New GSD owner- Food help please!

JoyBirdV · 10-06-2011, 09:00 PM

We just rescued a 2-year old (we think

GSD. Purebred.
So many conflicting reports of what's the best diet for her have me confused.
No allergies that we know of.
Please help!
(PS I am vegetarian so cooking carcass isn't an option at this point. sorry.

)

BlackGSD · 10-06-2011, 09:10 PM

I would just start reading previous threads. Be aware, you will get even MORE confused! If you tell us what state or country( in you aren't in the U.S.) you are in, it will help. Also are you in a rural area, or a bigger city that has specialty pet stores?

Also, is price an issue? Many folks don''t mind, and can afford, spending $50, $60, $70 or MORE for a bag of kibble. Others either can't afford to, or just don't want to spend that much.

JoyBirdV · 10-06-2011, 09:18 PM

Thank you Tracy!!!!

We will pay what we can to keep her healthy.

We live in Los Angeles, so I think finding anything will be pretty easy?

And yup, I've read all the previous posts and am DUPER confused!!

DukeJazz · 10-06-2011, 09:27 PM

IF you stick with any of the premium brands(EVO, Wellness, Innova, TOTW, Canadie etc.) , you probably can't go wrong.

I've been feeding TOTW High Prairie for a year now and it's made a huge change in my 2 GSD's.
No more loose stools or upset tummies, coats have never looked better & price is not too bad ($46 a bag here).

sharkey19 · 10-06-2011, 09:32 PM

I would look for a food that has an AAFCO statement something along the lines of "substantiated by feeding tests performed in accordance with the procedures established by AAFCO.."

That way you know the food has been tested to meet nutritional needs. A lot of foods aren't tested.

BlackGSD · 10-06-2011, 09:40 PM

You're welcome.

I also feed TOTW High Prairie. Many folks have an issue with feeding anything made by Diamond as I'm sure you have seen in the old posts! I have been feeding the same thing for 2 1/2 years and have no complaints. I'm only feeding 1 now, but was feeding 2 GSDs and a mix breed until I lost my 2 old dogs within the last year. ( The loss of Neither had anything to do with their diet.)

And you're right, you should be able to find most anything in your area. (I live "in the sticks" do my voices are very limited.)

And by the way, welcome to the board and congrats on your new girl.

BlackGSD · 10-06-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkey19

I would look for a food that has an AAFCO statement something along the lines of "substantiated by feeding tests performed in accordance with the procedures established by AAFCO.."

That way you know the food has been tested to meet nutritional needs. A lot of foods aren't tested.

IMO, that means virtually nothing. Heck, it says that on Beneful and we know that isn't exactly "top quality".

sharkey19 · 10-06-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackGSD

IMO, that means virtually nothing. Heck, it says that on Beneful and we know that isn't exactly "top quality".

A lot of Benefuls are published as for "all life stages", which is technically not in compliance with AAFCO regulations. You should look for something specific to maintenance of adult dogs.

And yes, while Beneful is technically not top quality, a lot of expensive diets don't tests their foods, so I wouldn't necessarily be so trusting of them either.

DukeJazz · 10-06-2011, 10:07 PM

I found these 2 sites very helpful in making my decision on what to feed ...........

The Dog Food Project - Ingredients to avoid

Dog Food Reviews - Main Index - Powered by ReviewPost

RubyTuesday · 10-06-2011, 10:08 PM

It is confusing, but don't let it stress you. I've fed moderately priced kibbles like Purina ONE, Super Sweet & ProPac. I've fed premium stuff like Origen, Barking at the Moon & Wysong Performance. Currently I feed raw. My guys have thrived on all of 'em. I fed the pricier stuff just in case it increased longevity. Ditto raw. I honestly don't know if it does. IF I had to guess, I'd say probably not. IF I couldn't afford raw or a premium kibble I wouldn't hesitate to feed a decent quality mid-level food.

On meat based, high protein kibbles my dogs were somewhat leaner. My 2 bitches tend to be chubby, so this was good. (IMO, unless there are other problems, naturally lean, including VERY lean, is generally a good thing). The biggest difference on raw is much smaller & less smelly stools. It also seems to help even Grandma Sam stay lean.

