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Post by mink900 on Feb 3, 2009 15:19:26 GMT -6
Just wanted to find out what you guys and your dogs like best ?
Also what is your favorite protein to fat ratio etc. ? Like 26%protein and 14% fat etc. ?
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Post by trappnman on Feb 3, 2009 16:19:46 GMT -6
you ask 100 dog owners, and you get 100 different answers-
I've fed a lot of different brands over the years-
have been a member of the bulk buying pro dog trainers programs and bought pallets of Bow Wow, Joy, Gravy Train and Purina. And tried many more-
I like a high protein food. working dogs, pups, breed bitches, and stressed dogs- needs more protein.
As far as a big brand name- I like Joy as good as anything- if it still exists been out of the game so long-
If you have any local brands, its often worth checking out. Here for example, Kwik Trip puts their brand on dog food, and I found it to be as good as any I've used, and cheap besides-
its best to experiment with a few varieties of good foods- but you have to do it for at least a month- 2 is better
at the end of the test period- two things should be noticed-
1) general look of the dog- should be in good shape, right weight, no pot bellies, dull coats, brittle nails, etc-
On a good food their coats should be bright and shiny, they should be in good spirits, they should have endurance (assuming you did your part) they should look and act healthy-
2) bulk of feces- a good food will allow the maximum use of the food and a minimum of feces- it is absolutely amazing the effect changing foods has on the sheer amount of feces-
the feces should also be firm, not loose and watery.
That Kwik Trip dog food did the job as good as anything, and far better tan most, and a marked difference in the pocket book-
now that I'm only feeding one- I feed a high protein Purina food for adult dogs- Natural Nutrition or some such
and the main thing- is once on a good food- keep them on it- no need to change
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Post by musher on Feb 3, 2009 16:38:58 GMT -6
Steve: You said it all.
I like 28-30% protein. i prefer some kind of meat as opposed to corn but price is a factor for me.
Wal-Mart has the right numbers but it gave the dogs the runs. When you buy in quantity, as I do, you can negociate a price a little better.
Kasco was a brand (which I can no longer get) that had really good kibble. I stay away from the prime advertizers as they cost more with the same bang as the unknowns.
If you trap beaver, feed your dogs with it. Excellent stuff. Give them some kibble, any kind, to give them the missing nutrients and fiber.
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Post by FWS on Feb 3, 2009 16:45:34 GMT -6
My boys like the lamb and rice stuff from Costco, $15 for a 40 lb bag. They like it even better when I pour chicken or beef fat over it. And, of course, their share of whatever I'm having.
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Post by jmchitekrednek on Feb 3, 2009 17:07:18 GMT -6
I too have fed my dogs many different brands over the years. Right now, I am feeding Diamond Brand Hi-Energy for sporting dogs. It is 24% protein and 20% fat. Keeps mine looking real nice!! I used to feed in the 28% protein and 12% fat range, but have found out that a little lower protein and a little more fat seems better.
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Post by jmchitekrednek on Feb 3, 2009 17:11:56 GMT -6
Something I should have said also was that sometimes any dog just seems to get a little bored with the same feed over and over again. So, every few months or so it doesn't hurt to do a switch over for a bag or two. It seems that they appreciate it. I have found that if you switch brands with adult dogs that you don't have to do much of the adding a little bit of the new and a little less of the old at each feeding till they are weaned over to the new brand. Most adult dogs adjust pretty quickly. I try to do it over two or three days. Then after they have had their change and if you want to go back to the original brand it seems they have a better appetite again.
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Post by trappnman on Feb 3, 2009 17:37:24 GMT -6
I'd agree.
I always added veggie and meat table scraps as well- not enough to matter, but enoguh for taste
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Post by irnhdmike on Feb 4, 2009 18:56:11 GMT -6
You name it I have likely tried it. Currently on pro plan . Watch out for the new adult formula with the shredded blend. It's terrible. Enough complaints that Purina is going to make the old formula again. But will take a while to get in production. No cahanges to performance or puppy formula. Both good for hard working dogs. As a rule I don't need to supplement with anything else.
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strow
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 35
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Post by strow on Apr 5, 2009 19:58:36 GMT -6
Innova EVO Red Meat (large bite). It's pricey but I'm only feeding two Jagdts.
Just picked up a bag of Canidae to try.
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Post by yoteler on Apr 6, 2009 21:09:59 GMT -6
I use Pzazz dog food
Nutrition Facts
26-18 Dog Food Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein, not less than.......................26%
Crude Fat, not less than.............................18%
Crude Fiber, not less than.........................3.5%
Moisture, not less than..............................10%
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Post by trappnman on Apr 7, 2009 7:55:00 GMT -6
means nothing- 100% chicken feathers is 100% protein-
not saying that food is good or bad- never used it-
but the point is what listed is just a start- more important, look at label ingredients- the top 3-5 are the key-
most have corn as #1 in dry food-
the one I feed for example lists corn, chicken, beef, wheat as the top % ingredients-
but whats the ultimate test- is the dog-
I cannot emphases enough, that the proof is indeed in the pudding.
Small volume of stool is what I look for first- small volume means more is being absorbed that not-
then look at condition of dog- should be shiny, no paunch belly, good tone and good energy level-
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Post by garman on Apr 7, 2009 12:40:12 GMT -6
I used Diamond years ago for my hounds and loved it, ton of energy little fecal, and set on the tummies, tried it on my lab and he had the runs, funny difft dog difft results
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ruff
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 39
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Post by ruff on Apr 8, 2009 18:46:13 GMT -6
I feed Ultra Advantage in 26 - 18, First ingredient is Meat, second is a Meat by product, then it goes to rice or corn depending on the formula. $20.00 for a 50# bag at the moment.
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Post by yoteler on Apr 10, 2009 11:56:01 GMT -6
Does this help you out steve Ingredients:
meat and bone meal, grain sorghum, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, poultry fan (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), brewer's rice, poultry by-product meal, dried beet pulp, animal digest, fish meal, salt, potassium chloride, dried brewer's yeast, L-lysin, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, vitamin E. supplement, zinc oxide, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin, biotin, vitamin A. acetate, calcium pantothenate, thiamine monoitrate (source of vitamin B1), calcium iodate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), vitamin D3 supplement, cobalt carbonate, folic acid.
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Post by Steve Gappa on Apr 10, 2009 16:08:25 GMT -6
A don't care what you feed your dogs, what I do care about is other people understanding that protein rating means very little by an in itsewlf. I also care about fences.
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Post by yoteler on Apr 12, 2009 8:55:51 GMT -6
Hmmmmm ok what ever that means you just said
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orcatdog
Demoman...
"Tallest Town in Oregon"
Posts: 219
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Post by orcatdog on Apr 29, 2009 9:20:15 GMT -6
I have been using Black Gold. Red bag while hunting hard (something like 30/20) Then other combos (black bag or blue and yellow bag) in the down season. The nice thing is you only have to feed very little. Small, hard black turds. Dogs are shiny and slick haired. I love the stuff. Only problem - its kinda spendy.
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Post by Jason Cox on Apr 29, 2009 10:18:51 GMT -6
I used the black gold and did not like the results from it did not take to the dog very well but like hi pro
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Post by yoteler on May 5, 2009 22:51:15 GMT -6
I have use the black gold 26-18 performance blend (black bag) and it work great for my dogs
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bob999
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 16
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Post by bob999 on May 6, 2009 17:15:22 GMT -6
I buy Retreiver in the blue bag from Tractor Supply.
It comes 55lb for 20.00, its very high in protein and my dogs love it.
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