Commercial Dog Food
All dog foods are not created equal. Do not be guided by lower cost, as it is often necessary to feed more of the cheaper food to get the same amount of nutrition offered by a smaller volumn of a higher priced food, the price evens out. Consider too, the more volume in, the greater volume out. Foods made primarily from grain are not easily digested (dogs are carnivores, not vegetarians) therefore most of the grain comes out the other end. You have more stool to pick up. There is not a single brand offered in the grocery store aisles that I would feed my dogs. Learn to read labels, one of the two first items listed should be a meat source (not meat by products). Be sure that the food is preserved with vitamins E and C, not BHA or ethoxyquin. Avoid food dyes, these are added to please the owner's eye, the dog could care less what color his food is. Chelated minerals are more readily absorbed by your dog and probiotics are another nutritional extra I look for when comparing dog foods. I am a big advocate for a fresh food diet, but I realize not all people have the time or money to prepare fresh food. There are many brands of dog food readily available at feed stores or pet supply outlets that should meet your dog's nutritional needs. I currently feed Quality Care Plus, also known as QC+. Other foods I have used and recommend are Innova and Wysong. Another food I have been hearing good things about is Wellness. Do not accept a pet food company's claim at face value, read their label to get the real scoop.Check these websites for more information:
Dissecting Food Labels
Dog Food Charts
How to Feed a Golden Retriever (this site has excellent information about commercially prepared dog foods)
Exerpts from Food Pets Die For by Ann Martin
Reviews of Food Pets Die For by Ann Martin
API Report-What's Really in Pet Food
Ten Secrets Pet Food Companies Don't Want You to Know
Polluted Pet Food
The Following Practices are Used by Some Pet Food Manufacturers
Food Not Fit For a Pet by Dr. Wendell O.Belfield
Here is a very comprehensive website with many links to good quality commercial dog foods