You are correct. At that time horse meat was dirt cheap because the American Mustang, considered a nuisance animal by cattle ranchers and the legislators in their states, were free for the killing. Mustangs were rounded up by the thousands and rendered into dog food. It was not uncommon, through the 1960's, to buy a big hunk of horse meat at the pet shop to feed to your dog and the main ingredient and most commercial kibbles was horse meat. These days the main ingredient in most commercial kibbles is corn gluten meal.
Am I crazy
When I was growing up my parents bought 50bl bags of Alpo dog food to feed our dogs. We didn't have shepherds (sans one shepherd/lab mix who terrified me as a small child) or any other fancy dog. Just mutts most of which just wondered onto the farm and took up residence. A few months ago I took in a husky, who reminded me how much I missed having a dog. I was almost in tears when the owner was found, and the place at the foot of my bed was once again empty.
Thus, my puppy search began. After some breed research, and my wife insisting not a husky, we decided on a shepherd. After visiting shelters and breeder we finally found Reagan, and immediately took him to the vet. I was still under the impression that the standard way to feed a dog was to buy a bag of Purina or Alpo and tuck it in a large water tight container where it would serve as a source of nourishment to your canine companion for several months. But, out of curiosity, I asked the vet what food she would suggest. Our vet, in not so many words, said Science Diet was the way to go. I thought to myself 'this food cost twice as much but the dog cost infinitely more than any other dog I had as a child, and i love my new pup so what the heck'.
Recently it came to my attention that Science Diet is a terrible food source, and descent dog food cost a lot. By my math, I could just feed Reagan a boneless chicken breast in the morning and some flank steak at night and pay about the same money (which is becoming a very serious consideration). Now I'm not a rich man, but I want what is best for my dog. And I have to say I'm a little skeptical of all these premium dog foods, after all some of my parents dog are still alive and quite happy almost two decades later (the ones who have passed, met ends other than poor food quality). The whole time they've been eating food that apparently should have my parents up on animal cruelty charges.
Now don't misread me I believe my pup is worth the $100+ cost of premium food, i'm just blown away by it. I haven't owned a dog in ten years, is this a new thing, or am i just too back woods to know about it? What should I feed my puppy and what should the cost be? What do you feed your dog? Has anyone else ever thought the same thing?
Thus, my puppy search began. After some breed research, and my wife insisting not a husky, we decided on a shepherd. After visiting shelters and breeder we finally found Reagan, and immediately took him to the vet. I was still under the impression that the standard way to feed a dog was to buy a bag of Purina or Alpo and tuck it in a large water tight container where it would serve as a source of nourishment to your canine companion for several months. But, out of curiosity, I asked the vet what food she would suggest. Our vet, in not so many words, said Science Diet was the way to go. I thought to myself 'this food cost twice as much but the dog cost infinitely more than any other dog I had as a child, and i love my new pup so what the heck'.
Recently it came to my attention that Science Diet is a terrible food source, and descent dog food cost a lot. By my math, I could just feed Reagan a boneless chicken breast in the morning and some flank steak at night and pay about the same money (which is becoming a very serious consideration). Now I'm not a rich man, but I want what is best for my dog. And I have to say I'm a little skeptical of all these premium dog foods, after all some of my parents dog are still alive and quite happy almost two decades later (the ones who have passed, met ends other than poor food quality). The whole time they've been eating food that apparently should have my parents up on animal cruelty charges.
Now don't misread me I believe my pup is worth the $100+ cost of premium food, i'm just blown away by it. I haven't owned a dog in ten years, is this a new thing, or am i just too back woods to know about it? What should I feed my puppy and what should the cost be? What do you feed your dog? Has anyone else ever thought the same thing?
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To the OP: If you have a Tractor Supply Co. nearby, check out 4Health food. It's a fairly affordable brand of premium food. The main ingredient is either chicken or lamb and it has no byproducts, no corn, no soy, and no wheat.
I will add that as cheap dog food is getting cheaper, the best dog foods are getting better.
I've said before that when I started coming to this board in 2002, the general consensus was that Nutro Natural Choice was some of the best stuff out there. It kind of held the place Orijen does now. Now, well, Orijen is the best and Nutro NC, even Nutro Ultra, are held to be kind of crappy foods.
That's why I don't feel bad for feeding something like 4Health over Orijen. 8 years ago we would have lost our minds over the quality of this stuff. Now we're quibbling about the fact that it has rice listed twice. I just wonder, in another 8 years will we be feeding our dogs filet mignon and champagne?
http://www.tractorsupply.com/content/storeevents/4health_large_breed_formula
I've said before that when I started coming to this board in 2002, the general consensus was that Nutro Natural Choice was some of the best stuff out there. It kind of held the place Orijen does now. Now, well, Orijen is the best and Nutro NC, even Nutro Ultra, are held to be kind of crappy foods.
That's why I don't feel bad for feeding something like 4Health over Orijen. 8 years ago we would have lost our minds over the quality of this stuff. Now we're quibbling about the fact that it has rice listed twice. I just wonder, in another 8 years will we be feeding our dogs filet mignon and champagne?
http://www.tractorsupply.com/content/storeevents/4health_large_breed_formula
Are you talking about 4Health Large Breed Adult? If so, it's a good food especially for the money. It's what I feed.Also, what do you think about the Exclusive Large Dog Breed brand from Tractor Supply?
Ok, that one I have not heard of. Could you provide a link?No, the brand is actually called Exclusive.
1 - 5 of 55 Posts
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