overwhelmed by dry dog food reviews and need help! Please:)

[kelleykakes]

First, the dogs in need of good chow--- Cattle Dogs-- most of them mixed with something else, but we don't know what generally. They average 40lbs in weight.
Three are permanent fixtures in our home, ranging from 2 to 5 (guessing- he's a rescue) years old.
Along with our three, we started fostering, and ended 2011 taking in our 10th for the year. This current one is a puppy around 5 months old. manchawithames.jpg (foster pup... isn't he cute??)

So the problem is the food... about a year ago I discovered this site and due to the "top five" list, we switched our dogs to Nature's Variety. They've done well on it, and we stick with the basic "adult" version. Foster dogs get that as well, because they usually come to us with donated bags of dog food so generic there isn't even a name brand on the bag... just said "Dog Food". If we get a foster puppy, we purchase Nature's Variety for puppies.

So my question(s) finally-- after reading the latest reviews for this brand, I'm seeing a wide range of attitude towards it; most not good. It's on the low end of a lot of lists on various dog food review pages. I can't find any info on whether or not this brand has changed, or what has brought on this bunch of negative reviews. Do you all have any info on this particular brand? What are your overall thoughts on this brand? If you find it hideous, can you recommend something better that also comes in ginormous bags and will not break the bank?

Living in Denver, we are surrounded by dog boutique shops, yet I've not set foot in many due to the cost of things. Am I being close-minded about purchasing dog food this way?

Also--- if you've got nothing better to do--- there's this company here that makes their own food and delivers for free-- what are your thoughts on them and their pricing? Colorado Pet Chef - Premium Dog Food - Free Delivery!

Thank you all in advance for your patience with my rambling post and multitude of broad based questions!

Kelley

[Jack Monzon]

Lots of people love Nature's Variety. My dog did poorly on it. I switched to California Natural, which dog-food hobbyists would likely consider inferior, and my dog did a billion times better. So for my dog, Nature's Variety is an inferior dog food to California Natural. Just like to my trainer's dog, Nature's Variety is the best food she's ever fed her Rottie.

If your dogs are doing well on NV, there's no reason to change.

I love Australian Cattle Dogs, btw!

[Unosmom]

I agree, NV is a decent brand. My parents feed their dog the grain free instinct line because I want him to have more meat in his diet plus he has skin issues and benefits from grain free foods, but its more expensive. If your dogs do well on it, just stick with it. I would recommend switching between protein sources for variety.

[SummerwoodSoaps]

If I lived in the area, I would try it for sure. They seem like a great company and I am all for supporting US based small business. Annamaet is a wonderful food.

[nupe]

First, the dogs in need of good chow--- Cattle Dogs-- most of them mixed with something else, but we don't know what generally. They average 40lbs in weight.
Three are permanent fixtures in our home, ranging from 2 to 5 (guessing- he's a rescue) years old.
Along with our three, we started fostering, and ended 2011 taking in our 10th for the year. This current one is a puppy around 5 months old. Attachment 5558 (foster pup... isn't he cute??)

So the problem is the food... about a year ago I discovered this site and due to the "top five" list, we switched our dogs to Nature's Variety. They've done well on it, and we stick with the basic "adult" version. Foster dogs get that as well, because they usually come to us with donated bags of dog food so generic there isn't even a name brand on the bag... just said "Dog Food". If we get a foster puppy, we purchase Nature's Variety for puppies.

So my question(s) finally-- after reading the latest reviews for this brand, I'm seeing a wide range of attitude towards it; most not good. It's on the low end of a lot of lists on various dog food review pages. I can't find any info on whether or not this brand has changed, or what has brought on this bunch of negative reviews. Do you all have any info on this particular brand? What are your overall thoughts on this brand? If you find it hideous, can you recommend something better that also comes in ginormous bags and will not break the bank?

Living in Denver, we are surrounded by dog boutique shops, yet I've not set foot in many due to the cost of things. Am I being close-minded about purchasing dog food this way?

Also--- if you've got nothing better to do--- there's this company here that makes their own food and delivers for free-- what are your thoughts on them and their pricing? Colorado Pet Chef - Premium Dog Food - Free Delivery!

Thank you all in advance for your patience with my rambling post and multitude of broad based questions!

