Food for your Yorkie? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

NODAK · 06-12-2007, 12:08 PM

So we went to pick up our Yorkie a week ago, and we asked the breeder what she was feeding him. It turns out it was Ol Roy from Wal-Mart. Now, I'm not an expert or anything....but I don't really think I'd like any dog of mine to be eating Ol Roy. I'm not always convinced that more expensive is better, but in this case, I kind of am.

So we feed him Purina Beneful. We've heard that's a good brand.

What do you typically use? Was I wrong about Ol Roy?

RLC12345678 · 06-12-2007, 12:11 PM

The rule of thumb is to not feed anything that you can buy from Walmart or the grocery store....that means that Beneful is not a good choice either. Go to your local pet store and there are MUCH MUCH better choices there. Try Nutro or Merricks or something like that. In my opinion, the food "Canidae" is the best dog food on the market. Go to their website and you can find retailers in your area that will carry this food. Here's the "store locator" portion of their site: http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html

Here's their site: http://www.canidae.com/dogs/all_life_stages/dry.html

RLC12345678 · 06-12-2007, 12:14 PM

I wanted to add....here are some general rules you want to follow when trying to find a good dog food:

*One or more named meats(Chicken, Lamb, etc.) in the first few ingredients...ideally a named meat "meal" as the first ingredient (i.e. Chicken Meal).
*Whole foods (i.e. rice rather than brewer's rice)
*No unnamed animal sources (i.e. Animal Fat, Meat and bone meal)
*No artificial colors or flavors
*No chemical preservatives (i.e. BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
*No added sugars or artificial sweeteners
*No wheat, soy, dairy or corn -- these commonly cause allergies in dogs.
*No byproducts

Wylie's Mom · 06-12-2007, 12:16 PM

This site will help you immensely: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...iews/index.php

NODAK · 06-12-2007, 12:18 PM

I just wanted to add that we stay away from wet dog food because we were spooked about the recall....that's probably silly, but it still weighs on the mind.

angelee · 06-12-2007, 12:21 PM

That Ol Roy in my area was recalled because they found it had Salmonella in it. I cook for my little guy since the first recall.

SladesMommy · 06-12-2007, 12:22 PM

There really aren't any benefits to wet food anyway, plus the dry food is better for the teeth. I do give my dogs canned food a couple times a month as a treat.

We use Wellness Puppy. Its only $14 for a 6 lb bag, which is sort of expensive if you are feeding a large dog, but for the amount a yorkie eats its not bad at all. Slade uses about 1 bag a month

Erin · 06-12-2007, 12:26 PM

There's nothing wrong with good quality canned food - it's only the junk that's bad for their teeth. I brush my dogs' teeth anyway. We feed Merrick canned (Wingaling), Innova Evo and we used to feed Canidae but picky Sammy decided not to eat it. Loki probably misses it because it is awesome food.

I thought you said you got this dog from a wonderful breeder? A good breeder would not feed Ol Roy.

Beneful is corn, fillers and preservatives.

NODAK · 06-12-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

There's nothing wrong with good quality canned food - it's only the junk that's bad for their teeth. I brush my dogs' teeth anyway. We feed Merrick canned (Wingaling), Innova Evo and we used to feed Canidae but picky Sammy decided not to eat it. Loki probably misses it because it is awesome food.

I thought you said you got this dog from a wonderful breeder? A good breeder would not feed Ol Roy.

Beneful is corn, fillers and preservatives.

I don't remember saying she was a wonderful breeder...I don't even know how much of a "breeder" you could call her, since she says she typically only has one litter a year. And THAT is going to stop now, because shortly after our Yorkie was born, the father got ran over by a car....

chachi · 06-12-2007, 12:34 PM

I thought I remembered someone posting on here that Ol Roy was recalled

RLC12345678 · 06-12-2007, 12:36 PM

It was recalled in some places. I know it was recalled in my state. But that's beside the point probably since she's not feeding Ol'Roy anyway.

yorkiegirl83 · 06-12-2007, 12:39 PM

Canidea or Innova are my two picks. You really want to stay away from anything with byproducts and fillers.

Beneful is one w/a very poor rating as well as IAMS, Purina, ect..

MyFairLacy · 06-12-2007, 12:43 PM

Beneful is not a good dog food at all - maybe a tad better than Ol Roy but not much better.

Lacy is fed a RAW diet - Nature's Variety raw medallions in venison and rabbit. I alternate the two each day. She's been eating this for a year and has done GREAT on it. I think RAW is the best way to go.

Before that she was on Wellness dry food. I think that's a great quality food. Other good ones are Innova, Canidae, Merrick, California Natural, Nature's Variety (they also have dry and canned), Solid Gold, Eagle Pack Hollistic.

If you don't want to go raw, you can also feed freeze dried raw. Nature's Variety makes it and I know someone who feeds the Honest Kitchen. I think they have a website.

Definitely stay away from grocery store brands.

RLC12345678 · 06-12-2007, 12:43 PM

If you're looking to switch foods, this site is invaluable with helping you to make a decision. Please note, however, that all the 6-star foods are way too high in protein for a puppy. So, your best bet would be to go with a food with a 5-star rating.

