New Mal Owner---Recommend a good quality dog food?

Belgian Malinois > New Mal Owner---Recommend a good quality dog food? (17 replies)

New Mal Owner---Recommend a good quality dog food? by PMWatch on 11 July 2012 - 07:28	PMWatch Posts: 71 Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 01:15 pm
Would appreciate any advice on a good quality dog food for my 6 month old male Mal. (picking him up next month). I want something without all the chemicals that most store bought foods have. Any ideas??Thank you!
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by Rogerpodger on 11 July 2012 - 09:35	Rogerpodger Posts: 35 Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2011 06:18 pm
Find out what he is on now and if the breeder recomends it and you are happy stay on it. Otherwise try Royal Canin GSD . It has been developed for shepherd digestion. Another is Redmills racer and Redmills tracker half and half. Failing that go on to flesh, fat, brown rice and some veg
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by PMWatch on 11 July 2012 - 10:15	PMWatch Posts: 71 Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 01:15 pm
I don't like the brand he's being fed now. It's just a regular dog food brand. Typical corn,etc. Thank you for the info. I will check both those out.
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by Elektra21 on 11 July 2012 - 15:43	Elektra21 Posts: 15 Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 05:07 pm
We have switched the girls to Earthborn Primitive Natuaral and they are doing really well on it. The nice thing is they can eat a little less (good thing in the summer since they are still working regardless of how hot it is) and still maintain great condition. I have a friend that is using Native4 and is very happy with it.
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by asomich on 11 July 2012 - 16:53	asomich Posts: 110 Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:07 am
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com I like to avoid corn. Mals generally have less sensitive digestive systems than gsd, but many times it is hard to keep weight on them. First you need to find out what is available in your area and what you can afford. Feed stores are usually cheaper than pet stores. Then come back with specific food(s).
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by PMWatch on 12 July 2012 - 09:47	PMWatch Posts: 71 Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 01:15 pm
Looking into a company called Flint River Ranch. They ship dog food. Supposed to be all made in the USA, no chemicals, etc. Anyone heard anything about it?
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by asomich on 12 July 2012 - 12:40	asomich Posts: 110 Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:07 am
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/flint-river-ranch-dog-food/ Flint River has wheat flour. It was one of the first human grade dog foods out 10 to 15 years ago. They have not improved their formula. Now it's been way passed up by other brands. You can get all dog foods shipped to you. Amazon is the cheapest for shipping. Are you really out in the boonies that you don't have a feed store near you. If money is no problem then look at Orijen. I would love to be able to afford to feed it myself. I would start with the 5 star list on dogfoodadvisor and see what is available in your area. You have been affected by the Diamond Plant closing in SC. So it would be good to talk to store managers in your area to see what is available. There are alot of good foods on the 4 star list too. I'm in Houston, TX. I have actually thought of moving there since my family has land outside of Hattiesburg. So I have already been looking into resources and am finding it tough to justify right now. The lack of decoy resources and shopping are the two biggies.
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by PMWatch on 13 July 2012 - 11:01	PMWatch Posts: 71 Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 01:15 pm
Thank you for all the information. I'm in the process of checking out the dog food website. I can get Royal Canine in my area-----is it okay to feed the GSB formula to a Belgian Mal??
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by PMWatch on 13 July 2012 - 12:04	PMWatch Posts: 71 Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 01:15 pm
Have also been checking out Honest Kitchen (alittle $$$) . So many choices out there!
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by asomich on 13 July 2012 - 15:13	asomich Posts: 110 Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:07 am
Honest Kitchen is expensive but very good from what I hear. A lot of people who feed raw use it when traveling or boarding their dogs. If you want to go that route than it would be cheaper to feed straight raw. Or you can do a combination of kibble and raw. There are some rules surrounding it - wait 12 hours after feeding kibble before feeding raw, etc. Some people want the convenience of feeding kibble in the morning and then do raw in the evening. If you just have one dog feeding raw is affordable. One problem is that food prices are higher in MS and you may not have very many resources for raw meat. Researching your meat sources is a whole new thread! But when you compare feeding raw to the price of top rated kibbles, then it looks even better. Get a freezer and make friends with people who hunt, small slaughter houses, people who raise a couple of cows (get their scraps) or rabbits, etc. Some of the foods I hear people feeding are: Innova, California Naturals, Solid Gold, Fromm, Taste of the Wild, Diamond Naturals, Eagle Pack. Most people can't afford Evo($70), Orijen($90). Like I said earlier, you really need to start with what is available in your area. Then take that list to dogfoodadvisor and come back to this forum with specific brands to see if folks have personal experience with it.
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by Mrs K on 20 July 2012 - 18:54	Mrs K Posts: 17 Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 05:26 pm
Healthy Omega Gourmet Dog Food Salmon or Chicken or Lamb Meal Peas, pea flour, pea starch, salmon meal (salmon oil), dried egg, alfalfa, flax seed, chicken fat (w/Vit E & Citric Acid), calcium carbonate, natural flavors, sweet potato, tomato, potassium chloride, dicalcium, phosphate, sunflower oil (omegas), brewers dried yeast, salt, minerals, carrots, choline chloride Vitamins: taurine chickory root ascorbic acid - Vitamin C yucca schidigera extract cranberry peppermint chamomile rosemary extract dandelion extract blueberry l-tryptophan calcium iodate yeast culture
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by asomich on 20 July 2012 - 22:27

