5Btype%3D%27ingredients%27%5D&searchval=&x=15&y=6[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=faq-results&xsl=%2F%2Ffaq%5Btype%3D%27ingredients%27%5D&searchval=&x=15&y=6]http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=faq-results&xsl=%2F%2Ffaq%5Btype%3D%27ingredients%27%5D&searchval=&x=15&y=6[/link]
 
 

Nor I.  The dog is getting little if any meat, lots of cereals and fillers and is probably pooping out as much as he takes in.  The mid grade foods that I can think of off the top of my head are Nutro and Chicken soup for the dog lovers soul.
 
That's all I will offer on the subject because as agile said, this can be a majorly hot topic.

Kibbles n Bits is not something I would feed my dogs. Further, I do not consider it a midrange kibble.

I did a google to find the ingredients list:

"Corn, Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat Flour, Beef & Bone Meal, Animal Fat (BHA preserved), Corn Syrup, Wheat Middlings, Water Sufficient For Processing, Animal Digest, Propylene Glycol, Salt, Hydrochloric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Caramel Color, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Minerals"

JMO
Paula

And is there another "Mid Range" Food that may be good for picky dogs?

 
Willow's very fussy about what she eats.  I try to stay with the higher end stuff but once in awhile I will get a bag of Nutro Max Beef and Rice dinner (it's kibble).  It's pretty inexpensive and can be found at Petco or even Petsmart.  I believe I paid about 5.99 for a 5 lb bag.  And, there's nothing horrible (no by-product, no carcinogens, no unidentified meat) in it as far as ingredients go. 

Kibbles n Bits is not something I would feed my dogs. Further, I do not consider it a midrange kibble.

I did a google to find the ingredients list:

"Corn, Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat Flour, Beef & Bone Meal, Animal Fat (BHA preserved), Corn Syrup, Wheat Middlings, Water Sufficient For Processing, Animal Digest, Propylene Glycol, Salt, Hydrochloric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Caramel Color, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Minerals"

ORIGINAL: paulaedwina

I agree with you 100% that this is about as "midgrade" as a Yugo. []   Remember those?

A good "mid-range" food for picky dogs is Bil-Jac.  I fed it in the past and I will feed it again.  [linkhttp://www.biljac.com]www.biljac.com[/link]

If you sign their guestbook on the website, they will send you a free 1lb sample

But as far as Kibbles N Bits go.....I am a very open person when it comes to what people feed their dogs....however, I have to say that it is one of the worst foods you can feed because there are practically  no meat products in it, and it is full of sugar....

Kibble n bits isnt a midgrade food,it is a low grade unhealthy food.

Purplechaps take a look at thread "what is the worst dog food in existance" for foods to avoid.kibble n bits rated up there.http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=217912

So i guess the question is,do you feed KB because thats the only  type of food you can afford or is it because you know no better? If it's the latter than you will find many recommendations here for good foods,if it's the former than i can  be of no help to you as i wont and cant recommend any foods that are any good in that price bracket.Nutro is probably the closest in price without going too low in quality.

Here are the ingredients to one of my favourite dog foods,it's called EVO:

[linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2727%27%5D]Turkey[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2727%27%5D]Turkey[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273%27%5D]Chicken[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273%27%5D]Chicken[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273092%27%5D]Turkey>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273092%27%5D]Turkey Meal[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%271%27%5D]Chicken>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%271%27%5D]Chicken Meal[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27194%27%5D]Potatoes[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27194%27%5D]Potatoes[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273066%27%5D]Herring>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273066%27%5D]Herring Meal[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2722%27%5D]Chicken>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2722%27%5D]Chicken Fat[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273108%27%5D]Natural>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273108%27%5D]Natural Flavors[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27160%27%5D]Egg[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27160%27%5D]Egg[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27128%27%5D]Garlic[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27128%27%5D]Garlic[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273054%27%5D]Apples[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273054%27%5D]Apples[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2730%27%5D]Carrots[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2730%27%5D]Carrots[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27142%27%5D]Tomatoes[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27142%27%5D]Tomatoes[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2731%27%5D]Cottage>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2731%27%5D]Cottage Cheese[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2732%27%5D]Alfalfa>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2732%27%5D]Alfalfa Sprouts[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273165%27%5D]Dried>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273165%27%5D]Dried Chicory Root[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2755%27%5D]Taurine[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2755%27%5D]Taurine[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27169%27%5D]Lecithin[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27169%27%5D]Lecithin[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27200%27%5D]Rosemary>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%27200%27%5D]Rosemary Extract[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2741%27%5D]Vitamins/Minerals[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%2741%27%5D]Vitamins/Minerals[/link] [linkxsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273160%27%5D]Viable>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=ingredient-facts&xsl=//ingredient%5B@id=%273160%27%5D]Viable Naturally Occurring Microorganisms[/link]

http://www.naturapet.com

Kibbles n Bits is one of the worst foods out there. Below I've bolded the ingredients I would avoid.

