Best Dog Food & Cat Food Options for Your Healthy Pet!

Before purchasing my Standard Poodle I researched everything possible, including food and nutrition, for one year. I have fed him 'satin balls' since the day I brought him home at 3 months of age; satin balls contains molasses. As I write, my Poodle is 21 weeks and returned earlier from booster shots, etc. The Vet, Nurse and Receptionist all commented on how exceptionally healthy my Poodle is. I didn't need them to tell me that but it sure was nice. You can find 'satin balls' recipe online and it is no more expensive than the store bought dog food Besure there is no sugar added to your molasses. FYI; I also give him wheatgerm. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Dear all pet owners who are feeding raw,

I hope to start feeding my dog raw, but would like some advice/ suggestions first from seasoned raw-feeders. How did you go about the transition from their previous food to raw? Did you just start putting raw meat on their plate and they eat it? And how did you sterilize the food? Did you take extra precaution on washing around the dog's mouth after feeding? My dog is an indoor pet, he loves to lick (us) and sleeps with us on the bed, so hygiene is of my main concern.

Thank you very much in advance. Looking forward to your feedback!

Natural Cat Food: I just read a person's comments that they rescued a stray kitten and cooked up a batch of chicken stew with lots of veggies. While rescuing kitties is commendable, and the chicken veggie stew may be a cut above canned or dried, it is still not the natural diet of a feline.

Please folks, this is the information highway. Find out how to make your beloved pets a healthy, natural RAW diet of ground chicken, rabbit or a combination, complete with finely ground bones. You can do it!

Body welts: My dog was wound up after I gave her a bath. It was great to see her acting so cheerful. The next day she was lethargic, she would not eat or even go outside.

I took her to my veteranarian who was perplexed. He thought she was shot with a bb gun. I took her to another veteranarian only to find she suffered from an allergic reaction to dog food. Never use another family's dog food. If your dog enjoys one food I would not suggest a sudden change. My dog is a pedigreed mutt of 5 different terriers. I immediately returned her back to her diet along with taking meds the veteranarian gave her. Use only a good name brand of dog food. Whenever you have someone dog sit for you make sure he or she never changes the food. It may cause a serious problem.

Reply to James Garfield in OH What you said about keeping the same diet is a bunch of hooey. My dogs NEVER eat the same thing twice in a row. Never have any stomach problems. I feed totally raw, organic. My dogs have clean teeth, fresh breath, glossy coats, good skin, clear eyes & ears & tons of energy. All this cooked, processed garbage on the market causes the same diseases in pets & humans, i.e. diabetes, heart conditions. I certainly hope you research & educate yourself on proper nutrition. I feel sorry for your dog being on processed foods & medicene from the vet. I started raw feeding 8 years ago when my Dachshund was chemically poisoned (inhaled) on pretty green grass while traveling. The conventional vets did more damage with a well known perscription diet, lactulose & round after round of antibiotics & surgery. My dog kept going downhill til I researched & changed her diet to raw. Those vets thought I was crazy but could not figure out WHY her skin & ears cleared up & her stomach settled. I think they were sad they were not getting my money anymore. I now only use a homeopatheic/osteopathic vet. My pack is extemely healthy.

Vaccination are another source of potential problems. People, please educate yourself on the host of troubles these can cause. There are tests to see if they are needed, tittering (sp?) Most pets are severly over vaccinated.

Newman's Own Organics: Does anyone have any feedback on this brand of dog food. My senior lab/shepard regained vitality and finally healed her elbow sores on this diet. I now feed this to my rescued pitbull terrier along with 1/2 boiled egg in the morning and give blueberries, broccoli and chicken as "treats". She's got a glossy coat and tons of energy. But, you never know. It's still dog food from a bag.

Here's are ingredients from 3 brands of dog food that we have used over the past 5 years. We've been happy with all three brands, but like Akeela mentions, it's still food from a bag!

Note: We also add slightly undercooked ground beef, chicken or turkey and a hint of flax seed oil to each meal.

