Looking to hear what types of premium dog foods that are being used? - Page 1

Just looking to see what people are using for a premium dog food.

I don't know what country you're in, but in USA we have many options. I think raw is the best, but there are decent kibbles. I use Wellness, Innova and Orijen. I also give  slaughtered animal parts, or hunted animals, to my dogs (I have a farm) They definitely prefer meat, and one dog  loves apples, mango, carrots, broccoli and bananas. One she loves heads and feet and intestines(gross, but really, she makes a chicken head disappear faster than a gator).  They all like rice too. My female catches her own rabbits, she loves them and doesn't share.
Back to the kibbles, the grain free ones I've seen much less stool and their stool is always firm. Not all grains are bad. and it depends on your dog.  http://dogfoodanalysis.com/ is a helpful site to compare food, and if you stick with the 5 and 6 star foods, you should be fine.

Orijen

I feed all my dogs a raw prey diet. I feel (I know) it's the best for them. IMO feeding kibble is like feeding a kid Captain Crunch everyday. But that's just me. Take Care

We use Holistic Infinia Non Grain... he had itching issues due to grain :) 

I fed Canidae All Life Stages formula for probably the last 10 or 12 years to a lot of dogs, both my own and rescues, and never had any issues nor have I ever been affected by any recalls.  For whatever reason, it doesn't seem to agree with my current pup and his stools on this food were not of the consistency I expect.  I started transitioning him last weekend to Blue Wilderness Salmon and the effects were almost immediate; his stools are now small and normally formed...and there is still Canidae in the mix.  I will probably go through several food changes over the coming months to determine whether the issue lies with the protein source for the Canidae (primarily chicken) or whether he can tolerate chicken and needs a grain free carbohydrate source.  I like the Blue but it's pretty expensive and I think I can get almost the same ingredients using Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream formula which is marginally cheaper from Tractor Supply.  I also plan to try Canidae's grain free formula to help me narrow down the issue.

Lots of people feed raw and are ardent supporters.  I have also fed raw and had good results but, to be perfectly honest, my results were no better than I've gotten feeding a premium kibble.  In my opinion, the risks of feeding a raw diet are too often understated by its advocates while the benefits are overstated...and it's a pain in the ass so I choose not to feed raw as a rule.  Will I substitute a turkey neck for a meal of kibble now and again...sure...but I am comfortable feeding what I feed and my dogs are healthy.  I do not mean to suggest by any means that raw feeding is wrong...this is a very personal decision that belongs to every individual dog owner.  Having said that, If you're feeding Purina or Iams or Science Diet or pretty much anything that contains corn or wheat, you're feeding your dog garbage.  Paying a little more for your food will probably save you more than the difference at the vet's office.

taste of the wild is excellent too, I forgot about it, I feed that as well, and it's priced well at the feed store.  I agree with keith, I don't buy that only a raw is best for all dogs, and a premium bag of 40lbs or dog food would not cost 50 or 60 dollars if there wasn't some benefit to it. The companies we talk about here so far put research and care into their forumulas and they are reputable.  My female dobe thinks chicken heads are like Captain Crunch, and what nutritional value is beak, feathers, some bone and brain is not better than a cup of canidae,orijen,taste of the wild, ect.
What Keith said about low cost kibble is true, it can be downright dangerous to your dog's health.

It's called a "Raw Model Prey" diet. Not chicken heads! Do the research if you want. I'm not turning this thread into a raw, kibble debate. There's far to much bashing and bitching on this forum. I will not be apart of it.
Keith stated his opinion and respected mine.
THAT'S HOW IT WORK'S FOLK'S!!!

Take Care

Back to Basics turkey

and Homemade Stew

I feed either raw tripe, offal or Taste of the Wild Salmon (I find it easier if we are on the road or at times when our freezer is too full with other things). If I can get it, I feed rounds of raw salmon, raw elk or bison. I don't like to feed just one type of food, I don't find it natural to eat always the same food, although most dogs don't seem to mind too much.