Smart_Family
Dog Food Guru
Oh and you want either a properly balanced adult formula or an all life stages formula!
Yep the reviews are there but just because a food is on there with a good rating does not mean its appropriate for every breed. There's dog food analysis as well.You can also read a ton of reviews on every kind of dogfood known to mankind on the internet. http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
I was talking about dog food analysis which is another website. Dogfoodadvisor does not have all the levels you would need to see on it all the time. Calcium and phosphorus are the most important when it comes to giant breeds.They have all the analysis's on there as well.
No problem! The dog food guide started off as one thing and has evolved into an even bigger project so my new worst case scenario finish date is may 1. I really hope to be done before then. You want a calcium level no higher than 1.8 but ideally around 1.4-1.6%. The calcium to phosphorus ratio should be 1.2:1 or as close to it as possible. It really shouldn't be over 1.5:1. Also when transitioning from one food to another you should do it slowly to avoid digestive issues. Start off with 75% old food, 25% new food for 3-5 days. Then 50% old, 50% new for 3-5 days and then finally 25% old, 75% new for 3-5 days.Thank you so much, Smart_Family!!! I will start looking for and researching different brands and such and I am not trying to rush you but when will you have that guide done?? LOL So to be sure I am understanding I want high levels of Calcium and phosphorus and I don NOT need a puppy food neccessarily, right?
Yea and that's why no one is recommending pedigree.http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/pedigree-dog-food-dry/. This is a sample review for Pedigree from that website.
Diamond kinda has a monopoly going on in that they have several brands they own and then they manufacture for several other companies. It stinks. TOTW is definitely the best option as far as diamond foods go.That sucks... we just switched to TOTW, I don't think there are any better options in my price range I've used a lot of Diamond foods in the past, Chicken Soup, Nature's Domain... ok, maybe only 2, well 3 now...
Diamond kinda has a monopoly going on in that they have several brands they own and then they manufacture for several other companies. It stinks. TOTW is definitely the best option as far as diamond foods go.That sucks... we just switched to TOTW, I don't think there are any better options in my price range I've used a lot of Diamond foods in the past, Chicken Soup, Nature's Domain... ok, maybe only 2, well 3 now...
Diamond kinda has a monopoly going on in that they have several brands they own and then they manufacture for several other companies. It stinks. TOTW is definitely the best option as far as diamond foods go.That sucks... we just switched to TOTW, I don't think there are any better options in my price range I've used a lot of Diamond foods in the past, Chicken Soup, Nature's Domain... ok, maybe only 2, well 3 now...
TOTW is made in the same plant but as far as recalls there haven't been as many for TOTW and many of diamonds foods are grain heavy which TOTW obviously isn't because it's grain free. I hate to say it this way but TOTW is the least of the evils when it comes to diamond. I'm pretty sure I know all the foods Diamond is involved with if you're interested.So do they make all the foods in their plant or whatever? Or is TOTW made in their own facility?
Yea they might need a little help at first and they should be fine with the bones. Just be careful trying to break up the bones because they might splinter. Most dogs get confused at first but once they realize it's good and for them they love it.We tried our hand at a little raw. We got some raw chicken thighs I guess they were. I beat them with a hammer to break up some of the bones being neither dog has ever had raw. Duke the Dane picked it up, set it down, then looked around a little confused. Then he determined it was gold and ran out back to enjoy his treat.
Kona was real confused. She picked it up and chewed on ita few times. But it did'nt fall apart like most food so she kept dropping it and just looking. I ended up having to rip hers into about 4 pieces. But it was gobble time at that point.
I'm gonna have to learn a little about mixing raw and kibble. But I would say they like it