[Ori]

I thought this might be the best section for it rather than Dog Food.

My little Ori is coming home in 3 weeks, and I've been looking around for the right things for him. Especially in the food department so he's happy and healthy.

I've never owned a purebred from a pup before, so I'm a little lost. I went to the local pet store to ask for some advice, and they pointed their reccomendations to the only two brands they sell. For only a small-sized bag and premium quality, it was $45.

Normally, I'd say no problem, whatever the cost, however, I'm on an extremely low income, and I can't afford that much. I told them this, and asked if perhaps a brand like Pedigree from the supermarket would be ok, but they told me Pedigree contains way too much carbohydrates and bloats their stomach rather than gives them the nutrients in the premium brand.

Is this true? And if anyone knows what the best way to feed a Golden Retriever puppy on a low budget with supermarket brands? I'd much rather give him Pedigree, I know the brand, it's affordable for me, and according to the breeders, they've been ok with it (though they have also been mix and matching a few brands seeing as some brands aren't always available since they live out in the country). I'm just a little concerned that it might not be good for him and there might be another brand I can go to that's in my price range.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

There are many brands that you can go for. Bare in mind that the better quality food you can feed the lower your costs truely are because you end up feeding less, the dog is more healthy over all. The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have a bag of the same food the the breeder feeds. If you don't want to keep the pup on that brand get a small bag so you can transition over slowly.
Being in Australia and Im in the USA, I don't know if you have the same brands there, but I'll give you a list that you can start with. The first thing you want to do is learn how to read a bag so you can understand what you are reading. The Drs Foster and Smith shopping store on the web has some really info and it is easy to understand.
I put question markes after some of the stores mentioned because I don't know if y'all have them down there!!

Ok:
Supermarket:
If y'all have it in the supermarket (some have it here) I'd use Paul Newmans Organic
Here in the States Kroger/Ralphs carries Blue Seal packed for Brandon Farms in Organic and the Natural formulas
Pedigree
Iams

Walmart?
Paul Newmans Organic
Maxximum Nutrition Lamb and Rice

Target?
Paul Newmans Organic
Harmony Farms which reads interestingly familiar to Blue Buffalo

Costco?
Kirkland Brand-great price and nice quality.

Pet Smart?
Harvest Baked by Authority (house label) Lamb and Rice
Blue Buffalo

Petco?
Natural Balance
Wellness

Independent Pet shop
Canidae
Chicken Soup
Solid Gold


Now, I know I have listed some that are over the top in price, but as you research you might find yourself leaning away from the supermarket.
I would recommend if you have it Canidae. It is not that bad in price and the quality is very good.
I don't know if you carry Nutro down there but their Max line is ok and affordable, but if you feed Nutro, stick with the Ultra. If you go that route money wise, go with a different food. That's just me, Im not a Nutro fan.
If you'd like, you can send me a list of what your supermarket carries and I can see if we have similar items. I would be happy to help you out.
Anyway, I hope this helps you out and I've been where you are. And bear in mind that wile fincances are tight now, one day they may not be and you can always upgrade.

Best of luck!
GeorgieGirl

 

[Ori]

Thank you so much. That helps me a lot. I'll see if I can fins some of the brands. I know we have a lot of the Paul Newman range, though I've not looked in the dog section.

I asked the breeders whether they've used Pedigree (I personally prefer it) on the puppies or any other litters, and they said that the pups are fine with it, but they interchanged a lot of the brands as well when they couldn't find the others sometimes.

With one of my other pups, I had them on Pedigree, and for some reason his stomach bloated a little. I thought it may have been worms, because he hadn't yet been wormed (he was from a family friend's litter) but the pet store that told me about the carbohydrate content, said that it causes the bloating. I think the brand was Innova or something to that effect, that the woman pointed out, but I also may suspect that they only "recommend" it because of their business and it's high quality.

I thought that maybe if the breeders didn't seem to be having problems with it, and they know about these sorts of things, then it should be ok. But I'm still not quite sure.

 

[3neighs]

Great suggestions GeorgieGirl! I'm a fan of grain free foods myself, but I do understand your cost issues. The only thing I'm going to add is when selecting a food, look at the ingredients and choose one that lists meat as the first one, not corn.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

Glad to be of help Ori!

I'm with you 3neighs! I also feed grain free. But not every one can afford or even get the grain free foods as well as the higher quality ones. But with a little research and by reading what your buying, that goes a long way to choosing a food that is a the best quality that you can afford.

 

[Criosphynx]

why is your breeder using pedigree? Honestly it is a horrible food. Any reputable dog breeder should know this.

You are feeding your dog corn, corn and corn....and after the corn its salt and sugar. What you save in $$ now will be spent in vet bills later.

The neumans food is awesome for a grocery brand. BUT i find that its MORE expensive than premium pet store food. I pay $2 a can for neumans here and $1.50 for other grain free food.

Is raw diet an option for you?



Dog | Forum | Rocks!

 

[Ori]

Excuse me for sounding ignorant, but what exactly is raw diet? Is it just a mixture of raw meats?

They aren't feeding them straight pedigree. They apparently change the brands/food every week or so depending on whether they can find the brands. They live in a small country town which in this part of Australia, is sort of like the middle of nowhere, so it's hard to find the "premium" brands. Their litters and blood lines have had no issues at all, and quite a few of their puppies have been sold to be trained as guide dogs.

They don't mainly use Pedigree, I just asked them which brand they used, and if they used Pedigree at one time, and whether it caused any problems. They said it hadn't, but I just wanted to make sure.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

A raw diet is a diet of just that raw food. There are many on the market, and different types like the BARF diet. BARF stands for Bones And Raw Food. These foods are usually desinged to meet a dogs nutritional needs. I have to say that Im not well versed on Raw diest at all. Those who use them love them, cost from what I have run into is more or less around a premium diet cost. There are also what I call the "Almost Raw"! Sounds strange, but that would be Ziwi Peak which is from Australia so you might be able to readily get it. It is designed to be either a supplement to raw or for those raw feeders who travel and can't take their freezer. The company slogan is "Raw without the Thaw". Some companies also have a freeze dried raw diet. Natures Variety comes to mind.

I myself perfere a kibble (grain free) and little bit of wet food mixed diet.

I agree with Criosphynx as far as what Pedigree is and why it is best to feed a higher quality food. It is cheaper in the long run. But I also get that not everyone can do that financially or location wise.

It sounds like you are in a rock and a hard place as far as what you have axcess to that's in your budget. What can you get?

 

[shawbulldogs]

If you do end up feeding Pedigree make sure it is the Large Breed Puppy Chow. Do not feed regular puppy chow to a large breed dog it can do irreversable damage to their legs. It causes the bones to grow quicker than the legiments and tendons and will actually make the legs bow, they can end up looking like this ( )
A lot of times the more expensive brands end up costing the same in the long run because the cheaper brands are just filler and you end up feeding more to curb their hunger. You may only have to feed one cup premium compared to two cups grade food.

 

[masterfrm]

Last month, I had get Puppy Food for my cute Puppy. My Puppy very love this food and he get crazy for this food. Currently, I feeding this food to my puppy and he feel very good. After few days, He is more active, his eyes have cleared up. The vet is amazed as well, as his sugar levels are better. Such, Best Puppy Food.

 

[masterfrm]

I love Puppies...!

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Check this cheapest online store where you can get highly nutritional puppy food >>> Puppy Food

:rockon: