The minefield of choosing dog food

[PupsterDude]

I have a happy lovely puppy whos 3 months old. She was being fed raw (natures menus frozen puppy nuggets, when she came to live at mine. Having done research, I’d already decided to switch her to dried because I’m immune compromised and I think it’s an unnecessary risk even with extra hygiene.
Trouble is that everyone has an opinion and now I’m feeling confused and deflated. :( I’ve started introducing a dry food but people said, oh you’ll never potty train her with that and that it’s not the right food. Someone said raw is best but if not, dried raw? It feels like I don’t know what I’m doing now.

The best food is what your dog thrives on and what you can afford.

Mine doesn't like dry as he finds it boring. He has wet food and I swop flavours each day. I know people feed dry with 'toppers' to make the dry tasty and this can be cooked meat/fish or even just mixing it with a bit of wet food.

I just tried raw dried and dog didn’t like it. Back to wainwrights. If your dog likes it and it’s not full of rubbish then it’s ok.

Have you seen the website allaboutdogfood.co.uk. You can put in age, budget etc and it gives you all the nutritional info and ratings on lots of dog foods. We use a mix of dry and wet and then give them good quality cooked meat and eggs a few times each week.

I find it's a bit of a competition over who can spend the most on dog food.

I don't think raw is that great, our dog turned her nose up at it.

Allaboutdogfood is useful, but finding food your dog eats and making sure you feed correct quantities is the most important thing.

I find it's a bit of a competition over who can spend the most on dog food.

Mine was a fussy one and we ended up on tins that were over £2-3 each. I am so glad he eventually went off them and now they cost about £0.50-1 each .

Really don't stress about it. I have had dogs for 40+ years. Many of them have been working dogs. Always fed what the dog thrives on - usually dry. Less faff, cost effective and dogs have been fine.

I love when somebody who has just got their first dog tries to lecture on me on what's the best dog food. Usually trying to convince me to buy some really expensive stuff like Bella and Duke. Raw is often used by people who like to feel superior.

Real raw is what used to be fed to dogs years ago and is still fed to hounds today - large bit of dead animal once a day.

The best food is what your dog thrives on and what you can afford.

And of course, if raw is an unnecessary risk to the OP's own health it's entirely reasonable for her to avoid it.

Fwiw our dog came to us at 10 months on dry royal canin - he's now nearly 16 and still in good health. He likes it well enough but not too well so he's self regulating on the amount he eats.

I can't imagine why dried food would cause an issue with 'potty training'.

I've definitely found it's the new dog owners who seem to want to show off with the amount they spend on raw dog food, and lecture me on the benefits.

I honestly don't think it's worth it. Making sure they don't under/over eat is key.

You will drive yourself mad and the expense and hassle or some of the food is a bit mad...

My dog is on their special breed mix of Royal canine dry mix.

It suits us, she loves it (so much so we train her with it she doesn't need higher value treats) and is happy and healthy. Her teeth are also great thanks to the dry mix.
We love to spoil her so tend to top it up with meaty and peanutty treats. She also gets a carrot or two.

Super dog chicken has been the food of choice for our Labradors over the years. Chappie is also popular with them. In fairness they’ll eat any tinned meat but chappie is slightly healthier. Leftovers both meat and veg such as carrots and peas, baked beans, the odd raw egg on the biscuits to ring the changes
You don’t need the faff of raw or to spend a fortune

Do you not prepare raw meat for yourself/family? I raw feed my dog and just follow the same hygiene measures as if I was feeding the family so you would just follow whatever measures you normally take to feed yourself. Would wearing gloves help so you aren't touching the meat?
Dogs are carnivores so (raw) meat will always be good for them but if you can't do fresh raw then dried is probably next best.

@BotterMon

Really don't stress about it. I have had dogs for 40+ years. Many of them have been working dogs. Always fed what the dog thrives on - usually dry. Less faff, cost effective and dogs have been fine.

I love when somebody who has just got their first dog tries to lecture on me on what's the best dog food. Usually trying to convince me to buy some really expensive stuff like Bella and Duke. Raw is often used by people who like to feel superior.

Real raw is what used to be fed to dogs years ago and is still fed to hounds today - large bit of dead animal once a day.

