Dog Food: Beneful?

[mcharr36]

For the most part, I don't feed anything but Diamond Lamb & Rice. I've had the best luck with it. I have several dogs, all different breeds and all but one are mutts. Whenever I try a different feed, after about 6 weeks all my dogs start stinking. A very strong doggy oder. Not gas, permeating from their skin. So it's always back to Diamond. I've even tried different varieties of Diamond and end up back on Lamb & Rice.

As for soft food, my dogs think that is a treat. I cook up a big pot of meat and rice weekly and give to my dogs daily. I use whatever meat i have, usually chicken leg quarters. An 8 quart pot lasts a week here. I'd hate to think I had to eat the same food day in and day out.

 

[minih]

Well everyone will probably have a fit over what my dogs eat. I almost lost my peke Bandy last year, in fact took her to the vet to have her put to sleep after several attempts with the vet to treat her, I couldn't stand to see her like she was any longer. The vet convinced me she could help her and thank goodness she did! But.... in that whole process she got to where she wasn't eating, she was a rack of bones until I discovered she would eat cooked chicken (we can't even say that word around my house without LOTS of barking). So since then they get boiled chicken (I buy the frozen Best Choice chicken breasts) in the freezer at Wal-Mart, every other day, I then leave out Mini Kibbles and Chunks for a dog food to eat on the off days whenever they want it and we feed the Ol Roy rounds as treats. Forgot to say since the peke gets the chicken every other day I can't let the pug get jealous so she gets chicken too.

Both are small dogs so I can afford to do this since they don't really eat a whole bunch.

 

[Marty]

mcharr36 are you still in here because I need to talk to you about you said your dogs were stinking?

My dogs have a horrible sour odor coming from them both here lately. It's just gross. I am wondering if it can be the dog food. What was the smell like that was coming from your dogs like?

 

[Black Magic]

Well, thanks for starting this thread... I needed to read it. We got a Sheltie from a shelter.. (he thinks the mini's are sheep), and I attributed his lack of weight to where he came from. However, turns out he was very picky. So when we tried Beneful he was chomping it down like there was no tomorrow, so that seemed like a good thing... however, three mos later, he still has a weight problem. Now I know he's the most active doggie I've ever seen, (and Mom bred shelties when I was a child).. but now I have to suspect that the Beneful isn't good for him, thanks to everyone's input...

I'll hunt around more and see what I can find that's easy to find at the store, and has no corn, etc... and less dye... I tried the Science Diet, but his skin became very dry... but then again, that could be from coming from a rescue... who hadn't had him for very long... it was the first feed we tried....

Thanks so much,

God Bless,

Lynn W

 

[minicount]

When I started at the vet clinic something like 14-15 years ago I was a farm girl and looked at them like they were nuts when they explained the differences in the food. Our dogs lived on what ever was the cheapest and scraps (turned out that the scraps were the best).

When I quit 11 years later I got to where I could tell you dang near what you feed by the hair coat (look and feel *greasy or dry*), smell (of the dog themselves) and the stools. My dogs have been on Purina Proplan Performance for the majority of their lifes. My blue heeler is blue black in the summertime at the rosy age of 12 and never been sick a day in his life. Unless you count when ran into the pickup, stitched up after getting bit by a possum playing possum, kicked in the head by a cow, possum again and so on. My grey corgi (yes I know they are not suppose to be that color) is so dark he almost is black. Both have a shine that would make you think I spent hours brushing them. The occasional curry comb by my exuberant two year old is about as good as it gets.

Yes the first ingredent on the bag should be meat BUT becareful companies are getting smarter and breaking down the "other" content so it will read correctly. (ex. some bags will have corn, in some form, listed three times on a bag but broke down is not the #1 ingredient.)

The old adage about a "mutt" being healthier is true, most of the time. Purebred dogs come with a variety of ailments specific for that breed, Danes are prone to bloat, most dogs are not.