asomich

Posts: 110
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:07 am

Dogfoodadvisor.com has not evaluated it yet. I don't think it will be a 5 star. It's sorta starchy. I would like to see salmon meal as the second ingredient. Main starch is pea.

Ingredients: salmon, peas, pea flour, salmon meal (a source of salmon oil), pea starch, dried egg, alfalfa, flaxseed, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), calcium carbonate, natural flavors, sweet potato, tomato, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sunflower oil, brewer's dried yeast, salt, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast, carrots, choline chloride, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, taurine, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), yucca schidigera extract, cranberry, peppermint, chamomile, rosemary extract, dandelion extract, blueberry, L-tryptophan, calcium iodate, yeast culture (saccharomyces cerevisiae), dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried aspergillus niger fermentation product and dried bacillus subtillis fermentation product

Crude Protein (Min) 24.0% - 240g/kg
Crude Fat (Min) 16.0% - 160 g/kg
Crude Fiber (Max) 6.0% - 60 g/kg
Moisture (Max) 10.0% - 100 g/kg
*Omega - 6 Fatty Acids (Min) 3.0% - 30 g/kg
*Omega - 3 Fatty Acids (Min) 0.8% - 8 g/kg
*Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (Min) 80mg/kg - 80mg/kg
*Total Microorganisms (Min) 100,000,000 CFU/lb
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus. Enterococcus faecium, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtillis)

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

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by BM1 on 26 July 2012 - 18:08

BM1

Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 05:32 pm

I can't belive that nobody on here said Orijen dog food. It is the BEST kibble there is. Raw aside, nothing comes close to this kibble. It is made by a Canadian comapany called Champion Pet Foods. They produce two brands of dog food. Orijen, the top of the line and Acana, a little more price friendly food. All of the food Orijen makes is grain free. There is no cheap fillers or any crap in there. The first five ingredients on all the lines except Senior are animal products. They have great protien levels, very high which is fine for all healthy dogs. It is expensive but you can feed on average, 40% less. This means less pooping which is always good. Of course each dog is different so make sure to watch the weight. I had about a week of the runs switching my puppy from some crappy Iams food to Orijen Large Breed Puppy. Not a big deal, though some people would flip out. I did an pretty much instant switch and just dealt with it. He just hit 5 months and was 47lbs and almost all his puppy teeth gone. Acana makes three levels of food. Food with grains(cheapest), single based high quality grain and grain free. They have percentages on the bag. Example is 80% 20% That means the food is 80% animals based, 20%fruit, vegtable, other, etc. What sets Champion apart from other dog food is that they OWN everything. It is all in one building. Many people realize so many dog foods are made overseas or at multiple plants. This all happens in one buliding which they own. They receive, they cook and bag it all there. It is vaccum sealed also. Smells awesome. Here are the Puppy Large ingredients. No, I do not work for them, I wish I did !! Maybe get a discount, haha. Acana is 60%,40% so a little cheaper. Look at the first five always though. So many have crap in there.

http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/about/

INGREDIENTS

Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless turkey*, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols), fresh whole eggs*, fresh chicken liver*, fresh boneless lake whitefish* fresh boneless walleye*, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, fresh boneless herring*, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium. *

* DELIVERED FRESH, preservative-free and never frozen.

