Mrs. Sharp and I recently got adopted by a new pup. So far, we’ve given her Eukanuba Puppy Blend and Authority® Puppy with Real Chicken and Authority® Puppy with Lamb. She didn’t really like either of the PetSmart Authority Brands but will kill a bowl of Eukanuba Puppy Blend ASAP.
Quite frankly, we’re looking for a good puppy food that’s relatively cheap and healthy. Healthy is the primary concern, but cheap is good.
Bella Lugosi* is part Cocker Spaniel and part Labrador Retriever if that makes a difference.
*Bella after the Twilight character, Lugosi because I couldn’t accept a dog named after a character in Twilight.
Like most products, you get what you pay for. Usually the more expensive the food, the higher quality the ingredients, the “better” the food is.
Personally, my animals do not get foods with grains in it. No corn, wheat, rice or any other grain fillers. Carnivores don’t need grains, all they do is bulk up the poo. Carnivores get carbs from the stomachs of what they are eating. I will not buy any brand available at the grocery store. Kitties get Natural Balance Duck and Green Pea (one has food allergies) and the dog gets Merrick Before Grain or Wellness Core.
My parents use raw food and the BARF (Bones and Raw Food) diet. It is cheaper than buying dog food, but takes time to prepare. Their cockapoo is 15 and in perfect health, she’s feisty and no one really believes it when we tell her she is 15. Their beagle outlived the vet’s expectations after he was diagnosed with cancer.
I agree with what Minnie Luna says. My puppy gets Orijen dry and Merrick canned and I mix them. I feed my cats Wellness canned only. Grains/carbs don’t belong in a carnivore’s food. Pet food makers add grains to lower their costs - not because it is healthy for your pets. These foods do come at a price - they aren’t cheap. I’d love to feed raw but I have hang ups with it that so far I haven’t been able to deal with (meat on bone, handling animal body parts).
Crap. My laptop’s battery died as I was looking for a link (I have a puppy too, and can’t plug it in when he’s around for fear for my cord) and can’t edit. Here’s another link: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
Your puppy is showing uncommonly good instincts in preferring the Eukanuba to the PetsMart knockoffs.
Particularly while she’s growing - while her joints are developing, while her immune system is maturing - Bella should have the best food available without putting you and the Mrs. into the poorhouse. Money “saved” now on food will be spend later in the form of vet bills.
You could try splitting the difference - some commercial food augmented with some raw/natural foods …
Be aware that plain meat (i.e. boneless/skinless chicken breasts) will not contain all the nutrients your pup needs. Bones and cartilage contain key minerals and things not found in muscle tissue.
Also, when switching foods it’s a good idea to mix the old and new type together instead of just switching over abruptly.
