Best Dog Foods

Curious to see what everyone else is feeding their Pit. I'm currently feeding mine Victory Hi-Pro Plus but more recently he hasn't been doing well on it. Ever since I started him on it (about 1 1/2 months ago) he's been getting some reactions from it. I'm looking to switch it up.

Was interested in Purina Pro Plan Performance (Salmon and Rice Formula) for him. Thoughts? What's everyone else using?

 

I've used Nutrena Lamb meal and brown rice for about a year and a half now. No complaints.

 

Pro Plan is good food but expensive.

 

Normally I feed raw and yesterday spent about a hour looking at kibble. Literally reading every label of the top tier foods. I came to the conclusion that I'm too much of a control freak to feed anything else. Looking over price and doing simple math I'm ahead for the money. 29lb gyp 12oz of raw + supplements that you don't see in kibble. 60% fat 30% protein 10% carbs you can't find anything close to that in kibble. For me I just can't do kibble although years ago when I did I feed red paw but it's hard to find in brick and morter stores.

 

Victor and pro plan both are decent kibble but too pricey for the majority of ppl who have multiple dogs or a yard. Quite a few folks I know actually use both as the base in their keep feed regiment.

For maintenance feed lots of ppl around me use valu pak. I have used it with no issues. Feed is a lot like bloodlines. What works for me may not work for you but its damn near impossible to convince someone who's having success with it to change.

My advice on feed never changes. Feed what works best for your dogs and your pocket. No one else is feeding them or footing the bill but you.

 

I only have one dog here so thankfully I'm not feeding for a bunch of dogs. I don't necessarily mind the price due to me having only one. I love Victor and wish I could stay on it but my dog just doesn't do well on it. Could be seasonal allergies too and I could be wrong. Have you used Pro Plan? Did you enjoy it?

 

Messed with it as keep feed. Not as a maintenance. Once dear meat, supplements, work was stacked up on my animal I don't feel it is right to say yes or no.


Check out orijen, acana, if money is no issue. There's another "cheaper" version made by chewy called America Journey. It's not bad feed.

Again there was supplements, added meat and fat, plus lots of work added not just tossing kibble in a dish.

What "reactions" are you getting on victor? "Reactions" is about as vague as you can get. Dandruff and itching, bald spots, shitting blood, can't keep weight, constant loose stools, throwing up, or just eats 1/2 they should are all "reactions" with multiple different causes

 

I feed Kirkland, supplement weekly with yoghurt and sardines in oil. Dogs do well on it…

 

My feed is always different... right now its.
https://chickensouppets.com/....chicken and turkey mixes with diamond chicken and rice. Picked up a back of pure balance today.... chicken and peas to add to it.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/246701400

 

As for reactions, I'm talking Dandruff, itching, bald spots, and occasionally throwing up. I had once used a brand named Maximum Bully and my pit had the loosest stools and was also was shitting blood. The stools with victor are actually very nice and have been the best of the other foods I've tried. Eats all of it with no issue. Yet again, these issues only came when I switched to Victor.

As for Price, I don't mind paying $50-$60 for a 35/40lb bag. I would love to switch or Orijen but $90 for a 25lb bag is too expensive aha.

 

Chances are it may be a protein allergy. If the main ingredient is chicken based protein switch to a Victor with a different protein base and see if it helps.

Could add some fish oil for skin and coat health.

Check out American journey if orijen is too pricey. Similar ingredients for a cheaper price. Also realize you'll probably feed less of the orijen/acana quality food because it's not packed with filler like other brands(even victor)

 

Could be a grain allergy also. Victor uses a few different grains. The valu pak I feed is grain and corn free.

 

That's why I was interested in Pro Plus Sport but the Salmon and Rice recipe. I've tried other brands with chicken and his stools were very hit and miss, but he didn't have the itchiness/hair loss as he does now with Victor. The Victor bag I have right now the main ingredient is beef (Hi-Pro Plus).

It could very well be a grain allergy too. Each bag of food I've given had grain in it. I know they make a 27/17 Pro Plan bag that is grain-free.

 

I'd cut the grain out of his diet and see if that helps? This "pit" happen to be "blue"?

If so genetically they're proan to lots of skin issues

 

Yes, he is aha. With switching to grain-free, what am I actually losing out on? I'm going to try it regardless but thought I'd ask.

 

Fillers. Nothing the dogs needs. You'll actually be feeding a much better quality food without grains.

And with the dogs being blue and showing the skin issues look into grain free and raw. Both will help. Raw takes a little more time than scooping 2 scoops in a dish but it's well worth the extra effort. Will be cheaper if you source your materials right also.

Canine athletes has a very basic raw recipe on their site.

 

I'll have to look into it. I appreciate the input and the help!

 

No issues. It's a super common issue among the blue dogs. I won't go into the genetics behind it but you're not dealing with anything new or uncommon. Corn and grains seem to do a number on those dogs coats.

Change the food gradually and see if improves. You can add fish oil to the current food to see if it helps.

I have also heard(no first hand experience) that rubbing coconut oil on their coat will help with the itchies and spots he's working through. Again not something I deal with so I haven't tried it just what I've been told.

 

Apparently, Purina doesn't have a grain-free Pro Plan Sport. Thought they did, must have been mistaken. I was looking into American Journey and it seems pretty good. A bummer that it's only 24lb bags. The bag would only last me half a month LOL

 

I could experiment with the Salmon formula and see if it was chicken/beef. If it's still the same, I know it's grains.