10-06-2011, 09:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
JoyBirdV New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 5	New GSD owner- Food help please! We just rescued a 2-year old (we think GSD. Purebred. So many conflicting reports of what's the best diet for her have me confused. No allergies that we know of. Please help! (PS I am vegetarian so cooking carcass isn't an option at this point. sorry. )

10-06-2011, 09:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,795	I would just start reading previous threads. Be aware, you will get even MORE confused! If you tell us what state or country( in you aren't in the U.S.) you are in, it will help. Also are you in a rural area, or a bigger city that has specialty pet stores? Also, is price an issue? Many folks don''t mind, and can afford, spending $50, $60, $70 or MORE for a bag of kibble. Others either can't afford to, or just don't want to spend that much. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11. Last edited by BlackGSD; 10-06-2011 at 09:15 PM.

10-06-2011, 09:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
DukeJazz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Inverness, Fl Posts: 208	IF you stick with any of the premium brands(EVO, Wellness, Innova, TOTW, Canadie etc.) , you probably can't go wrong. I've been feeding TOTW High Prairie for a year now and it's made a huge change in my 2 GSD's. No more loose stools or upset tummies, coats have never looked better & price is not too bad ($46 a bag here). __________________ Duke - GSD 7/04 (best guess), rescued 7/1/09 ~~~ Jazzy - WGSD 11/00, rescued 12/06, PTS 5/12 Sasha – S. Husky 11/95 - 3/09 Blitzer - WGSD 11/96 - 12/06 Czar – S. Husky 6/80 - 10/96 Baron – S. Husky 5/82 - 11/95 Sheba - Black Lab, childhood dog

10-06-2011, 09:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,795	You're welcome. I also feed TOTW High Prairie. Many folks have an issue with feeding anything made by Diamond as I'm sure you have seen in the old posts! I have been feeding the same thing for 2 1/2 years and have no complaints. I'm only feeding 1 now, but was feeding 2 GSDs and a mix breed until I lost my 2 old dogs within the last year. ( The loss of Neither had anything to do with their diet.) And you're right, you should be able to find most anything in your area. (I live "in the sticks" do my voices are very limited.) And by the way, welcome to the board and congrats on your new girl. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

10-06-2011, 10:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
DukeJazz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Inverness, Fl Posts: 208	I found these 2 sites very helpful in making my decision on what to feed ........... The Dog Food Project - Ingredients to avoid Dog Food Reviews - Main Index - Powered by ReviewPost __________________ Duke - GSD 7/04 (best guess), rescued 7/1/09 ~~~ Jazzy - WGSD 11/00, rescued 12/06, PTS 5/12 Sasha – S. Husky 11/95 - 3/09 Blitzer - WGSD 11/96 - 12/06 Czar – S. Husky 6/80 - 10/96 Baron – S. Husky 5/82 - 11/95 Sheba - Black Lab, childhood dog

10-06-2011, 09:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
JoyBirdV New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 5	Thank you Tracy!!!! We will pay what we can to keep her healthy. We live in Los Angeles, so I think finding anything will be pretty easy? And yup, I've read all the previous posts and am DUPER confused!!

10-06-2011, 09:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
sharkey19 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Guelph Posts: 321	I would look for a food that has an AAFCO statement something along the lines of "substantiated by feeding tests performed in accordance with the procedures established by AAFCO.." That way you know the food has been tested to meet nutritional needs. A lot of foods aren't tested.

10-06-2011, 10:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
RubyTuesday Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,315	It is confusing, but don't let it stress you. I've fed moderately priced kibbles like Purina ONE, Super Sweet & ProPac. I've fed premium stuff like Origen, Barking at the Moon & Wysong Performance. Currently I feed raw. My guys have thrived on all of 'em. I fed the pricier stuff just in case it increased longevity. Ditto raw. I honestly don't know if it does. IF I had to guess, I'd say probably not. IF I couldn't afford raw or a premium kibble I wouldn't hesitate to feed a decent quality mid-level food. On meat based, high protein kibbles my dogs were somewhat leaner. My 2 bitches tend to be chubby, so this was good. (IMO, unless there are other problems, naturally lean, including VERY lean, is generally a good thing). The biggest difference on raw is much smaller & less smelly stools. It also seems to help even Grandma Sam stay lean.

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