I always tried to steer people away from the, "I would hate to get the same thing every day" thinking. Come on these are the same animals that will eat poop and lick really "impolite" places and we we're worried about their taste buds? Treats are fine and dandy, mine get them, but they only get one main course.

Many companies have different "levels" of dog food. I really liked Pur. Pro Plan line but the "Chow" lines I did not care for. Iam's Eukanuba was a pretty high quality food but the Chunks was not.

I think the Foster & Smith's website has a good run down of what a dog food should and shouldn't be.

Bottom line is 90% of the dogs could live on any of the brands and never have a problem, regardless of the nutritional content. After scooping poop for 11 years after dogs that were on cheap dog food I squeal (every time) and pay the dang near $1 a pound for Pro Plan. What would be the comercial? Dog...$50 Dog Food $40 Not needing a scoopshovel, wheelbarrow and gas mask...priceless.

 

[Jill]

What would be the comercial?  Dog...$50  Dog Food $40  Not needing a scoopshovel, wheelbarrow and gas mask...priceless.

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That cracks me up!!!

 

[Whitestar]

I never realized the impact that food can have on a pet until I went to work for a Vet. it seems that more & more pets are suffering from skin problems, intestional problems & kidney problems since the companies came out with all these fancy foods. If you stop & think about how the dog foods are really promoted, it is to the humans & not the animals themselves. Frankly do you think your dog or cat cares if their food is shaped like a fish, or bone or whatever? Do they care if it is red or green or yellow or blue? ( I mean most dogs love to eat cat crap.... they dont stop to consider the color or shape....) So the companies churn out this food full of preservatives & dyes to appeal to the human eyes, meanwhile the pets are becoming allergy laden, with intestional disorders. The ones that are soft chews, whether food or treats are full of bad for your pet stuff that keeps it soft. It is also proven that dogs cant digest corn, so corn based products go right through. The ones that you pet seems to like the most are the ones with the higher fat content, which is ok, it makes their coats shiny, but it is also calorie laden, so you have to feed less or end up with a fat dog with joint & heart problems, plus remember that in hot weather, fat turns rancid. We sell Science Diet, recommend Nutro & I also feed Purina myself. I agree with the others that just because your dog likes it doesnt mean it is good for them. I like to see pets on a hard kibble diet for their teeths sake, keeps the plaque off their teeth much better, again leading to better health. And it will depend on the make up of your dog, just like humans you can feed two different animals the same diet, one will have problems while the other will stay healthy. Table food is really the worst for a pet, we have seen dogs at deaths door from a bite of its owners BBQ. Pancretitis can hit hard & can be deadly & can come one quickly. I just suggest that you keep in mind what is really in the food that you feed & try to consider your choice based on your dogs eye & not what the companies are trying to sell YOU.

 

[Linda_H]

Hi Marty

I have fed lots of dog foods over the years and I have had many breeds. Some were picky as far as taste and some had sensitive bellies. Dog nutrition is an interest of mine as I have dogs who have to work and are sometimes under stress. I am not a fan of additives in people or dog food. Did you ever wonder what makes the food have all those delightful colors? Most food or especially treats are made to appeal sightwise to the owners An example is the brand of treats that look like the mailman, dog catcher etc

I feed Wellness dog food , the whietfish and sweet potato flavor

I chose that one because one of my shepherds has a tendency to have dry sensitive skin. It contains a lot of good stuff- flax, fish, vegetables fruits etc My dogs love it It also comes in other flavors. There is a line of canned also They make treats with the same quality ingredients

Another good option is Solid Gold

The initial price tag looks high, but you do not need to feed a large amount of good quality food as there is not as much waste. It is a good food that gets assimilated better I found when you switch to a more natural food, you can have an initial gas problem but it usually passes quickly ( like that pun>?!) and the dog's body gets used to it As with any food you need to switch gradually!

