Your choice in dog food?

I'm probably even more picky about what I feed my dog than I am about what I feed myself! I feed my dog EVO food and I often give her organic coconut oil, veggies, and homemade treats. Yes, I am that crazy lady! Check out www.dogfoodadvisor.com for ratings and info on all different brands and types of food.

I can't really afford to feed my pups the fancy food either, but I will cook them their own special dog food to mix in with the Pedigree/Purina/Whatever we pick that week.

I cook up lean ground beef and mix it with rice and garlic and add that to their food.

You can make your own treats too. There's tons of recipes out there.

I actually worked at a pet food nutritionist.
I took care of my dog's nutrition before my own, I used to joke that "My dog eats better then I do".

My dog eats Innova because I really like the ingredients.
I'm also a fan of Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo.

I'm really not a fan of Puppy chow, Beneful or Pedigree.
They're all VERY low quality foods. I personally wouldn't buy anything that I can get at my grocery store.
These foods are empty calories, corn products and food colourings...

There is a lot of disturbing information about these foods that list "Meat products" as well instead of a certain meat.

You can find out a lot at http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/.

Blue is great! That's what we give my dogs and they've been a lot healthier since. All natural is the best way to go, much better for your dogs!

Bump

My bf and I are ridiculous as well when it comes to our dog's food. We've been feeding her Orijen. I like it because it has no fillers or grain crap. I've had dogs that had digestive problems (and also a diabetic pug), so i've just always been way picky after that. She's only 8 months old (olde english bulldog) and she's only known that brand of food. We go with the beef option cuz the poultry/fish one gives her the runs. Her coat is so shiney with this food. And she loves it

I'm a bit of a food snob when it comes to pets, and prefer foods not sold in grocery stores.

But I still have a pretty skimpy budget, so I don't go very high end, either. I loved feeding my dog Merrick, but they recently changed their packaging since the last time I bought food (20 pound dog means 20 pound bag lasts quite a long time!) and it's out of my budget now. So I'm feeding him my 2nd choice now, which is Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.

(Pricewise, Merrick's was $15 for a 5 pound bag, and Chicken Soup was $10 for a 6 pound bag. So $1.66 a pound is a lot better than $3 a pound!)

Look for a named meat source in the ingredients (ie chicken, turkey, lamb, etc.) instead of a generic "meat by-products" and make sure a meat is in the top ingredients.

For instance, the Chicken Soup food's first 10 ingredients: Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, oatmeal, millet, white rice, chicken fat.

Puppy Chow: Whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of vitamin E), soybean meal, egg and chicken flavor, barley, animal digest.

But if you switch his food, be sure to do it slowly. Add a little bit more of the new food each day, so it will take about a week to make the complete switch. Switching abruptly can lead to intestinal upset. And messy floors.

I wouldn't suggest Purina pro plan.

It has soy and corn in it (which dogs can not digest) as well as a few other not so nice ingredients.
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-pro-plan-dog-food-dry/


Also keep in mind guys.
The higher quality food, the less you have to feed.
Royal Canine I was feeding my girl SIX cups a day.
Innova I am feeding my girl THREE.

So you do save money buying higher quality foods!

Royal Canin

We had our Lab on Science Diet for her first 5 years. After that we couldnt afford it. We went to Puina and her coat got shinnier! No problems.

Eukanuba Large Breed

I have 4 dogs and as they spend their time trying to eat sheep pooh I feel that to spend money on expensive treats is a waste of time!!!

Seriously, Their diet changes according to their work routine - the spaniels have to be managed very carefully especially when they cover upto 20 miles a day.

I treat them with cooked heart and liver and manage their protein intake through out the year. Look after them - they are the best friends.
Choose a decent dog food that won't break the bank,
Shaun

Sorry I failed to answer the 2nd part of your question. I have Milkbones as treats. I also give my dogs "dental chews". They think it is a treat and it helps clean their teeth and gums.

And what healthy snacks do you give your dog?

We feed our girl Taste of the Wild, It is 26.99 for a 15 pound bag. When we got her she was such a princess over food. I tried a couple from Petsmart and she really didn't respond well to them. My sister recommended Taste of the Wild and she really took to it quickly. The High Prairie Canine Formula with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison seems to be her favorite.

My golden retriever eats Nature's domain. It is grain free and has salmon n sweet potatoes. No by products or artificial ingredients. Made in USA I think.