Food on a college student's budget?

[Salem]

Hi guys! I was looking at Salem's food container and decided ( I have been thinking about it for a while) to switch out his food for a healthier alternative.

Right now he is eating Purina One Pro Plan Chicken and Rice.

I was wondering what good dry foods are out there for him to try. I have searched the forum at different threads and I am having a hard time making a decision. I have seem warnings against some dog foods while others praise that very brand!

I am currently a full-time college student, but I do have the money to maintain and feed Salem, though I am currently looking for a part-time vet assistant position to help

So, what are some good, healthy, relatively inexpensive foods he should try out? Thank you for taking the time to read and/or reply!

[x0emiroxy0x]

I would get off that food ASAP. Any food you can get at a grocery store is a no no no. (IMO)

I currently feed Rocky Diamond Chicken and Rice...28$ for 40lbs

It is the only food he doesn't have diarrhea on and now his ears are always clean, his breath is good, his coat is soft...and he finally put on weight! He was underweight for about two months because he refused to eat but now he has gained 12 pounds and is at perfect weight.

You can get it at Tractor Supply.

[x0emiroxy0x]

I am a college student too. I would love to feed blue buffalo or taste of the wild but I can't afford it right now.

[Salem]

I agree! It was convenient at the time (He was only supposed to be here a week - oops!)

I've heard good things about Diamond. I'm glad it's working for Rocky! I will definitely check out Diamond tomorrow at Tractor Supply. Right now Salem has the perfect amount of food left where I can begin mixing and switching his food over.

[Salem]

Same here. I was looking at TOTW and dreaming about the day I step out of vet school, get a job, and am able to feed my dogs the best food possible!

[x0emiroxy0x]

There is another bag that is either 32 or 38 dollars and it is the "extreme athlete" dog formula and is also chicken and rice. If you have the few extra dollars to spend every month, this is a good one too. I can cold turkey change between the one I use and this one with no diarrhea.

It normally took me two weeks to switch foods (when I used to). I had to do 90/10 80/20 70/30 etc because Rocky's stomach is so sensitive.

[x0emiroxy0x]

I didn't seem how old your pup was in your post---if he is still a pup, I would feed the large breed lamb and rice or lamb and chicken (I forgot what the second ingredient is) from Diamond. It is a large purple bag I believe. Puppy food is more expensive though, around 38$.

[fuzzybunny]

If you have a Costco you can look into the Kirkland's brand. I don't know how much Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul is in the U.S. but it's a decent quality food that tends to be a little cheaper, at least in Canada anyway.

[Salem]

I saw that on their website. It looks like a food I would definitely consider for Salem, especially once we get back into bike riding in the spring!

It is actually more affordable for me than the Purina was (by price per pound). I love that it is better for him too!

[I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO]

I always recommend Canidae All Life Stages- IMO, it's a good bang for your buck. I think it's usually about $1/lb and here are the ingredients:

Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, white rice, rice bran, peas, potatoes, oatmeal, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), millet, tomato pomace, natural flavor, flaxseed meal, ocean fish meal, choline chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries, beta-carotene, rosemary extract, sunflower oil, yucca schidigera extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, papaya, pineapple.