Whats the Best Dry Dog Food?

[Josie]

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Our friend gave us some James Wellbeloved to try years ago and we’ve never looked back since! I can’t believe that we used to feed our boy dry food from sacks costing only £12! Once he started his new diet he lost weight, had a great shiny coat and his poo’s were a joy to pick up!!


We did try changing his diet to a high quality one called grain free (due to possible wheat allergy) but it didn’t agree with his sensitive stomach so we’re back using good old JWB again!


We know every dog is different - So what do you feed yours?

 

[Biker John]

I feed raw, I use pre prepared frozen from Nutriment, Natural Instinct and Wolf Tucker. since changing to it my dogs have genuinely been brilliant, lovely condition and fur with plenty of energy but remaining calm. And yes their poos are good to. My present Whippet has been on it since she first came so can not talk about a change in her but previously when we changed over the dogs we had improved in a number of ways, but we did not think they were doing bad at all on their previous diets, (which were supposedly a good quality food).

 

[JudyN]

I tried all sorts of kibble, from the mid-range to grain-free high-end ones like Orijen, but the outcome was the same... more came out than went in, and it was always soft and squidgy. And his wind... OMG his wind... Put him onto raw and his poos became much more pleasant and less frequent, and though he still toots (and scares himself in the process, which is comical but sad), it hardly ever smells at all.

 

[Josie]

Raw does seem to be the way forward! Den is so sensitive I think it would do more damage than good at this stage in his life.

Oh @JudyN they are so funny when they do that! Den looks at his bum then looks at us and then gets offended and walks away! ha

 

[Gary FBN]

Well that's a can of worms right there. Before I share my tuppence I have to say I have a vested interest as a retailer of dry foods and whilst that colours my view I'd like to suggest that you may want to look at this i.e whats best in a different way and say to yourself; if I could produce a dry food what would I do? (Which is what I did a few years ago) The dry market is vast, every kind of product at every kind of quality and price for that matter. For me when we "designed" our range I had a few guiding principles, first of all Grain Free, second high meat content with a high fresh meat content, small list of ingredients, fruits, vegetables, joint supplements and a price that was fair. As a result I sat down with nutritionists and the outcome was our range we offer today. (I'll let you investigate that if you choose) So as to the best? thats a very subjective questions. I always tell my customers that whatever food or method you choose you'll inevitably choose one based on knowledge, belief, budget and lifestyle. Unfortunately the marketing messages around foods is so invasive that it causes confusion and falsehoods. Learning to read and understand labels is a good thing and in my view the place to start.

 

[Josie]

Thank you @Gary FBN for your detailed response. I can see your passion for dog nutrition and it's great! I agree that understanding the labels is a good place to start.... Can I ask what your opinion is of the commercial dry foods, such as pedigree, wagg etc

 

[arealhuman]

We use Gentle, as recommended by @JoanneF and our dog loves it. Previously we used a cheap-ish brand that he was on in the rescue centre, but once we changed the difference in his coat was obvious. As to quality of poo? It tastes the same to me! I'll get me coat.....

 

[Gary FBN]

Thank you @Gary FBN for your detailed response. I can see your passion for dog nutrition and it's great! I agree that understanding the labels is a good place to start.... Can I ask what your opinion is of the commercial dry foods, such as pedigree, wagg etc

Like I said the food market is vast, over 1000 brands in the UK alone. Products like the one you mention represent the low end of the market. In many ways the bigger brands can be the biggest culprits at producing low quality foods despite what is often not a cheap product. There are 4 big producers in the UK, the high street brands and you know them well. The rest of the industry is what I call boutique brands such as ourselves and there are many of us. (Gentle for one as mentioned in previous post is a good example) Unfortunately the only way we can compete is on quality and price which is great for the consumer, our product has to stand up to rigour and price otherwise the marketeers win over us. It also worth noting that there is a great range in quality across all food categories, as not all dry food is created equally neither are raw or wet foods. Finally. You maybe familiar with www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk as a resource that can be helpful.

 

[Josie]

Thanks @Gary FBN il take a look!

 

[Nanny71]

My dog is just over two years old and after trying several dry dog foods with varying results (he vomited on nearly every make) I was advised to try Canagan. It is one of the more expensive foods and isn't sold by chains. My nearest stockist is several miles away. He has two or sometimes three firm bowel motions a day. His weight is stable and he doesn't have smelly wind.

 

[Josie]

Dudley is so gorgeous!

 

[Andy Haskins]

Bea is on James Wellbeloved too and has been amazing since going on it about a year ago. She dropped her excess weight, became more energised and had less gas!

 

[Josie]

Bea is on James Wellbeloved too and has been amazing since going on it about a year ago. She dropped her excess weight, became more energised and had less gas!

Don't quite believe you on the less gas Andy!!

 

[Whippylove]

I feed mine Harrington dry food ( salmon and potato) its been really good on Marley as he gets colitis he doesn't get as much problems now.

 

[whippetsrus]

Lily's Kitchen. I use both dry and tinned.