The American Beagler Forum

I FEED A LOCAL FEED THAT IS CHEAP IN PRICE GOOD PROTEIN AND CRUDE FAT BUT IT PRODUCES A LOT OF MESS TO CLEAN UP. WHAT KIND OF FEED DO YOU USE THAT PRODUCES A RESONIBLE AMOUNT OF MESS TO CLEAN UP AND THAT GOOD FEED IN PROTEIN AND CRUDE FAT. THANKS -MAC

I use a diamond feed its 22 bucks a 50 but feed it 10 years no problems and thats why i feed it no mess and the stools are hard and i feed 8 oz per dog in off season and 12 when running them hard

i feed black gold in the black bag and have never been more satisfied.i have fed purina-diamond ,the stool from them were ok but could not keep weight on them and the price would always go up,but if u feed cheap feed with crappy ingredients then u are gonna have a mess,and poor lookin dogs

I found also constantly changing feed will keep ones digestive system messed up It takes 3-4 weeks on a new feed to see how its gonna be

Try black gold -black bag . 26% protein;18% fat I believe.I used to feed it but can't afford it w/10 beagles The waste was a lot less than other brands and solid from all dogs. A 50 lb. bag costs around $23 I think. I feed walmarts red bag reg. feed right now. Decent for the price. Most dogs have firm waste but a few don't on it. I don't see a difference in their coats or energy though. With black gold they seemed to eat less and hence less waste.

the one i like the most for easy clean up, among other things is purina pro plan.
i have tried 4 or 5 diffret kinds but always go back.
the only thing i dont like is the price.

Sportsmix. Hard stool, nice coat, loads of energy. High price.

Pride Pro (lime green or bright orange). Least stool I have ever had, and that is 40 years. $22-23 for 50 lb. I feed the orange 26/20 in season, and green (forget %) in warm weather.

pride n orange bag hardly no stool once they get on it

I have been feeding SportMix for 4 years and can't find any better. Stools are good and their coats have never looked better. I use the black bag and pay $22.00 per bag, BUT, I buy a pallet (20) bags at a time. I'd recommend this to anyone. JMO

You get what you pay for in food. You can always find something cheaper but in the long run you will end up paying for it.

Some of you even admit you have to feed more with the cheaper foods.....if you feed more of the cheaper foods is it really cheaper?

Just because a dogs coat doesn't go dingy in two weeks and there energy isnt noticably different doesnt mean its good food, those are pretty weak criteria. By the sounds of it, some of you are dog poor. Keeping 10-15 dogs but can only afford the cheapest food they make.......thats unfortunate

Mybeagles

Good to see you able to post, mybeagles. Thank you for your service to our country.

Regarding the stool, it's the fiber you have to watch. Whatever brand you prefer to feed, find a formula that doesn't go over 4% fiber. You will see a huge difference (no pun intended) in just that 1% more fiber present in a 5% feed. Trust me on this one.

If you are feeding one of the commercial kibbles that are regularly mentioned on these boards - such as Diamond, Black Gold, Sportmix, Purina, Pride, Hi-Standard, etc. etc. Its all the same material in a different bag. Try looking at Canidae, Taste of the wild, Timberwolf Organics these are all much more expensive than the afore mentioned brands and rightfully so, they are a much better product. Its funny how people will spend good money on dog boxes, kennel facilities, telemetry systems, pups, stud fees, the list goes on, and then buy bargain basement feeds. This has never made any sense to me what so ever. Most all commercial kibble no matter what make, model, or year produces to much waste, just some are worse than others.

Black Gold / Black bag....

I tryed sportmix once didnt like it myself i feed alot more and i quit feeding it because i had a ill dog and wouldnt touch it went got a diamond brand and the same dog gobbeled it up My vet told me good feeds help keep thier system built up aginst viruses As long as own hounds im going to feed a good feed no matter the price because i feel you will pay for it in the long run if i cant afford it i will cut back on dogs where i can keep my dogs looking good JMO