dog food

[Lynz]

Other than the price, what is the difference in the expensive dog food brands compared to the least expensive ones? Is the cheaper brand bad for them?

[This message has been edited by Lynz (edited October 24, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Lynz (edited October 24, 2000).]

[KYS]

Lynz,
You asked a very good question and one
that you can get a hundred different
answers on.
I do not have the web addy,
but if you type in: dog food comparison natural alternative, under your
search, a few sites will pop up.
A good one is called Natural
Alternative.
They have a good section on dog food
comparisons and list a lot of
the different foods and their ingredients.
I think you can get a good food that
does not cost an arm and a leg but
you need to learn how to read those
food labels or searce the web under Dog food
comparison where they have done the work
for you. Some very cheap dog foods start out with the
main ingredients with fillers such as ground corn, soy flour etc. instead of
the main ingredients being chicken,lamb or meat.
I could go on, but read for yourself and
remember if your dog is healthy, eyes clear, coat shiney skin healthy, teeth/breath good chances are the dog food you are using
is the right choice for your dog.
P.S. Some people feed Natural. (BARF)
That is another option also.

[teena]

Have also heard that Wal-Mart's dry dog food brand (Old Roy) uses cardboard as a filler. Anytime I see people in Wal-Mart buying Old Roy, I shoot them a really dirty look. The warning light should come on if you can buy 40 pounds of food for $7.00!

[Doxiedoxie]

One thing to consider is the quantity of food needed to satisfy your dog..If you feed a lower quality food with lots of corn and crud, you may need to feed more food than with a high quality food with less "filler". Compare some of the feeding guidlines and you will see what I mean. I have found a higher priced food to be more economical because my dogs eat less of it. Stool size/quantity is also less because they are able to digest the food better.

Its worth it to spend a little time researching what is in your dog's food. You may be really surprised and grossed out by what you find.

[Doxiedoxie]

This is a pretty good site that doesnt seem to be created by any pet food manufacturers, there is a good article and if you scroll down, on the left there are links to other sites ( next to the pictures of golden retreivers). Might be helpful to you. Its hard to find unbiased information on this...
http://www.simplecom.net/dawgies/dogfood.html

[KYS]

That was a great site Doxiedoxie.
I had lost the food comparison web
site that someone posted on an e-mail
list I am on. The web site you posted had it in one of their links.
Thank you