What should I be feeding?

Label information 101 -http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=labelinfo101

Identifying better products -http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=betterproducts

Ingredients to avoid -http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients

A list of better foods -http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#TopDry

protein. Look for a food with close to 30% protein dry weight or even higher (high protein diets do not cause any health problems for dogs), but make sure there isn't any corn or rice gluten listed on the first five or so ingredients on the bag (added to make the protein % artifically high, your dog can't actually use this protein very well). Or you can venture into the fun world of supplementing your dog's diet with fresh sources of protein.

A;so if possible, and you dog is okay with water, swimming is a great way to help the muscles build up with getting stress on the joints and also is not as tiring as regular exercise.  It is my understanding that   weaker muscles put more work on the joints.

I had that problem with Penny when she was on Nutro. Her coat was also dryish and dandruffy. But now that she is on Innova EVO, she is RIPPED! lol And she has the softest and smoothest coat I have ever seen or felt. I could seriously pet her coat all day. Her energy level is high up there, but we've never had a problem with that, though. Innova EVO is really high in protein (42%) and has no grains. I think this is exactly what you'd be looking for. Good luck!

Definately change the type of food to a better quality brand.  Just use the search option and you will find tons of good info and you will also see the most popular brands that people here feed their dogs.  I wish your dog the best.  Good luck 

I put Ginger on Nutro Ultra and she developed terrible allergies. Now, I've switched her to California Natural by Natura and she's doing great. I would recommend Innova Evo by the same company. That has a lot more protein and is probably what you need for her muscle growth and energy level.

It sounds like one of the high protein, no grain foods would work really well. There are several different ones on the market. I think Innova EVO is probably the most well known. Solid Gold Barking at the Moon and Nature's Variety Raw Instinct are two other options. I think any one of those would be a good choice.[]

Mind you, not all dogs do great on high protien foods.  Try Innova Evo.  If it works, then great, but I have come accross dogs that have done horrible on high protien foods.  Specifically young large breeds and sometimes not necessarily still growing.  There are other high protien foods that are not quite as high as Innova Evo:  Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Apple formula is 28% protien and contains no glutens.  I have  a little guy who does great on Solid Gold Wee Bits: once again 28% protien.

I'm just very causious about feeding high protien all the time. Certain breeds that are prone to kidney problems (shnauzers, boxers, chis) I wouldn't recommend high protien foods. I may be wrong, but my vet recommends Innova Senior for dogs with kidney issues, it is 18.5% protien, which is low.

Recently, my little guy has a hard time keeping weight on.  I feed him a 1/2 raw 1/2 dry diet of Solid Gold Wee Bits.  I'm going to try rotating between high protien foods, like Wee Bits, and lower protein like Eagle Pack Holistic Lamb, which he does great on too.

Thanks! I am going to the feed store today and we'll try Evo.

I would echo GRNOM. When I wanted to find Innova, I googled "premium dog food dallas texas" and one of the results was Canine Comissary, in Dallas and Plano. I also know of Schlep, a member here, who is a distributor who serves mainly the Denton County area.

I was just curious what breed of dog you have, how big, and how old?  The size and age of the dog should be a factor in your choice, especially if you have a large breed dog.

That is true.....I would be leery of trying EVO on, say, a young large breed dog, due to the possibility of him "growing quicker than his joints"

He is a 2 year old Aussie. I don't think bone growth should be a problem. Right now he is 53 lbs, so should I just follow the instructions on the package? Wow, he needs half of what he used to!

Wow, he needs half of what he used to!

Yup.  And I'd even try a little less, and don't be tempted to add a little more, or you'll be back here saying, well, "I tried the EVO but it gave my dog terrible diarrhea, etc!"  It's super easy to overfeed EVO.  If your dog looks up at you with sad eyes once he's eaten his 10 oz of food or so [] then consider adding canned green beans (unsalted), which will help his tummy say, "OK, done!" without unbalancing what you are going for nutritionally.

Good luck!