Good, Bad, Ugly Food List

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/education/articles/dog-food-guide.shtml

I know foods can be expensive!  I was feeding Taste of the Wild which was about $48 for 30 lbs to my four.  And  have just switched to Blue Buffalo which is only slightly cheaper, but I do get a 15% discount because of where I work, so it works out to be a better deal for me.

Might I ask what your former food was?  I ask this because of the kcals per cup.   As I recall, EP has 300 something kcals per cup.  Whatever you were feeding may have more or less.  If you compare you can figure out how many fewer cups (or more) you might need to feed of the EP.  That gives you a better dollar for dollar comparison.

I personally swear by Blue Buffalo foods.  My cats eat the Wilderness and my dogs get the large breed.  Periodically, I'll pick them up some Fish and Sweet Potato just to give them a change of protein source.  Of the top of my head I can't tell you the kcals in the fish, but the large breed is around 505 per cup.  My crew get between 3-4 cups per day, depending on which dog.  It's about $44 for a 30 lb bag, typically less at Tractor Supply than at Petsmart.

Glenda, we are feeding a 9yr old lab, and EP recommends 3 to 3 1/2 cups per day for her weight.  And since she is inactive more senior, I would stay close to the 3 cups per day.

I had her on Premium Edge Lamb before.

Georgie, thanks for the link.  But the one I was looking for actually showed the brand names of food out in the market, and group them by rating good, bad, ugly.

Doesn't anyone have the updated addy for the dog food project?

glenmar

Doesn't anyone have the updated addy for the dog food project?

You read my mind Glenda, lol.

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/

Wow, those prices are low compared to what I'm spending on Orijen ($85/30lb bag, one bag a month give or take), lol!!

FWIW, I've found that the feeding recommendations on the bag are usually higher that what I actually end up feeding to maintain a healthy weight.

 I feed Tootsie, my corgi the EP Holistic Fish, 1/3 of a cup 2x daily. Yes its spendy, but worth it.

aerial1313

FWIW, I've found that the feeding recommendations on the bag are usually higher that what I actually end up feeding to maintain a healthy weight.

Same here.  When I got my puppy the bag suggested 3-3 1/2 cups per day, so I started feeding 3 cups per day.  He got way too chunky on that even though he is pretty active.  So I reduced his feedings to just under a cup two times a day. He looks better and the food lasts longer.

I am going to try Pella out with 2 3/4 cups a day. She is not active and she does get a bone break during the day and a few snacks.

I have to admit I really like the EP, I noticed her coat was shinny and was happy with feeding it. I know the quaility of the food it very important and she deserves it, so I will try to stay with the EP.

Thanks for everyones comments. It sounds like you have all been there done that kind of experenice thing, and that is what I learn from, comments, hints and suggestions.

Max (about 60 lbs.) eats EP and he does fine on 1-1/2 to 2 cups a day, depending on the weather.  He eats less in the summer.  It is pricey for a 33 lb. bag, but it lasts us about 3 months so it works out to be not so bad.

Joyce

thanks Joyce, that gives me a better idea of the amount.  And I know Pella is a little over weight for her age.

I think almost all dog foods, even the premium ones, have way higher amount recommendations than the dog actually needs.  Max is a grazer, so he fools around with 1-1/2 cups all day long.  I don't think I've ever seen him stand at his bowl and eat everything that was in it - he usually waits until late morning or mid afternoon to eat anything.

Joyce

glenmar

I personally swear by Blue Buffalo foods.  My cats eat the Wilderness and my dogs get the large breed.  Periodically, I'll pick them up some Fish and Sweet Potato just to give them a change of protein source.

Then I have a question for you. Since you have double-coated dogs, has it kept their hide and coat supple?

As you know I fed Shadow Nutro Large Breed Adult Lamb Meal and Rice. Then, Nutro quit making that formula. So, I switched to Eagle Pack. Then I was laid off this year and couldn't find a job between March 17 and June 1. I went flat broke, having to borrow money from my wife to have gas in the car. And we have a few months of bills on her credit card. So, I had bought Purina Pro Plan Large Breed and he did okay on that. So, having been working again and I noticed that Nutro started making his old formula again so I bought some of that. And the licking and itching started. Incessant. He licked and chewed the fur off in a few places. I surmised that even though Nutro is making that old formula again, it's not technically, exactly the same formula as he had before. They've changed something and I think his hide and coat were drying out. A groomer I know recommended Missing Link and I've been adding that and it seems to have helped. After this bag is finished, or maybe before, I will be changing his food again. I might try a sample or small bag of BB just to see if it works. But it's hard to tell. It can take a week or so for some symptoms like that to show up.