Kelley

I have always seen it rated 4 or 5 stars on reviews....which reviews you refering to? Here is the dogfoodadvisor's rating of natures variety Instinct line.

Nature's Variety Instinct Dry Dog Food | Review and Rating

[MollyWoppy]

Maybe they are thinking it doesn't have enough meat in it, from a quick look, it seems to have a meat meal, followed by grains.
Have you tried looking at TOTW? From what I read here, it seems to be a very good kibble for a good price.
The local brand you mentioned also seems to be very grain heavy, I'd be inclined to look at TOTW way before that.
And, go and have a look at your local boutiques. I know that our one here, is actually cheaper in some foods than Petco and Petsmart. I use to be like you, presumed the prices would be more expensive, because the big box stores can buy in bulk and therefore charge less to the customer? Well, that didn't turn out to be the case at all, alot of the food is actually the same, if not cheaper, and even my cat litter brand is $2 less than Petco. Sure, some of the stuff is slightly more pricey, but if you know your prices, and look around, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Also sign up at the web-sites for the dog food you feed. I get coupons now and then, which is lovely.
Gosh I wish I lived near you, I'm not allowed another dog, but if I lived closer I could live vicariously through you, surrounded by cattle dogs, what a dream!!

[nupe]

Maybe they are thinking it doesn't have enough meat in it, from a quick look, it seems to have a meat meal, followed by grains.
Have you tried looking at TOTW? From what I read here, it seems to be a very good kibble for a good price.
The local brand you mentioned also seems to be very grain heavy, I'd be inclined to look at TOTW way before that.
And, go and have a look at your local boutiques. I know that our one here, is actually cheaper in some foods than Petco and Petsmart. I use to be like you, presumed the prices would be more expensive, because the big box stores can buy in bulk and therefore charge less to the customer? Well, that didn't turn out to be the case at all, alot of the food is actually the same, if not cheaper, and even my cat litter brand is $2 less than Petco. Sure, some of the stuff is slightly more pricey, but if you know your prices, and look around, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Also sign up at the web-sites for the dog food you feed. I get coupons now and then, which is lovely.
Gosh I wish I lived near you, I'm not allowed another dog, but if I lived closer I could live vicariously through you, surrounded by cattle dogs, what a dream!!

Grains?...not in their Instinct line....are we talking about natures Variety Instinct?
http://www.naturesvariety.com/instinct

[MollyWoppy]

Grains?...not in their Instinct line....are we talking about natures Variety Instinct?
Instinct | Nature's Variety

Sorry, I was looking at the NV Prairie Line, not the grain free. And, yeah, the grain free line does look pretty good.

What does "grain heavy" mean?

Lots of grains, not enough meat; eg, Colorado Pet Chef, Chicken and Rice:
Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Milo, Oat Groats, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)), Dried Beet Pulp, Millet, Potato Product, Fish Meal, Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Flax Seed, Chicken Cartilage, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Lecithin, DiCalcium Phosphate, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, Fish Oil, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, DL Methionine, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Cranberry, Oligofructose (prebiotic), Glucosamine HCL, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Kelp Meal, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Vegetable Oil, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Citric Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.

[Little Brown Jug]

I've used Instinct dry and canned and my dogs do well on it. I don't buy the cans often as around here they are almost $5.00 a can which is a little too pricey to buy on a regular basis for me, I haven't been able to find their dry since moving here but when I lived in Ontario I had the boys on it and they did great and seemed to really enjoy it. It's deffinately a higher quality kibble that I'd feed again if I could find it.

I agree with MollyWoppy, what a dream to live with all those cattle dogs! I've got a part breed now and am without a doubt getting another either full or part breed. Love them!

[nupe]

Sorry, I was looking at the NV Prairie Line, not the grain free. And, yeah, the grain free line does look pretty good.



Lots of grains, not enough meat; eg, Colorado Pet Chef, Chicken and Rice:
Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Milo, Oat Groats, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)), Dried Beet Pulp, Millet, Potato Product, Fish Meal, Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Flax Seed, Chicken Cartilage, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Lecithin, DiCalcium Phosphate, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, Fish Oil, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, DL Methionine, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Cranberry, Oligofructose (prebiotic), Glucosamine HCL, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Kelp Meal, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Vegetable Oil, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Citric Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.

No Problem ;0