Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tasty Tuesday - Which food to buy?

Currently my dogs don't have a regular brand of food. I am experimenting with other brands to find one that works for us and is not too expensive.

My preference in a food for them is a grain free one. Not because either of them have ever shown any issues with grain (or any foods, so we are lucky), I just think it is healthier for them. [They do get some grain filled cookies, and I am ok with this because the bulk of their diet is grain free].

For the longest time my pups ate Fromm. They did well on it. My issue is that is $100 a bag. With a Phod in our life who eats 4 cups a day, and a Lee who eats 2 cups, this only lasts us a month. While I liked the food, I wanted to know if I could find one that was as good for them and not so hard on my pocket book! 

Then I tired a Canadian made food that's name has completely escaped me. It is a new company (like a year old). I liked it but it was hard to find (I only found one store that carried it and it isn't in the most convenient location) and again was very expensive. A $70 bag didn't last the month as the bag was smaller.

We tried Nutrience but it gave us farty dogs. Really bad, stinky farts. 

This month we are trying Halo.This is the company Ellen Degeneres is the co-owner of.  It is cheaper, at about $65 a bag that will last a month,  and seems to agree with the dogs. It is also carried at the pet store by my work, so it is easy to get. (I don't have to drive all over the city to find it). 

I am opening to trying other foods. Does anyone have a grain free kibble they love that won't break the bank?
Phod: "I don't care what they feed me, as long as they feed me!"

22 comments:

  1. We have been using " taste of the wild" for a long time now...it is grain free and we alternate the flavor each month....pacific fish, bison and venison, and lamb. It is the only food we have found that don't upset Reilly's allergies and isn't expensive.

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  2. We have never heard of many of those so we cannot help but we are sure many peeps can help you out. Have a terrific tasty Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. We also use Taste of the Wild for the dogs and cats.

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  4. Our Dry Kibble is Blue Buffalo butt the type we like Does have some Grain... BUTT B.B. DOES have some grain FREE varieties.
    NOW we want to know what the PROBLEM is... with Super Strong PHARRRRRRRRTS... WE love to PHARRRRRT.. We Love OUR Pharrrrts.... butt OH those HORRID Peep Pharrrrrts... THEY would gag a Squirrel... We Hate it when THEY eat Beans. Just sayin. Gaaaaaaack.

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  5. We also feed Rita Blue Buffalo, the Wilderness formula - which is grain free. We mix it with some canned organic food (sometimes I and Love and You, or Paul Newman's organic) or some re-hydrated raw. I like to do primarily grain free as well.

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  6. I hope you will find the perfect food for your babies!

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  7. We use Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream, everyone seems to like it.

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  8. Good luck on your hunt to find Phod and Lee food that won't break the bank nor give them the walking farts.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  9. Hi there, I wish I could help you-currently I've got Hunter on a grain free kibble but he is so small I don't particularly pay attention to the cost(it is under $20. per bag). I will say that Hunter is very picky and spoiled; I've tried so many expensive foods and he won't touch them-like Blue Buffalo etc. I know certain pet stores have a return policy on kibble that your dog doesn't like-Petsmart is one here in Colorado that are incredible about returning opened bags. I think they donate the unused food to shelters. I wish Hunter was easier; I do cook a lot for him as well. He loves fish so trying to incorporate that more; corn is one thing that really bothers him.
    Good luck! Have a great afternoon.
    Noreen & Hunter

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  10. Our momma usually buys either Call of the Wild or Blue Buffalo both grain free. She adds wet food to it cos we are rather spoiled, and sometimes hers just cooks stuff like chicken livers etc, or hamburger or eggs etc. and adds to our dry instead of wet food. Dad says she has ruined us forever on eating just dry food, and she says, he is probably right.
    If we eat grain free it helps our tummy's not have so much gas.
    Stella Rose

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  11. I don't think we have those in the UK, but good luck with your search

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  12. Was the Canadian brand food called Acana? thats what we feed, and the dogs love it. It is a little more expensive then others but, I love how it locally grown.
    I have heard others talk about a food called Actr1um. It is actually sold at Walmart though, so i am leery about it. And haven't tried it, but it might be something to look into.
    ((husky hugz))
    frum our pack at love is being owned by a husky

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  13. I used Taste of the Wild (by Diamond) for a while but after going through a recall (and seeing Diamond has had several recalls) I did a lot of research and switched to Nutri-Source Pure Vita Grain Free (American made). We've been on it a year now and love it! It's hard to find grain free without the protein being too high. Pure Vita's protein levels were within my comfort level. It's about $54 for 25 lbs. in stores near me and online. We order online with free shipping. Good Luck!

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  14. The grain-free that we eat...and has to come from Sydney at great expense. At least we don't have to eat much. We have found a cheap one in our local grocery shop that we're trying. So far, so good, but it doesn't come in BIG bags. Good luck.

    XXXOOO Bella & Roxy

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  15. Hm.... It's been quite a while since I fed kibble. Off the top of my head: Taste of The Wild, Wellness CORE, Acana, Merrick, Earthborn Holistic, Nature's Variety, Nature's Recipe, California Naturals, Pure Vita, Evo, Canidae... That's all I can think of at the moment.
    DM

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  16. We like our Merrick kibble. It is grain free and comes in a variety of flavors.

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  17. Mommy makes the hairy slobbery sister's food. She uses beef liver rice and veggies, ground or (diced) beef rice and veggies, ground chicken rice and veggies, or tuna and rice and veggies. Sometimes they gets a pasta or barley instead of rice, Pumpkin or Pineapple or apples or blueberries instead of veggies. Mommy makes big huge batches and freezes it.
    And they gets only 1 cup of kibble each (that varies but is often Presidents Choice Nutrition first as it is grain free).
    Bob (14-Aussie Shepard cross) has long furs and Cinnamon (4-Red heeler) has a short coat and they both has no skin issues. Their coats is gorgeous. They is in excellent health and they has no allergies. Their poopies is always excellent and they does not has farts.
    Mommy started cooking the dogs dinner with our before dog as she had allergies to some dog food ingredients (and furry stinky farts). She says it was hard to gets into the "groove" but the health (and cost) benefits was worth it!
    Yous knows what...they don't likes commercial foods. When wes travels it can be difficult.
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  18. No, not grain free, sorry!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  19. Hunting for the right food can be tricky, good look with your hunt!! I'd point out your friendly pet food manufacturer but we aren't grain free!

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  20. I have had the same food since I was a puppy, boring kibble but me too Phod, I eat anything BOL xxoxxx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  21. Hi hi hi! Ojo here! Friend Phod, I do not care either, as long as there is food in the bowl! Perhaps your person can fill up your bowl with many different foods! You can help taste-test! That would be pawesome! (Can I come help?)

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  22. My peep makes my food and adds Taste of the Wild (the one with the salmon in it). I really, really like the crunchy food!
    oxox
    Daisy

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