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Q: Any dog food brands I should avoid?
I'll be getting a dog in 2 weeks or so and am worried about which food is safe and of good quality. Any suggestions on what kind and where to get it?
10 years 47 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
Just go to the local meat store and buy some boiled duck liver or something similar. 1 kg about 20-30 rmb.. Mix it with some leftover rice. That's what my wife does with her dog. The dog is healthy and 15 years old. Beats any canned food out there.
TedDBayer:
You need to add more ingredients and liver isn't considered good, maybe high in iron but also toxins.
Jnusb416:
Actually, Ted, the liver is where your body stores vitamins, not toxins. The liver merely filters the toxins, which requires vitamins, hence why they are stored there, while the toxins are expelled after processing for the body to dispose of them. Most toxins are actually stored in the fat of animals and humans. But you're right, there needs to be more than just liver, like meat, maybe some bones.
I saw Pedigree here but that stuff is garbage. Find something with chicken or lamb and rice; that's good for dogs. I formerly repped a few dog food brands.
I agree with GlennSandvik, don't get premade dog food. All of that is garbage, even the good brands back home. Give your dog meat, organs, and some bones, preferably raw. If you're not ok with that, then give a good amount of cooked meat and organs with rice. Organs, especially liver, are chock full of vitamins, most especially when raw. Dogs can handle raw foods that we can't, they have super strong stomach acid. Premade dog foods are full of fillers like corn and wheat, which will eventually give your dog diabetes or digestive problems. Dog foods are cooked at very high temperatures, cooking away all the nutrition, which is why all those vitamins are added back in at the end of the ingredient list. It probably won't be any more expensive to make your own, and they're plenty of info online about that kind of stuff.
This is a pretty good resource: http://rawfed.com/myths/
Homemade dog food is generally good advice. For a puppy though maybe tailormade dog food is preferable. You can get imported dog foods on taobao, e.g. Royal Canin has foods for specific breads in formulations for puppy and adult.
When you feed your dog home made dog food you need to be consistent on the amount you give the dog. You don't want your dog to get fat as it is not good for it's health (they will suffer the same things we do like diabetes etc) and it is really difficult to put a dog on a diet.
There has been cases of fake dog food. I think before mentioned Royal Canin, in counterfeit versions, has killed thousands of dogs in China.
TedDBayer:
The Chinese probably killed millions of pets world wide with melamine in 2007. The stats on it aren't any where near accurate. I know breeders in Europe, North America and Africa. They all suffered losses.My guess is in the millions. And the Chinese won't learn, more to the point change.. http://www.petsadviser.com/food/chinese-pet-food-ingredients/
Jnusb416:
Royal Canin? That and Science Diet may be popular brands, but look at the ingredients, they're full of fillers. It would probably just be cheaper for him to make his own than import dog foods.
Scandinavian:
I will not praise Royal Canin more than it deserves. Basically we have 3 choices for kibble. Royal Canin from a local dog groomers, Pedigree from the supermarkets or home made dog food/leftovers. Our dog has more energy when he gets Royal Canin compared to Pedigree or leftovers, his weight is more stable etc.
But you are right that kibble is pretty much garbage.
TedDBayer:
Science Diet used to be a premium brand, then they went down the tubes, All other major Brands have been sold to big Corporations, like Quaker etc, so quality went down.
Dry food is made to be convenient for the pet owner. It stores well, easy to handle and can be left out. I do not free feed pets. I feed mostly dry food. Over processing of dry food does loose nutrients.
Dogs are omnivores, they need a mixed diet, not just meat and rice, you can google recipes, adding a couple of spinage leafs etc.
I saw a pet food critic combine motor oil, old boots and wood chips and say it would meet American Vet standards if analyzed, for protein and fat etc.
When you say "dog food" do you mean food served to dogs, or dog served as food?
Just kidding. I wanted to post something annoying to be like my buddy Silva 
TedDBayer:
wasn't dumb enough, try dog food with glitter stickers, best if it doesn't make sense,,,, when you say dog food what does it taste like,,,, no thats too good,,,, dog food avoid stepping in it cause,,,, no wait, IT will show you. drum roll,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,*
One of the negative things about China is the amount of fake products, ranging from cigarettes, clothes and even dog food. The higher valued products are more often fake than the cheaper products.. So if you want to be sure about the dog food you need to be sure about brand, store and supplier...
Yeah TedDBayer you are correct, more ingredients is good. Veggies and stuff..
Dogs are like humans too much of anything is bad for you and key is a varied diet with carbs, protein and some fat.
Here is some recipes and tips 
Good luck with your new dog/family member
Oh. If this is the first dog you have.
Step 1. Take it to see a vet, make sure it gets shots for rabies and canine distemper, have them check the dog generally.
Step 2. Be aware that in China there are two kinds of kids. Those that will scream and jump in front of a moving car because they think your cute little puppy will kill them. And. Those that think dogs are toys and that will go pull the tail, scream hitgh pitched barking sounds straight at the dog etc, go close to you and kick your dog or deliberately step on its tail.
There is one of the second kinds of kids in our building. Recently going down from 20th floor he took a swing with his shoe, straight at my dogs head. I asked my wife to tell his parents, in Chinese exactly these words in Chinese, while the kid was listening. "If you want your kid to get bitten to death by a dog, then keep ignoring his behavior" ...Now that kid is in the first group of kids.
I know that you are very cautious for your dog's health. But there is no need to find out the brand which is harmful for your pets. You just use and try the popular brand like Pedigree, Eukanuba, as it's having quality ingredients that provides healthy nutrition for your dog.
