What's better than Purina Dog Chow?

Question

But not too much more expensive? I'm on a budget, but I want my dogs to be healthy.

My 3 dogs are all strays. They have lived on Purina all their lives (one is 16 yrs., one is 10 yrs., one is 4 yrs.), but Purina changed the formula sometime last year and my 10 yr. old can't stand the taste anymore (it's not a tooth problem, he just went to the vet). I would love to upgrade a bit--I certainly don't want to feed them some junk--but I've got to keep a balance here. If I have to buy really expensive food, I won't be able to afford to keep the next little one that gets dumped off here!

Answer 1

I know what you mean! We have a 19 year old dog that lived on Alpo (yuck) for 16 years.

A great premium dog food that's on the less expensive end is Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. It's about $35 for a 35lb bag.

If that's out of your price range, consider Nutro Ultra. The best low priced dog food you can find is probably Purina One or Eukanuba. I'm not recommending them by any means but they are better than Purina.

Answer 2

Our golden, Pilot had allergies and we tried a few diets that were expensive.....Salmon & Potato diets, no chicken, etc... We bought "NATURES CHOICE" which is not only great for allergies, but if you read the ingredients, you'll find that it has a very good mixture! Oh, and it was the ONLY dry food that worked for my canine son's allergies, immediately! It's less expensive and doesn't have a lot of "junk" inside. It can be bought at most pet stores also. I use to give my other goldens "Flint River" dry food which had to be purchased by a supplier only....or over the phone via an account. That was twice the price! I now believe that it was too rich for my dogs. Also, when I give my Pilot his dry food, I only put veggies in with it, and no meats. I mix in cooked or steamed green beans, broccoli, carrots, potatoes....and sometimes I give him a scrambled egg......not all of these together. I alternate. That's it. If you decide to use this food, there are a few different choices. Because I have a big golden retriever who is 80+ lbs, I feed him the one for "large dogs".....Lamb meal and rice formula. No more allergies! Again, this may not work for you or others, but it has worked SO WELL for us.

Answer 3

Anything is better than Purina.

I would recommend Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. The price of the bag is more expensive, but since you will feed your dog less, (high quality ingredients, no fillers) then you will be using less. So. basically, the same size bag of the Chicken Soup will usually last 1.5 times as long as the Purina.

Answer 4

the two older dogs should have older dog food which is for them since they are older. and the 4 year old can use one also different puppy chow is for those that are not over weight.
on the back of the package you have to see what the ingredients are. if it starts with meat then you are fine but if it starts with ceral etc. then its not very good even though you may think so. take care.

Answer 5

I have 3 dogs and they are all fed Iams -- its is one of the best on the market in my opinion. My dogs have all lived very long, happy healthy lives on Iams. It costs right around $8/ five pound bag and u can easily get it at Wal-Mart or Target.

Answer 6

Try Iams Beef flavor . My dogs like beefy foods best. I have used Dog chow for my dogs Also beefy can food helps a finicky eater, but when you have several dogs you have to go cheaper. I have also used a supplement when a dog doesn't want to eat what we provide for them. We usually buy a cheap brand of dog food anymore with at least 21% protein and other good things in it. If you have trouble them eating any food you change to, try putting something on the new food you know they really like, like a piece of meat or something like that.
Hope you find what your looking for.

Answer 7

Canidae is the best food available.

Iams is a mid-priced food that is higher quality than Dog Chow.

Answer 8

The irony of spending more on a quality pet food is that your pet will eat less of it because it will be more nutrient dense. So, it costs more, but it will last longer and be better for your pet.

Answer 9

Purina One is an excellent dog food with complete nutrition.

It's a little more expensive that Dog Chow, however.

In the price range of Dog Chow, Purina Dog Chow is the best available food. They have researched and developed dog chow carefully and have earned their reputation.

Your dog WILL be healthy if it eats nothing but Dog Chow for its entire life.

Answer 10

i know what you mean.you want your dog to have good nutrition but its too expensive.one of the best brands on the market is canidae.it is holistic and human grade.it uses antibiotic and hormone free meats.yet it is only $30 for a 40lb bag.and you only have to feed your dog less than half of the amount you feed in purina.so you are saving a ton of money.heres why to feed canidae.also scroll down to the bottom if you want to find a store near you that carries canidae or order online.

it got a 5 out of 6 star rating.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_...
i am guilt free feeding it.

All Natural and made the CANIDAE® Way with Superior Quality in Every Bag with No Corn, Wheat, Soy, Grain Fractions, Fillers or by products and Naturally Preserved

Benefits
Four Human Grade Meats – Chicken, Turkey, Lamb and Fish
10 Natural Skin & Coat Conditioners
Balanced Omega 6 & 3 Fatty Acids
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Superior Digestibility
Guaranteed Enzyme Activity
Antioxidant Vitamins & Amino Acid Chelated Minerals
Excellent for Problem Skin & Allergies
Holistic & Herbal Benefits
Formulated for All Life Stages – Puppies, Adults, Seniors & Overweight
Excellent Palatability - Dogs Love CANIDAE®

All Natural Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Herring Meal, Flax Seed, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Lecithin, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Linoleic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Inulin (from Chicory root), Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (source of B2), Beta Carotene, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, D-Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Papaya, Vitamin B12 Supplement

Chicken & Turkey Meal – (Human Grade)
Hormone free, antibiotic free and ethoxyquin free. Human quality meat, flesh tissue and skin only.

Lamb Meal – (Human Grade)
Finest American lamb, hormone free, antibiotic free and ethoxyquin free. Human quality meat.

Herring Meal – (F.D.A. Inspected), (Omega 3)
Meats have been tested to have No Ethoxyquin Residual.