The Blue Buffalo Company http://www.bluebuff.com/
Lamb and Brown Rice for Adult Dogs

Ingredients:

Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Ground Barley, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Rye, Fish Meal, Whole Potatoes, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Sunflower Oil (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Garlic, Herring Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharides, Monooligosaccharides, Dried Chicory Root, Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Phosphate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Zinc), Iron Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Iron), Copper Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Copper), Manganese Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Manganese), Potassium Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Potassium), Cobalt Proteinate (source of Chelated Cobalt), Potassium Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Salt, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein 22.0% min
Crude Fat 12.0% min
Crude Fiber 4.5% max
Moisture 10.0% max
Calcium 1.3% min
Phosphorus 1.0% min
L-Carnitine* 100 mg/kg min
Omega 3 Fatty Acids* 0.40% min
Omega 6 Fatty Acids* 1.80% min
Beta Carotene* 5.0 mg/kg min
Glucosamine* 400 mg/kg max

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

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Blackwood 4000 http://www.blackwoodpetfood.com/
Senior & Overweight - Low Fat

Note: our dogs gained too much weight on the adult formula, so we switched to Senior

INGREDIENTS:

Poultry Meal, Ground Rice, Ground Corn, Dried Potato Product, Oatmeal, Plain Dried Beet Pulp (Sugar Removed), Natural Flavors, Chicken Fat [Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Source of Vitamin E) and Citric Acid}, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Whole Eggs, Flax Meal, Lecithin, Salt, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Dried Whey, Dried Garlic, Dried Cheese, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Vegetable Oil, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfate (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Citric Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate,Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein, not less than 20.00%
Crude fat, not less than 7.00%
Crude fiber, not more than 4.00%
Crude moisture, not more than 11.00%

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LOTUS (http://lotuspetfoods.com/dogfood_lamb.html)
Lamb Recipe

Note: Sold only in Los Angeles

Lamb, Lamb Meal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, Deboned White Fish, Ground Oats, Oil Blend (Olive Oil, Salmon Oil, and Evening Primrose Oil), preserved with mixed Tocopherols (a natural source of Vitamin E) and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sea Salt, Dried Whole Egg, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fresh Whole Garlic, Fresh Whole Sweet Peas, Fresh Whole Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Whole Carrots, Fresh Whole Green Apples, Ground FlaxSeed, Dried Kelp, Dried Chicory Root, Yucca Shidigera Extract, GrapeSeed Extract, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Lactis, and Lactobacillus Casei, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E Supplement), Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Folic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate (amino acidchelate), Copper Proteinate (amino acidchelate), and Zinc Proteinate (amino acidchelate), Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Ferrous Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, and Vitamin B12 Supplement

After much research, I've purchased Blue Buffalo chicken and brown rice for my dog who has allergies and ear infections. The reviews on this food is outstanding and it's as close as you can get to homemade. I'll let you know how it works!

First thank you for the amazing amounts of help you share. Through the inspiration of your readers I decided to put my Golden Retriever older puppy on a more informed diet than feeding her retail store junk. I give her a natural kibble and she is doing well. In the interest of protecting her joints in old age I have her on a supplement. To take it one step further I give her a teaspoon of flaxseed oil in her meals each day. After six months I noticed that she is not shedding profusely as a former golden did. I do brush her regularly but there is no excessive hair all over the house. Plus I noticed that her pads are very soft. Perhaps this could help a hair challenged pet owner out there? Aside from strengthening her body she has the benefit of a very healthy coat!

My 9 yr old lab mix and my two bichons have been on a raw meaty bones/raw food diet for two years now. Because they're eating raw bones, their stools are harder because there's no filler in the food like there is in dry food; harder poop clears out the anal glands. They also have no more skin allergies, super clean teeth, healthier gums, skin and coats, way lower volume of poop, the list goes on. The book Raw Meaty Bones is a good place to start. Commercial dog foods are awful for dogs.

I have a 32 lb mixed breed. I would like to know the amount daily to feed and the cost associated with the raw food diet. Thank you!

For those of you who have dogs with skin problems, skin allergies, please consider a raw diet. This is something that is becoming more well known and is growing in popularity. Commercial dog foods are the cause of so many health problems in pets. My three dogs and one cat have been eating a raw diet for two years now. Raw meaty bones, some organ meat, and then a couple times a week, a few supplements like fish oil, yogurt, raw egg, kale. It's similar to something called the BARF diet for pets, but a simplified version. Two books by Tom Lonsdale, Raw Meaty Bones, and Work Wonders, are a good place to start reading about the diet. There are web sites and yahoogroups as well. My dogs teeth are super clean and white (even my 9yr old lab) because they're eating like their ancestors did; ripping the meat off bones, chomping on bone (raw bones only -- cooked bones are a choking hazard). Sicne starting this diet, besides being overall healthier pets, other benefits: clear anal glands because the poop is a bit harder, healthier skin and coat, no dog smell or doggy breath, much less poop because no fillers, etc., as in dry food I never have to clean up poop in my yard! Natural diet means natural poop; in a few days, it turns white and crumbles away. Also, my dogs are happier. They love the raw diet. I had one very stubborn cat who I just couldn't get to transition to a raw diet, so I fed her Evo, the more natural dry food. That did help her allergies, but I still would rather she went raw.

