Dog Foods?

[Koontzy]

I used ot feed my dogs ol roy but have recently decided to switch, I am debating on Science Diet, Purina or Iams or Eukanuba, what have ya'all heard bad and good bout these foods?

Thanks

[Emery]

Any except for the purina. With Science Diet, make sure that you are buying the kind with meat in it otherwise it will be totally vegetarian.

Why the switch to the most expensive brands? Can you find Black Gold or Diamond at a local feed store? These are high quality foods without the high quality price tag. However, you feed what makes you happy and to heck with what everyone else says.

Emery

[AlabamaSwamper]

Good choice to switch from Ol Roy. I couldn't live smelling that every day.

Diamond is good stuff and I am thinking of switching myself. I currently feed Pedigree and my dogs do real well on it. If you have a Sam's nearby, you can get 50lbs for about $15.

I refuse to feed cheap food to my dogs and so should everyone else. Ol Roy, Sunshine and several others will never get my business. I can tell it is no good by the smell the dogs put out. Seems only the cheaper foods do this.

[windy hollow]

I used ot feed my dogs ol roy but have recently decided to switch, I am debating on Science Diet, Purina or Iams or Eukanuba, what have ya'all heard bad and good bout these foods?

Thanks

look at the nutritional values before you decidePRO PLAN DOG CHOW
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (Min) 30.0%
Crude Fat (Min) 20.0%
Crude Fiber (Max) 3.0%
Moisture (Max) 12.0%
Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.8%
Calcium (Ca) (Min) 0.9%
Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.7%
Selenium (Se) (Min) 0.30 mg/kg
Vitamin A (Min) 15,000 IU/kg
Vitamin E (Min) 500 IU/kg
Ascorbic Acid** (Min) 100 mg/kg
Glucosamine
crude protein is important body builder IAMS has 1.0% more.******************
RESEARCH ON CRUDE FAT;
CRUDE FAT; is a measure of the total oil or fat content of a food stuff.
The fat content of most traditional food ingredient such as forages and cereal grains is low and quite
consistant. however the fat content of a by-product food,such as french fry wastes and oil seeds including
soy bean can be more variable.
TAKEN FROM LUCIA E. PARENT'S BEAGLES second edition. Onfats and oils;
Fats and oils are essential to the beagle's diet even though too much fat can be harmful. fat is a carrier for
certain vitamins and essential fatty acids. ( young beagles need fat as much as older ones;)
just consider the relatively high fat content of canine colostrum. there are a number of fat sources.
dog bisuits, (with meat) are generally high in fat. vegetable oils (from sunflowers, soybeans, and corn) are
a good source of essential fatty acids.
RENDERED ANIMAL FAT: ( lard, tallow, etc.) is high in saturated fats and cholesterol. (need to research these)
It contains few essential fatty acids.
do your own research and see what you want.....

[saddle-up]

Remember, the cheap stuff leaves you with a lot more clean up too...
Just a thought.

[windy hollow]

oohh by the way they are all dry food for the healthy teeth & gums but you can go on line and find all the information you need thats where I got what I posted.

[bluegrass]

I think a dog can starve on foods like Ol' Roy and Joy and the other cheap stuff out there. I even hate feeding Purina Hi-Pro. I have had the best results on Diamond foods than any others...I have tried Joy, Ol'Roy, Nutricare, Sportmix, Pedigree, Purina Hi-Pro, and Bench & Field. Stick with what works for you, but Diamond works for me...Tony

[Ranger]

I fed Ol' Roy for two or three years with good results but, switched to Purina a few years back and have been pleased with it. My dogs are healthy, energetic and doing great. I belong to the Purina Pro Club which helps reduce the cost of the feed.

[daustin]

I used to feed Purina but switched to IAMS and have been very happy with it. The dogs are healthier and have better coats on them. I usually look at the first three ingredients of a food to see how good it is. If it has corn or anything by-product in there it doesn't make it home. Corn is nothing but a filler and by-products are everything otherwise unuseable on an animal (skin, beaks, feet, etc.).


