Is expensive dog food really best?

HowGreatThouArt

Hi

I have a 5mo golden retriever puppy, he only eats dry food and either has royal canin maxi puppy or Hills large breed puppy food. The cost of this food is outrageous. However, DH insists it is much better for the pup, I know that he needs large breed food, but is there anything cheaper out there that would be just as good for him??

I would be interseted to know what you feed large breed pups and dogs?

piratess

Hi .. Ive got a Choc Labrador and he is 17 months old now and has always had Burns puppy kibble and then moved into the adult kibble ....

he loves it! .. hes shiny coated his teeth are lovley and white and it umm gives less mess at the other end! ...

Not sure this helps hehe ..

bellrooster

Hiya,

I have a 16 month black lab and we started her on Hills but at £40 plus for a big bag we couldn't afford it so now we get supermarkets own brand for £11 which lasts about a month, she's a healthy happy dog so it doesn't seem to be doing any harm.

Hills etc I think IS better for dogs but the way I see it, I feed my daughter lots of value brands at the moment due to money worries, so I'm not going to spend extra on my dog!!

LearntMyLesson

Another vote for keeping on royal canin here. What I've found is, less rubbish in, less rubbish out - well worth a couple of extra quid! You also get a better coat and clean teeth.

For years I fed my animals supermarket food (Iams, whiskas etc) and after having an animal with dietary needs on royal canin they have all changed over and I'd never go back.

I have a cat who sneeks into neighbours houses and eats other cat's food and I can tell exactly when she's been doing it - massive smelly poos! (sorry)

Smickan

We used to buy Wagg but we were told it wasn't fantastic for the dogs as - like Butchers etc - it's hyper food and a bit like sweets.

We moved onto the Pet's at home complete one - but it got a bit hard getting all the way out to New Waltham so now they're on Iams - and they are much calmer and don't pig out as much when the bowls are down. It's a tenner for 3kg which isn't too bad

foreign_correspondent

Wagg is not 'hyper food' at all - no artificial colours in there unlike many of the cheaper foods!!!

There is another thread on dog food on her which may already have the answers you are looking for - I am very happy with Wagg, my last dog lived till abut 16 on it, and my current dog loves it and is very healthy and in lovely condition (I wish my hair was as shiny!)

Working dog foods (like Wagg worker) are also VAT free.

HowGreatThouArt

ah, tbh i thought as much. It is probably best to stay on the royal canin then. we got it 3 for 2 at pets at home. He is a lovely pup, and i don't want to ruin his calm temprament with cheaper food. It just hurts when you get to the checkout!!:eek: It costs to feed him for 6 weeks about 1/3 of what we spend on food for ourselves. Although it would be nice if you could get human food so full of nutrition. Just chow down on a couple of bowls a day. That would be sweet

Rummer

Hello

When we had a dog we fed him expensive dog food and our vet said that chappie was the best that you feed your dog because it was the most straight forward, this was a long time ago though but it might be worthwhile just asking your vet the next time you are there getting his injections.

bellrooster

I just checked, and it's WAG we feed our dog, not supermarkets own (it's the cats that have that)

and like I say, happy healthy doggy )

snowman2_2

You get what you pay for in terms of quality of food but it is not cost of the bag that is the issue, it is the cost per day. Higher quality foods are more digestible meaning you feed less per day, therefore a bag will work out lasting longer. Hills and Proplan usually work out cheaper than Pedigree complete or similar brands so you get better quality, less waste to pick up and at a cheaper price

orlao

Hi

I changed my dogs from Royal Canin at £40+ for 15kgs to Autarky at £16 -19 for the same amount.

I have to admit that I was a bit worried about a change as the big dog has a bit of a sensitive stomach.....put it this way, I always know if he has scavenged something while we're out by the evidence the following day:eek:....

My dogs are all doing really well on it....I feed the same quantities as Royal Canin so a bag lasts the same amount of time and what comes out the other end is easy to pick up;)

I think they do a puppy version also and it is available online as you may have trouble getting it locally as IME only agricultural merchant type places stock it!