Is any dog food good?

[AVERYxo]

Originally Posted by LeosMama

I didn't know there were so many options. That is one reason why I joined this site. I want to learn through what others have to offer. I am not trying to be rude or ignorant just becoming educated to a new yorkie world.

welcome! glad to hear!

we all have that in common here!! this is a great place to learn SO much!!

[House]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

High quality dog foods are not necessarily more expensive...That's a huge misconception. Canidae, Wellness, Solid Gold, etc. are all very affordable.

But to say that high quality foods is too expensive is not necessarily the case. It depends on the food, but a $10 bag of high quality food will last a month or more. That does not cost too much for better quality food.

Spot on. After doing research (and deciding I wanted to go with dry kibble, at least for the time being), I decided on Innova Puppy. That was back in early/mid April. The bag of food costs about $15. I am just now running out.

After deciding that I wanted to go grain-free, I just bought a bag of Taste of the Wild (the prairie one). I fully expect this bag to last me thru August easy, if not thru September. It costs $10.69.

And since I am trying to get Harley to gain weight, I give her a cup in the morning and a cup at night. She never eats all of it. She doesn't even usually eat half of that.

If you were feeding a larger dog, I would agree that high-quality food might put a dent in your budget. But Yorkies don't eat much.

$10-$15 every 6-8 weeks is hardly an excuse to not feed your dog quality kibble. If you want to feed Iams, or Purina, or whatever, go ahead. It's your dog. But don't use cost as an excuse. Not for food.

[Cookie2]

Originally Posted by amyn22

After reading all of these posts I feel like people think no dog food is good at the stores. I absolutely do not have time to make him food and I have had yorkies before who did perfectly fine on foods like Purina. Are all these foods bad, or are people being overly cautious?

I have asked this question in the past also.If you ask this question in a forum this big. I'm sure you will get 30+ replies telling you which food is better,which works for them and why the food you choose is not that great.
I've changed my 4 yr old's diet several times due to his health issue ,he needs very little protein as he can't filter the proteins in his liver...He is doing great dont get me wrong but I've had to cook for him or mix some bland foods for him.
There are so many dog foods out there to choose from that you really just have to read the bag and see the first 4-5 ingredients.If it's just cornmeal and stuff like that ,it may not be as nutritious.I feed the rest of my dogs Eukanuba Yorkshire Terrier but there are several other good dog food out there. I sometimes add canned Eukanuba food to their dryfood. They do get tired of the same dryfood every single day.
Genie,Cookie,Lola,Angel & Lucky

[chestermama]

it is the by productsin the foods that are bad, bha and bht is bad, some places use exothuquin which is a pesticide, they use corn and soy cheap and not digestible and alot of dogs have allergy issues whith that stuff. Personally I dont want my dog eating road kill udders hooves and who knows what else and pesticides and some foods have propeylene glycol which is what is in antiffeeze. I have only one dog to feed quality dog food so that helps as well, chester eats solid gold and does well with it.

[Wylie's Mom]

I think it's simply a matter between feeding junk food and healthier food, period.

Lots of humans live to be 100 on pure junk food, I don't have a problem with it. I don't want to be one of them though - I want to give my body the best chance it has to operate at its healthiest by eating fairly well and taking my supplements every day, with occasional treats.

SAME FOR MY BABIES. [actually THEY eat better than ME, lol!]

[PrincessDiana]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I think it's simply a matter between feeding junk food and healthier food, period.

Lots of humans live to be 100 on pure junk food, I don't have a problem with it. I don't want to be one of them though - I want to give my body the best chance it has to operate at its healthiest by eating fairly well and taking my supplements every day, with occasional treats.

SAME FOR MY BABIES. [actually THEY eat better than ME, lol!]

Thank you for saying what I wanted to say, except for much more eloquently.

[AMMARI]

Look at the ingredients of whatever you buy. MEAT should be the first ingredient. Honestly, I feed Sammy purina one and he's fine. i stay away from teh ones that say "meat by product "chicken by product, anything by product. Remember the First ingredient should be MEAT/CHICKEN/ whatever kind of meat you want to feed your dog. I've switched Sammy's food several times. His owner used to feed him IAMS.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by amyn22

yes, my last dog ate purina for 15 years! He was a lively, healthy dog and never had any problems. I think the alot of these natural foods are a lot of hype, but that's just my opinion.

I have to agree with you. In the past (we're talking 10+ years ago) I had dogs that lived to a ripe ole age on bottom of the barrel foods. I wonder sometimes too how much of the "proven results and reasearch" are just carefully marketed ploys aimed at those who are passionate about their animals and their welfare. I have yet to find one single commercial food that didn't have at least one ingredient that is claimed to be "taboo" for dogs by one source or another.

