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Which dog food is good for a young lab?
Also which is better, duck and rice, lamb and rice or chicken and rice. Does the brands matter or not really? And which brands are the best and also cost? By the dog is a working pup and the breed is Labrador Retriever.
Thank you for your input.
Oh no, not again... :whacked::scream:
One word.
RAW!
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Originally Posted by last5oh_302
Whats RAW spelled backwards ? Don't get me started on that topic again or else it will be!!!:mad:
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Originally Posted by Sharon
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Originally Posted by yellow dog
http://www.lsffa.com/images/smilies/stirthepot.gif
I'm joking by the way. lol
I'm surprised Gilroy hasn't jumped in on this one. LOL
oh no.... please god, not again...lol
I can not move it, I guess only admin can move it to another category.
I am not asking the same question, what I am asking is which food is good for the pup. For example duck is good for shiny coat but not good for under 15 month pup. The reason I am asking, I was reading that they can develop allergies due to age. Plus if lamb is good for pup which brand makes the best lamb food.
The "best" is the one your pup likes. I found chicken gave my dog gas, feeding raw gave another dog gas so bad he left the room when it happened! I have found lamb to be the easiest on this dog, so far minimal foul smells.
Pick a brand that is available local to you, at more than one location. Read the ingredients, try and stay away from low end ( price range ) they tend to use fillers. The more fillers, the more you have to shovel.
If it was my puppy, i would start with lamb as a main protein, feed that for a while, see how the dog does.
Trial and error unfortunately. Your dog will tell you what works best for him. When it comes to dog food one size does not fit all.
Try Costco first they make some great dog food at a reasonable price.
You mean kirkland products. If yes, which one is good, chicken or lamb.Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
Thanks
You mean walking to butcher store and getting the meat and feeding him, or raw as in left over from the hunt. Plus how much meat is enough per meal.Quote:
Originally Posted by last5oh_302
Thanks
I did the butcher shop thing. That was the dog that would run from the room. Except he was a weight pulling dog and that was long before raw was trendy.
Google BARF ( good starting place for raw info) there are also threads here on it.
As for the kirkland brand, i have worked where their products are made ( human food products) I would never buy them, even if only to feed to my dog.
There is a dog food manufacturer in Guelph whose facilities put human food facilities to shame they are so clean and well maintained. Funny, I dont feed my dog that brand either.
I am currently using Nutro, but have issues finding it in my area. So I am trying to change to something that I can purchase easily and don't have to drive store to store.
I recently started feeding my dog the brand that is made in that clean Guelph facility. So far, it's the only one that doesn't give him bad gas. (I'm praying it stays that way!) Prior to that, I fed the expensive, high protein wilderness food and the dog could clear a room the gas was so bad. Tried the duck, the chicken, the salmon -- they all gave him gas. And BAAAD! Then he started getting the runs.... Anyway, my house smells much better now. LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by thunderbelly
There are better foods available than Costco (2 brands there and one is better than other) and Innova, or the food that is made in Guelph, but these aren't bad foods. There are certainly worse foods out there.
In "most" cases, you get what you pay for. I say "most" because in some brands you're just paying for their marketing/advertising and the food is still sub par.
As was mentioned, your dog will determine what the best food is, and this is especially true in the case of premium kibble. One brand is not always the right brand for your dog. Dogs can get bored of their food so picking a brand that has different flavors that you can alternate/rotate through is something to consider as well.
I heard giving different flavour would give the dog constant runs. Is this true? Also if too much Salmon is not good for humans due to Mercury level, I will not feed my dog salmon either, might lead to organ failure.Quote:
Originally Posted by last5oh_302
If you stick with the different flavors within the same brand you "should" be okay, but nothing is etched in stone. I think the biggest problem with gas and loose stools is people feeding too much. Premium foods are rich, and higher in calories. Less is better.Quote:
Originally Posted by labtalk
As for the salmon, I guess that depends on where the salmon comes from? Not sure on that, but I do know it's not uncommon for dogs to not like fish. Some kibbles are made up of human grade meats, so I don't see mercury levels being an issue in these brands, unless, as you say the mercury is high in all salmon.
I agree, people are often guilty of feeding too much thereby causing the gas/stool issue.
Just as an example 'Loyall' produced by Nutrena(Agribrands Purina Canada) speak directly to an 'Opti-Cook" process which makes starches easier for digestive enzymes to process. This process reduces digestive and stool problems associated with starch. They are not alone in adopting a like process.
