My Favorite Dog Foods
Wednesday June 10, 2009
I am a big fan of natural and holistic products for myself, so why shouldn't my dog have the same? This is why I choose to feed my dogs natural and holistic dog food. While homemade diets can be great when done right, I don't usually have the time to prepare a high-quality meal for myself, let alone my pets. My guess is that many of you are in the same boat. Buying commercial dog food should not mean compromising your dog's health. That's when these healthy diets become really helpful.
Veterinary nutritionists are now often recommending a rotation diet - this means changing out your dog's food every 2-6 months. Choosing a dog food once can be hard enough, but doing it several times a year can be a real pain. This list includes just a few of my favorite natural and holistic dog foods. See how your dog does on them, and pick your favorites. All companies pledge to provide high-quality ingredients without cheap fillers. They might cost a lot more than generic dog food - but in the long run, you'll save more money on vet expenses because your dog will be healthier. Now you tell us - what do you feed your dog and why?
Photo © Jeff Topping / Stringer / Getty Images
I wouldn’t feed my animals (Cat and dogs) but the Chicken Soup for Dogs or cat or Nutro Natural Choice…NO iams, eukanaba or purina or anything else for us…my choices of brands for them are the best natural ones i can find that is all natural for our animals…i do not give them anything that have animal digest in them, that is gross
By the way, i always mix my dog foods with mix vegetables…and give them baby carrots or cheese at night before going to bed…i do not even give them tap water, they drink purified water, the same thing i droink that has potassium. My minpin has excellent teeth for his age, he is 10 years old, although he has asthma other wise he is healthy. I just adopted a chihuahua, she is 5 months old and she eats chicken soup for puppies plus the veggies…
We’ve been through a gazillion packaged dog foods ~ some my dogs turn their noses up at and walk away, some have actually caused skin disorders (Kibbles and Bits). Now we’re eating the Lassie Natural Way dog food that has no coloring/preservatives and feeling much better. I also prepare homemade food to supplement. I sautee up carrots and zucchini in a bit of olive oil, and then add that to barley or brown rice. I add a bit of cooked chicken or lean beef. So, they get a bit of dry dog food and some cooked food with each meal. They are both happy and healthy and they even let me eat some of their dog food when there’s plenty lol…..just add a bit of salt and spices and my ‘dog food’ is ‘people food’. It’s funny ~ sometimes when my hubby wants a side dish, I’ll say, have some of that dog food in the fridge! lol
I’m partial to Nutro myself and my Newfoundland dog likes it. If I can’t find Nutro, I will feed Iams lamb meal and rice.
It’s always a balance between what finiky Maeve will eat and what I can find for her carless in a small town.
you people need to go to Blue Buffalo and compare your favorite dog food… certainly interesting. I have 2 labs at 2yrs old, and the have strong healthy bodys with with hair like silk, great teeth, and they gobble there food down like a favorite treat… also for treats sweet potatos,carrotts and chicken jerky, they love all raw veggies, and most fruits. (no grapes of course) labs love everything.
My little fella has a sensitive tummy that shows up in the spring and summer months. I feed him 2 types of kibble, Nutro for sensitive tummies and Solid Gold. I like the idea of adding veggies. He is a great kitchen vacuum cleaner… except for veggies… now I can sneak some veggies into his kibble…got him!!!
I was a big Nutro fan until they started dousing it with loads of sodium. Now I only feed my 4 corgis Blue or Avoderm. Feeding them the same foods that we eat off the table as a bonus with their dog food (except for foods that are specfically no-no’s for dogs) is always helpful, too, as it provides much-needed veggies and tasty meat that no processed dog food will ever give them. They NEVER get digestive problems. I must be doing something right!
Blue Buffalo is the best stuff. No corn or byproducts. My dogs also love it. Once they started using it, their coat improved greatly. I tried Nurtro but their coats went to pot.
I feed Acana and Orijen. IMHO they are the best foods on the market. I say that after 22 years as a breeder. Why? Well, first the ingredients and percentages in both diets are good. Second, the company owns it’s own manufacturing plants which I feel is vital considering the fiascos of recent years. Third, they are completely responsible for the product from beginning to end – no outsourcing. Fourth, their foods are certified – for instance the salmon is certified ethoxyquin free – important in salmon. These are great holistic foods. Personally, I don’t feel the Chicken Soup foods measure up to the best holistic foods – Timberwolf, EVO, Innova…
The best all natural diet for dogs and cats is a raw diet. Check out Natures Variety. They also offer dry and can food.
After many different tries of different natural dog foods I ended up with castor and pollex. Not only do my picky dogs love the food their coat looks beautiful. After the pet food recall I was adamant about finding a safe food for my pups, and after speaking to someone at castor i feel 100% comfortable with the safety of their product.
My husband and I are feeding our two bully breed dogs Innova. My American bulldog is only 15 weeks old and averages gaining a pound a day and looks great. My pit bull actually slimmed down quite a bit and it helped her tone up in her chest and back. They love it too!