Mine will eat a diet of what I have found yields the best results for THEM, beit high end, or $1 a bag from Wal-Mart, not what marketing and biased reviews tell me is best. I have one dog who eats primarily Science Diet or Purina--low quality food by YT standards. Yes, she does get supplements and homecooking some. I bought into the "craze/hype" regarding top end, high quality foods when selecting her diet and she almost died as a result. She is currently doing fabulously on her "low end" diet and couldn't be healthier.

[ChicoRico]

I live in San Diego also and just found Wellness at Petco. I too am so confused about the dog food dilema (sp?). I've tried several dog foods but my dog gets picky also (although he weighs 12 lbs.!) At Petco if your dog doesn't like the food you can return it with a receipt (I verified this yesterday). My dog gets very picky about treats and wants me to break them up and hand feed him. Although when my Dad comes over with dog bones treats for him (I've asked him what they're made out of and he's of the old school and doesn't think it makes a difference) he (my dog) gobbles them up so I'm sure they're full of fat. Hope that helps. I bought Solid Gold make locally here in El Cajon from Petco and my dog gobbled it up and wanted more which he usually doesn't. Hope this helps a little bit.

[AVERYxo]

Originally Posted by ChicoRico

I live in San Diego also and just found Wellness at Petco. I too am so confused about the dog food dilema (sp?). I've tried several dog foods but my dog gets picky also (although he weighs 12 lbs.!) At Petco if your dog doesn't like the food you can return it with a receipt (I verified this yesterday). My dog gets very picky about treats and wants me to break them up and hand feed him. Although when my Dad comes over with dog bones treats for him (I've asked him what they're made out of and he's of the old school and doesn't think it makes a difference) he (my dog) gobbles them up so I'm sure they're full of fat. Hope that helps. I bought Solid Gold make locally here in El Cajon from Petco and my dog gobbled it up and wanted more which he usually doesn't. Hope this helps a little bit.

suggestion: if you want a yummy (natural) treat that isn't filled with a bunch of crap.. try yorkie yummies!! Cindy (YT member= chattiesmom) makes them.. your baby will LOVE them! (even the picky yorkies go crazy for them!!)

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I have to agree with you. In the past (we're talking 10+ years ago) I had dogs that lived to a ripe ole age on bottom of the barrel foods. I wonder sometimes too how much of the "proven results and reasearch" are just carefully marketed ploys aimed at those who are passionate about their animals and their welfare. I have yet to find one single commercial food that didn't have at least one ingredient that is claimed to be "taboo" for dogs by one source or another.

Mine will eat a diet of what I have found yields the best results for THEM, beit high end, or $1 a bag from Wal-Mart, not what marketing and biased reviews tell me is best. I have one dog who eats primarily Science Diet or Purina--low quality food by YT standards. Yes, she does get supplements and homecooking some. I bought into the "craze/hype" regarding top end, high quality foods when selecting her diet and she almost died as a result. She is currently doing fabulously on her "low end" diet and couldn't be healthier.

this isn't a "Craze" it is people realizing what they have done in the past is detrimental to their pets' health and after the recalls and deaths, it is people saying... my pet won't be next. If this was a craze, pet food companies would not be spending so much on creating only the best. I hope one day ALL dog food companies are going to be forced (due to lack of profits) to only make the best.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by AMMARI

Look at the ingredients of whatever you buy. MEAT should be the first ingredient. Honestly, I feed Sammy purina one and he's fine. i stay away from teh ones that say "meat by product "chicken by product, anything by product. Remember the First ingredient should be MEAT/CHICKEN/ whatever kind of meat you want to feed your dog. I've switched Sammy's food several times. His owner used to feed him IAMS.

i am not trying to aruge with you but if you look at purina one- lamb formula - there is poultry bi-products, corn gluten meal and animal fat.

i am sorry if i come across abrasive but food quality is something i am beyond passionate about.

[browniesmom622]

Originally Posted by amyn22

yes, my last dog ate purina for 15 years! He was a lively, healthy dog and never had any problems. I think the alot of these natural foods are a lot of hype, but that's just my opinion.

Maybe he would have lived to 18 or 19 maybe even 20 years old,
Noone says any dog can't live off of cheaper food but with better food i feel i can extent my dog's life. I think it's worth it.
There is no way all of the stuff they cram into the cheaper food can be good There are ingredients in there None can pronounce.
That's one of the reason i like the Good food i feed it's just good quality Food. JMO

[browniesmom622]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

i am not trying to aruge with you but if you look at purina one- lamb formula - there is poultry bi-products, corn gluten meal and animal fat.

i am sorry if i come across abrasive but food quality is something i am beyond passionate about.

Wow corn is the second ingredient in the so called Natural one

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

Wow corn is the second ingredient in the so called Natural one

well there ya go.