As I discovered in my quest for a new dog breed,cancer rates in dogs is way up. I've been on this bent about soy and its relation to cancer. so I check my DF, low and behold.... soy
My brother fed the the loyal for almost a year and had nothing but problems. He switched to Kirkland grain free and hasn't looked back since. He also added the ZINPRO to his dogs diet because of dry skin and cut pad issues and this made all the difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by krakadawn
X2 on the kirkland, been feeding it for over 10 years without issue. My last bullmastiff ate it all his life and my 3 month old pooch is now eating it, perfect stools from day one. I keep the feedings to regular times each day and he craps pretty much the same time from one day to the next which which made potty training super easy. Again every dog is different so it's what works.Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
Kibble is his mainstay but he also get fresh fruit, veggies, and different meat, poultry and fish. Who just want to eat plain kibble all there life.
My puppy now eats fresh celery, sweet potato, carrot, and all kinds of berries as treats. I have also introduced raw egg, canned tuna packed in water, cooked chicken, and cooked beef all in small amounts. I try different things every 2 to 3 days to see how he reacts and what his stool looks like.
Like any other dog food....there are numerous levels....hard to judge a total brand based on one level. Most companies produce levels anywhere from bare minimum to a professional level.
I agree always feeding the same food becomes boring with time but I was afraid it might be giving him runs. That is why I tried to always stick with the same ingredients. What are some good brands out there that is good available.
How old is puppy?Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcharge
Did he just start getting the runs? Did you just introduce a new food? Has he had runs for a few days? If introducing a new food to fast he will get the runs but things should balance out after a few days...
If not the case you need to try something else. If he has had the runs for more then a few days that is not good, maybe something else is going on... He can then get dehydrated. Give him some plain rice to try and control this and see a vet
I know of many people who switched from Loyal and Purina that now feed the Kirkland brand. Some dogs do well on garbage dog food brands while others don't. I know of a racer who swears by O'Roy dog food and her dogs do well on it.
My first sheppard put out some big turds from them 50lb bags :DQuote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
Thats enough reason right there! Lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Wife
My issue is that there is nothing around me and it is hard to find his exact food. Some big stores don't carry the brand and some are constantly out of it. I want to change yo something that is good and can be found easily.Quote:
Originally Posted by darren123
He is 13 months old and I had him on Nutro lamb. I am thinking of changing to something better but can easily be found, since I can't constantly drive to 7 to 10 stores to find it.
It looks like you have a Rens and Global in your area. They should always be stocked up. Some places give you every 10th or 12th bag free of certain brands as well, and some places will price match.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcharge
Unfortunately there is nothing in my area, I live close to Tottenham in King city. The closest store to me is in Tottenham which carries limited stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by last5oh_302
Unfortunately you'll either have to make the drive or have the food shipped to you then. I used to drive quite a ways myself to get a certain brand of food.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcharge
I chose a kibble based on a few different things.
-all local ingredients (all grown here and made here- no imported ingredients from overseas)
-track record (no recalls)
-quality of ingredients
-guarantee (if dog doesn't like it, or it just doesnt agree with dog, return it for full refund)
Good luck in your search, and finding something close.
Global pet food stores have a great assortment and your 11th bag is free. You can buy 2 bags at a time in Newmarket and probably be stocked up for @ 3 months.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcharge
Has anyone else been told that pumpkin helps the dogs digest their food ( cuts down on the gas)? Anyone try it?
I have read it can firm up stools. Not sure it should be part of regular diet though?
Try Kirkland you wno't be disappointed.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcharge
Very interesting article, written by a vet. Something to think about .
http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/feeding-...140700646.html
I don't recall seeing human grade used on any dogs food packaging? Certainly not something I feel is required. My dog eats meat scraps of fat and gristle that nobody in this house would eat. Dogs eat stuff that is almost scary really.
The food you feed your dog is actually rated fit for human consumption, which is above and beyond "humam grade", from my understanding.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
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Our ingredients are different too. We focus on local ingredients that are sustainably raised, passed ‘fit for human consumption’, and then delivered to our kitchens FRESH EACH DAY, so they’re bursting with flavor and goodness to nourish dogs and cats completely.
There seem to be quite a few costly buzzwords being put on dog food packaging. Personally I cant justify paying double for the latest and greatest catch phrase.
