Dog food

[asmith]

I'll be picking up my new GSP puppy this next weekend and am wondering what everyone else feeds there bird/working dogs?  It's been many years since I've owned a bird dog, and there are so many different options nowadays.  We just used to feed them ol roy back then.

[Ruger]

I feed Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato

[dye7barrel]

Costco yellow bag puppy food to 6 months then Dr. Tim's

[Torrent50]

Solid Gold Wild Heart Quail, Chickpeas & Pumpkin with a few pumps of salmon oil at each feeding.

[weathergirl]

I think this has been discussed on another thread within the last year maybe, but my vote based on trying several is Purina ProPlan.

[asmith]

I won't ever use Purina again!

[weathergirl]

I won't ever use Purina again!

I specifically like Purina ProPlan, which is different from other Purina dog foods.  Purina One Instinct, for example, did not agree at all with her system, but everything has been great with ProPlan (I buy it from amazon which is cheaper than stores that sell it).

[asmith]

With the whole hype of purina killing dogs due to the propolyne glycol in its food, I think I'll just stay away and stick to more naturally made foods.

[bobcat]

I don't trust any commercial dog food. I don't currently have a dog but if we ever get another dog I will feed it the same food we eat.

  1)  Commercial dog food is “fast food.”
Heavily-processed fast foods (burgers, fries, tacos, etc.) as a big diet component can cause major health problems in people. How can fast foods be good for dogs? Only dog food manufacturers think this nonsense makes sense. Dogs and people share roughly 75% the same genetic makeup, and we have similar nutritional needs. What we’re doing to our own health with processed foods, we’re also doing to our dogs. And it’s happening faster.

2)  People food is good for dogs.

Despite what you’ve heard from friends, vets and pet food manufacturers, wholesome ”people food” is good for dogs.  People food is only bad for dog food makers. The same fresh, nutritious foods people eat can offer your dog the nutrition he needs and save you a mountain of vet bills.  It just takes a little education to learn the small differences between human and canine nutritional needs. (Hint: no onions, grapes or raisins. Rinse off rich spices and sauces. Go easy on carbs and avoid wheat and corn.) 

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-food-ten-scary-truths/

[Ltzchris18]

My GSP gets home made food only. It's a little time consuming once a week but she's happy and healthy. If you're interested let me know and I'll put up a recipe she gets and loves.

[Smossy]

As far as I'm concerned, The highest quality of dog food on the market is Fromm,  100% natural and developed for longevity in canines. Its alittle spendy but look at when you spend on ourselves to eat, I wouldn't even call that healthy either.

[asmith]

My GSP gets home made food only. It's a little time consuming once a week but she's happy and healthy. If you're interested let me know and I'll put up a recipe she gets and loves.

Let's see.it

[Bill W]

When we picked up Molly the breeder recommended Black Gold puppy food. 

[NOCK NOCK]

My GSP gets home made food only. It's a little time consuming once a week but she's happy and healthy. If you're interested let me know and I'll put up a recipe she gets and loves.

Let's see.it

X2

[Smossy]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[NW-GSP]

Purina pro plan is what I use. Don't buy the cheap generic crap,

[Stein]

We are picking our pup up this weekend, I just ordered Taste of the Wild off Amazon to transition her to.  The ingredient list looks very solid, no grain and a ton of good reviews.  It is right at double the cost of the Costco house brand that we have been using with our other dog.

We also heavily supplement with raw meat (scraps of beef and a bunch of trimmings and ugly looking stuff from big game).

[NOCK NOCK]

One of our labs has some allergy issues(still not sure exactly what she's allergic to) She itches/scratches ALOT.
Vet recommended grain free diet. We have tried a dozen or so of the high end brands that did not improve the scratching. Finally we have settled on Taste of the Wild Venison & Buffalo, her itching/scratching has reduced drastically. 

[bobcat]

NOCK NOCK- try feeding her only "people food." I bet the itching will go away entirely. We had the same issue with our Brittany.

[AspenBud]

Dr Tims or Fromm as long as I can afford it.

If I ever can't afford it I'll switch to Dog Chow or Costco brand food in a heart beat. No I am not kidding.

[NOCK NOCK]

Going to try making our own dog food from venison scraps and people food. Winter project, curious to see how it go's.

[Stein]

Going to try making our own dog food from venison scraps and people food. Winter project, curious to see how it go's.

Next time you shoot an animal, don't throw away anything except guts, bones and hide.  You will be amazed at how much you threw away before without realizing it.  Our dog will gladly devour the nastiest looking scraps with dirt, hair, blood, whatever on it.  We bag it up in day sized portions in ziplock sandwich bags and freeze them flat.

[NOCK NOCK]

  this is what we did with our two deer this year.  Do you cook it or feed raw?

[Stein]

Raw, but I feed it out of the normal food bowl so they don't become beggars.


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[Daisy May]

I have three Labs the two older ones are allergic to something one gets itchy and the other gets ear problems. After about 8 yrs of different foods finally tried Natural Balance as recommended by our new Vet.  The sweet potato and bison, sweet potato and salmon or chicken and oatmeal have all worked well for me. The Youngest Lab (1year ) is also on the same food and doing fine. I tried the Taste of the wild and the blue buffalo but the dogs just threw it up. Vet says there is to much protein in it because it is good stuff but if your dogs don't eat it from being a pup there body cant process all the protein. Good luck.