I hate seeing these "organic", "natural" dog foods with a minimum of 22% crude protein!! Do people realize that these so called crude proteins come from animals that have been put to sleep?! They even leave their collars on! And the "rendering" does not get rid of the barbituates used to put the animal down. I could no longer stand the stinky greasy kibble first thing each morning, so I started making the dogs dinner with brown rice, ground turkey 85/15 which is the fat content, black beans with no spice, vegeall, cottage cheese, and canned salmon. And any vege leftovers, like sweet potatoes and green beans. They love it! Before they would spit kibble all over the floor and pick 1 chunk at a time to eat, it took forever!! Some of them would not even eat it! And they made a huge mess where kibble rolled under the stove and fridge to feed mice! Now 3 yrs later they are all sleek and shiny and not fat at all even though they are at their max weight. I love this boiled chicken recipe. I think I will try it next, they love oatmeal!!

PS: my local vet tried to act like I did not know enough about dog nutrition to make a decent dog meal but I figured anything is better than feeding my dogs other ill animals full of drugs and other such horrors!! Seems as though the vets are just as bad as the Doctors for humans!

Sophia, I agree with you! I have always felt that dogs (esp young dogs) who get cancer can be linked to the brand of food the owners were feeding it. Every owner I have talked to who had a dog that died young of cancer was feeding their dog the cheapest dog food possible.

My cat was vomiting all the time. A lady told me about Royal Canin cat food; they have a formula Special 33, which is for intestinal problems. It worked!

The ingredient list for Special 33 raises some red flags. Corn gluten meal, natural chicken flavor, wheat gluten, dried egg product, and brewers yeast may be sources of free glutamic acid, which can destroy the animals brain, and are addictive and stimulate appetite. Your pet may like it, but it may be killing your pet. Also, the sodium silico aluminate, is that a source of aluminum? And what are zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate? These sound like they could be other sources of free glutamic acid.

Ingredients: Chicken meal, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, rice, corn, natural chicken flavor, chicken, brown rice, wheat gluten, dried brewers yeast, dried beet pulp (sugar removed), anchovy oil (source of EPA/DHA), soya oil, calcium sulfate, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), potassium chloride, sodium silico aluminate, DL-methionine, dried egg product, salt, monosodium phosphate, choline chloride, taurine, Vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin supplement, biotin, riboflavin (vitamin B2) supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], sodium tripolyphosphate, Trace Minerals [zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E) and citric acid, rosemary extract.

My cat kiki was a little on the chubby side. She was a stray so she is aggressive for food. I ALWAYS fed her MAX cat or Nutro from Petco. in 2006 she began throwing up- i thought Hairballs because Kiki usually doesn't have a problem eating anything. She loves to eat. She began throwing up more and more. I now realize it was the possibility of contaminated DRY food. Thats all she ate. by the beginning of 2007 Kiki lost alot of weight and i didn't know what to do. I took her to the vet and $500 later (their magic number), Nothing of renal disease. It was when kiki was surprised by a neighbors pit bull and was attacked - Broken ribs- and a few more things but she is OK, she is a LUCKY cat! The specialist hospital she was in showed me the Renal Disease low testings on that. She is very affectionate but since she was basically starving, from always throwing up, She would throw up and throw her body down to lay down lethargic and just looked depressed. She would have an upset stomach for 3-4 hours after eating she would lay alone her stomach would be swishing, she would lick her lips alot when she was going to throw up and then throw up volume. Digested food and water. Since renal disease is kidneys and they are for pulling the toxins out I was about giving her the RIGHT food. I finally found her combo a dry food called Nature's Recipe at petco and wet food from Trader Joes. I put peti greens, eggshell calcium, the Digestive Enzymes and a product called RENAL G.O. they have. I have been adding it to her food DAILY in her wet and dry food sprinkled on top. This has now been steady since Oct 2007. Pets Friends makes it and they have helped me have Kiki gain weight I also put 2 drops food grade hydrogen peroxide in her water bowl since 2/08. Her coast is awesome and she used to get little rashes and none since the diet changes and all this. Now I have my loving kitty back feeling full!

I now want to help her joint pain from her Pit Bull Attack. She was in it's mouth it shook her- and no internal bleeding one puncture wound that was only her skin layer and she was in shock when I got to her ( I was at work) but I think I will try a ACV bath with a Hydrogen peroxide rinse.

