Well as soon as I get home (im out of town, right now) I'm gonna look at the ingredients. But I figured it wasn't the best, I just dont have the money to buy the good food because im a poor college student....haha! But maybe I will find something inexpensive that is good for him. Thanks for that website

When I got my first rattie pup I fed Purina One - didn't know any better until I educated myself with the help of members on this board.  I thought it would cost too much to feed good food. BUT even though quality food does cost more my dogs don't eat as much...they get filled up quicker on the good ingredients instead of just eating a ton of corn so it really doesn't cost anymore to feed some kinds of high quality food. 

Here's the link to the ingredients in Purina puppy chow:  http://www.longliveyourdog.com/products/PuppyChowCompleteNutrition.aspx

Ingredients Whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), pearled barley, calcium phosphate, fish oil, calcium carbonate, animal digest, salt, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, DL-Methionine, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, brewers dried yeast, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2), niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.

http://forums.dogfoodproject.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=17306&Main=222

Looks good!!!

Jack loved it when he had an upset tummy.  Did you do this as a treat?

Hmmm, glad you told me that, because my vets had me thinking that I was doing the right thing and the pups didn't need anything in addition.

I'm not sure. You may know more than I.

I just recall an older vet that we used to go to saying that when dogs are in the wild, they eat a strict protein only diet and that when
we introduced grains into their diet we messed the up *shrugging shoulders in confusion*

Ski - where are you? We need some dog food help

Hi Bonita,

I read alot of receipies, but I just cook real food.  Just be sure they get 60% protein, 20% starch, and 20% veggies.  For protein, I use cheap hamburger (dogs need some fat), or liver, or white fish (no breading).  To the liver and fish, i add some oil.  For starch, I cook up some rice or oatmeal.  For veggies, Buster really likes broccoli, and green beans the best.  Don't use any seasoning except a little garlic (for the fleas).  Most of all don't use salt, it is bad for dogs.  

I've read some receipies for doggie treats, but I haven't tried them yet.  He still has some that I got from the Vet for his teeth.

Our Vet didn't approve of a homemade diet.  She said that it's hard to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition.  But Buster's energy level is so much better since we switched.  My sister in law, who worked for a vet for 20 years, is also doing the homemake meals for her pug.  But we did add 1/2 a childrens vitamin everyother day, just to be sure.  I did discove that he is alergic to poultry,  Everytime i fed him chicken or eggs a couple of days, he threwup or had "the runs."   Live and learn. 

My only suggestion for making your own diet for your pups is to at least invest in a multivitamin supplement for dogs.  They have different needs than us.  Good Luck guys!!!!

Thank you Mitzy. I never knew that about dogs in the wild. I got the green light from a "professional" and thought I was doing a good job. Whodathunkit?

I know what you mean but then again - many vets recommend Science Diet!

It really isn't very good, especially for what they charge for it.  I guess a case could be made for the prescription food, to address certain problems, but on a temporary basis.  I prefer to feed something that actually contains meat.  You can do some reading about ingredients at   www.dogfoodproject.com

Canidae, Innova, Natural Balance, Merrick, Wellness, Solid Gold - there are more but those are a few.  Foods that don't have corn or wheat in them or preservatives or dyes.  You won't find these at grocery stores or WalMart or PetSmart though.  Most of the foods have websites where you can key in your zip code and find places in your area that carry them.  Many places will give you samples of the food so you can try it before purchasing a whole bag. 

I'm switching Izzy from Little Bites to Canidae (about half and half right now) and he's reeeeeeeeal gassy