Alright i currently feed Nick (1 year) kibbles and bits homestyle and Lucy (8 weeks) Puppy chow. After searching, i think im the worst Lab owner ever. I feed my dogs the crappiest food on the market. Wonderful! I just purchased a big bag of K&B today. Can someone help me out with what commercial food has the best balance of nutrition and real ingredients for my dogs? Appearantly im wrong and want my dogs eating well. My puppies stools are on teh soft side and she craps like 6 times a day. Just need your incite on commercial food. THanks

Alright i currently feed Nick (1 year) kibbles and bits homestyle and Lucy (8 weeks) Puppy chow. After searching, i think im the worst Lab owner ever. I feed my dogs the crappiest food on the market. Can someone help me out with what commercial food has the best balance of nutrition and real ingredients for my dogs? Appearantly im wrong and want my dogs eating well. My puppies stools are on teh soft side and she craps like 6 times a day. Just need your incite on commercial food. THanks
Not the crappiest food on the market, but definitely in the top 2 or 3! I'm not surprised about the poop problems. Both of these foods use a huge amount of fillers and are not very digestible. No single dog food will be "best" for every dog, a lot is trial & error. Innova adult is a "all life stages" formula and you could use this for both of your dogs, theoretically. It is a very nutrient dense diet and you will not have to feed as much of this as what you are using now. Innova also makes a Large Breed adult and Large Breed puppy formula if you want to buy for each. Many here have also had success with Diamond or Premium Edge(made by Diamond) foods as well. I think upgrading your dogs diets is a great thing. You both will benefit from it. Good luck.

Another great product I have had a lot of success on is the Kirkland brand. This food is also a premium food manufactured by Diamond's parent compnay. As far as I can tell it is exactly the same as the Diamond brand.

We feed Ally Diamond Lamb and Rice. She loves it. And its cheaper than the grocery store brands. I pay $20 for a forty pound bag. Wich last a little over a month I think, not really sure. I would try the Diamond or the kirkland if you have costco for the price, and it is a much better kibble. We also used the Purina ONe large breed puppy food untill Ally was one year. She did really well on that also. We changed because we can get the Diamond closer to home. Here is diamond website www.diamondpet.com

Don't feel bad. We fed my first dog Kand B for the longest time. You never know untill after you are told, and those dog food companies really don't want you to know. If you have a costco, I know their Kirkland lamb and rice is made by diamond. It is also pretty cheap. Do however, switch your dog over gradually.Good luck.

Im switching my dog to diamond, they carry it at the local feed store off post. The owner is also a lab breeder and he told me he feeds his dogs diamond with raw beef liver chopped up and a tsp of canine supplement. I saw some pics and they look very good. Ill try this out for now. Thanks for the suggestions.

I have not come across any where here that sells the diamond dog food. Is there a brand that is sold in most stores that would not be too bad. Right now I feed Iams and Nurtra something...can't remeber the name. It was in the price range of Iams and my dogs like it a lot.

I have not come across any where here that sells the diamond dog food. Is there a brand that is sold in most stores that would not be too bad. Right now I feed Iams and Nurtra something...can't remeber the name. It was in the price range of Iams and my dogs like it a lot.
The Diamond website has a store locator or you could call them for a store in your area. If you don't locate Diamond, they make other very good brands like Premium Edge & Chicken Soup For The Dog Lovers Soul as well. Nurtra probably is Nutro dog food.

Don't feel bad - you didn't know - and know you've gained knowledge!!! We also feed Diamond and have good success with it. Plus - if you get a "better" brand of food you can always donate the Kibbles and Bits to your local rescue or humane society.

Is science diet any good? That's what I feed my puppy because the first ingredient listed is chicken and it was recommended to me. Is Diamond that much cheaper and better for my puppy? I've noticed a big improvement in his coat since switching him from Purina puppy to Science Diet.

Is science diet any good? That's what I feed my puppy because the first ingredient listed is chicken and it was recommended to me. Is Diamond that much cheaper and better for my puppy? I've noticed a big improvement in his coat since switching him from Purina puppy to Science Diet.

If chicken is the first ingredient, you must be feeding the adult food? If it's working well, maybe no need to change. Personally I think Diamond is a better food than Science Diet and cheaper.

It could be liver or some other meat that's the first ingredient. We were told the better dog foods have a meat as the first ingredient. If it's cheaper and, in your opinion better, is there any reason not to switch (unless Bear doesn't like it)?

It could be liver or some other meat that's the first ingredient. We were told the better dog foods have a meat as the first ingredient. If it's cheaper and, in your opinion better, is there any reason not to switch (unless Bear doesn't like it)?

I looked at all of the ingredients for Science Diet and corn is the first ingredient in all of their puppy foods. I would recommend switching. There are some pretty strong negative opinions on Science Diet on this board.

http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/showthread.php?t=42551&page=1&pp=15&highlight=hill%27s

http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/showthread.php?t=6381&highlight=Science+Diet

ok, thanks for the info.; I'll look into switching!