Buying Pet Food

[desura]

So I tend to be stuck with a conundrum when I buy pet food.

My natural tendency of course is to go for the cheapest per pound stuff I can find.

This is what I do for myself when I go grocery shopping.

But, who knows what sort of corners are being cut to get this low price. For all I know, they could mix it in with sawdust to get an amazing price per lb.

But all of the bags pretty much have the same goobly-beloved patriot marketing speech.

So, how do you know what to look for when buying pet food?

 

[Ns1]

ingredient list + internet review sites

 

[John Connor]

Make sure it isn't made in China.

 

[Exterous]

ingredient list + internet review sites

:thumbsup: Its been a few years but I think I used dogfoodadvisor.com and dogfoodanalysis.com to find good dog food (Don't know what kind of pet the OP has though). I was surprised at how much crap pet food there is out there

At the time Taste of Wilderness was not available in my area so we went with Blue Buffalo.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It's worth putting some research into what you feed your family member.

All human food is regulated by the FDA. So, while it might not be healthy, it's safe for you to eat ultra cheap food.

Pet food is not regulated... So you could be getting food made from dead chinese horse meat, or bleached rotten meat, or who knows what.

 

[rcpratt]

I buy the kind that doesn't make my dogs puke.

We tried everything from regular Iams to Blue Buffalo, but settled on some other common grocery store brand (I forget) because it seems to cause the least digestive issues. I'm sure some website would say that it's filled with bad crap.

 

[Sluggo]

We have switched to 4Health for our dogs, generally 4 stars on dog food advisor, and a good $10 or so cheaper than the other premium foods. It only seems to be available at Tractor Supply, so that may limit it's availability.

 

[Mutilator]

And to add to what the others have said... unless you like making your (dog?) suffer don't keep changing food on them to whatever you get cheapest, it upsets their stomach - unless you're mixing it for a few days as you transition. Just pick a good food and stick with it. Good reviews and vet recommendations are a good start... ultimately it'll come down to what they'll eat without negative side effects (allergic reactions, excessive gas, diarrhea, etc.)

 

[onza]

search for dog food+fillers

Fillers = bad stuff usually. Corn and certain grains fit this category

 

[blackdogdeek]

Do you have any mom&pop local pet stores? That's where we buy our food. I guess we're lucky because we have two within walking distance and they have knowledgeable staff. Their prices are higher than big grocery stores but not by that much.

 

[IronWing]

Dog, cat, or other?

 

[WhipperSnapper]

For my cats, I buy them cat food that advertises, "No wheat, No corn, No soy". Cats are obligate carnivores and did not evolve to be able to eat that stuff. It costs twice of what the junk cat food costs, but I know that they're getting better food and will need less of it to get the nutrition they need.

 

[PowerYoga]

Make sure it isn't made in China.

^^^^

Very good chance you'll poison your pet by feeding them pet food from china. Double check to make sure your pet food maker isn't using ingredients from china either.

 

[DrPizza]

I sort of tend to purchase the cheapest per pound. Again, this week, turkeys are on sale. Multiple grocery stores have them cheap, and they're all competing to get your body into the grocery store. Closest grocery store: 38 cents per pound, if you have a $50 minimum purchase, excluding the turkey, alcohol, and some other type of product. Another area grocery store: 40 cents per pound, limit one turkey per person. By the end of the day tomorrow, I'll have half a dozen or so 20 pound plus turkeys in the freezer. Occasionally, I'll cook a turkey for me and the wife for dinner; then use *all* of the leftovers for cat food. The cats tend to even chew up the bones quite a bit; very little of the carcass is left when they're done.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My dog has to be on prescription dog food. It's like $26 for an 8.5lb bag.

Not that much considering what our food costs....luckily, he's only 28-30lbs.

 

[John Connor]

Dog, cat, or other?

Would that include wife? LOL

 

[thedarkwolf]

I just get the cheapest grain free food I can from amazon.com

 

[Nintendesert]

I checked the review sites on what food is good and then use subscribe and save through Amazon and get 20% off. Buying better food has resulted in me needing to feed my dogs a lot less. Feeding them cheap stuff in a pinch is like tossing them Doritos, they pig out on the stuff.

 

[pontifex]

There's some dog food out there that's ridiculously priced. like over $100 for a $30 lb bag or even smaller.

maybe if i'm bill gates....but i'm not...

i buy costco's brand which seems to get good reviews and it's like $33 for maybe 50 lbs i think.

 

[alkemyst]

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

 

[Ns1]

There's some dog food out there that's ridiculously priced. like over $100 for a $30 lb bag or even smaller.

maybe if i'm bill gates....but i'm not...

i buy costco's brand which seems to get good reviews and it's like $33 for maybe 50 lbs i think.

Same. Natures domain, the premium grade stuff is good.

NATURE'S DOMAIN GRAIN-FREE SALMON MEAL & SWEET POTATO FORMULA FOR DOGS
is made with salmon meal and ocean fish meal for quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this formula offers great nutrition for overall health and vitality for all dogs.

Grain-free formula
Salmon Meal & Sweet Potatoes

INGREDIENTS
Salmon meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, ocean fish meal, potato fiber, pea protein, natural flavor, flaxseed, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, 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 (vitamin B1), 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 B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

 

[soulcougher73]

My dog goes apeshit for taste of the wild

 

[Ns1]

My dog goes apeshit for taste of the wild

i bet he also goes crazy for dirty dog taint, the dirtier the better.

just sayin' lol

 

[Leros]

I buy Blue Wilderness, which I'm told is a good brand. I could spend half as much and get a mediocre brand, but pet food is really cheap as it is.

Not to mention, with the good food, I only have to feed about half as much and there is less poop to deal with. I also notice that my pet seems a bit more energetic and has a nicer coat.