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for awhile my mom was getting iams for my puppie but we just decided today that we wanted to see if beniful puppy would help..cuz were trying to make sure she gets healthy, grows up healthy, and wont have a weight problem cuz her mom does but we have her on it too..so do u guys think thats good puppy food? any other suggestions

2006-08-19 17:10:10 · 21 answers · asked by Ashley 2 in Pets Dogs

21 answers

Frankly I wouldn't recommend either but I have done extensive research on the feeding needs of dogs and puppies after seeing the results of less then prime food on many rescue dogs. Rule Number 1- Never feed a dog/puppy food with corn as the main ingredient or in the top 5 ingredients. How many dogs have you ever noticed grazing?? Secondly, A real meat should be the top ingredient; not by-products or fillers. Dogs need protein; meat contains that protein. This doesn't have to be a difficult choice if you just know what to look for. There are many good brands of food out there but most are a little more expensive but trust me, in the long run you will be glad you spent the extra money. More dogs are allergic to the corn in their feed than most people realize; their allergies just vary from dog to dog. My preferred choice is a corn-free, meat-rich food with a good fat content. ALso the better quality the food, the less the dog will need to eat to maintain his weight and health. Dogs need to eat more of a cheaper dog food to get the amount of nutrients, fat, protein they need which also results in more 'poo' piles as well. I personally like Nutro Lamb and rice for digestibility, Royal Canin is a wonderful food as well. There are many great foods; you just need to do a little research :) Good luck with the new pup!

2006-08-19 17:57:24 · answer #1 · answered by dusty_roade 3 · 1 0

I use Iams, and swear by it. Beniful is a crappy food for dogs. It don't have the nutrients they need. To make sure you have a good food. Look on the label. The first 5 ingredients should be meat (for any animal) if they are a by product or some kind of corn meal it is not healthy. Just because a pet food looks good with packaging and colorful bites don't mean it is good for you pet. The corn meal or other ingredients should come further down the list, if not then look for another food. As your pet shop. They will know and look at the ingredients some owners of local pet shops just try to sell there types. Be careful and read the ingredient. The one rule of thumb is if you wouldn't eat it then your pet shouldn't either!

2006-08-19 17:24:12 · answer #2 · answered by tranquility 2 · 0 0

Iams is better than Beniful (crap) but if I had to choose a kibble, I'd go with Nutro Ultra, it is closer to holistic. Go online and check out the list of ingredients on the back of the bag of food you choose. Check out what's really in pet food here: http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1

What is the protein source? Don't feed any food that has "by-products" that's beaks, feet, eyes...you get the picture. Some dog foods get protein from roadkill or from dogs and cats that are euthanized in shelters (sad but true). Don't feed corn gluten ( a usless filler and also an herbicide) or brewer's rice (leftover hops from breweries - does that make sense to you to feed it to your dog?) Choose a formula for you dogs type - is it large breed? Personally, I have researched it extensively and I feed a raw diet, and my dogs allergies are finally going away. Use the Internet and check out "Foods dogs die for" here http://www.newsagepress.com/foodpetsdiefor.html

The pet food industry is big big money, don't assume they have YOUR dog's best interest in mind, and not every dog has the same nutritional requirements. Also - you could stuff a multivitamin in a lump of horse poop and it could still be labeled "complete and balanced nutrition" but do you think it is? Oh, and by the way only KIBBLE fed dogs have trouble when you change their diet. My dogs got horrible diarrea at the slightest kibble change, but I switched to raw cold turkey and they had NO problem. ( raw fed dogs also have poops that crumble after a day or two into dust - no more scooping poop for me!) Kibble started out as a way for the human food industry to get rid of the wastes not fit for human consumption.

