What are you paying for? - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:05 PM

Alright, I'm a fan of food, in general. You all, I think, know that I prefer Fromm, however I honestly do not have a favorite dog food. Ok, if I did have one it might be Fromm-if we are talking kibble anyway.

I try to keep an open mind when it comes to dog food, and I try not to shove Fromm down the throats of new comers, I really believe people need to do their own research and choose what they are most comfortable with feeding.

I believe there are several right ways to do dog food- and there are so many options out there for us, but for the sake of this thread, I'm discussing kibble. I kinda put this following list together to compare prices from www.mrchewy.com and ingredients. I am still floored at how much some people will pay for names like Blue Buffalo over brands like Fromm, when, I feel like wow, the ingredients don't say it's worth more, you know?

I don't dislike Blue, I think it's great, I am just amazed at the amount all of us spend on these high priced kibbles. So, I put together some ingredient lists, and I'm going to post them and it will be lengthy...

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:05 PM

ACANA 15 LB BAG APROX 32.99
CHICKEN AND BURBANK POTATO
Chicken & Burbank Potato | Acana
PROTEIN 28%
FAT 17%
FIBER 4%

Chicken meal,
deboned chicken,
whole potato,
steel-cut oats,
peas,
whole egg,
deboned flounder,
sun-cured alfalfa,
chicken fat,
oat flakes,
chicken liver,
chicken liver oil,
herring oil,
pea fiber,
whole apples,
whole pears,
sweet potato,
pumpkin,
butternut squash,
parsnips,
carrots,
spinach,
cranberries,
blueberries,
kelp,
chicory root,
juniper berries,
angelica root,
marigold flowers,
sweet fennel,
peppermint leaf,
lavender,
rosemary.
Vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation.

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:07 PM

CANINE CAVIAR OPEN SKY GRAIN FREE ALS 12 LB APROX 40.99
http://mycaninecaviar.com/product/open-sky-als/
PROTEIN 29%
FAT 15 %
FIBER 3.3%

Duck Meal,
Chick Peas,
Duck Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols),
Menhaden Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols),
Sun Cured Alfalfa,
Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Culture,
Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Culture,
Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Culture,
Sun-Cured Kelp, FOS (prebiotic), Calcium Proteinate,
Sodium Chloride,
Lecithin,
Choline Chloride,
Parsley,
Fenugreek,
Peppermint,
Taurine,
Selenium,
Whole Clove Garlic,
Vitamin E,
Zinc Proteinate,
Vitamin C,
Papaya,
Rose Hips,
Yucca Schidigera Extract,
Niacin,
Beta-Carotene,
Manganese Proteinate,
Vitamin D3,
Biotin,
Vitamin A,
Riboflavin,
Vitamin B12,
Potassium Proteinate,
Folic Acid.

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:07 PM

Fromm Surf and Turf (four star formula) All Life Stages
12 LB APROX 33.99
Grain-Free Surf & Turf dog food - Fromm Family Foods
30% Protein
19% Fat
3.5% Fiber
Ingredients
1.Pacific Wild Salmon
2.Duck Meal
3.Russet Potatoes
4.Pea Flour
5.Sweet Potatoes
6.Duck
7.Chicken Fat
8.Dried Tomato Pomace
9.Salmon Meal
10.Whole Dried Egg
11.Pea Protein
12.Chicken
13.Flaxseed
14.Wisconsin Cheese
15.Salmon Oil
16.Chicken Broth
17.Carrots
18.Broccoli
19.Cauliflower
20.Apples
21.Green Beans
22.Chicken Cartilage
23.Potassium Chloride
24.Cranberries
25.Blueberries
26.Salt
27.Chicory Root Extract
28.Alfalfa Sprouts
29.Yucca Schidigera Extract
30.Sodium Selenite
31.Folic Acid
32.Taurine
33.Parsley
34.Vitamins
vitamin A acetate, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin
35.Minerals
zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganous sulfate, magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, cobalt carbonate, calcium iodate, sorbic acid (preservative), ferrous proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, magnesium proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate
36.Probiotics
dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:08 PM

