DOG FOOD DEBATE - Page 1

I am a brand new member, hellow everyone, I have two new five month old GSD and I have been saying commercial dog food has so many preservatives that it is harming our dogs more than helping them, I am sure you all will agree with that statement.  We got off the topic too soon.  Thank you for pointing out about the 27% fat does not mean it is a good dog food, I am guilty of not checking the content closely enough.  What can we do ?  I myself would like to hear from all of you as to what brands are really good to maintain a shepard and given that they all are different of what they like, can we somehow get together and rate the dog foods so that we all can benefit from our research.  I know this may be hard, but think how it will benefit each.  I am willing to say, (once I go to the garage and get it) the brand, its content and if my dogs are eating it (they are not, we just bought it last week because it had 27% fat content), but they do not like it !!!   If we cannot do this, will you share with me what is good for a German shepard that has the best long term benefit for development and sustain them in their high energy?  I cannot seem to find a dog food that a) does not have alot of preservatives (or none),  b) high in fat (isn't that the best? I thought it was, enlighten me please) c) they like it  d) its good for them   There are so many to choose from, I really need  HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   and of course, need a good value like everyone else in these trying times.

Thank you and I love this site !

Nice to meet you!
Phooey on brands. Feed raw.

Welcome windy!

Here is a thread about this very thing.  If you do a search you will find more as it is discussed quite frequently.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/forum/13456.html

All the best!

BTW it is German Shepherd.    

Thank you both for taking the time to respond and the correction on Shepherd.  I am going to the site recommended and researching raw meat, that is interesting.  I am going to reasearch both, thanks again, for the welcome.

Raw is best whenever possible, all around.
I fast them 1 day a wk.
I also feed kibble occasionally and I was using Orijen Large Breed, and 6 Fresh Fish.
They recently come out with a new brand.
Same great quality ingredients, no corn, soy, wheat grain, etc.
Dogs love it and are doing great on it.
Acana.
It comes in Lamb, Fish, and chicken varieties.
Check out the ingredients and pick up some samples to try.
JMO, works for my boys and girls when I dont feed raw.

Welcome,
There is no set rule for feeding.
Some feed raw, others do not.
Puppies needs are different from adults, same with activity levels and various dogs and or life styles.
I feed a commercial dog food, 27% Protein, 12% Fat.  I adjust that with natural additives depending on the dog.
All processed foods have preservatives in them, human and animal.   Raw is one way to avoid some of that.
I do not care for over the counter supplements, try to find natural ways to supplement.
No matter what, If they won't eat it what good is it.
Brands?    Not everyone has the same brands to choose from locally.
Good luck with the research, check out some of the old threads, this subject has been discussed extensively.


Moons.

Windy -- check out this site -- all the comparisons are there.   I feed Orijen Adult.   My dog cleans the bowl.  I do add some Wellness canned meat and a little ground beef to the evening meal.

www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

I would not go personally by dogfoodanalysis.com that site is bunch of b/s, and mayor reason because it's not updated on regular basis, ingrediants change all the time in foods. Look at the food contants and to comparision on one by one, that way you will know what you feeding. I been giving to my dogs Vetschoice Holistic formula (see www.vetschoice.com) I compare that against Orijen, MartinsK9, Evo, and even RAW there was no difference, actually more consistent results been obtain by feeding Vetschoice than anythign else. How do you explain that? Is vetschoice such a great food? No, is Raw not good way to feed your dog? No, Is orijen overpriced and worthless? No, every dog is different and different food will work with him. I have few dogs and they all completely different, I have dogs with stumach like a garbage bag that keeps on taking anything you put in it and they are 100% healthy, and I have dogs that can eat only one kind of food or they explode at smalles change, use your eyes and not opinions of other people, or other reviewers. Your dog will tell you what woorks and what not.

In my personal opinion the worst thing you can do is spoil your dog, and give him too much. I keep my dogs lean and mean. Plus I don't mix they get minimal verity of foods.

I'm with snajper69 on this - exercise them more than you think & feed them less than you think

AandA