Changing brand of Dog Food

[dpgllg]

We currently have 4 dogs at home, three Cocker Spaniels and one Silky Terrier. We feed them Nutro Small Bites dog food. The issue I have is the cost keep going up and the size of the bag keeps getting smaller.

We have a Pet Smart and a Petco across the street from one another and get email regarding what is on sale. While the varieties of Nutro go on sale very rarely do the Small Bites.

We are considering switching brands but want to keep giving a high quality food.

Any recommendations?

[Granted]

we have been feeding Diamond for a few years now. Seems to be about the best brand to keep my shar pei from scratching their hair out. Hardly any skin issues now.

[bt6845]

We order from PetFoodDirect.com Much cheaper than Petsmart or Farm supply store even my vet, which is a clinic. I know that I will get brand doggies are on. Prescription Purina HA, Wellness small breed dry, and Nutro 95% chicken can. Also treats for doggies at hubby's shop. Get food within 3 days. I believe they carry all different brands. They are great.

[xteacher]

Fromm is a good company. They sell both grain inclusive and grain free formulas.

[scarpi]

A great brand of dog food from a small company that makes quality products is Fromms. You won't find it in every pet food store but it is a family owned small company that is never in any recalls. We feed our Cocker Spaniel Fromms Chicken ala Veg formula and she loves it. We top it off with some Wellness canned 95% pure chicken topping at breakfast and dinner and she is doing great.

[rvten]

We buy 4 Heath from Tractor Supply. Both our dogs seam to enjoy it. One has even stopped shedding as much as she used to on another brand.

[Spleenstomper]

I switched mine to Wellness brand. We are happy with it. But you will have to check the protein and fat content and see if it is in the range you want.

[xteacher]

Do you have a Tractor Supply in your area? It carries its own brand, 4 Health, which is pretty good, and very inexpensive. It comes in both grain inclusive and grain free.

[Code2High]

First time I fed my dog Molly, she ate six cups of kibble and I only heard two crunches. I'm pretty sure they were accidental. Who needs teeth?

Little dogs, though, need smaller bits.... the food processor idea would certainly work. Not as well as BARF, but hey.... :B

[dturm]

Don't be too quick to assume that dogs without teeth can't manage dry kibble. I repeatedly see older dogs that have lost most or all of their teeth still gum and crunch dry food. As long as they don't have pain from gum disease and loose teeth many can manage... not all but many do.

Doug, DVM

[magnusfide]

CatandJim wrote:
One of our rescued dogs is a small 8 pound Maltese mix. Bella came into our home last year being fed the same brand (Natural Balance Duck & Potato) that I've always fed my 20 pound Lhasa but in the "small bites". I successfully transitioned her to the regular sized kibble, mostly because of the availability (lack thereof) of the small bites. She does just fine with the size of the food, I mixed what the rescue group gave me with what we had and she transitioned.

I'm wondering if you could mix the sizes together for a little while and see how your dogs like it or if they have any issues with the larger kibble?
If you do change the brand or formula of their kibble I would suggest making it a slow transition, mixing the new with the former brand and increasing the amount of the new brand over a number of days. Much less chance for stomach upset that way.

Good luck...

Double ditto. Another option would be to get the regular sized kibble and reduce it in a food processor. FPs are so cheap now you can keep one just for the dog food.

[doxiemom11]

We have had several rescued dogs with dental issues and few teeth. I tried canned food with a couple, but that is expensive unless you are feeding the very smallest of dogs. What we are doing now is Diamond Small Breed Chicken and Rice. These are smaller pieces - no wheat, corn or soy and it's usually $9.99 per 6 lb bag. I soak this in a small amount of water to soften it AND our little one doesn't drink enough so it adds to the liquid intake she gets. It can be purchased a tractor supply, home improvement (like Menards) and does frequently go on sale. I just do a search online as we travel to find a supplier. As fulltimers, I was concerned about finding the better brands of canned food available as we travel. It was not always possible. I have been able to find this everywhere we have been. It may not be the best, but better than switching foods all the time or feeding a supermarket brand.

[chrisnpat]

Right now I'm feeding my Cockers Natures Recipe Salmon and Sweet Potatoes Grain Free, and that comes in small Bites, and I also get it at Pet smart. Doggies love it.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Bigger kibble certainly opens up more possibilities, and since only the older dog might have trouble with it:

I second the suggestion above per wetting the food for the old dog- since you feed free choice you might just feed him softened food separately from the other dogs. That way, you'll be sure he's getting enough to eat without shorting the other dogs- or breaking the pocketbook bank!

[tclay]

I don't know how much it costs at Petsmart or Petco for Nutro but I know I get my brand from Amazon for cheaper with subscribe and save. I have it delivered every 6 weeks and save 20%. My pugs are on Avoderm which is the only food one of my picky pugs will eat and it also comes in small kibble size so my food addicted pug doesn't choke when she inhales it. It isn't a cheap brand however but keeps their coats and skin nice and soft.

Nutro at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Max-Dog-Natural-Chicken-15-Pound/dp/B005L1CLPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=13758143...

Our dog food Avoderm: http://www.amazon.com/AvoDerm-Natural-Potato-Formula-24-Pound/dp/B007CJ95O4/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8...