What brand of dog/puppy food do you recommend? - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

dobriety · 12-08-2010, 10:21 AM

Tell me which dog food you recommend, and why. You can check one (or more) of the options. If you've answered 'other,' tell me which brand you prefer.

AXL · 12-08-2010, 12:50 PM

I use Fromm, but its quite expensive here.

lenammi · 12-08-2010, 01:00 PM

Acana or Orijen. Quality ingredients, small manufacturer (Canadian), great results (coat, energy level, no gas, no poop issues).

Not all puppies can handle Orijen due to the protein level, so try Acana first (it is also a bit cheaper). I've had Lex on both the Acana Pacifica and Grasslands formulas. Both are fantastic and grain-free. If she eats grains, she's gassy.

**MeadowCat** · 12-08-2010, 02:02 PM

Agreed on Orijen/Acana.

By the way, Evo is NOT recommended for puppies, so I strongly recommend against Evo. It's great for adult dogs, though.

dobriety · 12-08-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenammi

Acana or Orijen. Quality ingredients, small manufacturer (Canadian), great results (coat, energy level, no gas, no poop issues).

Not all puppies can handle Orijen due to the protein level, so try Acana first (it is also a bit cheaper). I've had Lex on both the Acana Pacifica and Grasslands formulas. Both are fantastic and grain-free. If she eats grains, she's gassy.

Yeah, this is the stuff I'm going to be switching Jack to if I can find a bag of it somewhere. I guess I'll have to drive up to the other Global near me. Just thought I'd poll the masses before do.

I guess I should be putting him on Puppy Large Breed for now and later on, down the road (when do you switch?), I'll look at the adult options. Or just put him on adult food now?

**MeadowCat** · 12-08-2010, 02:09 PM

I used large breed puppy Orijen and Shanoa did very well on it. Either large breed puppy or adult food should be just fine, as long as the adult food is formulated for all life stages (Evo, for example, is not).

Whatever you decide, be sure to switch him slowly to the new food. Is there a reason you are switching from whatever food he's on now?

dobriety · 12-08-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeadowCat

I used large breed puppy Orijen and Shanoa did very well on it. Either large breed puppy or adult food should be just fine, as long as the adult food is formulated for all life stages (Evo, for example, is not).

Whatever you decide, be sure to switch him slowly to the new food. Is there a reason you are switching from whatever food he's on now?

Thanks. Well, I just think he could be on a better food than Nutro. Something more meat-based.

By the way, how slowly does the switch need to occur? Would it be too fast to go 4:1 on the first day, and 3:2 second day, 2:3 third day, etc?

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 12-08-2010, 03:09 PM

Anakin did well on the Chicken Soup with Puppy food but for some reason when we switched to adult he did awful? Both the regular and large breed.

So we found Nature's Variety Instinct works for him. Chicken. NOT Duck/Turkey boy he stinks stinks stinks on that???

Heidi-G · 12-08-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobes23

Thanks. Well, I just think he could be on a better food than Nutro. Something more meat-based.

By the way, how slowly does the switch need to occur? Would it be too fast to go 4:1 on the first day, and 3:2 second day, 2:3 third day, etc?

Way too fast IMO. The transition should take a miniimum of 10-14 days.
Does depend on your dog, how sensitive his stomach is & what you are feeding now. If you are totally switching proteins, please be slower. I start with 1/4 cup of new food only. If after 2 days with no upset, move up to half cup.

You can supplement with pumpkin during the transition, it eases the tummy upset.

caramella · 12-08-2010, 05:38 PM

Have used TOW after Bella was about 6 months old and was quite happy with it, in terms of her all over health, coat appearance, etc., however from time to time, her poop would be a bit soft. I have recently, on the recommendation of her vet, switched to California Naturals, and I am amazed at the difference.

She loves it and poops are perfect, all the time!!!!! Nothing makes me happier than a healthy Bella poop!!

Of course, I mixed into her previous food and made the transition slowly.

Fury · 12-08-2010, 05:49 PM

I'm using Innova for my 10 week old puppy.

smcribbs · 12-08-2010, 06:03 PM

Canidae All Life Stages, started this food when they were puppies and will never have to change foods.