No dry dog food on earth can match the quality, quantity and freshness of ORIJEN’s fresh regional poultry, fish and meat ingredients.

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by BM1 on 26 July 2012 - 18:09

BM1

Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 05:32 pm

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude protein (min.)	38.0 %
Crude fat (min.)	16.0 %
Crude fiber (max.)	3.0 %
Moisture (max.)	10.0 %
Calcium (min./max.)	1.5 % / 1.7 %
Phosphorus (min./max.)	1.2 % / 1.4 %
Omega-6 (min.)	2.6 %
Omega-3 (min.)	1 %
DHA (min.)	0.6 %
EPA (min.)	0.3 %
AA (min.)	0.12 %
Carbohydrate (max.)	25%
Ash (max.)	7.5%
Taurine (min.)	0.35 %
Glucosamine (min.)	1400 mg/kg
Chondroitin (min.)	1200 mg/kg
Microorganisms (min.)	120M cfu/kg
pH	5.5

BOTANICAL INCLUSIONS
Chicory root	700 mg/kg
Licorice root	500 mg/kg
Angelica root	350 mg/kg
Fenugreek	350 mg/kg
Marigold flowers	350 mg/kg
Sweet fennel	350 mg/kg
Peppermint leaf	300 mg/kg
Chamomile flowers	300 mg/kg
Dandelion root	150 mg/kg
Summer savory	150 mg/kg

VITAMINS
Vitamin A	16 kIU/kg
Vitamin D3	1 kIU/kg
Vitamin E	400 IU/kg
Vitamin B1	0.9 mg/kg
Vitamin B12	0.5 mg/kg
Thiamine	50mg/kg
Riboflavin	45 mg/kg
Niacin	450 mg/kg
Pan. Acid (B5)	50 mg/kg
Pyridoxine (B6)	38 mg/kg
Biotin	1 mg/kg
Folic Acid	5.2 mg/kg
Choline	2700 mg/kg
Ascorbic Acid	55 mg/kg
Beta Carotene	0.44 mg/kg

AMINO ACIDS
Taurine	0.3%
Lysine	2.45%
Tryptophan	0.38%
Threonine	1.5%
Tyrosine	0.98%
Methionine	0.8%
Isoleucine	1.5%
Leucine	2.9%
Valine	1.85%
Arginine	2.2%
Phenylalanine	1.6%
Histidine	0.8%
Cystine	0.35%
Glutamic Acid

MINERALS
Sodium	0.4%
Chloride	0.64%
Potassium	0.77%
Magnesium	0.1%
Sulphur	0.4%
Manganese	27 mg/kg
Cobalt	0.47 mg/kg
Selenium	0.9 mg/kg
Iron	240 mg/kg
Zinc	200 mg/kg
Copper	26 mg/kg
Iodine	0.18 mg/kg

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by ziegenfarm on 26 July 2012 - 19:00	ziegenfarm Posts: 1446 Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2003 04:05 pm
ditto on the orijen. i gave up on the merry go round. sick of switching foods & worrying about ingredients. orijen at this house. we are finally at peace. :) pjp
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by asomich on 29 July 2012 - 01:13	asomich Posts: 110 Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:07 am
It's cheaper for me to feed raw than to feed Orijen.
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by asomich on 01 August 2012 - 13:21	asomich Posts: 110 Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:07 am
PMWatch, What foods have you found in your area that you need us to review for you? If you want to do raw, we can help you with that too. So where you? PS. I don't like to really push folks to a specific dog food. Food becomes very PERSONAL to folks and can lead to arguments. The only time I say something is if they are feeding a really bad food like Purina Pro Plan or Science Diet, or God forbid, Beneful or Ole Roy!
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by shag1602 on 02 August 2012 - 18:13	shag1602 Posts: 5 Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:47 pm
I have not tried Orijen, but Acana is very good too. She loves it.
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Belgian Malinois > New Mal Owner---Recommend a good quality dog food? (17 replies)

Healthy Omega Gourmet Dog Food

Salmon or Chicken or Lamb Meal

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