 

[chevycouple]

I will start with the Beneful dog food. I wouldn't personally feed it to my dogs but my mom feeds her dogs that. Eddie the malamute has a stomach problem that causes seizures. Since being on this food his seizures have stopped and he hasn't had his painful stomach problems. I tried to get my mom to change food but after talking it over with my mom we decided that even though it wasnt the best quality it was keeping Eddie more comfortable...we wouldn't want to change foods and upset his stomach more and take the risk of him having a BAD seizure where we would have to put him to sleep.

I feed my dogs Chicken Soup for the Dog lovers Soul for there ingredients. Science Diet has fillers in it just like the cheap stuff. When you look at the price of dog food you have to realize that you will have to feed less of the quality food and pick less poop up

So since you have to feed less you end up feeding about the same. For instance before I learned about dog food (and finally talking my husband into feeding better) we were buying 50 lbs every two weeks now we buy 35 lbs every two weeks.

Someone once told me that if you can buy it in a grocery store or a vets office it is crap. I must say that looking at ingredients that is pretty much true.

 

[JO~*]

Our Poms eat the Diamond Lamb and Rice and like it. I think its made by the same company that makes Chicken Soup for dogs brand dry food. Its not the most expensive brand but its not the cheapest either thats for sure. I think I pay around $20.00 for 40#s. One of my dogs get a food called Innova now that ones costs a lot more.

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

minicount, from what I have been told and seen at the vet clinic, (I also worked at a vet clinic years back) it is not just danes that are prone to bloat, any deep chested large breed dog is a good candidate for bloat from dry dog food, so anyone feeding a large breed dog should be aware of this. Another food/or treat to stay away from is any of the colored ones,(like the colored dog biscuits or bones) they contain alot of dye which is not good for dogs either. Rawhide treats is another one that can expand inside the dog, and cause problems. Corinne

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

guess it just goes to show just like wiht our horses there is more then one way to feed and end up with happy healthy animals

I free feed my dogs have had people tell me it is horrible for them.. works for me and my dogs and they are at a great weight.

Some feed horses sweet feed and corn and it works for them.. I dont feed either..

Bottom line i guess is if it works for you and your dog is healthy and you and your vet dont find any health issues with your animals... you are good to go

 

[Marty]

Doesn't this all just boggle the mind ???

What a wealth of information here.

You guys are like walking encyclopedias. I would have never guessed the thing about the dye for one and it's affect. So here I go again worrying that I'm not doing the right thing here.

Lisa is right as usual though. What works for one doesn't work for another. I can remember a time for many years that I would only feed my horses oats and I would get very upset when someone would try to talk me into feeding sweet feed and say no I don't want them eating that stuff. Go figure. So many animals, so many choices.

 

[Teedee]

I am just wondering what you all would have to say if I told you what I fed my children...........

Tammi

PS Now they are grown I feed them "Taster Choice" if you taste it ... it is your choice....

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Ok, I was gonna pass on this one as it's alot like how so many of us have our own horse feed programs.

I have spent years training and raising dogs. The pet food industry is getting worse with time. Fillers, artificial ingreds and colors. All to please the human at the canines expense. I used Iams, Eucanuba, Diamond, and Nutro. I liked them all for one reason or another but came to the conclusion..corn is as huge offender as dyes and such.

My Schipperke has a tough time with her skin. Most schips do as they have a triple coat. They also are sensitive to corn.

I have spoken and emailed more darn companies and finally found the most incredible dog food. The cost is $30/35lbs. No it isn't sold in Walmart, you have to find a store that does and for you Marty, I'm betting it will be difficult if not impossible, thus you may consider setting up an online revolving delivery acct of a food you find that works for you. They sell 1 1/2 lb pkg for $2.99 I would be happy to get you one to try and send it off.

It is called PREMIUM EDGE www.premiumedgepetfood.com 1-800-977-8797

The ingredients list as follows:

Salmon, salmon meal(a source of fish oil), potatoes, cracked pearl barley, whole grain brown rice, canola oil, egg, brewers rice, flaxseed, natural flavor kelp, carrots, peas, apples, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flakes, dried chickory root, glucosamine 300mg/kg/chrondriton 100mg/kg, and then it lists the vitamins and minerals.