**Fitzmar Dobermans** · 12-08-2010, 08:20 PM

I've raised two litters on Eagle Pack Holistic Selects (the bags don't say Eagle Pack on them anymore). I like the fish puppy food the best:
Nourish Puppy - Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meals Dry Puppy Food

Jaycee · 12-08-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velmadobe

I've raised two litters on Eagle Pack Holistic Selects (the bags don't say Eagle Pack on them anymore). I like the fish puppy food the best:
Nourish Puppy - Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meals Dry Puppy Food

I use this too

Sara_Zizz · 12-08-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velmadobe

I've raised two litters on Eagle Pack Holistic Selects (the bags don't say Eagle Pack on them anymore). I like the fish puppy food the best:
Nourish Puppy - Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meals Dry Puppy Food

The pet store gave me some samples of this food and I was using it as treats for Max when we ran out... he loves it so much... I think I may just have to go and get a bag. He is currently on Wellness Super5mix (Lamb) and he doesn't really like it. I noticed he doesn't really like lamb, he didn't like Solid Gold either and that had lamb in it too. I want to switch to either this or Orijen.

MeganUK · 12-08-2010, 11:39 PM

I'm a Fromm fan!! I've also fed Acana and Taste of the wild. Fromm has been my favorite so far- and the dogs really like it. Orijen looks really good, but too expensive to feed 3 large dogs. I also used to feed Innova before I got my doberman with good results.

pdubois64 · 12-08-2010, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenammi

Acana or Orijen. Quality ingredients, small manufacturer (Canadian), great results (coat, energy level, no gas, no poop issues).

Not all puppies can handle Orijen due to the protein level, so try Acana first (it is also a bit cheaper). I've had Lex on both the Acana Pacifica and Grasslands formulas. Both are fantastic and grain-free. If she eats grains, she's gassy.

Didn't read the thread but from alot of nutritional experience I agree 100% The only thing I can add is quality ingredients = human grade ingredients. Dillon has been on Acana Wild Prairie since he was 4 months old.

goofygoober · 12-09-2010, 08:47 AM

I have my two tiny dogs chihuahua and toy poodle on Acana Pacifica with great results fur healthy, tiny solid poop!! I tried the Orijen large breed with no luck soft to loose stool, then Acana large breed same thing what a disapointment. I thought to try this food I haven't heard of called Oven-baked tradition puppy(Global Pets) and soo happy with it great results. It is still a great product of Canada. No by products or corn or wheat yes there is some oats etc but it has too in order to lower the protein content which I think was causing the soft stool etc. So far I will continue with this food! good luck with what ever it is your dog chooses lol because that is what it comes down too

Chief · 12-09-2010, 11:02 AM

I would highly recommend ACANA. I heard the meat they now receive is the same meat delivered to most Fairmont Hotels! Talk about human grade.

Chief is on Fromm Four Star, for now. He didn't do well on the ACANA Large Breed Puppy. I plan on switching him to ACANA Grasslands when he's around one... Give it a second try.
Good luck!

rainddobes · 12-12-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXL

I use Fromm, but its quite expensive here.

I used Fromm for a while and I noticed my dobes coats were not shinny and Jaden actually got hives..I switched all of them to Taste of the Wild and keeping my fingers crossed

OMG3kids · 12-12-2010, 09:16 AM

Anyone feeding Artemis? I'm not super impressed with the ingredients of the Pro Plan that Tanner came with. Artemis is available in my town, and reviews well with regard to ingredients.
Good luck, all! This food thing is tricky!! And to think, I grew up with farm dogs who ate table scraps and dog food from a big white bag with DOG FOOD in black letters. LOL

OMG3kids · 12-12-2010, 11:04 AM

Oh, and I used to feed my lab Go! Natural and she wonderfully on that. However, it's not available in CA anymore. May try finding it online again.

Tollers-n-Dobes · 12-12-2010, 11:20 AM

Acana. I've never, ever had such wonderful results with my dogs on kibble as I have with Acana. That's not to say it's the best food for all dogs, as all dogs do best on something different, but it is the best for my dogs.

Chelse · 12-13-2010, 08:32 AM

I use Fromm because it is the only dog food I had tried that Zac would eat and not be sick on.

OMG3kids · 12-14-2010, 02:51 PM

Fingers crossed.
Switching Tanner and Desi the Lab to Taste of The Wild, Pacific. I need something they can both eat, for goodness sake, and TOTW is the most similar in the protein/fats etc to the puppy food that Tanner came with but with less funky ingredients. He came on Pro Plan, and on this his poo is happening about 5 or 6 times a day (not runny) and appears to be simply a steaming pile of undigested Pro Plan. This is not ideal. LOL
So, wish us luck with the transition. (I also picked TOTW because a 30 pound bag is $40 and is available within walking distance of my home. Uh, er...not that I'd walk home with a 30-pound bag of dog food.)