Having something on the label means very little in an unregulated product. Not saying kibble is unregulated, but the dogfood plants I have worked in do try to meet certain standards ( even if only during the inspection) when I asked about the packaging labels, i was told that part was unregulated they could put what they want on it.
Feed what is best for your dogs and you. For me that means a healthy dog, no gas, and affordable. Funny enough I dont feed my dog from any of the factories I have worked in.
Im reading lots of people suggestion Kirkland from Costco......I myself have been feeding my 9 mth old lab Blue Wilderness large puppy breed from day 1.....he has done very well on it but my pocket book is now taking a kicking from how expensive this stuff is....I am going to switch in gradual increments and try this Kirkland but my question is I have seen they have a few different types.....which would some of you that have used Kirkland suggest I go with.......an exact name would be helpful......Kirkland what??.......thanks
I'm currently in the transition from Pro Plan to Kirkland grain free (blue bag). Hoping this helps with the ear infections and constant shedding!
Is it made in China?
You get what you pay for, except in the foods that have high advertising bills.
The one I use from Costco is called Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog - Chicken, Rice and Vegetable. Bag is purple in colour. In the past, have used Acana, Pro Plan, and Royal Canin and have found that Tessa does best on the Kirkland brand. Also used the puppy formula and now have her on the aforementioned adult food. Good food, great price ... no gas and solid stools. I highly recommend to anyone.
Lorenzo
Just Googled it. It is made by Diamond in the USA. The reviews I have read on Kirkland tend to be good.
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-fo...ture-dog-food/
Not when it comes to dog food in my opinion .Quote:
Originally Posted by last5oh_302
I looked back at what we fed out beagles in the 50's - healthy dogs, full of energy , good coats, no allergies.
http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.ca/...-dog-food.html
All ya have to do is read the ingredients.
my lab seems to only eat ACANA Pacifica hes allergic to other foods fish seems to be the only safe one.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcharge
It's pretty tough to beat the quality of food you're feeding your lab.Quote:
Originally Posted by pearcey
Again, it's all about reading the ingredients. If I recall correctly, if you can find a food in which the first 5 ingredients contain 3 or more real meat proteins, then you're looking at quality stuff that obviously costs more to make.
This Dog food article gives you a good starting point when deciding on a good quality kibble:
Top-rated dry dog food
In the dry food category, we found a number of high-quality dog foods that earn great grades from pet-food advocates. Though we name Orijen Adult Dog as our Best Reviewed selection, any of the top-rated foods (see below) deserve consideration. In the end, cost, availability and how much your dog likes or does not like a particular food will likely tip the balance for you.
Leading off, Orijen Adult Dog http://www.consumersearch.com/sites/...nds/spacer.gif (Est. $45 for a 15-lb. bag) is a grain-free dog food that draws kudos from top reviewers. This food is loaded with meat: Boneless chicken, chicken meal, chicken liver, whole herring and boneless turkey are the top five ingredients -- all delivered fresh daily to Orijen's Canadian factory, along with whole eggs, fruits and veggies. "Far more natural ... in a class above" other dog foods, DogFoodAnalysis.com editors say. PetFoodRatings.org reviewers agree: "There is absolutely nothing you can fault this food for," reviewers conclude.
Orijen's sister brand, Acana (they're made by the same Canadian company), is made with the same painstaking care and fresh Canadian foods -- but with a little less meat and a little more carbohydrate. Acana's less expensive flavors, such as Acana Classics Chicken and Burbank Potato http://www.consumersearch.com/sites/...nds/spacer.gif (Est. $35 for a 15-lb. bag) , include grains -- a carb source that dogs didn't evolve to eat, some experts argue. Still, the steel-cut Alberta oats that go into Acana are considered a high-quality grain for dog food, and plenty of experts (and satisfied owners) recommend Acana wholeheartedly.
A couple of other dry dog food brands -- Evo and Wellness -- score nearly as high. Both are grain-free, with no artificial preservatives or questionable by-products. Evo Turkey & Chicken Formula (Est. $30 for a 13.2-lb. bag) leads off its ingredient list with turkey, chicken, turkey meal and chicken meal. Wellness Core Grain Free Original Formula (Est. $35 for a 12-lb. bag) looks pretty similar: deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal. Potatoes come next, though (Wellness Core also adds peas), so these foods aren't as meaty as Orijen.
