What do you feed your dog and why?

Question

I am doing job related research on why people choose the foods they buy for thier pets. Also, if you think of it, I would like to know what age/breed of dog or dogs you are feeding. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

There are many high quality dog foods available these days..I used to feed Nutro Max Chicken/Rice...My pups grew great, and, as my breed is long-coated, they had gorgeous coats in no time...
However, their teeth were always stained..I never knew why, but they seemed to need constant cleaning, to be ready to show..

So, I switched to Eukenuba, and they had better teeth, and nice coats..but bowels were always loose...

I fed Abady's for 2 litters, and liked what it did for the pups..but it stank..and was too un-handy....

I fed Purina Pro Plan when it came out..Pups did well..no complaints...

However, my supplier recommended Canidae 21/2 years ago..WOW! I never knew that my oldsters could be so rejuvenated! Suddenly they were putting on gorgeous coats, and acting as puppies..full of play..dancing as we walked...It just blew me away...
Then I took a 10 year old to have a cyst removed, and the vet came out amazed at her blood-work..he said that it was that expected in a 4-5 year old...He also said that he always cleans teeth while they are 'under', but that her teeth were absolutely clean..

I took another in to be spayed, at 7 years old, and the vet was amazed at how white and clean her teeth were..and then when he took out stitches..commented that she healed so fast that the incision was already hard to see...

All my dogs have just thrived on Canidae, and I would sure recommend it..It is made from all human grade ingredients, and natural preservatives..
there are other foods that are likely as good..but, as Canidae is easy to find, and they are doing so well, I wouldn't want to switch..
Other great dog foods that you can find most places, are Wellness, Innova, Solid Gold, Wysong, Natural Balance, Royal Canine...

Answer 2

I feed a mixture depending on the type of work or training i am doing with my dogs. I have two breeds of hounds Redbone and Plott, ages range from puppy to 12 years old. I use a good quality hi protein dry food mixed with warm water along with boiled chicken (no bones) and white rice or boiled liver with white rice mixing a boiled egg in from time to time, if i am not working the dogs much then i cut back on the protein as it is not needed, example 21 % say down to 18 or 16% these are not all my actual figures just some examples to go by. I feed two times a day morning and night, each dog gets a different amount based on individual size, weight and amount of work done. some may not like this way of feeding but it works for us and is good way to keep your dog in its prime weight and condition range. Plus they love the meat

Answer 3

here is a little fact i hadnt seen anyone write yet. If you feed your dog a 40lb bag of grocery dog food they will poop 65-70 percent of it. If you go with a higher end dog food like NUTRO thier waste will be cut almost in half. They will also eat less have better skin and coat and better memory. Go to Nutro.com and check out there product. To switch foods never just change food. The best way is :
For the first 2 days 25% of the new food to 75% of the old.....
Next 2 days 50-50
Next 2 days 75 new- 25% old. Good luck

Answer 4

I have an almost 4 year old 75 lb golden mix with a laundry list of food allergies. I used to feed her Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice, but it is hard to get in my area. I recently switched to Solid Gold Wolfking.

I would never feed any dog anything that I find in the grocery store or a discount store. Any food that has "by-products" scares me. I prefer a food that is hormone, antibiotic, and pesticide free.

Answer 5

I have a 3 year old Toy Fox Terrier. I feed her Solid Gold -Just A Wee Bit. It is specially formulated for the high energy needs of small breed adult dogs. It is a very small kibble, made to accommodate small mouths. I feed her this because I don't want to feed her a food with lots of fillers.

Answer 6

2yo Kelpiex Blue heeler. Working dogs are designed to run all day so if she is not up the farm running all over the place she tends to put on weight easy. Her basic non-working diet is a weight management dry dog food with some raw food such as chicken necks/offal such as kidneys, hearts, liver/kangaroo along with a sprinkle of "good o's". Her working diet is a combination of normal dry food+ tinned food+ raw food+ spare cooked vegies. She gets a portion of each thing at every meal. Occasionally she has pasta (spaghetti left in water until it softens), fruit and seasonally a bit of raw fish. Locally we have a seasonal seabird (mutton birds) that when cooked leave an oil which I keep and put on her food when she is moulting or if her fur looks a bit dry and (you can also buy this locally from the processors). Even though she is a "working dog" I still treat her like family and where possible buy brands of food that have no artificial colouring etc in it. Most tinned and dry are designed as a complete diet but I think that I would find it boring so I try to give her a variety and as Kelpies seem to think they are beavers and chew on everything they get near I give her the chicken necks which have nice round raw vertebrae for her crunch on. PS as a reward or special treat she gets dried pigs ears and she loves them.
PS I used to have a finicky eating terrier and having been mistakenly given a sample of cat food instead of dog food I gave it her when she was having one of her fussy days and she loved it . After that I always gave her cat food if she being fussy and my vet actually picked up on the idea and recommended it to his fussy clients as terriers are more sensitive to smells and taste (just like cats). Its ok for dogs to eat cat food but not the other way round.

Answer 7

5 dogs - 4 labs 1 cocker mix

14 yo cocker - Iams weight control, missing link plus, omega oil fish pill, green beans, yogurt

9 yo lab same as above
4.5 yo lab - same as above
3.5 yo lab - Royal cannin venison and potato (nothing else - restricted diet)
1.5 yo lab - iams weight control, missing link plus, omega oil fish pill, yogurt (no green beans)

On occasion all but the 3.5 year old lab get to split a can of pumpkin (about once a month)

Carrots for treats except the 3.5 yo.

the 3.5 yo gets marshmallows as treats on occasion.

No people food for any of them.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

I have two German Shepherds, one 7 and the other 1 1/2 and feed Eukanuba large breed. I have used this food for all my shepherds for years.Coats are beautiful, eyes are bright, and I love the fact that the large breed formula has omega 3 and glucosamine in it. I would not use anything else. I moved from Colorado to Arizona and none of my shepherds blew any coat and I believe it is due to the food.

Answer 9

Before I answer, I will tell you that every vet in the US will say that I am wrong. I have a very small poodle (who considers herself to be human) and I cook for her. Boiled chicken, fried lean beef, etc. On occasion, I mix in a little Mighty Dog or Pedigree small morsels.
I just lost a little male poodle that was >14 years old and he ate the same so I figure the food that I feed didn't hurt him too badly.

Answer 10

I have a 14, 10 and two 5 year old on the adult Innova. I have fed that for 6 years. They all have great skin, teeth and no ear problems.