BLUE BUFFALO WILDERNESS SMALL BREED ADULT CHICKEN RECIPE
36% PROTEIN
15% FAT
7% FIBER
11LB APROX 33.99
BLUE Buffalo Wilderness - Natural Evolutionary Chicken Diet for Small Breed Dogs ? Grain Free
Ingredients
Deboned Chicken,
Chicken Meal,
Turkey Meal,
Peas,
Tapioca Starch,Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid),
Dried Egg,Natural Chicken Flavor,
Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids),
Tomato Pomace (source of Lycopene),
Potatoes,
Alfalfa Meal,
Potato Starch,
Whole Carrots,
Whole Sweet Potatoes,
Blueberries,
Cranberries,
Barley Grass,
Dried Parsley,
Dried Kelp,
Taurine,
Yucca Schidigera Extract,
L-Carnitine,
L-Lysine,
Glucosamine Hydrochloride,
Turmeric,
Oil of Rosemary,
Beta Carotene,
Vitamin A Supplement,
Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1),
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2),
Niacin (Vitamin B3),
d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5),
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6),
Biotin (Vitamin B7),
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9),
Vitamin B12 Supplement,
Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C),
Vitamin D3 Supplement,
Vitamin E Supplement,
Iron Amino Acid Chelate,
Choline Chloride,
Sodium Selenite,
Calcium Iodate,
Salt,
Caramel,Potassium Chloride,
Dried Yeast (source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae),
Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product,
Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product,
Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:15 PM

So, Mr Chewy does not reflect the prices of my local boutique, where Fromm is the least expensive. That aside....

People are always like, 'What food do I get? What is the best?" I think they mean, what do I look for?

The above foods are all decent options, I think-however I can not excuse the ingredients in Canine Caviar compared to the others - and even more so when you consider price. So, it leaves me scratching my head a little.

Look for good ingredients-ingredients that are not sourced from China, if you can dig that deep and if it can be at all helped. Look for a company who is helpful and answers your questions and has great customer service.

We live in an imperfect world, recalls happen, and one day, all that companies are going to have to lean on is their customer service.

I look for AAFCO guidlines to be met on foods, I, like feeding trials, I prefer my boys not to be a food companies test subject. For malts, I prefer lower protein levels 30% or lower.

I like companies that own their own facilities, as they can keep an eye on production and are held to a higher standard as far as I am concerned at keeping those facilities in order. Smaller companies have more to lose and tend to value their customers more. I do like smaller companies.

I don't think there is a perfect company, but I do believe there are several good options we have.

I guess the point of this thread, was to give those who are unsure of what to look for, a general idea of what to look for, I hope I didn't just create more mass confusion.

**Furbabies mom** · 12-06-2012, 08:39 PM

Shelly do you buy a 15 pound bag? I never do, so I'm probably paying more, but I switch the flavors up with Fromm and the pet store that I buy from is just down the street.

**shellbeme** · 12-06-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furbabies mom

Shelly do you buy a 15 pound bag? I never do, so I'm probably paying more, but I switch the flavors up with Fromm and the pet store that I buy from is just down the street.

Now that I have my two, I do buy the 12 lb bags of fromm, or if you're buying the Fromm four star that has grain, it will be 15lb. The smaller bags don't even last us a month anymore. It does save a bit of money if you buy the larger ones

**Furbabies mom** · 12-06-2012, 08:48 PM

Pet People us where I buy my food, and you get a card punched for every purchase of food after you buy 12, the 13th bag is free. It has to be the same brand though. I have three cards going!!

**mysugarbears** · 12-06-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furbabies mom

Shelly do you buy a 15 pound bag? I never do, so I'm probably paying more, but I switch the flavors up with Fromm and the pet store that I buy from is just down the street.

With 5 i do buy the 15lb bags of Fromm's, next time i need to buy food for the kids i may get the biggest bag and store 2/3 in the freezer that way it's even more cost effective.