However, both brands have been recalled in recent years. (Orijen/Acana have never been recalled). In 2012, one Wellness dry dog food (not a Wellness Core variety) was recalled as part of the big Diamond Pet Foods salmonella recall. Wellness immediately stopped using Diamond to make any of its products. In 2013, all dry dog food made by Natura (Evo's parent company) was recalled -- again, due to possible salmonella contamination. Natura is owned by Procter & Gamble, which bought the company in 2010.
Good dry dog foods on a budget
Taste of the Wild High Prairie http://www.consumersearch.com/sites/...nds/spacer.gif (Est. $29 for a 15-lb. bag) contains no grains, soy or artificial preservatives. It's got beneficial bacteria, fruits and veggies -- all kinds of stuff you usually only find in super-premium dog kibbles.Bison is Taste of the Wild's first ingredient, with venison down the list (both great meat sources, although Mary Straus at DogAware.com recommends saving some exotic proteins in case your dog ever develops allergies to more common proteins or needs an elimination diet). Lamb meal and chicken meal come second and third, followed by sweet potatoes and peas.
This dog food is not as meat-rich as Orijen -- or as squeaky-clean safety-wise. Taste of the Wild dog food was recalled in the spring of 2012 over concerns regarding possible salmonella contamination. Still, experts say it's a stellar value if you want to feed grain-free.
Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active Dog Formula http://www.consumersearch.com/sites/...nds/spacer.gif (Est. $29 for a 15-lb. bag) isn't grain-free, but experts say it's a good runner-up choice. Created by veterinarian Tim Hunt for his Alaskan Husky sled dogs, Dr. Tim's is made by a family-run Ohio company and uses North American ingredients, with no artificial preservatives. Each batch is tested for salmonella, and Dr. Tim's has never been recalled.
Dr. Tim's makes three versions: Momentum for very athletic dogs, Pursuit for active dogs and Kinesis for more sedentary dogs. All have chicken meal as their first ingredient, followed by brown rice flour, chicken fat, oat flour and dried beet pulp. To some critics, that sounds great -- but to others, it's too much grain. Some criticize the beet pulp as just low-cost filler (it's left over from sugar beet processing), while others say it aids digestion. Interestingly, Dr. Tim's Pursuit is lower-carb than the grain-free Taste of the Wild High Prairie.
Whether they include grains, any of the dry foods discussed above are a far better choice than most supermarket dry foods. One possible exception is Kirkland Signature dog food, which is sold exclusively at Costco. The ingredients list of Kirkland Signature Lamb, Rice & Vegetable formula (Est. $35 for a 40-lb. bag) , for example, falls short compared to the best choices, but the food doesn't cost nearly as much. "It isn't quite among the top tier foods, but if you were to put this on the shelves of most major pet stores and especially other 'big box' stores, it would be among the best foods available," say editors at PetFoodRatings.org. Others agree, with Mike Sagman of DogFoodAdvisor.com commenting that it is an "above-average kibble" that is "value-priced." Meat content is good, and while grains are used, they are mostly higher quality.
One negative is that Kirkland brand dog foods have not been immune from recall issues -- and certain batches of Kirkland Signature Lamb, Rice & Vegetable dog food were voluntarily recalled in the spring of 2012 because of possible salmonella contamination. In fairness, however, the same could also be said of some of the best-regarded foods -- and several of those were also caught up in the same recall. The bottom line: Regardless of which food they use, pet owners should keep an eye out in case safety issues arise. The FDA website is an excellent resource.
http://www.consumersearch.com/dog-fo...t-dry-dog-food
I use to sell Dr.Tim's dog food for a few years and fed it to my dog team. I feel its the best all around dog food on the market and I put thousands of miles on my dog team feeding the Momentum and a fat supplement .
The Dr. Tim's was also made in Ontario at the Royal Canin plant for a short period of time.
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Originally Posted by last5oh_302
Thanks, Its good to hear someone that knows about Dog food, I took Vets advice in this brand. The only down side is with tax its 90$ a bag every 3 weeks.
Here is a picture of the bag for anyone who is curious to what is looks like.
Attachment 25116
I'm by no means an expert, but I have learned a lot and heed the advice given to me by a dog nutritionist I talk to.Quote:
Originally Posted by pearcey
Rens sells it for 74.49 a bag. Maybe you can get your supplier to price match. You should get every 10 or 12th bag for free as well.
I fed the ACANA for one racing season and would have to say it is comparable to the Dr.Tim's.
Ya, I buy from global pet food, Like the selection and staff is friendly.