Best Premium Dog Food for Small Dogs???

Can any of you give me some ideas on what premium brand of food works best for small dogs? I recently switched my dog Rusty from puppy to adult food, and the type I bought he doesn't like because of the size of the pieces, I believe. They are bigger and harder that he wants, so he tends not to eat it. I want to feed him the best I can and I am willing to pay the higher price, but I need to find one he is willing to eat!! ANy suggestions?

 

This is a subject of debate, but I will lend my two cents:

I use a rotational diet for my two shih-poos. I had been using Nutro as one of the brands, but after more and more research, I discovered there to be way too much grain in there. So, I switched the Nutro with Canidae. I have been reading on the internet, talking to various professionals, and all of them rave about the excellence of Canidae. My dogs love it as well!

So, Canidae is an excellent brand that I would highly recommend!!! :y_the_best:

Others I would recommend: California Natural, Flint River Ranch and Innova.

Here's some websites about premium dog food brands, and their ratings:

http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFo ... u?OpenForm

http://members.aol.com/smplyschnz/nutri ... opten.html

 

You are right... there is a TON of both information and opinion out there on this subjest.... which is why I'm a bit confused about the right choice. Thank you for your reccomendation on Canidae, I have read a bit about it previously, and have had it on my list of possiblities. Can you tell me what the size of the pieces are? This seems to be an important thing to Rusty.... he doesn't like big bites of anything. Thanks!

 

Both of mine have never turned their noses up to Innova. The kibble is triangular and small enough for them. Not mondo size. You know at your better pet supply places, they have samples of food. I had mentioned changing their food just because my poo seems to have some allergies They gave me samples to try out different brands and see what they like the best.
I am really thinking my poo's allergies stem from outside allergens. She really liked the natures balance. At least I was able to find that out without having to buy 5 lbs or so. That way you don't get stuck with food they don't like. I was just going to get calif. natural but she took her time eating that sample. Thank goodness for samples.
Just ask the store people. Remember to go to a store that sells good kibble. The ones shipoo mentioned are all excellent also.

 

Good idea, puttin! :y_the_best: I forgot about how some brands put out those little sample bags. And possibly the pet store has samples right in the store. I'll have to ask when I go there tomorrow. There's a really great pet store just north of me in the city my folks live in, they carry all of the primo foods... I'll go there and ask tomorrow. Rusty's a little chow hound with things he likes to eat (he loves chicken and halibut!), but is fussy if things aren't just right, especially pieces that are too big. Thanks for the info!

 

Great advice about the samples Puttin!!! :y_the_best:

I know the store where I buy premium dog food has a money-back guarantee...if the dog does not like it, or does not do well on it, they will refund all your money!

To answer your question Pam - Mickey and Tigger won't eat large-sized kibble either. Canidae has very small round kibble...perfect size for my guys, so Rusty should do just fine with the kibble size issue!

 

Excellent!.... SOunds like Canidae might be just what I'm looking for Thanks! I'll give the pet store sample thing a try tomorrow. :y_the_best:

 

I use Special One Purina for puppies. the one for adults is not much bigger. Good luck on your research.

 

:0013: I should have mentioned this earlier in case you don't already know...be sure to very gradually switch brands!!! Switching foods too quickly can cause your dog to get an upset stomach (which can range from mild to severe, but it's not a risk worth taking)!

 

Like mybabyshih said... this has been the subject of many-o'-debates on this site! lol...

I will tell you that I've used NUTRO Natural Choice for Bailey since he was first brought home at 9 weeks. (He turned a year last month) He does wonderfully on it.... He is in great health and seems to really like it. I should also tell you that I, being the spoiling mother that I am, still give Bailey a little canned food -- so he has both, canned and kibble.

He currently eats the adult Chicken, Rice and Oatmeal formula. My groomer mentions to me every time about what a soft and shiny coat he has. I think the food has a lot to do with it. And, oh yea... ummm....... he rarely ever has soft stools (if you cared to hear that? LOL)...

