Difference in dog food?

Question

Is there really a difference if you feed your dog the more expensive food?
My vet suggested a change in food but I haven't noticed a difference, except at the registar. What should I be looking for as a sign of a good or bad food?
I have a weimaraner who eats anything.

Answer 1

There's a huge difference in food quality between cheap and expensive brands. You might not notice it right away, but your dog will most certainly live a longer, healthier life. I don't agree with the others that mentioned IAM's, Eukanuba, Science Diet, or Royal Canin as good quality foods...these all contain corn and grains that your dog doesn't need and is mostly filler. I would go with a more holistic food like Innova, Canidae, Flint River Ranch, Solid Gold, etc. Here's a link if you'd like to compare food ingredients...I found it to be very helpful when I decided to use the Evo for my dog. http://www.naturapet.com

Answer 2

Yes and No. Some foods you pay more for aren't very good, others are excellent. Look at the ingredients and consider the needs of the breed. You have a hunting dog that has to stay busy and that has needs for more glucosamine and chondrotin for bones and joints.
Good brands that can make a difference: Wellness, Canidae, Royal Canin, Natural Balance

All those types of food I just mentioned before have different varieties. Make sure you are getting the variety to suit your dog.
For a dog with allergies: Nature's Recipe Venison and Rice, Dick Van Patten Venison and Potato

http://www.rawdogranch
has some good into on raw feeding if you go that route.

Some brands like Nutro Ultra (not as easy to digest as some brands but good quality), Authority Harvest Baked (a median priced dog food with a high rating for quality) are also good foods.

I avoid Science Diet because of their fiber content and meat sources. But Science Diet funds a lot of Vets for their schooling.

If your Vet suggests a brand for a medical reason, go by what your Vet suggests.

Good things to add to your dogs food:
Plain yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Pumpkin Pie Filling
Acidophulus capsules, opened and sprinkled on food, especially whenever your dog has to have antibiotics

Good supplements for skin and coat: Ask your Vet about 3V Skin Caps which have Omega 3, Vit A, D and E in them.

Oh, and I have heard nothing but good about Chickensoupforthepetloverssoul or whatever it was that cutie pie mentioned. Just haven't tried it ever.
Avoid BilJac (molasses-not good. beet pulp-not good, by-products way too many and too expensive for the lack of quality)

Answer 3

Yes there really is a difference in dog foods. Ingredients (of course), fillers, and the quality of the meats are key differences but...The better brands tend to be more expensive for two reasons: 1) consistency in quality 2) product research.

One more thing to think about is this. If you read the labels on some of the foods (cheap versus expensive), it may read exactly the same. Keep in mind that pet foods are not required to be regulated by anyone. The company that makes the cheaper foods can (and there is no law against it) put anything they want on their labels.

Say that they get a really good shipment of chicken in to their factory so that is what they put on the label. Next time they go to make more, they can't get the same chicken, but there isn't time to change the label so they keep it the same.

Having said all of that, you can still find good foods with out breaking the bank. If at all possible, avoid store brands and most brands that you can buy at retail chains (such as Wal-Mart). Some good brands that you can find at PetSmart/PetCo are: Royal Canin (in my opinion, the best on the market but pricey)
Nutro or Nutro's Natural Choice (good food for the price)
Authority
IAMS
Eukanuba
Science Diet (although this one does use a lot of grain products and can be bad for animals with food allergies)
Hope this helps!!

Answer 4

Yes, there is a huge difference.

What you buy off the supermarket shelf is pretty much what people in the dog world call JUNK FOOD for dogs.

Supermarket branded dog food contain the vare essentials of what a dog needs and then a whole heap of artifical colourings & preservatives your dog does not need.

If you have a high engery dog like a Wiem, you really need to be feeding it an appropriate feed.

Look at brands such as Royal Canin, Pro Plan, Iams, Eukanuba. Some brands such as Royal Canin have breed specific kibble.

You should speak with the breeder of your dog to get their reccomendation or speak with a Weim Breed Club for their suggestions as they know the breed the best.

Just like humans.....you can live on Maccas but it's not doing you any good what-so-ever.

Answer 5

There is a huge difference. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better, but the cheap foods are definitely cheap for a reason.

You said you haven't noticed a difference... what is the change you're expecting to see? What physical symptoms was the dog having that caused your vet to recommend a switch? It is possible that the food you switched to still isn't the right one to make the difference.

Answer 6

The more expensive dog food actually contains more meat not meat product. If you buy an expensive one and compare it to the same flavoured cheap one(go on, buy them and check) you can see the difference and check the ingredients table. You will find more added vit and minerals and less grain products. More protien and probably more added health supplements such as glucosamine to help prevent arthritis, seakelp meal for immune system and other such things you have probably never heard of.

Answer 7

Low-quality dog foods are full of crap you wouldn't ever want to eat yourself, let alone feed your beloved pet.

Bad food causes weight gain (due to fat and fillers instead of good protein), excessive shedding, dull, dry, or oily coat, weepy eyes, allergies, and tartar. Good food should lead to a healthy, shiny coat, few or no allergies, clear eyes, clean teeth, and a lean, fit dog.

Even if you can't see it now, it's kind of like feeding a person McDonalds and nothing else. For a few days, no problem. A year, probably okay. Ten years? HUGE problem. You saved your dog a lot of health problems down the road by switching now, and he'll lead a longer and healthier life with a good diet.

Answer 8

Feeding your dog good food will pay off in the long run. Fewer vet visits for health problems. Longer life, things like that. Also smaller and less stinky poop.

Answer 9

good dog food always has the meat listed first in the ingredients I buy my puppy chickensoupforthepetloverssoul it's healthy and easily digestible for her since she's a bulldog with a sensitive tummy