What is the best dog food?

Question

I have a Bichon Shihzu mix that is prone to skin alergies. Our vet suggested Science diet but it didn't help.

Answer 1

There is no best dog food but everybody has an opinion. All commercially prepared dog foods provide 100% of dogs' nutritional needs. The choices in dog foods are mainly sales gimmicks aimed at appealing to the dog's owner. Really, choice is good so look at the label and get a brand that you are comfortable with. If you don't like meat parts, get a brand with meat. If you don't like corn, get a cornless brand. Just beware that, in dry dog foods, the main ingredient is ALWAYS grain - the trick used to get around the labeling laws is to use several grains, each reported individually, so that meat rises to the top of the label. Also, the main difference between "premium" brands and "commercial" brands is that premium brands are more concentrated, ie, you feed a little less. Price difference is mainly due to how they are marketed. If sold in a grocery store, price competition means that prices will be much lower then brands marketed exclusively in pet stores or by vets. Some of the increased cost is due to the more digestible ingredients (more concentrated) but the vast majority of the higher cost is due to marketing strategy. Also, the worst place to find information on brands are the comparison web sites - not one is a scientific analysis - all are opinions.

So, again, choose what you are most comfortable with just do so using solid research-based facts - not web site hear say.

EDIT: wheat, not corn, is the grain most likely to cause a grain-based food allergy and any grain can. More often though, is the protein source. However, food allergies are not all that common and the list of novel grains (a grain that a dog was never exposed to) and meats are short so it is best not to worry about it unless it has happened. If your dog has an allergy, it will be put on a diet of grains and meats never exposed to like sorgim and kangaroo then other ingredients will be added back until the culprit food is determined. Exposing your dog to unusual grains and meats makes finding a novel food that much harder to find.

Answer 2

That's because most dog allergies stem from corn and chicken, science diet is mostly corn with some chicken, byproducts and chemical preservatives and dyes. Science diet isn't a good food, even though your vet recommended it. Vets only know what they've been taught, in the one hour nutrition class in school often funded by and taught by a major dog food company like science diet.... It's not a good food, some of their prescription diets for kidney/liver etc are not that bad, but I think that if you feed a good food you're less likely to have those problems...

Some good foods are
Orijen
Innova
Canidae
Wellness
Natures Variety
Solid Gold

The crappy foods are
Science Diet
Purina
Pedigree
Iams
Eukanuba

The super high quality foods dont put corn or other grains that can cause allergies into their foods, some don't even use chicken, opting for higher quality meats, like venison, bison and salmon. These foods are more expensive per bag, but you feed less, which means they poop less, and they're getting more nutrition out of the food. It also prevents against food allergies and can save you a bundle in vet bills. Since your feeding less per meal, you usually end up saving money when it's all said and done, the same size bag can often last you twice as long as with science diet or any of the junk foods.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
I feed Solid Gold. Any of the foods on this website with a 4 star or higher are good foods, 5star or 6star are REALLY good foods. Look for an allergy specific variety. You may also want to have a allergy test done, it might be expensive, but it will save you money since you will know what allergens to avoid.

Good luck,

Answer 3

Here's a website to look at:

http://dogfoodanalysis.com/

Skin allergies are often caused by corn, which is a very common ingredient in many dog foods. All the widely available supermarket brands use it, but so do the so-called "premium" brands (Eukanuba, Science Diet, Iams).

Look on that website and pick a food that is free of corn, fillers, and by-products. Some of the best ones are not much more expensive than Science Diet, and, since the foods don't contain fillers, your dog will need to eat less. So it works out even on price. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Wellness Fish & Sweet Potato formula. My dog had a bad allergy. The vet diagnosed her with Mange and was treating her for mange. After spending $1,000 for treatment. He switched her food to Eukanuba and i refused. I began feeding her Wellness and she stopped itching completely and all her hair grew back fluffy and soft within a month. This happened about 8 months ago. I still feed her the Wellness and she has not had any more skin issues since then. I also give her vitamins, Fish oil pills, and vitamin "E".

The food she was allergic to was Eagle Pack Holistic Select chicken and rice formula for small breed dogs.

Answer 5

dog food

Answer 6

Science diet won't help with skin allergies. Neither will Purina, Iams, Pedigree, Ol Roy or any of those foods. Find a food with little to no grains. NO corn, and no preservatives, no coloring and no sugars. There are many natural human grade diets on the market. Wellness, Canidae, Evo. Seems to be more expensive but your dog will eat far less.

Answer 7

Yeah, Science Diet is one of the worst things to feed a dog. Along with Purina, Iams and everything at Petco, Petsmart, Target, Walmart and the grocery store.

Look into Innova, California Natural, Wellness, Canidae and Artemis. All are great all have websites.

California Natural Skin and Coat Supplement works wonders. www.naturapet.com for more info.

Eukanuba and Nutro aren't great either. They aren't the worst, but they contain many allergens.

Answer 8

Royal Canin is the way to go. They have specialized food based on breed, size and veterinary care.
For example the type of food I bought for my dog promotes a healthy coat and healthy teeth especially for poodles.

You might want to check out their website, it will help you pick out the food that may address your dog's condition.

http://www.royalcanin.us/

Answer 9

please check out PetEducation.com. it is done by two vets and has lots of info. there is no one single dog food out there that is perfect for all dogs, just like humans, each individual dog does differently on different dog foods. good luck:-)

Answer 10

Alpo 3 in 1! it maybe crunchy dry or juicy soft!