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What breed of dog foods are best&why?

Innova
Innova EVO Dog Food
Innova Puppy Food
Innovative Veterinary Diet
Karma Organic
Kibbles ‘n Bits
Kirkland Super Premium Chicken and Rice
Lamaderm
Laughing Dog Total Nutrition
Lick Your Chops
Life’s Abundance
Life’s Abundance – Trilogy
Life4K9
Medi-Cal Dog Food
Merrick
Merrick’s Grammy’s Pot Pie
MMillennia
Muenster Natural
Multi Menu Pet Foods
Natural Life

I’m not familiar with all of those, but these are the ones I am familiar with:

Innova – good
Innova EVO Dog Food – good
Innova Puppy Food – good
Karma Organic – so-so
Kibbles ‘n Bits – bad
Merrick – good
Merrick’s Grammy’s Pot Pie – good

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There is no single food that is “best”. For example, some dogs thrive on grain-free foods, while grain-free is too rich for other dogs. What you want to find is the high-quality food that *your dog* does best on.

Read the ingredients on the food you buy. Here is my “short list” of rules when I am looking at dog ingredients:
1) When I chose a dog food, I chose one high meat content. I want to see preferably at least 2-3 out of the top 5 ingredients be meat or meat meal (first ingredient must be!). Meal is simply the meat with the moisture removed.
2) I want to see higher quality grains, such as barley, brown rice, and oatmeal, instead of seeing wheat and corn. Or an alternative starch/carbohydrate such as potatoes or sweet potatoes.
3) I don’t want to see any byproducts.
4) I don’t want to see a lot of fillers.
5) I don’t want to see preservatives that are believed to be carcinogens (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin).
6) I don’t want to see artificial colorings such as the Red, Blue, and Yellow dyes.
7) I don’t want to see added sugars (sugar, corn syrup).
I don’t want to see mystery meats (meats identified only as “meat” or “poultry”.)

Here is an article about byproducts:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=ingrd

And an article on what ingredients to avoid:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients

You can check this website for good foods: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/
(I recommend only feeding foods rated 4, 5, or 6 stars. Anything 3 stars or less, I would stay away from.)
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The Real Food’s Organic Date Nectar 8 fl oz $11.99 can be used as a replacement for any sweetener Description: Organic Date Nectar is an extract of carefully selected mature wholesome organic dates. This “date honey” is a treat and can be used as a replacement for any sweetener or for culinary creativity. Date Nectar contains naturally occurring minerals especially potassium. Supplement Facts: Ingredients: Amount per serving: % Daily Value: + Calories 55 ~ Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 30g 1% Total Carbohydrate 14g 5% Dietary Fiber 0g ~ Sugar 14g ~ Protein 0g ~ Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 0% Ingredients: 100% Organic Dates ~ Key to Ingredients: ~ = Daily Value not established. + = Percent Daily Value is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Directions: Organic Date Nectar can be used as sweetener in any food product. Use alone as a sauce or glaze.

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