We've been feeding Bear Nutro Max - Weight Management for a while now. He's doing really good on it, and the only reason the thought of changing is coming up is due to the economy/ current cash flow in our household. The place where we buy our food gave us free samples of Premium Edge food. I don't know anything about it, so I was hoping to get some expert opinions from here! :)

We're not at a point where we have to change....but we're currently changing our eating to accomdate our income some so thought we should at least look into a change for Bear, but again, it's not at all worth the risk if it's not as good a food for him... especially since he's doing really well with his current food, no issues.

I'll post both in the next post, if there is something that sticks out in particular from one food to another I'd appreciate the feedback. I really haven't researched food since we put him on this at about 3 months old.

Ok, so here's the info I found on both:


Premium Edge:
Healthy Weight II Weight Control Formula
Fresh chicken for great taste
Lower fat and calories to help dogs maintain a lean body condition
Added L-carnitine to help promote fat burning
Added glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joints
Antioxidants to promote overall good health



Great tasting formula with low fat to help your dog maintain a healthy lean body condition, especially after weight loss. Enhanced with omega fatty acid balance, L-carnitine, antioxidants and glucosamine and chondroitin, this formula will keep your adult dog happy and healthy.

Feeding Guideline (standard measuring cups/day)
Weight (lbs.) Standard Measuring Cups/Day

10 or Less 2/3 - 1
10 - 20 1 - 1 1/2
20 - 30 1 1/2 - 2
30 - 40 2 - 2 1/3
40 - 60 2 1/3 - 3 1/4
60 - 80 3 1/4 - 3 3/4
80 - 100 3 3/4 - 4 1/2


Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 25.0% Minimum
Crude Fat 8.0% Minimum
Crude Fat 10.0% Maximum
Crude Fiber 3.0% Maximum
Moisture 10.0% Maximum
Zinc 150 mg/kg Minimum
Selenium 0.4 mg/kg Minimum
Vitamin E 300 IU/kg Minimum
Omega-6 Fatty Acids * 1.8% Minimum
Omega-3 Fatty Acids * 0.3% Minimum
Glucosamine Hydrochloride * 300 mg/kg Minimum
Chondroitin Sulfate * 100 mg/kg Minimum

* Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.

Calorie Content: 3,262 kcal/kg (305 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy.

AAFCO Statement
Animal feeding tests using Association of American Feed Control Officials procedures substantiate that Premium Edge® Healthy Weight Dog II Weight Control Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Ingredients
Chicken, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, oatmeal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, millet, white rice, potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, egg product, choline chloride, dried chicory root, glucosamine hydrochloride, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-Carnitine, chondroitin sulfate, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.


Nutro Max
NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed
Weight Management:

For overweight, less active
large breed dogs over 50 lbs.
Optimized fat & protein levels for
large breed, overweight dogs
Natural ingredients with added
vitamins, minerals & taurine
Natural sources of Glucosamine
& Chondroitin for healthy joints
Balanced Calcium & Phosphorus
for strong bones
Guaranteed to improve skin &
coat*
Premium Nutrition. Superior
Performance.™

WE DON’T JUST TALK ABOUT GREAT NUTRITION, WE GUARANTEE IT®
NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed Weight Management Adult Dog Food is formulated to provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult maintenance, including all the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs for a strong immune system, and overall good health. NATURAL CHOICE® does not use chicken heads, feet or instestines, which may be found in products that contain chicken by-product meal. Like all NATURAL CHOICE® products, this formula contains no ground yellow corn. We use highly digestible rice, chicken protein and high levels of linoleic acid for healthy skin and coat, and strong muscles. NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed Weight Management Adult Dog Food contains 10% fewer calories and 50% less fat than NUTRO™ MAX® Adult Dog Food, and provides the premium nutrition your dog deserves for a healthy, happy and long life.

Control Excess Weight Gain for an Active Healthy Dog
Many large breed dogs are overweight and veterinarians consider overweight dogs to be at risk for a number of health problems. Because of its reduced fat and calories, NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed Weight Management can assist in reducing weight problems.

Balanced Calcium & Phosphorus for Healthy Bones
Research shows that large breed have a reduced requirement for calcium and phosphorus so NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed Weight Management provides the ideal calcium and phosphorus levels.

Advanced Antioxidants for a Healthy Immune System
A special blend of vitamins, tocopherols and tocotrienols helps provide antioxidants for your dog’s healthy immune system.

