Dog Food Review

hooked on waterfowl · #1 02-01-2010, 06:25 PM

Just wondering about a few different brands of Dog & Puppy food. There seems to be some disagreements on what's best or just really good food for my dogs.
I'm currently feeding my oldest lab Nutriam haven't heard anything negative about that brand, however my 4 1/2 month old lab I was feeding nutriam and he was having a weird growth spurt I guess that's what I could call it.His left leg was bowing out, my vet suggested Royale Canine Medical Developmental food.He seems to have improved pretty good almost normal looking now.The thing is is that's a brand of food that they promote and of coarse are going to try and push.My breeder also agrees with the vet I'm happy with that.Now tonight I brought my pup into his 3rd week of obedience class and at the end of class I get into a conversation about my pups weird growth spurt and how I changed his food to the Royale Canine Developmental Medical because it's what my vet recommends and they tell me it's garbage and that there just pushing that food.They then hand me a pamphlet telling me this is the best food. So I'd like to review it, it's called Phd....Perfect health Diet. I think there the only ones around here that sell it, I've never heard about it before and wasn't sure if it is better or there just trying to push some junk food.Sorry for the long write up. Pat

TJ · #2 02-02-2010, 05:56 PM

I have never heard of either. Almost all foods are good and bad just like people food I have alwasy feed some sort of diamond. I have tried Iams and nutrisource and my dogs just seem more sluggish and dont eat with any care for it. i recently switched to premium edge also made by diamond and so far the dogs love it and they have a good amount of energy. For the most part stay a way from reall cheap food and have the first ingredient in the bag be chicken or lamb or beef or what eve you feed. to much corn or wheat can be bad and if the first ingredient is corn it hads more corn then needed. and just watch what your dogs enjoy.

hope this helps and good luck.

Torrey

hooked on waterfowl · #3 02-02-2010, 06:54 PM

The people running the obedience class that are selling the PHD brand, there biggest point is the fact that the first ingredient is a meat and that alot of other products are not.Just thought that if there food was so good why hasn't it not been marketed better. Why haven't i seen it in the pet stores, at the vet clinic and anywhere else. That's what made me wonder about there brand.Not trying to put down there product, just the fact that they put down a brand that alot of vets recommend and not to mention I've seen them tell other dog owners there brand also garbage.

TJ · #4 02-03-2010, 02:23 PM

sometimes the smaller companys take pride in there food more and have high quality. But yes meat being first is a good start. I always try to find a food I can find at more then one store just incase they are out when I need it.

gw-smith · #5 02-14-2010, 02:12 PM

Dog food has really improved tremendously in the past 10 years. In my opinion - most of the major brands are very good quality now and will provide "complete" nutrition for your dog. Back in the old days we used to see lots of nutritional related diseases - but not any more. The only real problems I've seen are in dogs fed "Ol Roy" brand pet food from WalMart.

In a larger breed dog (lab) - we want to keep puppies from growing too fast. Therefore - "large breed" dog foods with lower protein and fat concentrations were created. Your dog will grow slower eating these foods but will wind up with the same mature body size eventually. Joint/bone problems are common when puppies grow too quickly but often don't show up until later in life. I am familiar with the Nutriam food and it is fine - the other one I've heard of but don't know as much about. I'm a vet and will certainly admit to "pushing" brands of dog food that we sell in the clinic - it's only natural. But that doesn't mean Purina isn't just as good.

hooked on waterfowl · #6 02-14-2010, 03:38 PM

Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback.

jhartwig24 · #7 02-24-2010, 01:24 PM

I have a 4.5 month old yellow lab pup. I started him out eating Purina Puppy Chow, but he was always messing in his kennel at night, I since switched him to Large breed puppy food from Science Diet, and he loves the food, and he has not had any problem with messing in the kennel since then either. It's not cheap to buy, but seems to be working good for my pup. Hope this helps!