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I have never tried to be one of “those” dog Moms. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones who buy organic dog food and only feed their babies all natural treats. My thought process was that I’m not spending a ton of money on an animal. Even if she’s my baby. Oh how those thoughts have come back to haunt me…
I have always fed Sophie Iams dog food. That’s what the breeder sent home with her so that’s just what I have always used. She loves it so I never even thought abut buying anything else. Well the other day I was at work and some co-workers were talking about dog food. I was only half listening but heard them talking about buying food at Tractor Supply. That seemed silly to me so I actually joined the conversation and found out that Tractor Supply has their own brand of dog food, 4Health, and it’s supposed to be really good and actually cheaper than most other dog foods. Well you know I love a good deal so I decided to check it out.
I was always under the assumption that really good dog foods was also equally expensive so I never even considered buy anything but Iams for Sophie. Even Iams seems expensive enough to me. At WalMart the 3lb bag of Iams Mini Chunks is $6.47 and the second ingredient listed is corn meal. The fourth listed is chicken-by-product. Gross!
Luckily for me Tractor Supply is right beside my fave movie theater so after I went to the movies the other day I stopped by and checked out the 4Health Small Bites and was really impressed! A 5lb bag is $6.99 and the first four ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, millet, and cracked pearled barley. Much better than Iams so of course I bought some!
Sophie is really weird about eating in front of me. She prefers to take a big mouthful of food and run to my bedroom and eat it on the carpet in there. Anyone else have a weirdo dog like mine?? Anyway, when I got home I filled her bowl with the 4Health and she did a little sniff test on it and proceeded to eat half the bowl. She NEVER does that!! I usually fill her bowl and leave it out all the time and it takes her a few days or even a week to eat the whole thing. I guess she really didn’t care for the Iams??
So I guess I am on of “those” dog Moms now. The kind that buys the better food with the better ingredients and feeds her dog treats that are all natural. Did I forget to mention I found some really good all natural treats at Tractor Supply also? Yeah, shoot me now.
Do you read ingredient labels on your pet’s food??
Stephanie says
Our dogs are both old… I mean… ollddddd. 17 and 19 so we have to watch their diets closely and the food we purchase is a little of $50 a bag. We go through a bag and a half each month. Do I think it’s crazy? Yes but as their Mom, I gotta give them the best!
aimee fauci says
I was a weirdo dog lover before I had kids… Sigh…
BUT be careful.. this is something I have learned… if you are going to introduce your dog to a new dog food.. you have to introduce it slowly.. mix it w the old and then slowly start only giving it the new or your dog w have awful poos’… not sure if you knew this but wanted to share ;-)
Whitney Ellen says
Girrrrl, I was never, never, one of those dog moms until Ella had to have emergency surgery for bladder stones… the cause being her diet. Turns out, diet effects our babies and their health A LOT. Not only their insides but also their skin, allergies, and a whole bunch of other aspects. Is it nuts that my girl eats better than me most days? YEP, but it’s worth it if it means keeping her around longer!
Prototype Mama says
I’m just not a dog person at all! My kids–especially my boys, are really trying to get me to buy a dog for the family. I’ll think about it, I’m sure my oldest son (the wanna-be Vet) will make sure that we treat it like a king! *Sigh* hoping that I can put if off for as long as I can.
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
I miss my dog, but I do have 3 cats and YES I read labels of stuff we eat and what they eat. Most pet food is pure junk! Sad but true. I have not seen this one but will read up on it.
Robin says
I’m So happy she loves it!! That just made me happy, even though she’s not my doggy. But, I’m weird like that lol. I love animals. So happy you switched and she enjoys it though! YAY!
Caden says
Oh girl. My world has ended up revolving around the gastrointestinal health of my critters. I have 3 ferret fur babies and ferrets are Predators. They have to have an extremely high amount of protein. Ferrets I swear are the hardest things to keep alive. ugh. So thennnn if my sister in laws eat the ferret food (Rat Terriers, my MIL is one of “those”) then it is just gross. Or the cat food affects them. It is so annoying. Everybody gets fed in different rooms haha
Angie Agerter says
Yes. I buy my baby girl Blue Buffalo, and while being healthy, I am thinking of switching to something else soon. I have started to hear bad things about it which stinks cau se all I heard was good for the longest time.
Steve says
Thank you, once again, for your loving and sentimental and profound writing – it always gives my heart a jolt and makes me run to my sweet Lucy dog for hugs. In tears again!