SIGforum
Dog food - it's hard to keep up
August 29, 2018, 03:24 PM
Jeff YarchinDog food - it's hard to keep up
Consolidation continues.
Blue Buffalo was family owned and run. They went public 2 years ago. A few months they sold to General Mills and announced that that wanted to focus on convenience stores and big box stores. We prefer dealing with smaller companies and no longer recommend Blue. They haven't changed their formulas yet but they will to accommodate their new distribution strategy.
We found out today the Precise Dog Food was just purchased by Zoic Pet. This was just announced today to retailers. We will keep a close eye on in.
If you feed Royal Canin, check the ingredients. Without announcing it they added by-products to most of their formulas. By-products - not good, junk really that no dog should eat.
There are lots of great choices for out there. You just have to pay attention and watch for formula changes.
August 29, 2018, 03:30 PM
HRKWe've been using the Costco Nature Domain grain free dog food. hound seems to like it, we can switch up from Salmon to beef, Chicken and Lamb.
My google-fu shows that Nature Domain is make by Diamond Pet Foods who make Taste of the Wild dog food.
August 29, 2018, 03:46 PM
KDRWe've had our dogs on Taste of the Wild for while, but the wife is considering a raw diet. Got any thoughts on that?
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I Like Guns and stuff
August 29, 2018, 03:53 PM
sgalczynA good resource for your decision making:
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
"No matter where you go - there you are"
August 29, 2018, 03:55 PM
JRCquote:
Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Consolidation continues.
Blue Buffalo was family owned and run. They went public 2 years ago. A few months they sold to General Mills and announced that that wanted to focus on convenience stores and big box stores. We prefer dealing with smaller companies and no longer recommend Blue. They haven't changed their formulas yet but they will to accommodate their new distribution strategy.
We found out today the Precise Dog Food was just purchased by Zoic Pet. This was just announced today to retailers. We will keep a close eye on in.
If you feed Royal Canin, check the ingredients. Without announcing it they added by-products to most of their formulas. By-products - not good, junk really that no dog should eat.
There are lots of great choices for out there. You just have to pay attention and watch for formula changes.
Jeff - what is your opinion on NutriSource dog food, specifcally the large breed chicken and pea formula?
Thank you, JRC
August 29, 2018, 03:56 PM
Jeff Yarchinquote:
Originally posted by JRC:
quote:
Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Consolidation continues.
Blue Buffalo was family owned and run. They went public 2 years ago. A few months they sold to General Mills and announced that that wanted to focus on convenience stores and big box stores. We prefer dealing with smaller companies and no longer recommend Blue. They haven't changed their formulas yet but they will to accommodate their new distribution strategy.
We found out today the Precise Dog Food was just purchased by Zoic Pet. This was just announced today to retailers. We will keep a close eye on in.
If you feed Royal Canin, check the ingredients. Without announcing it they added by-products to most of their formulas. By-products - not good, junk really that no dog should eat.
There are lots of great choices for out there. You just have to pay attention and watch for formula changes.
Jeff - what is your opinion on NutriSource dog food, specifcally the large breed chicken and pea formula?
Thank you, JRC
One of the best companies in our opinion.
August 29, 2018, 03:57 PM
Kevbowe've been making our own
i have an 8 year old 160 pound female mastiff
and a 16 week old 68 pound male (dad was 230!!)
i look forward to seeing reactions
we had a brand that was sold at a local mom and pop pet store (the red bag with the duck in it!) but they closed and I have yet to find food the dogs like since
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If the meek will inherit the earth, what will happen to us tigers?
August 29, 2018, 04:01 PM
Jeff Yarchinquote:
Originally posted by KDR:
We've had our dogs on Taste of the Wild for while, but the wife is considering a raw diet. Got any thoughts on that?
Raw is a great way to go if you don't mind the inconvenience. The best way to do it is to go with a complete diet, meaning you don't have to add anything. Fruits and vegetables are already added. It's the most expensive way to go but those that go this route love the results.
We were feeding Primal Raw and our dogs did really well on it. One caveat... if your dog throws it up, it is a bio hazard. :+) You have to wash the bowl in hot soap water after every feeding. We do that anyway but lots of people do not. We stopped feeding raw because it didn't really fit in with our traveling lifestyle. Kibble is easier for obvious reasons.