Corn, Soybean Meal, Beef & Bone Meal, Wheat Flour, Animal Fat (Bha And Citric Acid Used As Preservatives), Corn Syrup, Wheat Middlings, Water Sufficient For Processing, Animal Digest (Source Of Chicken And Beef Flavors), Wheat, Propylene Glycol, Salt, Hydrochloric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Caramel Color, Sorbic Acid (Used As A Preservative), Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3), Calcium Sulfate, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Bha (Used As A Preservative), Dl-Methionine, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose.

It's mostly corn, soybeans and wheat. Dogs need a meat based diet, not a grain based one. [&:] Corn, soy, and wheat are also very common allergens which can lead to hotspots and ear infections. "Animal" fat is of mystery origin and I would definitely avoid it. Corn syrup is not a good thing for a dog to be eating every meal of every day. Wheat middlings- not good. The artificial colors and flavors being fed every meal of your dog's life, not good....

Just for comparison, here's the ingredient list for an affordable holistic food ($29.99 for 35 pounds)

Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul

Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, oatmeal, millet, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, egg product, tomato pomace, duck, salmon, flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, choline chloride, dried chicory root, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract + vitamins and minerals.

Even without knowing much about dog foods, it's easy to see a HUGE difference between the foods.The lactobacillus type ingredients are all probiotics (good bacteria). Also, the feeding guidelines are 3 cups of food per day for a 50 pound dog. I couldn't find the feeding suggestions for Kibbles n Bits, but I would imagine it's more than 3 cups per day because the food is mostly fillers. The fillers mean the dog has to eat a lot more to get adequate nutrition and of course that also means much more waste to pick up.

So for comparison, Kibbles n Bits is around $24.99 for 35 pounds and you have to feed more of it, Chicken Soup is around $29.99 for 35 pounds and is MUCH healthier. []

ORIGINAL: purple chaps

So I know I may have struck the wrong cord with my first post. But with all of that aside we are all here for a common goal.

Don't worry about stuff like that. Please feel free to post questions and posit answers. We are never going to be in consensus - the board it just too large. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we do not agree. Such is life.

Paula

Wow, I feel like i am killing my dog []
I just moved out with my husband, we want to feed him quality, but need something that is cost effective for us as well for a little while *until the summer when I get more hours at work and he gets his raise*
I was thinking about the pedigree heathy vitality. But like I said I am scared to switch now that I know what he can eat, compared to what he was eating while on the 'better' food.
[linkhttp://www.presidentschoice.ca/Pets/ProductDetails.aspx/id/5540/name/PCExtraMeatyLambRiceDogFood/catid/42]http://www.presidentschoice.ca/Pets/ProductDetails.aspx/id/5540/name/PCExtraMeatyLambRiceDogFood/catid/42[/link]
*what he was on before*
I didn't think it was too bad. But I don't have bucket loads of knowledge about dog foods. Horse feed I can do, but I'm still trying to learn about dog food
 
 

If you try a higher quality kibble that you think he may not like, try adding a bit of tepid water to it to bring out the aroma of the food. It might also be easier for him to chew.

You should try Lassie's "Natural Way" Dog food....Pedigree isn't any better than kibbles N bits, im afraid.

You can find this food (Natural Way) at Kroger and Harris Teeter and it is very high quality for the price: [linkhttp://www.lassie.com/naturalway/products.htm]http://www.lassie.com/naturalway/products.htm[/link]

Let me know if you can find it!

ORIGINAL: purple chaps

Wow, I feel like i am killing my dog []
I just moved out with my husband, we want to feed him quality, but need something that is cost effective for us as well for a little while *until the summer when I get more hours at work and he gets his raise*
I was thinking about the pedigree heathy vitality. But like I said I am scared to switch now that I know what he can eat, compared to what he was eating while on the 'better' food.
[linkhttp://www.presidentschoice.ca/Pets/ProductDetails.aspx/id/5540/name/PCExtraMeatyLambRiceDogFood/catid/42]http://www.presidentschoice.ca/Pets/ProductDetails.aspx/id/5540/name/PCExtraMeatyLambRiceDogFood/catid/42[/link]
*what he was on before*
I didn't think it was too bad. But I don't have bucket loads of knowledge about dog foods. Horse feed I can do, but I'm still trying to learn about dog food

LOL Purple Chaps. First you feel horror at what your dog has been eating and then your'e gonna get really pissed off about being ripped off by the pet food industry. We've all been down this road believe me. None of us came into the world knowing what we know now about dog food. One food I encountered that I thought the ingredients were decent for the price -and a heck of a sight better than kibbles and bits - is a Costco brand called Kirkland Farms. My only judgement about it was that I didn't like how it made my dogs smell.  But keep in mind my dogs got raw and super premium so maybe they just didn't smell before? Who knows. But that's the only reason I stopped using it.

Money is a reality we can't get away from.
Paula

One food I encountered that I thought the ingredients were decent for the price -and a heck of a sight better than kibbles and bits

ORIGINAL: paulaedwina

Another inexpensive kibble to look at is Healthwise.  I'm not sure who sells it but I think a couple of the big national pet store chains carries it.