Which dog food is best?

Question

My 4-legged kids   QUESTION: I have a pure breed white boxer and a little mutt [they say she is part Cocker, part JRTerrier but looks like a rat terrier]. Our mutt is on Blue Buffalo weight control. She used to weigh about 15-17 pounds and is up to 19. The vet says she's fine, but she has lost that slender look [she is 7]. She had trouble several years ago with not being able to digest fat--we were told to find a food that was lowest in fat [the vet had her on Science Diet sensitive stomach]. I don't trust Science Diet much, so I found Blue. She seems to be doing all right on it. However, the price has gone up at least 8 dollars and it's getting tough! I want to keep her on something natural and holistic. Any ideas? I considered making it myself but don't know how to go about that.
Our boxer is another story--he obviously weighs much more and I can't afford Blue for him! I've had him on Apex Holistic dog food. The supplier said he wouldn't have as many bowel movements, they would be compact and dry, and he would not need to eat as much. Ok. He loves the food. I give him the maximum allowance and that dog has a BM every single time he goes outside [3-5x/day] and they are NEVER compact or dry. He is in perfect shape, but I wonder if he's getting the best food? He was on Veterinary Formula (VF) but their prices went up $10/bag.
I am just wondering what to do that is best for our dogs and our bank account! Any advice would be wonderful.

ANSWER: Hi Anneleise,

Something I always mention to people on my radio show or at seminars is, that the cost of  keeping a dog is not simply how much you pay for food, but includes veterinary care over the span of his or her life.  Since so many health issues are food related, and many health issues appear later in life, it can often be a matter of paying less now but more later (in vet bills). If  they are both doing well on Blue, I'd recommend staying with it. how much less is the Apex? It's not a brand I'm familiar with and I was unable to locate an ingredients list to see how it stacks against the Blue.

I'll be happy to compare these foods if you can provide me with a link for Apex where te ingredients are fully listed. but overall, I'm probably going to recommend you stick with the higher quality food. Diet is so very powerful in terms of maintaining good health, I'm sure you won't be sorry, if you look at cost over the whole life of your dogs. And what a pair of cuties they are - thank you for the picture. :)

All the best, Catherine.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The only information I can find online is http://apexpetfoods.com/, but I'm sure you went there, as well and they do not completely list the ingredients. I have my boxer on this food, and he really seems to be doing well. The smaller dog, who is on Blue, seems to itch quite a bit and has serious problems with anal itch/impacted glands. I believe it's due to her weight; the vet says some dogs are prone to it and there's not much to do. I may try her on the Apex and see how it goes.

Answer
Without more information I can't really assess/compare the foods. Apex may work for a while and then not be as successful - depending on the ingredients. You know how it is; kids can seemingly eat ANYTHING and thrive, but those of us in midlife need to be much more careful with our diet. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of more help. I always encouarge the use of both premium commercial diet and supplementation with fresh foods (in moderation and always rotated - meats, fish, organs, veggies, yogurt) as well as supplements such as green foods and fish oils, for optimal health.

We all have specific needs and we are all individuals.

All the best, Catherine