Re: Food

Question
Hello,
Can you tell me what is a good named brand food that is nutritionally balanced that I can purchase at a grocery store and or at Petsmart for a Cocker Spaniel. He is 4 years old and active. I don't want him to gain weight. At this point I financially can not go to the vet and purchase the food. What food at the market can you recommend?
Thank you,
Summer

Answer
Hello Summer!!
I'm not sure you will like my response to your question but I am going to be very upfront with you. First a question--have you ever researched and read about ALL commercial dog foods? Vet foods?(these happen to be the nutritionally lowest not on the market but by prescription)

I have had dogs all of my life and in the last tens, after much research, learning and some bad experiences, I stopped using all commercial dogs foods--all are loaded with synthetics no matter what the labels say. I don't want to say too much because I might anger you or scare you away but the best way to feed any dog is RAW, then comes homecooking with supplementation (probiotics, digestive enzymes etc.).

Ok, if money is tight then home cooking shouldn't stretch you too much since even pet food is expensive. A hormone and antibiotic free meat such as white meat chicken (boiled or poached lightly)with a veggie, real food vitamin and supplements would be almost ideal. As I said RAW would be perfect but you have to be so careful when doing this. Having said this, and knowing that I never recommend that anyone feed their dog commercial foods (not realistic for some, I know)there are several ok foods on the market. But I implore you to not be taken with the misleading and sometimes lying commercials..Beneful comes to mind. Beneful, Sci.Diet and Alpo are three of the worst dog foods ever put on shelves but oh what an advertising campaign they have!! They appeal to those who have not done their homework or just might not be aware of what they are doing.

There are several 'high end' foods in good pet stores. PLEASE DO NOT EVER, EVER, EVER SHOP IN A SUPERMARKET FOR DOG FOOD!!!!! This is asking for trouble for your dog down the road.

I can think of Wellness, Evangers, Organix, California natural, Solid Gold (be careful with this food, it is VERY RICH) AND OTHERS. Take a look at these and try the Wellness Pot and Duck in both kibble and wet food. Nothing is going to be cheap...NOTHING. And if you do find cheap in the market or in Walmart or in one of those places, keep in mind that you are compromising your dogs liver, kidney and immune system. down the Road, unfortunately, these cheap foods usually have a pricetag--on the dog. I am not here to convince you though.

So, try one of the foods I recommended..there are others. But PLEASE read up on what you are going to feed your dog. In fact, read up on feeding naturually and holistically--it'is a real eyeopener. When I found out what I was feeding my Yorkie (and now I have three dogs) I was horrified. I definitely improved my menu after realizing the crap I had fallen for because of how dog foods are advertised.

I do understand lack of finances etc. but please don't take the cheap route. Find a way to at least feed your pup a higher end dog food that you buy at a reputable pet store. Stay away from Science Diet, Eukanuba and Iams. Let me know if this helped at all and what you are going to try..

OH ONE MORE THING AND THIS IS IMPORTANT--I don't know what you are feeding your dog now but whatever you decide to switch him to, GO SLOWLY...say over a weeks time. Do NOT simply start feeding your dog a new food--you may wind up with diarrhea, vomiting etc. Go slowly and incorporate any new food into his regular diet, increasing the amt. daily over a weeks time. This way your dogs digestive system will not go into shock. Hope this helped somewhat, Susan