2006-08-19 17:36:10 · answer #3 · answered by Whizbeth 2 · 0 0

You should talk to your vet about this. You shouldn't change your puppy's food unless it's absolutely necessary. It's not always good for their delicate systems. Puppies need a good puppy food - which is different from adult dog food. It's not just the food that can make a dog fat, but also the eating habits. Our adult dog and puppy both eat ProPlan (puppy food and adult food). Our vet says that is a good dog food (not that there aren't others). Our dogs get fed twice a day. We just fill the bowl and put it down for them. If they don't eat after a while, we pick it back up. Then they have to wait until that evening. They will eat when they are hungry. They will get used to the routine and schedule. If you leave food out all day, your dog may graze and get fat that way. Good luck and take care of that puppy!

Also, the one brand to avoid is Ol' Roy. A dog can starve on that!

2006-08-19 17:19:09 · answer #4 · answered by Snow White 2 · 0 1

Pick a brand of dog food that contains the highest amount of real meat protein (not bi-products).
Make certain that the first ingredient is MEAT (or meat meal, which is the meat with the water and fat extracted). Choose a diet with the least non-digestible carbohydrate (as in corn - dogs don't digest corn very well). High DIGESTIBLE protein is not the same as "CRUDE" protein. Crude protein, which is all that is required on the label, can be beaks, feather and hooves, and protein from other non-digestible carbohydrate sources like grains.

Grains should be relatively low on the ingredient list, NOT first.

Dogs are carnivores. They eat meat. So, if you are trying to purchase a dry, commercial diet for your dog, go with the brand that has a good source of REAL MEAT as the first and hopefully second ingredient on the label.

2006-08-19 17:20:51 · answer #5 · answered by Tammie R 2 · 1 0

get an all-natural dog/puppy food. i wouldn't go with iams or with beniful (beniful's made by purina, right?)

they put all kinds of scary stuff in those big-name dog foods, 'cuz it's not regulated like people food. chemicals, by-products, and other stuff like meat from diseased animals that doesn't pass for human consumption. some people say that's why so many dogs end up dying from cancer.

we feed our dogs Bench & Fields Holistic Natural Canine Formula. and they prefer it to that other crap anyway. there are also other all-natural options out there.

i've also heard that iam's is involved in some pretty sick animal testing stuff.....

2006-08-19 17:27:23 · answer #6 · answered by lazy_magnet 2 · 0 0

nope Benefil and Iams are both considered LOW QUALITY PUPPY (dog) FOODs

they have too much filler and not enough meat.. you will feed more of either because the dog needs to eat through the filler to get the nutrition

filler = by-products (beaks feet feathers), corn, wheat, soy

both often have allergy causeing cheap meat - beef and pork

dogs who eat these foods often have weight problems because they have to eat so much food to feel full and the foods put extra fat into their food to give the pet a shiney coat so you are fooled into thinking your pet is eating good food

go to a pet supply store and look for a better food - in Canada I suggest ACANA or NUTRAM, in USA dont settle for less than NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE...

when you feed better foods you feed less and get less poops

(dont be fooled all foods tell you they are good - read the lable, plus there are alot of ignorant dog owners out there who will suggest other crappy foods like science diet, purina, etc)

2006-08-19 17:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1 0

If you go to a pet store they will tell you to only buy dog food at a pet store. That any brands sold at grocery and department stores is not the best for your dog. I personally liked Nutra.

But be careful changing the puppies food do it gradually over time mixing it in with the food you use now.

2006-08-19 17:31:06 · answer #8 · answered by walkerhound03 5 · 0 0

You could compare the nutritional facts and the ingredients on each bag and see what you think.
My two schnauzers like Beniful better than Iams.

2006-08-19 17:24:05 · answer #9 · answered by chick a dee 3 · 0 0

My vet always told me that Purina Puppy Chow is great. That is what I use. Changing a puppies diet though is not good. I had someone who bought a puppy from me do that (I dont know why he thought he needed to) and he called me complaining that the puppy had diareaha (think that is spelled wrong). I told him it was because he changed his food too quickly.

Anyways, that opinion came from my vet, so I would say it is pretty good advice.

2006-08-19 17:53:07 · answer #10 · answered by LittleMermaid 5 · 0 0

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