Up until a few months ago, I always fed my dog regular dog food that I bought in the pet aisle of the grocery store and sprinkled a little cheese or chicken broth on top. But, the last time I took her to the veterinarian for her yearly checkup I heard the dreaded news that she's having liver problems that could be due to the added "human food" to her diet.
She won't eat the old dog food on its own so now I'm stuck looking for healthy but tasty dog food for my poor pooch. She is very picky about her food and I'm worried that I'm about to head into a month or two where all I'll do is try different brands until I find one she likes. Like most of us, I live on a budget and I can't afford to spend too much on food for my dog, so I need to find a reasonably priced dog food brand that will provide her with the daily nutrition she needs.
Not sure where to start on my quest, I decided to look into what the top searched dog food brands are among our users. Many holistic and natural dog foods topped the list including Wellness, Evolve and Pinnacle. Other popular natural dog foods include Eukanuba, Innova and the BARF diet. The BARF diet stands for "biologically appropriate raw food." The living enzymes in this dog food are believed to be the secret to a healthy dog. The BARF diet is a sort of doggy lifestyle, not just a food, so owners must mix up a dish at meal time for their pooch along with the rest of their family.
Do you know of any other dog food brands that did not show up on our list? If so, please tell us about them. Try searching for dog food on AOL Search or purchase some dog food through AOL Shopping.
Top Searched Dog Food Brands on AOL Search:
1. Wellness
2. Authority
3. Pinnacle
4. Evolve
5. Merrick
6. Royal Canin
7. Eukanuba
8. Iams
9. Innova
10. BARF diet
More Sponsored Links For: pet food, dogs health, dog training
COMMENTS
I too use Flint River Ranch-prices are excellent compared with "premium"brands; they keep a record of your ordering history and remind you when it is time to re-order; my dog (Bichon Frise) loves the food and I would not serve him anything else.
By liz Summer on Jul 19th 2008 at 11:42PM
Just so everyone knows Iams/Eucanuba do LOTS and LOTS of Animal Research and if you love your pets you won't purchase any food from them!! If you're skeptical just look at: http://www.iamscruelty.com and you'll have all of the info that you need. If you really love your pets you won't contribute to this research.
By megan on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:34PM
My dog is 8 monthhs old and i've had him on HEATH WISE. It's a great food very heathy (you know all the good stuff and no by-products)it also uses rice for a filler not corn, and he likes it. The good thing is it's made for all dogs not just small dogs or big dogs. It's the best food for the lowest amount of money that I could find. It does cost more online tha in the store i buy it in, so if you can't find it check with a specialty store and see if they can order it. http://www.healthwisepetfood.com/products/
By david on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:40PM
Why wasn't Blue Buffalo on this list?
By Unknown on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:37PM
The best, and most reasonably priced, dog food is the Kirkland Brand Lamb & Rice Kibble, 40 lbs. for $22.95 at Costco. (Kirkland is the Costco house brand.)
The nutrition information on the label is impressive and the first ingredient listed is lamb, not CORN, like most kibbles. It is a true quality food.
I've been feeding it to Dobermans for several years and they look, feel, and act wonderful.
We don't use canned dog food - yecchh.
By Stella on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:37PM
California Natural (made in California, not China) I switched after my dog could no longer tolerate the dry Beneful topped w/ a little Healthy Choice soup. California Natural offers a single protein and a single carb. She loves the Chicken and Brown Rice formula which comes in both wet and dry. In the morning she gets a serving of dry food with a small amount of wet food added. For dinner, it's dry food again with a tablespoon of Activia lowfat vanilla yogurt. The yogurt helps restore the normal flora to the GI track and she loves it. The vet was pleased with her overall health and her coat is so shiny, it's blinding! I get it at Cutter's Mill or you can contact californianatural.com.
By Barbara Ricci on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:36PM
While I haven't tried it, I am confident that the company that ELLEN DEGENERES has is 100% safe. Unfortunately, I am a senior citizen on a teeny fixed income, & at the rate this country is going, I'll end up buying it for myself and my husband...for holidays! But I'd be willing to bet that Ellen will make sure that this company does it right. I trust that her love and care for all animals will make certain there are no issues that we have seen in the past with other companies that we have put our faith in.
HTTP://WWW.HALOPETS.COM/
By Animal Lovin' Mama on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:38PM
ONLY JAX MAX FOR ME!!! Do your research!
jaxmax.com
By Todd on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:37PM
The breeder in New Zealand fed our puppy the BARF diet. When we moved to the US my 6 month old Golden wouldn't eat Iams or Eucanuba. A Golden Retriever breeder recommended Flint River Ranch. Now even the cats eat it. I order it on line and it arrives within 5 days. It's all natural, no by-products and they claim that it is fresh.