Another option for frozen raw is freeze dried raw that you reconstitute with water such as Stella & Chewy's. Primal makes one too.
August 29, 2018, 04:03 PM
Jeff Yarchinquote:
Originally posted by Kevbo:
we've been making our own
i have an 8 year old 160 pound female mastiff
and a 16 week old 68 pound male (dad was 230!!)
i look forward to seeing reactions
we had a brand that was sold at a local mom and pop pet store (the red bag with the duck in it!) but they closed and I have yet to find food the dogs like since
Making your own is awesome. It's a big time investment but we see lots of people going this route with dogs that have severe allergies with great results. Nothing like home cooking. :+)
August 29, 2018, 04:03 PM
Jeff Yarchinquote:
Originally posted by sgalczyn:
A good resource for your decision making:
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
The best resource, really. We use it and suggest that our customers do as well.
August 29, 2018, 04:09 PM
Jeff Yarchinquote:
Originally posted by HRK:
We've been using the Costco Nature Domain grain free dog food. hound seems to like it, we can switch up from Salmon to beef, Chicken and Lamb.
My google-fu shows that Nature Domain is make by Diamond Pet Foods who make Taste of the Wild dog food.
Diamond is one of the largest dog food producers. They make lots of 'private label', or contracted manufacturing for other companies. They have had more recalls than any other company. As with any food be sure to check the ingredients to make sure you are okay with them.
We dropped Diamond brand due to corn, wheat and soy. We do sell Taste of The Wild Prey, which has fewer ingredients and higher quality ingredients compared to TOW.
For those that feed Taste of the Wild check out their Prey formula. It is priced about that same as TOW but they offer a frequent buyer program on this one...buy 8 bags get one free.
August 29, 2018, 04:10 PM
Spokane228Thanks for your insights Jeff. You’re a valuable forum resource.
August 29, 2018, 04:13 PM
Jeff Yarchin^^^ Thank you!
Most of the brands offer a frequent buyer program...buy 10 get one free. Not all retailers offer one so be sure to ask. Most brands offer a plan. None extend this to eTail. You have to go to a store.
August 29, 2018, 04:31 PM
Ryanp225Glad to hear that you like Nutrisource. We've been feeding it to our mutt since our local pet food shop recommended it.
We used to feed him Merrick but about 6 months ago our dog stopped eating it and would let it sit in his bowl all day. I figured he just got tired of the same thing but we then discovered that they sold out to Purina.
He's a happy boy now!
August 29, 2018, 04:31 PM
shovelheadJeff, how about the Nulo brand?
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————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)
August 29, 2018, 04:32 PM
4MUL8RSandy gets Orijen Tundra, Regional Red, or Six Fish. I purchase from a local sole proprietor store. Love the quality and performance.
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Trying to simplify my life...
August 29, 2018, 04:34 PM
Sunset_VaMy comment isn't so much about dog food content, but pricing. Years ago, Tractor Supply was my only source for the dog food I used. I would drive 45 miles to a Pet Smart store to buy manybags much cheaper.
Then Pet Smart and Petco opened stores close by. Bought from them over the years.
Now, in the past year Pet Smart prices have escalated so much, The local Tractor Supply is cheaper.
If I just had one dog, I would feed them either a raw diet or Taste if the Wild-raw. I feed my 2 Shiba Inu Taste of the Wild, the others, Purina Pro Plan Savor.
With 14 dogs, I just cannot afford Tast of the Wild for all of them. What other brands in the price range of Pro Plan have better ingredients?
美しい犬
August 29, 2018, 04:41 PM
rusbroThere seems to be an endless selection of dog foods available now. I'm sure it's a major challenge choosing what to stock, and when to drop one brand and pick up another.
August 29, 2018, 04:45 PM
snwghst13 yrs with Fromm and dogs are very happy
Thanks for the industry update!!
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Live today as if it may be your last and learn today as if you will live forever
August 29, 2018, 04:46 PM
Jeff Yarchinquote:
Originally posted by shovelhead:
Jeff, how about the Nulo brand?
Top tier, one of the best.