If anyone knows any more body pain I can help her with that would be great.

She is my best friend Hi have had her since i was 19 she is 13 now. She is a grey Korat.

Thanks Everyone who posts here I hope this helps.

I have a rescue dog who came to me with torn ACLs in both of her back knees. She could barely walk. I found a product called Traumeel. It is an all natural anti-inflammatory, analgesic that is GREAT for muscle pains, aches, injuries, sprains, bruises, arthritis, muscle inflammation, etc. It has changed my dog's life. She is running around like a puppy until I get the money for her expensive surgeries. I use the liquid form and drop it on her food twice a day. This is perfectly safe for dogs and cats. It is actually a human product but has been successfully been used on animals for years.

I feed my dogs Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul. It is organic, humans could eat it. The senior type has glucosamen condroiten for joint wellness. My 8 year old big girl runs around like a puppy. They offer feline food as well. The expence is not so great, not nearly as much as a certain type of food that a lot of vets sell. One of my friends had her dog on Nutro Maxx and the dog threw up all the time and had terrible poop problems. I get the canned chicken soup for the pet lovers soul, spoon it on a cookie sheet in table spoon chunks. Bake it for 20 min at 350 it makes cookies for them. I also have an allergy dog, he was on perscription dog food. I took him off and put him back on the Chicken Soup dog food. He has done just fine. Also look for corn, dogs and cats should not hav enay corn in their food. It is just filler.
This food also has had no fatalities. A while ago when we had that awful contaminated pet food scare. This brand was exempt from that. Due to its organic ingrediants.

To: Krisanne from Birch Run, Michigan Diamond Dog Food was one of the recent recalls for tainted dog foods.

Diamond dog food makes a few other companies dog food including Taste of the Wild, which has a different recipe.

Had to destroy a perfectly healthy belgian,7 years old due to liver failure from a company that refused to acknowledge the "possibility" of either aflatoxicity or garbage purchased from china-poor dog was rescued from idiots abusing him right in our faces,no one claimed him,was a valuable dog---lasted only SIX days after being diagnosed with liver failure...-their wet food WAS on recall,but not their dry....dunno why not as both food types SHARED certain ingred. While going thru the breeders websites,they recommended a certain brand i had never heard of--PHD--and my dogs and cats have been eating it for a year now. A very concentrated food type and they also recommend raw meat with it too. Animals are looking good,ALL TARTAR is gone from their teeth! and they seem years younger. Being this food is very packed with nutrients,you only give a small amount daily,is delivered right to your door and doesn't really cost that much more than sacks of pedigree etc.which do not produce health and wellness.

me and my partner had 4 dogs that were eating a dog food brand that we thought was good , until the pet food recall! WOW we investigated the pet food industry and was amazed about the deadly stuff they put in dog food even the name brands. WE searched and researched for almost two weeks about the pet food industry, i swear we were very disturbed about what we had been feeding our beloved pets! Now we use a brand of dog food that is holistic and all natural called flint river, we thought so much of it that we became dists, of this food . So if you want a very good food for your pet you might wont to check it out. Thanks Walker

I recently started to add 1/2 teaspoon of flax seed oil and 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to my dogs' food (Blackwood + ground turkey or ground beef). After 4 days, their coats are looking AMAZING! Shiny and glossy as can be. Also, they have no doggie smell whatsoever (more time between baths, thankfully) . Their eyes are bright and buzzing with energy. One side effect though is that it sometimes stimulates the anal glands if you know what I mean (e.g., stinky discharge). Too much flax and acv and their stools get loose. They seem to do okay on the 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon range (my 3 dogs all weigh between 45 - 65 pounds). I think I will try adding canned pumpkin to their food as well to firm up the stools. One suggestion -- don't give the flax/acv to your dog for his/her morning meal if they don't have access to the backyard since they may need to go to the bathroom more than once.

I have four little Yorkies and they only eat HomeMade Dog Food. I cook a whole chicken and remove all fat, skin and bones. Then mix it will cooked rice. They also love raw veggies like chopped carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Of course, I also give them vitamin supplements because no recipe can include everything they need, but they are actually mostly vegetarians and eat very little meat. Sometimes cooked chicken livers, but only a little, they are high in Vitamin A and' too much vitamin A is toxic. Also NO onions or raw or spoiled garlic, these are poisonous to them. But I do add cooked garlic and oats sometimes. Both are good for the heart.