What's the best premium dog / puppy food?

Question

I have a 10 month old pit bull puppy (weighs about 65 lbs and pure muscle.) I've been feeding him Science Diet puppy (dry with a little canned SD puppy for flavor). But he seems to have a sensitive digestive system and is easily prone to diarrhea. I've been told this is not the best food. Can anyone recommend a better one?

Answer 1

Personally, I feed Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice with stunning results.

But all dogs are different. You may have to try many dog food brands (we did too). Just because it works for one dog does NOT mean it'll work for yours.

I know a site that can help you make a good, informed decision on a dog food. It's www.dogfoodproject.com Hope it helps you.

Answer 2

Everyone seems to have their own opinions, but my two favorite brands of dog food are Kirkland Signature (available at Costco) and Canidae. They're both very natural, have no wheat, soy, or corn, use only natural preservatives, and have real meat as the first two ingredients.

Most dog food brands have a lamb and rice formula. I recommend using that, since it's better for sensitive stomachs. Some dogs don't react really well to canned food, either. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you might want to stop throwing the wet stuff in there.

For more suggestions, you might try asking your vet. But Kirkland and Canidae are my top two.

Answer 3

Try Precise (comes in a red foil-look bag with a zip-closure) or Nutro ULTRA. Precise should help with the loose stools (probiotics) and even #2 odor (yucca, rosemary, mint). It's very high quality, no corn, by-products, or chemical preservatives. If you can't find it (it should be available at Kroger grocery chain stores; I live in L.A., CA, and shop at Ralph's, they have it there), Nutro's ULTRA line would be a good choice also, though you pay a little bit more.
Whatever you do, get him OFF of Science Diet (the stuff's GARBAGE-- you're paying premium prices for store brand-quality food), don't feed wet food (unnecessary and bad for teeth; could be contributing to diarrhea), and DON'T try Royal Canin. It gives them runny, REALLY, REALLY, really disgusting stools.

Answer 4

Read the ingredients on the side of the bag. If the first ingredient is corn, leave it. If it is meat, get it. Corn has no value to a dog and many are even allergic to corn as well as wheat. Dry food is better at keeping teeth clean. If a dog needs to drop a few pounds, use less kibble and supplement with canned green beans, and also use beans as a treat. Many treats are bad for dogs due to the calories and ingredients.

Answer 5

I have show Pomeranians that have very sensitive stomachs. First of all, if they are on a good food, they don't need can food. I use Natural Balance, it is all natural products and my dogs are healthy and have no loose stool problems.

When you switch food, do it slowly. Add a little bit of the new until you have slowly switched from one to the other.

Answer 6

economically, I would say Purina One makes a great dry sensitive digestion food (but it smells like fish flakes).

If that doesn't work, break out the debit card and try some of the totally natural dog foods (most major brands have some type of this available by now, I believe even Purina One).

Good Luck.

Answer 7

canned food will give a dog diarrhea. so just stop using canned food.
I took my dog to the vet the other day and they said whatever food you are using keep using it because she is very healthy.
What the vet didn't know is that she eats everything we eat, every time we eat she gets some of ours and we feed her the cheep dog food.

Answer 8

Whatever your Vet Recommends....I was getting nutro for our puppy. I bought it from the pet store. Anything that's STORE BRAND is Crap for your dog...

Solid Gold is a Good Brand of Healthy Dog Food if you can afford to buy it.

Answer 9

Try talking to your vet see what they recommend. You could take him off the wet food and see if that helps. I've feed my poodle IAMS and she seems content with it. You also try experimenting with different types of food. Maybe even try a food that's made for a dog with a sensitive stomach

Answer 10

Science Diet is garbage. It's main ingredients are grains, not meat.

I like Purina ONE. It's meat based, soy free and BHT free.
http://www.purinaone.com/products_dog_lambrice.asp
It is also a reasonable price which Science Diet is not. You can get Purina ONE everywhere. I feed it to my dogs who are prone to allergies and one has epilepsy. My vet has read the ingredient lists too and approves.