Same here,had dogs for 35 years.always fed dry kibbles.they love it.my dogs are far more interested in walks and stimulation their brain(collies).dogs are scavengers and could in theory live on a quite crappy diet.A lot of food and what to feed issues are peddled by dog food industry and sometimes vets(they get money for recommending cetain food).Feed your lovely new puppy whatever you decide is best and DONT chop and change.

Honestly, whatever works for you and your dog is what's important.

We feed Harringtons, a mixture of wet and dry as he won't eat just plain dry biscuits (and I don't blame him, tbh).

The biscuits aren't the best quality but their wet food is rated pretty highly and most importantly, my dog loves it and it doesn't give him an upset stomach or anything like that. So we stick with it as it works.

He gets great reviews at the vets, he's healthy, a good weight and has no issues with his skin, coat or teeth, so we must be doing something right!

I have kids so raw and lucky puppy wasn't an option. We used all about dog food and asked our trainer and ended up using a good kibble (Eden) which looks expensive but the portions are small. Dog is thriving and loves it, and minimal hassle for me.

Thanks for the reassurance. I want to do what’s best for my pup.

@Takingabreakagain

Do you not prepare raw meat for yourself/family? I raw feed my dog and just follow the same hygiene measures as if I was feeding the family so you would just follow whatever measures you normally take to feed yourself. Would wearing gloves help so you aren't touching the meat? Dogs are carnivores so (raw) meat will always be good for them but if you can't do fresh raw then dried is probably next best.

We don’t actually eat meat but I did consider raw. I was told by my doctor that the increased risk comes from when pupp bites and chews and slobbers. I’m sure the risk isnt that big but I’m not sure I want to take the risk. I’m wavering, not like 100percrnt decided

Mine get food from whichever budget supermarket I shop in. Dry kibble for the 6 year old border collie, the toy is nearly 16 lost quite a few teeth,so has chicken for breakfast,then soft pouches both have veg raw and cooked. Last dog was 17

RSPCA online says dogs should not be fed raw meat because of the bacteria,and the domestic breeds are far removed from the wolf ancestors

Honestly remember food is fuel for your dog. It doesn’t need to add stimulation or “ fun “ that’s what walks and sniffs are for .

Kibble that he isn’t that keen on but eats enough to maintain his weight ( or growth in a pup) is fine.

A lot of dogs , even young ones are over fed and plump.

I feed raw. Dogs love it and are healthy. I’m immunosuppressed. You just need to observe basic hygiene. Hand washing and not let dog lick round your face.

@nannybeach

RSPCA online says dogs should not be fed raw meat because of the bacteria,and the domestic breeds are far removed from the wolf ancestors

With respect, I wouldn't trust the RSPCA about anything, let alone pet nutrition.

Raw food is the current fashion, but dogs have happily lived around humans eating scraps and carrion and all kinds of shit (literally) for thousands of years

Do what suits you and your dog. Raw feeding isn’t necessary.

Who are all these people telling you off? Is it on social media? Just unfollow the groups

People can be very ott on these groups, and holier-than-though

Our dogs are on dr John kibble and thriving

Raw food is the current fashion, but dogs have happily lived around humans eating scraps and carrion and all kinds of shit (literally) for thousands of years
Precisely. Most dog breeds are able to digest starch and possible even need grains in their diets for their long-term health. One of mine joyfully scavenges in the fields for gone-over potatoes and chunks of sugar beet, and raids fallen fruit in the garden. Both dogs were thrilled the other day to discover that some escaped sheep had been herded back to the field along the footpath, crapping as they went... One day I will have a dog that I have managed to teach not to scavenge, but that day is not now.

So feed your dogs what works. The best thing you can do for your dog diet-wise is to keep it slim. I know many, many working dogs who are fit and full of energy, and most of them are fed mid-grade kibble with perhaps a bit of tripe or cheap mince.

My last dog lived until he was 19. He always had Aldi dried food with butchers tinned. I'm sure he would have loved this new raw food thing but actually he thrived on his Aldi dried diet!
Current new rescue came to us with "allergies" and a fish based/grain free diet. Doesn't stop her eating street food like old bits of dried bread and dropped bits of pizza. Definitely not fish based or grain free.

Mine adored sheep poo for the first year or so we had him, but fortunately outgrew this taste. I think the only thing he's ever ingested which made him poorly was when he licked up a bit dropped by a slurry wagon. Which of course resulted in him scoring some nice rehydrating sloppy chicken and rice dinners while he recovered.