[heronblu]

Our dog gets 100% raw venison from what we kill each season. We supplement with the occasional rabbit and whatever she steals from the cats bowl

[Jarhead Chase]

One of our labs has some allergy issues(still not sure exactly what she's allergic to) She itches/scratches ALOT.
Vet recommended grain free diet. We have tried a dozen or so of the high end brands that did not improve the scratching. Finally we have settled on Taste of the Wild Venison & Buffalo, her itching/scratching has reduced drastically. 

If she is still having any issues, try Natural Balance. Any of their LID mixes will help, but the bison and sweet potatoe or the kangaroo are some of the more popular unique proteins that work well.

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[metlhead]

I love catching grief for this, but I feed buget Nutra Nugget, lamb and rice, and supplement by having the dogs do the dishes after supper. A dog still will find whatever it needs and eat it, even those who are tightly monitored. My 16yo GWP still hunts and is healthy, the pup goes like a raped ape, and the wifes wiener dog is unstoppable on park squirrels. No vet bills so far either. I save the money and just spend more time on adventures with them for exercise.

[NOCK NOCK]

One of our labs has some allergy issues(still not sure exactly what she's allergic to) She itches/scratches ALOT.
Vet recommended grain free diet. We have tried a dozen or so of the high end brands that did not improve the scratching. Finally we have settled on Taste of the Wild Venison & Buffalo, her itching/scratching has reduced drastically. 

If she is still having any issues, try Natural Balance. Any of their LID mixes will help, but the bison and sweet potatoe or the kangaroo are some of the more popular unique proteins that work well.

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1st one I tried, did not see any improvement 

[Jarhead Chase]

One of our labs has some allergy issues(still not sure exactly what she's allergic to) She itches/scratches ALOT.
Vet recommended grain free diet. We have tried a dozen or so of the high end brands that did not improve the scratching. Finally we have settled on Taste of the Wild Venison & Buffalo, her itching/scratching has reduced drastically. 

If she is still having any issues, try Natural Balance. Any of their LID mixes will help, but the bison and sweet potatoe or the kangaroo are some of the more popular unique proteins that work well.

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1st one I tried, did not see any improvement 

Have you tried to add any salmon or fish oil? That can really help with a lot of skin conditions.

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[JKEEN33]

One of our labs has some allergy issues(still not sure exactly what she's allergic to) She itches/scratches ALOT.
Vet recommended grain free diet. We have tried a dozen or so of the high end brands that did not improve the scratching. Finally we have settled on Taste of the Wild Venison & Buffalo, her itching/scratching has reduced drastically. 

My Lab was doing the same and I have used TOW since he was out of pup food. Vet finally did a thyroid check and that was his issue. He was chewing until the back of his legs would bleed. I now give him a pill in the morning and one at night and no issues. Apparently it's common in dogs. It's a simple blood test, then medicate and retest to see the new levels. Has helped a lot the last year. I tried the oil on food, bacon grease recommended by vet etc.. Turned out to be the slow thyroid. Weight gain and hair loss are some signs of the slow thyroid according to the vet. He had bare patches on his elbows. I just thought it was from rubbing. That has all come back now.

[Jarhead Chase]

For the record, I really like the Whole Earth Farms food. If you don't need a specialty food because of allergies and such, it is a good food.

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[NOCK NOCK]

One of our labs has some allergy issues(still not sure exactly what she's allergic to) She itches/scratches ALOT.
Vet recommended grain free diet. We have tried a dozen or so of the high end brands that did not improve the scratching. Finally we have settled on Taste of the Wild Venison & Buffalo, her itching/scratching has reduced drastically. 

My Lab was doing the same and I have used TOW since he was out of pup food. Vet finally did a thyroid check and that was his issue. He was chewing until the back of his legs would bleed. I now give him a pill in the morning and one at night and no issues. Apparently it's common in dogs. It's a simple blood test, then medicate and retest to see the new levels. Has helped a lot the last year. I tried the oil on food, bacon grease recommended by vet etc.. Turned out to be the slow thyroid. Weight gain and hair loss are some signs of the slow thyroid according to the vet. He had bare patches on his elbows. I just thought it was from rubbing. That has all come back now.

Thanks JKEEN33.....I will ask my vet about that.

[Curly]

I recommend trying a supplement called Dinovite.


http://www.dinovite.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiA-ZSzBRDp3ITHm5KO_JYBEiQA1JjHHDFYdhM8Zq-3TqTWtMZJEf1GspV41wQVfVsH3kFoaRsaAsts8P8HAQ

 "Dinovite gives your furry friend delicate nutrients, minerals, and enzymes that are cooked out of your pet's food. Add a little Dinovite to their daily diet and see how quickly your beloved pooch and kitty become the happy buddy he was meant to be!

No more miserable dog! No more miserable you!

Our pet supplements contain delicate nutrients, omega fatty acids and zinc for excessive shedding and good skin. Digestive enzymes and "Direct Fed Microbials" to help support a healthy immune system and lots of other good things. "

[BeRandee]

I'm sort of a dog food snob. Look at all the ingredients on the foods you are interested in buying. If there are ANY of the following, or even by-products of, DON'T buy it! Corn is a filler, there is no nutritional value to it due to dogs (and pretty much any animal) can not digest it. Companies use it so they can use less of their expensive ingredients and still make a "heavier" bag. It's also a major cause for skin and ear allergies.
What to avoid:
Corn, wheat, soy, animal by-product, by-products in general.
Rice is another filler but it's digestable and has some nutrient content to it. I personally feed my dogs Taste of the Wild. My cat got Merrick but is now also on TotW due to Merrick a bit harder to get ahiold of.