By Kristy on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:40PM
I also was a vet tech for years - bought the science diet schtick hook line and sinker. Hills sends out sales people -like the pharmacies- to sell you their product. It is not a healthy choice. Most vets know nothing about animal nutrition other than what Purina, Eukanuba, and Hills sells them.
By ht pope on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:39PM
heath wise
By david on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:39PM
I do buy Beneful and some of the other dog foods. I also cook them steak, hamburger, and I buy the baked chicken at the store and I mix a little in with their food. I also give them a bit of beef and a spoonful of mashed potatoes on Sundays. They love string beans, and they get their canned doggie foods (mix one a day between two grown dogs, a Shepherd and a Pitt). Both doggies are healthy, and my best buddies. They go to the vet for their teeth, nail clippings grooming and shots more than I do I think. I see nothing wrong with regular foods mixed in with doggie foods. They get oatmeal, creme of wheat and cheerios (not a lot and not daily). They do get a bit of scrambled and bacon on sundays couple times a month. My Shepherd was born in England, taken to Germany, and flew to USA Alone and landed at Dulles outside DC. He is wonderful, and been through a lot (he was my daughters and always together) He is all I have left of her now. My Pitt was a friends who had no place for him. I love him dearly and he sleeps in a bed under a down comfortner on his pillow at night. The Shepherd sleeps in a twin bed in a spare bedroom. Yes, they are spoilt.
By scarlett on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:41PM
I have just recently been introduced to this product. It is amazing and the animals seem to love it. These commercial foods are shortening our animals lives - check it out.
www.absolutelovepetcare.com
By Kathy on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:42PM
What I want to know is how did our pets get along BEFORE all these designer dog foods>>>?????????
If it has a picture of a dog on the can or bag it will cost 10% more.
If it has a picture of a happy dog frolicking in an all natural field of wild flowers, it will cost 20% more.
Dogs are dogs.
They will drink water out of a muddy hoof print and eat boiled chicken and cheese with great delight.
I am tired of the hype of "all natural", feel-good designer dog food.
They are pitching the warm fuzzy feelings to the owners, not the dogs.
By Sunny on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:41PM
I use Nature's Recipe Lamb and Rice mostly dry but I mix it with a can of the same type. They eat it right up. It has also cleared up my dog's itchy coat. No more skin conditions. This can be purchased at Petco, and the other good pet stores.
Sometimes I give them Solid Gold Bison and they love that as well. It is pricy, though.
By Mattie Claude on Jul 20th 2008 at 2:58PM
While growing up my mother only fixed our little dachshund hamburgers every night. She claimed that's all he would eat. While he did live to be 15 he was not without health problems. She later acquired another larger dog that she did the same thing to, only human food. When my mom passed away and I took her dog Sam was 65 lbs. Within 1 year I had her at the weight she should be, 57 lbs and in great health. She lived to be 17. I always fed a good quality dry dog food but nothing extravagant. They always have their taste of canned and have never been deprived of dinner leftovers, but just a little. When Purina One came on the market I tried it for both my dogs and cats. The challenge is true. Their coats and energy improved along with their overall health. My dachshund lived to be 19! I think your dog will start to eat when he's hungry. Don't deprive him of people food but make it a treat. My dogs go crazy for an ice cube in place of a biscuit. They also love a carrot or an apple slice. Good luck.
As the years have passed
By Laurie on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:43PM
We have a wonderful PUG and refuse to feed him anything purchased in the "pet food" department in any stores, including the food aold by the Vet.
It is purchased from a gal in Coarsegold,Ca.All NATURAL and we add ground chicken or turkey with it.
Check the ...PugZoo.com. our PUG loves it.
By Al Fredrick on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:43PM
Not sure where you live, but if you live somewhere that has Pet Chef Express try that. My dogs are super picky, but will eat that and they deliver. I just get online, set up a account and order by a certain day and they deliver on certain days. They have dry dog food, (many kinds) and canned food, either Chicken or Chicken and Beef. So look up Pet Chef Express and see if it is in your state, and if so try it out.
By concerned person on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:44PM
Take IAMS off the list. Add FLINT RIVER RANCH. It's great, healthy dogfood delivered right to your door!
By Steph on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:45PM
My dogs are picky eaters. I never liked feeding them from the table as I know that the right dog food is better for them & has the proper nutrients that dogs need. Plus the hard kibble is better for their teeth than soft food. I've tried all the major brands: Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, etc. & they never seemed to really like any I tried. I finally tried Nutro Ultra small breed adult (they have other formulas for other size dogs) & they love it!! It has natures very best ingredients & they always clean their bowl. It is good for them & they LOVE the taste! I get it at Petsmart.
By Judith on Jul 19th 2008 at 8:52PM