Natural Sources of Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Healthy Joints
Good nutrition is important for strong hips and healthy joints. Research shows that these two components found in chicken meal help maintain joint cartilage.

Guaranteed Great Taste
All the nutrition in the world won't do your dog any good if he won't eat it. So we guarantee the great taste of NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed Weight Management to be sure your dog eats enough to meet its nutritional requirements.

Guaranteed to Improve Skin & Coat*
With high levels of linoleic acid, combined with other key vitamins and minerals, all the nutrition your dog needs for healthy skin and shiny coat.

Healthy Life System
Our exclusive system featuring ALA from soybean oil helps support nervous system functions, vision, and brain function. LA (Linoleic Acid) and ALA (Alpha- Linolenic Acid) help promote a healthy coat and provide added skin & coat nourishment for your dog.


*Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Feeding Guidelines
The following guidelines are for adult dogs and should be adjusted as needed to maintain optimum weight and condition. When feeding NATURAL CHOICE® Dog Food for the first time, we suggest you blend increasing amounts of NATURAL CHOICE® Large Breed Weight Management with your old food for 6 days.

For Less Active Dogs: Feed according to the guidelines under Maintenance.

For Overweight Dogs: Feed according to the guidelines under Weight Reduction. Once the target weight is achieved, switch to Maintenance feeding.



Suggested Amounts to Feed Per Day†
Weight
of Dog Maintenance Weight Reduction
50 - 65 lbs. 3-1/2 – 4-1/4 cups 2-2/3 – 3-1/4 cups
66 - 90 lbs. 4-1/4 – 5-1/2 cups 3-1/4 – 4 cups
91 - 130 lbs. 5-1/2 – 7-1/4 cups 4 – 5-1/3 cups
131 - 170 lbs. 7-1/4 – 8-3/4 cups 5-1/3 – 6-1/2 cups

†Use a standard 8 oz. measuring cup. Serve dry or lightly moistened. Keep fresh drinking water available at all times. See your veterinarian regularly.
Nutritional Adequacy Claim
NUTRO™ NATURAL CHOICE®Large Breed Weight Management Adult Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO¹ Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
¹Association of American Feed Control Officials.

Calorie Content
NUTRO™ NATURAL CHOICE®Large Breed Weight Management Adult Dog Food contains 3,284 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy (ME) on an as-fed basis (calculated).


Ingredients
Ground Rice, Chicken Meal, Rice Bran, Wheat Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavors, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Soybean Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Egg Product, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Pholyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Biotin, Copper Proteinate, Garlic Flavor, Potassium Iodide, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Panthothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, L-Carnitine, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Maganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

Nutro supports the safe, ethical and humane treatment of all animals.


Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (minimum) 18.00%
Crude Fat (minimum) 6.00%
Crude Fat (maximum) 8.00%
Crude Fiber (maximum) 5.00%
Moisture (maximum) 10.00%
Linoleic Acid (minimum) 2.50%
Calcium (minimum) 0.60%
Calcium (maximum) 1.10%
Phosphorus (minimum) 0.50%
Phosphorus (maximum) 1.00%
Zinc (minimum) 240 mg/kg
Vitamin E (minimum) 250 IU/kg
Ascorbic Acid (minimum)** 35 mg/kg
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) (minimum)** 0.20%
L-Carnitine (minimum)** 15 mg/kg
Glucosamine (minimum)** 150 mg/kg
Chondroitin Sulfate (minimum)** 100 mg/kg

**Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

I think dog chow is a good place cut corners if you have to. While many of the lower cost chows have less appetizing ingredients, most of them have the same nutrition as the more expensive ones. Note the very similar calories per cup. I notice the analysises didn't includ the calcium content. Try to dig up the actual, it should be less than 1.5 % and closer to one is better. There is nothing wrong with Iams or Purina 1 from the grocery store or Wal-Mart. Not everybody can afford to induldge themselves by feedign a prestige dog chow. Your dog will never notice the difference.

I would definitely recommend Premium Edge ahead of Nutro. If you can get it and afford it, I'd say to get it.

There are cases where dogs do not do very well on grocery store kibble. Not every dog will do well on one kind of kibble, and to say that grocery store food is fine for all of them is speculation, I'm afraid. Every dog is different and that must be taken into consideration when choosing a diet.

Ciao!

Ronda, Looking at the ingredient lists for both foods, I would go with the Premium Edge. The first few ingredients are meats, not grains.

In my experience, fewer grains are better.

But whatever you have been doing with Bear is working, cuz he is looking good.

Sorry I'm not much help.