12-06-2012, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,476	What are you paying for? Alright, I'm a fan of food, in general. You all, I think, know that I prefer Fromm, however I honestly do not have a favorite dog food. Ok, if I did have one it might be Fromm-if we are talking kibble anyway. I try to keep an open mind when it comes to dog food, and I try not to shove Fromm down the throats of new comers, I really believe people need to do their own research and choose what they are most comfortable with feeding. I believe there are several right ways to do dog food- and there are so many options out there for us, but for the sake of this thread, I'm discussing kibble. I kinda put this following list together to compare prices from www.mrchewy.com and ingredients. I am still floored at how much some people will pay for names like Blue Buffalo over brands like Fromm, when, I feel like wow, the ingredients don't say it's worth more, you know? I don't dislike Blue, I think it's great, I am just amazed at the amount all of us spend on these high priced kibbles. So, I put together some ingredient lists, and I'm going to post them and it will be lengthy... __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-06-2012, 08:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,476	ACANA 15 LB BAG APROX 32.99 CHICKEN AND BURBANK POTATO Chicken & Burbank Potato \| Acana PROTEIN 28% FAT 17% FIBER 4% Chicken meal, deboned chicken, whole potato, steel-cut oats, peas, whole egg, deboned flounder, sun-cured alfalfa, chicken fat, oat flakes, chicken liver, chicken liver oil, herring oil, pea fiber, whole apples, whole pears, sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, spinach, cranberries, blueberries, kelp, chicory root, juniper berries, angelica root, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, lavender, rosemary. Vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation. __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-06-2012, 08:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,476	CANINE CAVIAR OPEN SKY GRAIN FREE ALS 12 LB APROX 40.99 http://mycaninecaviar.com/product/open-sky-als/ PROTEIN 29% FAT 15 % FIBER 3.3% Duck Meal, Chick Peas, Duck Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Menhaden Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Sun Cured Alfalfa, Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Culture, Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Culture, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Culture, Sun-Cured Kelp, FOS (prebiotic), Calcium Proteinate, Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Choline Chloride, Parsley, Fenugreek, Peppermint, Taurine, Selenium, Whole Clove Garlic, Vitamin E, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin C, Papaya, Rose Hips, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin, Beta-Carotene, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin D3, Biotin, Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12, Potassium Proteinate, Folic Acid. __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-06-2012, 08:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,476	Fromm Surf and Turf (four star formula) All Life Stages 12 LB APROX 33.99 Grain-Free Surf & Turf dog food - Fromm Family Foods 30% Protein 19% Fat 3.5% Fiber Ingredients 1.Pacific Wild Salmon 2.Duck Meal 3.Russet Potatoes 4.Pea Flour 5.Sweet Potatoes 6.Duck 7.Chicken Fat 8.Dried Tomato Pomace 9.Salmon Meal 10.Whole Dried Egg 11.Pea Protein 12.Chicken 13.Flaxseed 14.Wisconsin Cheese 15.Salmon Oil 16.Chicken Broth 17.Carrots 18.Broccoli 19.Cauliflower 20.Apples 21.Green Beans 22.Chicken Cartilage 23.Potassium Chloride 24.Cranberries 25.Blueberries 26.Salt 27.Chicory Root Extract 28.Alfalfa Sprouts 29.Yucca Schidigera Extract 30.Sodium Selenite 31.Folic Acid 32.Taurine 33.Parsley 34.Vitamins vitamin A acetate, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin 35.Minerals zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganous sulfate, magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, cobalt carbonate, calcium iodate, sorbic acid (preservative), ferrous proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, magnesium proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate 36.Probiotics dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-06-2012, 08:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,476	BLUE BUFFALO WILDERNESS SMALL BREED ADULT CHICKEN RECIPE 36% PROTEIN 15% FAT 7% FIBER 11LB APROX 33.99 BLUE Buffalo Wilderness - Natural Evolutionary Chicken Diet for Small Breed Dogs ? Grain Free Ingredients Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Tapioca Starch,Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Dried Egg,Natural Chicken Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Tomato Pomace (source of Lycopene), Potatoes, Alfalfa Meal, Potato Starch, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Turmeric, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Salt, Caramel,Potassium Chloride, Dried Yeast (source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-06-2012, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,476	So, Mr Chewy does not reflect the prices of my local boutique, where Fromm is the least expensive. That aside.... People are always like, 'What food do I get? What is the best?" I think they mean, what do I look for? The above foods are all decent options, I think-however I can not excuse the ingredients in Canine Caviar compared to the others - and even more so when you consider price. So, it leaves me scratching my head a little. Look for good ingredients-ingredients that are not sourced from China, if you can dig that deep and if it can be at all helped. Look for a company who is helpful and answers your questions and has great customer service. We live in an imperfect world, recalls happen, and one day, all that companies are going to have to lean on is their customer service. I look for AAFCO guidlines to be met on foods, I, like feeding trials, I prefer my boys not to be a food companies test subject. For malts, I prefer lower protein levels 30% or lower. I like companies that own their own facilities, as they can keep an eye on production and are held to a higher standard as far as I am concerned at keeping those facilities in order. Smaller companies have more to lose and tend to value their customers more. I do like smaller companies. I don't think there is a perfect company, but I do believe there are several good options we have. I guess the point of this thread, was to give those who are unsure of what to look for, a general idea of what to look for, I hope I didn't just create more mass confusion. __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-06-2012, 08:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Furbabies mom Maltese Guru Name: Deborah Dog's Name: Laurel (maltese), Dewey, Violet and Hardy and Dewey Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 8,582	Shelly do you buy a 15 pound bag? I never do, so I'm probably paying more, but I switch the flavors up with Fromm and the pet store that I buy from is just down the street. __________________ Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!

12-06-2012, 08:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
Furbabies mom Maltese Guru Name: Deborah Dog's Name: Laurel (maltese), Dewey, Violet and Hardy and Dewey Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 8,582	Pet People us where I buy my food, and you get a card punched for every purchase of food after you buy 12, the 13th bag is free. It has to be the same brand though. I have three cards going!! __________________ Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!

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