Protien min 25%

Fat 14%

fiber max 3%

moisture maz 10%

My 3 dogs love it. Smells different for sure as it's fish but they look fabulous and they do not itch! 30 lbs lasts 3 wks feeding 3 dogs one cool whip bowl divided 3 ways 3 times a day.

I keep in in large tins to keep it fresh as it has no artificial ingreds.

JMHO

It has lots of omega 6 & 3 fatty acids, selenium, Zinc, Vit A & E,

 

[New_Image]

Put me on the list, I wouldnt feed Beneful, Kibbles and bits or anything like that, its just candy - makes for a un healthy dog eating sawdust and sugar and leaving 500 more piles for you to clean up......

My German Shepherd is very picky, she will not touch dry food to the point of looseing weight.

We feed here a Pro Plan/ Nurto Max large breed mix and put a half a can of pedigree canned food on there and she will eat if you make her.

Darn dog eats 6 cups of dry food and a can of soft food a day

 

[minicount]

it is not just danes that are prone to bloat, any deep chested large breed dog is a good candidate for bloat from dry dog food, so anyone feeding a large breed dog should be aware of this. 

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Now I didn't say just Danes bloat what I said was most other breeds are not prone to bloat. I have a good friend that does Dane rescue and according to her it is not just what they are fed but how they eat it is a large factor as well.
Use to have an article that listed each dogs specific breed ailments course if I do still have it the house would have to blow up for me to find it.

*I did a quick search and found a site that does give some breed health concerns, even lists that Bulldogs as having "an active digestive system and may be offensive to people with sensitive noses."

*

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/

 

[Horse Hugs]

Since nobody else has mentioned feeding this - I'll add it to the list. I feed my two shelties Eukanuba lamb and rice dry food. It is fabulous for their coats. I didn't want to feed it at first since I don't eat lamb but I changed my mind when I saw how wonderfully shiny and soft their coats are. They love it and eat it down without anything added. I'd rather not have to do any canned foods so I like this and I like the less poop part.

When I had my two dalmatians I spent years taking my dogs to the Vets for allergies and tried all kind of special diets. Someone told me to try Pedigree since their dal wasn't allergic to it and so I did. It worked, so I fed them Pedigree for over 10 years and never had another allergy problem.

There are a lot of good foods out there- you just have to find the one that is right for your dogs.

 

[chandab]

Well, might as well add my two cents... We feed both our dogs Purina Hi-Pro; I have a 9 yo Australian shepard spayed female and my husband has a 6-7 year old intact male red heeler. They are both doing great on this feed, my dog has a very shiny coat and lots of energy; can't tell if the heeler has a shiny coat as he usually runs down to the creek daily for a dip in creek mud. I live in the middle of nowhere, so my dog food choices outside of what's available at the grocery store are very limited, plus shipping 40# dog food to the boonies is about $25 plus the cost of the food. When I lived in a bigger community, I also tried and liked: PetsMart's Authority Lamb and Rice, Nutro, Pro Plan and one of the best was Avo-Derm (can't remember the company name).

 

[capall beag]

I know people who feed beneful and their dogs do well on it. I think a well bred dog or a good old healthy mutt will do fine on almost anything BUT I like to give my dogs the most natural food possible.

I don't like beneful because it seems to have a lot of unnecessary artificial ingredients.

You can get some great dry dog foods that are natural and healthy.

I also feed my dogs boiled chicken and rice with some veggies thrown in. My vet recommended this years ago and it works well. My 13 yr old dog is still going strong and can still chase a ball.

She has never had any problems BUT the million dollar Q is, is it her genes or the food, who knows!!

My firends dog lived to be 17 and she was fed the cheapest food around, who knows??

I like healthy, natural, organic, where possible, food, so I give my dogs the same!