Dane

[Jim Stinnett]

I ahve fed all the feeds you guys are talking about. About 1 year ago I was feeding Diamond (green). Looked to me like the feed changed? I went to Purina Pro Plan. Pro Plan works for me. Dogs look great on 2 cups a day. Even when you are running them HARD.... Very little stool to clean up. I myself dont like Dog Chow or Hi - pro. Pro Plan cost more but to me its worth it! Just my 2 cents......Jim Stinnett - Briar Busten Beagles

[Ranger]

Here is what Purina says about corn and by products:
PROTEIN SOURCES

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not carnivores. They are omnivores, animals that eat animal and plant protein. The misconception that dogs are carnivores and eat only animal flesh probably comes from the fact that dogs in the wild feed on their prey - other animals. However, their prey are herbivores who eat only plants. When wild dogs kill and eat their prey (caribou, deer, elk, rabbit, etc.), they rip into and eat the intestinal tract first. The intestinal tract is full of partially digested grasses, leaves and other plants.

In addition, wild dogs routinely consume grasses, berries, roots and other vegetable matter. The gastrointestinal physiology of dogs is fully capable of digesting and absorbing plant protein sources as well as meat protein sources.

Many myths exist surrounding the sources of animal protein and plant protein, such as soy, in dry dog foods. The quality of protein in complete and balanced pet foods depends on the right combination of essential amino acids and the digestibility of the protein. Following are a few explanations as to why certain sources of protein are used in dry dog foods:

Poultry by-product Meal
Poultry by-product meal is a good source of animal protein and other nutrients. For this reason, it is widely used by pet food manufacturers as an ingredient in dry dog food formulas. It is a by-product of chicken or turkey poultry processing (generally) and contains about 55-70 percent protein. When combined with the proper complementary protein sources, it provides a balance of essential amino acids that meet the protein needs of normal, healthy dogs.

Soy
Soy protein is nutritionally equivalent or superior to animal protein and provides high levels of most essential amino acids. Neither meat nor soybean meal alone is an ideal protein source, but when fed in combination with a complementary source of essential amino acids, the two can help provide excellent protein nutrition to dogs. Unlike animal sources of protein, soy does not vary widely in amino acid content and availability. Poor quality meat or poultry meals are substantially less digestible than soybean meal.

Cereal Grains
Cereal grains, such as corn or wheat, are combined with another protein source, such as meat or soy, to help provide a complete balance of amino acids. For example, soybean meal and corn complement each other perfectly because the amino acids deficient in one are present in the other. In addition, manufacturers add corn, wheat, barley and other cereal grains to provide a source of carbohydrates that are used for energy. This is why meat and cereal grain ingredients, such as those in Purina O.N.E.® brand Lamb & Rice Formulas or Pro Plan® brand Chicken & Rice dog food formulas, include both ingredients.
Most commercial dog foods have the proper amounts of protein, whether the source is plant, animal or both. While protein needs change throughout a dog's life, any excess protein a dog may take in during a stage of life will not hurt the dog. Some excess may be beneficial in older dogs by helping dogs maximize their protein reserves. Additional protein can be used for energy. All Purina® brand pet foods have adequate protein for their intended life stages.

[Koontzy]

Any except for the purina. With Science Diet, make sure that you are buying the kind with meat in it otherwise it will be totally vegetarian.

Why the switch to the most expensive brands? Can you find Black Gold or Diamond at a local feed store? These are high quality foods without the high quality price tag. However, you feed what makes you happy and to heck with what everyone else says.

Emery

I would like to find black gold, but the feed stores around my area seem ot not have it in when I go to try and get it...

[DG TX]

After 15 years with Purina, it's Diamond here...

[WELLS WOODS]

Diamond(green bag) is the best I've found for the money. I was told it was tested and ranked 2nd behind Iams for quality ingredients. I even feed it to my puppies with great results. I've talked to several guys that run in the Northern MI Hare Association and they feed this also. They run thier dogs harder than anyone I know.

[Jed]

I feed Kasco dog food and like it very well. My dogs hunt hard and can go all day. Just my 2 cents.