 

Thanks for your suggestion Monsterbailey.... It is a difficult choice, isn't it? I was really leaning towards the Canidae, and still might eventually end up at it. I planned to go see about it today at a pet store that carries it, but Rusty and I ended up going to a grand opening of a Petco in our area this A.M., and as part of their promotional give aways, they where giving out vouchers for one free 15 to 20 lb. bag of any type food they carry in their store for free. I looked at what they had, and wasn't super impressed at the selection (a lot of what they had was plain old grocery store brands!) But they do carry Natural Balance Ultra Premium, and I have heard some pretty okay things about it... And, it's small little kibble size like what Rusty wants. It's main ingredients are chicken, duck, lamb, oatmeal, brown rice, carrots, potatoes..... sounds pretty healthy and some good protiens. I've yet to find out if he is going to like it or not, so we still may end up going for something else. It may get donated to the shelter, but we're giving it a try. But I will also keep in mind the one you feed Bailey... he certainly looks like a healthy little guy! I'm coming to the conclusion that I could drive myself crazy trying to figure out what the one absolute perfect, ultra superior brand of dogfood is!! There are a million choices, and about as many differing opinions......but I guess we are all trying our best, and from the looks of everyone's pups, they are all looking pretty healthy, I'd say I'm just looking to find a food that he will like, and will keep him healthy and well! Thanks :y_the_best:

 

Pam~

I don't know if this would be of any interest to you, but I will put it here if you wish to take a look:

http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=comp-wiz

 

Thanks! That's a really cool comparison tool!

 

Just a tip on picking a good dog food. Its all in the ingredients. If the first ingredient is corn or corn meal just say no. The corn is not completely digested by the body and all things must come out in the "end". Look for a food that has meat as the first ingredient that could also be "meal" like lamb meal. I feed my dog Authority. Its the Petsmart brand of premium dog food. Maya loves it. The first ingredient is chicken meal (I think) it might be just chicken. They also have a lamb and rice formula. The one difference between a chicken based formula compared to a lamb based formula is that lamb is easier to digest and especially for dogs that have allergies. If you are feeding them a certain puppy food look into the adult formula of that food. Some other good foods are Nature's Recipe, Nutro, and Nutro Max. Authority is the Petsmart brand and they have an Oven Baked Recipe that is good also. I hope that helped.

Tracie,Matt, Maya, and the ferrets

 

Great points, cosmic!

And, mybabyshih! That's a grrrrrreat site for comparisons! You've been holding out on us... cuz you never shared that before :lol: :?

 

Isn't great Monster! I accidentally stumbled across it one time when I was doing some research, and loved it. I think some other members here have posted it before as well!

It surely is a great tool though!

 

Rusty seems to be settling in well with,and liking the Natural Balance ultra premium. It does have meat as the first 3 ingredients, and no wheat or corn, just oatmeal and brown rice for grains, and a few vegetables. And the size of thekibble is perfect, sort of wafer like,a little smaller than a dime. So, I'm going to staywith it for now, and watch how he handles it, and how it effects him healthwise. Thank you for all of your great info!

 

WONDERFUL...glad you found a quality brand that he enjoys and is doing well on!!!

 

I've been looking into different food also. I have found this food which is made locally to me. How does this look? The price is pretty comparable so I'm considering it. I've been on the comparison sites to look at other ingredients and think it's in line -- just looking for other opinions. Thanks!!!!!
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Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 26.0% minimum
Crude Fat 18.0% minimum
Calories/Cup 548
Crude Fiber 4.0% maximum
Moisture 10.0% maximum

INGREDIENTS:
Lamb Meal, Brewers Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Citric Acid and Rosemary Extract), Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Chicory Extract / Inulin, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ethylene Diamine Dihydriodide and Calcium Carbonate.

 

We're using Nutro Natural Choice Lamb & Rice Puppy right now.