Brown Rice – (U.S.D.A. Grade #1)
Rice has been tested to have no pesticide residual; contains a generous supply of B vitamins, plus calcium, phosphorus, and iron.

White Rice – (U.S.D.A. Grade #1)
Rice has been tested to have no pesticide residual; also nutritious, and of all grains, Rice is the most easily digested and least likely to cause allergic reactions. Rice helps clear up psoriasis and has anticancer and antidiarrheal properties. Rice helps to lower cholesterol and may also help to prevent kidney stones.

Chicken Fat – (Omega 6), (Human Grade)
Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid.

Sunflower Oil – (Omega 6)
Cold pressed, naturally preserved, Rich in linoleic acid and is known for producing a beautiful skin and coat, as well as visible sheen.

Omega-6 & Omega-3 Fatty Acids – (5:1 Ratio)
With balanced Omega's we can improve the coat and help to avoid hot spots, hair loss and allergy problems caused from flea bites, repeated licking and from a fat imbalance.

Eggs
An excellent source of protein and contains all the essential Amino Acids.

Flaxseed Meal – (Omega 3)
Aids in the movement of food through the digestive tract. Flax nourishes and is soothing to the stomach and intestinal linings. This plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids helps enhance the coat’s sheen.

Linoleic Acid – (Omega 6)
Essential fatty acid for healthy skin and coat.

Lecithin
Is used in the digestion and absorption of fats.

Alfalfa
Aids in healing allergies, stomach ailments and bad breath; cleanses the kidneys and removes poisons from the body; neutralizes acids; is an excellent blood purifier; improves the appetite and aids in the assimilation of protein, calcium and other nutrients.

Sage
Strengthens the mind and concentrating abilities; it aids in healing skin sores and skin eruptions and removing dandruff. It has been mostly employed in disordered states of the digestion and for its savory usage.

Rosemary
Is a stimulant of the circulatory system; to treat bad breath; stimulates the hair bulbs to new growth. Employed for its savory usage.

Cranberries
Prevents the spread of bacterial infections in kidneys and the urinary tract. Helps prevent Cystitis.

Apples
Rich in soluble fiber, helps lower blood cholesterol levels and normalizes blood sugar.

Amaranth
Vitamin packed herb, calms the stomach, reduces
tissue swelling, removes worms and parasites from the digestive tract.

Kelp
Rich in vitamins and contains 30 minerals, controls the thyroid and regulates the metabolism which aids in the digestion of foods and the burning of calories. Kelp aids with improved brain and nerve functions.

Taurine
An amino acid derivative found in meat that shields the heart from harm. Studies also show that Taurine may also benefit vision disorders, epilepsy, and gallstones. Plays an important part as a neurotransmitter, maintains the correct composition of bile and the solubility of cholesterol.

Yucca Schidigera Extract
Used for its reduction of both breath and stool odor! A cleansing agent. Used by the Indians of the southwest for skin disorders, skin eruptions and helps avoid inflammation.

Psyllium
All natural fiber intake to help in digestion, improve intestinal health and effective in reducing cholesterol. Also known as an anticarcinogenic.

Glucosamine
An amino acid sugar necessary for construction of connective tissue and healthy cartilage. Benefits include prevention of arthritis and improved joint health.

Chondroitin
Exist naturally in cartilage. When combined with Glucosamine it is known to produce a synergetic effect in helping prevent arthritis and improving joint health.

Prebiotics
Inulin (from chicory root), Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) / Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Mannan-Oligosaccharide (MOS) - Stimulates the growth of friendly and healthy bacteria. Benefits Include: Helping to prevent cancers and have antimicrobial activity. Prebiotics may further help in lowering triglycerides, stabilizing blood glucose levels, boosting the immune system and helping to improve mineral absorption and rid the gut of harmful microorganisms.

Probiotics
Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Products - Aid in the maintenance of the healthy balance of intestinal flora. Benefits Include: Improved Digestion, Lower Cholesterol Levels, Strengthened Immune Systems and help Correct Digestive Disorders. Probiotics also aid in helping to prevent ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, lactose intolerance, yeast infections and colon cancer.

Digestive Enzymes
Aspergillus Oryzae, Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extracts, Papaya (containing the enzyme Papain), Pineapple (containing the enzyme Bromilian) – Hydrolyzes proteins, fats, oils, starches and carbohydrates for better digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Cellulase
Digestive enzyme that hydrolyzes fiber for better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Canidae Pet Foods is once again the leader in cutting edge nutrition by being the first pet food manufacturer to include proven enzymatic activity in our products backed by scientific data and proven methodology on the inclusion of Cellulase.

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
All natural live culture. Acts in stimulating microbial and enzyme populations in the animal’s digestive system. This improves feeding efficiency and digestion.

Vitamins
Complete Vitamins including Antioxidants, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha Tocopherols.

Minerals
Complete balanced minerals containing Amino Acid Chelated Minerals. When Amino Acids are bound to minerals they produce Chelated Minerals, which can be attributed to 3 to 10 time better assimilation of minerals.

hope this helped! this food is not pricey.its about $30 for a 40 lb bag.good luck. go to these websites to find a store near you or order it.this food is so nutrional that you don't have to feed much of it.+ its designed for all lifes stages so you never have to switch!

http://www.canidae.com/company/storeloca...

http://www.PetFoodDirect.com

https://www.fetchdelivers.com/php/index....

go to these websites to learn more about canidae.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food

EDIT:scotgirl60,how can you say purina is good.it uses fillers,by-products,artificial preservatives,artificial colors,corn,wheat,soy,glutens, non human grade ingredients,animal fat.all the ingredients in that food are horrible and im shocked you don't realize that.the main ingredient is corn which is highly undigestable and should be meat.