Anyone know about the dog food at Trader Joe's

[Tink]

Thanks Jac, it's good to know how it's working for you as well.
I wish I could do the raw, but I think it would be a real circus to rely soley on that here. I do give raw besides the Purina when the opportunity presents itself, but Ava will not touch it and Chip is less than enthusiastic about it too. Hickory will eat some raw, (such as venison) but prefers her kibble. 3 of the 5 won't go near beef liver which surprised me.

[Jac]

When your dogs are doing this well on it, no need to switch!
I just read about dogs eating beef liver...they said that many dogs don't like the texture of raw, so they said to freeze it or dry it for treats.
I think that what I like about raw is that I know what I am feeding...with my history of puppies getting sick (one fatally) with dog foods or treats...I am just really nervous about all brands. Raw is not without problems, for sure, but it just feels right to me. I have a long way to go before switching, however! (I just bought 3, 50lb bags of Purina! LOL so that tells you that I am not ready yet.)

[Raleighsmom]

Just to put my two cents in...I switched Raleigh and Molly about 2 months ago to Purina...(from Canadaie, and a host of other high priced foods)..both dogs gobble it down, have never had gas or bad breath....Raleigh was a particuarly fussy eater and would go a day to a day and a half without eating...not anymore..he loves it....poops are now firm with both also, which is a plus when it comes to poop patrol day..

[Tink]

Kathie, I'm so glad to hear it's working for you too!
I have taken a lot of "guff" over time for feeding Purina, and it's worked so well for my dogs that it does my heart good to see I'm finally not alone.
My vet, who is a very down to earth, common sense kind of guy got me started using it years ago. While his clinic sells the "higher quality" foods, he's never suggested that I switch to them. He agrees with me that if it's working don't mess with it. lol

[MaxandMe]

OK MAX and PEANUT are in their 3rd month of being on PURINA and doing really good on it.
NOW JAC i wonder if it's the combination of 2 foods causing gas and possible bad breath? not sure

mine get PURINA full time but in evenings a few times a week they might get homemade added along with pineapple, yogurt etc
Once a week they do get marrow bones and hand full of ground beef.

so FAR it's going good......during the transition in past Max and peanut had a few isolated episodes of bad gas but i adjusted
the amount of kibble. I also will give probiotics during transition of any food. I do know RAW meat and/or marrow bones have to be
watched to amount or they will get diarrhea but a GOOD DOSE of pineapple plugs them back up


Max filled out a bit as he was quite skinny due to toad poisioning and mange in past.......Peanut only put on a few pounds though
i did find my son givin her a late night snack

Max and Peanut thus far are healthy, eyes are bright clear, shiny coat on max who isnt' shedding anymore too,
tons of energy and well for now IF IT AIN'T BROKE, I AINT' FIXING IT

[kirama]

years ago, my vet told me that Purina and most of the cheaper brands have alot of undigestable material in them (particularly wheat by-products) that cause gas or soft stools and while satisfying the dogs hunger do little to provide nutrition. She gave me a recipe for dog food that I have been using ever since. I save turkey and chicken parts with bones and boil them in some water, making some broth with bits of chicken/turkey in it. Take out the bones and add in ground beef, break it up into fine pieces, add some brown rice and a handful of frozen mixed vegetables, cook until the rice is done, if I have left over fish like salmon or halibut I flake it and throw some of that in too. I don't have any proof that it's better than anything else you would feed a dog, but mine have all loved it and seem to do very well on it. I cook it once a week and freeze half of it and keep the rest in the fridge.

[Jac]

I think that sounds like a very good diet...I have cooked similar foods for my dogs. Problem is that now I have waaaay too many dogs to cook for. One huge canning pot full feeds my pack one day. Ugh! (I am not crazy about cooking!)
But I think it is great that you are cooking for you dog, she must do very well on it!

[sarahann]

I cooked for a while... but that was way to much work for me. Raw is much easier! I think my dogs like the cooked the best out of anything they've eaten besides ground chicken w/ bones in. I do commend you on cooking, it takes a lot of dedication and time!

[MaxandMe]

i've cooked for my doodles before and would keep it up HOWEVER it's very expensive, i am back to work full time and
that means cooking for dogs, me and then different dinners for my family

i am feeding Purina however my doodles still get some homemade food added to one meal a day or every other day
along with raw marrow bones once a week and also raw hamburger ........this is much easier and they're doing quite well

i guess we all have to do what is good for our dog and ourselves