AmStaff Terrier

Question

My dog   QUESTION: I have a 2 1/2 year old amstaff terrier.  I have been feeding her Members Mark "Exceed" dog food, by itself, since she could eat.  The breeder recommended it and said it was as good as Euchanuba, but just cheaper.  Unfortunately, it only sells at Sam's Club, and they have discontinued selling it because of a conflict with the Manufacturer.  Who knows if it'll be reinstated, but I don't like just having one source for getting food anyway.  It's been pretty good thus far, and my dog's coat is shiny, soft, and healthy.  I don't want to take a chance of just getting any dog food, and I am not trying to go broke either.  I've researched for a few days now, and I am still stumped.  I was even going to buy the Michele Welton book to see what noncommercial food she suggests.  I feel I'm going in circles.  I understand how to introduce new food to dogs and I've come away with the fact that I should look for the first two ingredients to be meat + other need-to-know things.  I think I am trying to find something equivalent to Euchanuba or Blue Buffalo because they are so pricey, and I was researching Iams.  I know Beneful is on the low generic side and not so good.  I need help!!

ANSWER: Hi
couple of things to help you out....

go on ebay and look for coupons for eukanuba   they have them on there.

mix cheaper food with the eukanuba  so your dog is getting some of what it needs

switch to pro plan sensitive skin and stomach  salmon based

or feed your own food with a vitamin supplement.....this is actually the best and the cheapest

or feed your own food with eukanuba.  that is what I do...I had to cut back on my dog food so I use the proplan mentioned above and cook (in a crockpot) rice, beef and chicken.....it is better for them fresh rather than out of a bag, don't you think?  I still use a little dog food for the vitamins and fillers and crunchy quality.

if you are going with a new dog food anyway, i would go with the purina one sensitive stomach or proplan sensitive stomach and the cook your own.

nancy

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

QUESTION: Hi...

Great options!  I definitely don't have time to cook food, although I know it would probably be the best.  Maybe I can do it on occasion, like once a month though :) As far as mixing Eukanuba with cheaper food...never thought of that!  Nice, I'll try it.  So, then would Beneful be a good food to mix it with, or Iams? I'm not sure what brand you are referring to when you mention "pro plan sensitive skin and stomach," and "purina one sensitive stomach."  I know Purina makes a couple different brands, so I just want to make sure.  Thanks

Answer
the benefil is the cheaper if you get it.....to mix..............
the purina one  sensitive stomach doesnt need to be mixed.
the cooking is soooo easy get a package of chicken necks through it in a crock pot at night ad half cup rice, cook on high all night, feed quarter of it to dog with dog food.   
refrigerate rest and recook the next evening on low the next 3 nights.
nancy