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...iews/index.php

NODAK · 06-12-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

If you're looking to switch foods, this site is invaluable with helping you to make a decision. Please note, however, that all the 6-star foods are way too high in protein for a puppy. So, your best bet would be to go with a food with a 5-star rating.

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...iews/index.php

We've already switched him once...wouldn't another switch perhaps be detrimental?? I know changes in diet can disrupt them.

06-12-2007, 12:08 PM	#1
NODAK BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 113	Food for your Yorkie? So we went to pick up our Yorkie a week ago, and we asked the breeder what she was feeding him. It turns out it was Ol Roy from Wal-Mart. Now, I'm not an expert or anything....but I don't really think I'd like any dog of mine to be eating Ol Roy. I'm not always convinced that more expensive is better, but in this case, I kind of am. So we feed him Purina Beneful. We've heard that's a good brand. What do you typically use? Was I wrong about Ol Roy?

06-12-2007, 12:16 PM	#4
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	This site will help you immensely: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...iews/index.php __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

06-12-2007, 12:21 PM	#6
angelee Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burtonsville, MD Posts: 260	That Ol Roy in my area was recalled because they found it had Salmonella in it. I cook for my little guy since the first recall. __________________ Horatio, my sweet boy. You aren't the boss of me...my Yorkie is. "Yorkie's are like peanuts...you can't have just one" Cindy Adams

06-12-2007, 12:22 PM	#7
SladesMommy Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ATX Posts: 4,513	There really aren't any benefits to wet food anyway, plus the dry food is better for the teeth. I do give my dogs canned food a couple times a month as a treat. We use Wellness Puppy. Its only $14 for a 6 lb bag, which is sort of expensive if you are feeding a large dog, but for the amount a yorkie eats its not bad at all. Slade uses about 1 bag a month __________________ GIGANTIC DOG CLOTHES SALE!!! <--- CLlCK!

06-12-2007, 12:26 PM	#8
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	There's nothing wrong with good quality canned food - it's only the junk that's bad for their teeth. I brush my dogs' teeth anyway. We feed Merrick canned (Wingaling), Innova Evo and we used to feed Canidae but picky Sammy decided not to eat it. Loki probably misses it because it is awesome food. I thought you said you got this dog from a wonderful breeder? A good breeder would not feed Ol Roy. Beneful is corn, fillers and preservatives. __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

06-12-2007, 12:11 PM	#2
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,149	The rule of thumb is to not feed anything that you can buy from Walmart or the grocery store....that means that Beneful is not a good choice either. Go to your local pet store and there are MUCH MUCH better choices there. Try Nutro or Merricks or something like that. In my opinion, the food "Canidae" is the best dog food on the market. Go to their website and you can find retailers in your area that will carry this food. Here's the "store locator" portion of their site: http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html Here's their site: http://www.canidae.com/dogs/all_life_stages/dry.html

06-12-2007, 12:14 PM	#3
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,149	I wanted to add....here are some general rules you want to follow when trying to find a good dog food: One or more named meats(Chicken, Lamb, etc.) in the first few ingredients...ideally a named meat "meal" as the first ingredient (i.e. Chicken Meal). Whole foods (i.e. rice rather than brewer's rice) No unnamed animal sources (i.e. Animal Fat, Meat and bone meal) No artificial colors or flavors No chemical preservatives (i.e. BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin) No added sugars or artificial sweeteners No wheat, soy, dairy or corn -- these commonly cause allergies in dogs. No byproducts

06-12-2007, 12:18 PM	#5
NODAK BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 113	I just wanted to add that we stay away from wet dog food because we were spooked about the recall....that's probably silly, but it still weighs on the mind.

06-12-2007, 12:34 PM	#10
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I thought I remembered someone posting on here that Ol Roy was recalled __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

06-12-2007, 12:36 PM	#11
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,149	It was recalled in some places. I know it was recalled in my state. But that's beside the point probably since she's not feeding Ol'Roy anyway.

06-12-2007, 12:39 PM	#12
yorkiegirl83 Love My Furbabies! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: somewhere Posts: 4,427	Canidea or Innova are my two picks. You really want to stay away from anything with byproducts and fillers. Beneful is one w/a very poor rating as well as IAMS, Purina, ect..

06-12-2007, 12:43 PM	#13
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	Beneful is not a good dog food at all - maybe a tad better than Ol Roy but not much better. Lacy is fed a RAW diet - Nature's Variety raw medallions in venison and rabbit. I alternate the two each day. She's been eating this for a year and has done GREAT on it. I think RAW is the best way to go. Before that she was on Wellness dry food. I think that's a great quality food. Other good ones are Innova, Canidae, Merrick, California Natural, Nature's Variety (they also have dry and canned), Solid Gold, Eagle Pack Hollistic. If you don't want to go raw, you can also feed freeze dried raw. Nature's Variety makes it and I know someone who feeds the Honest Kitchen. I think they have a website. Definitely stay away from grocery store brands. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.