For years, I fed him Iams dry food. Why? I'm not sure. I guess that's the first kind I purchased when we moved from wet puppy food to kibble. He seemed to like it, so I stuck with it. Too bad it's so darn expensive!
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I've seen the Shep brand dog food in Aldi for a while. I was hesitant to try it because the bag is ENORMOUS and I was afraid that my dog wouldn't like it and I'd be stuck with a big bag of kibble. I decided to talk to the staff and ask them what they'd heard about Shep brand. My favorite cashier told me that her dog loves it, but not to worry - if my dog didn't like it, I could bring it back to the store for a full refund. Well, I had nothing to lose at that point!
Here's a picture showing how large the bag is - it's 20 lbs! (I have no idea who that friendly gentleman is, but he's doing a great job showing the size of the bag!)
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The Fake-It Yourself Breakdown:
Shep Brand Dog Kibble ($8.00 for 20 lbs), lasts 28 lb dog 3 months.
Total Fake-It Cost: $32.00/Year's worth of dog food
Compare to Iams Brand Dry Dog Chunks: ($20.99 for 17.5 lbs), lasts 28 lb dog 2.5 months.
Total Fake-It Savings: $68.75
That, with the savings of making my own Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits and Home Grooming, and I'm saving tons of money on my fur baby!
Linking Up at Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, The Frugal Girls, and these other Great Parties!
Ive been recently thinking of switching my toy poodle to a different food because of the cost of her food! I will have to check it out! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.joshandashleysworld.com
There are somethings its ok to be cheap on but pet food is NOT one of them. Pets are a life, not a bottle of household cleaner.
DeleteI have a scotty too and I would really check the ingredients in Shep dog food.
DeleteThere is a recall on Shep dog foods:http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/brand_list.cfm?Trade_Name=SHEP%20DOG&pet=Dog
This is one thing I will NEVer skim on because my Scottish Terrier is my child, she cost a fortune and I do not want to lose her to bad dog food. Did you know your dog can develop allergies from their dog food ingredients?
Just passing the word from one scotty owner to another- BTW, love your site.
So glad you gave this a try - our little guy is just too old (and toothless) to eat it!
ReplyDeleteI posted a link to your review on my blog - I'm sure some of my readers have been wondering about the Shep dog food, and it's a review I simply won't get to do...
http://aldishopper.blogspot.com/2011/11/aldi-review-shep-dry-dog-food.html
I looked this up and the recall was back in 2010. I wonder if it is still in effect? I doubt it.
DeleteI've yet to try Aldi - they just opened one close to me - but the $8 price for 20lbs of dog food may incite me to get there even sooner! We have two 80 lb+ dogs who go through a 20lb bag of dog food each month!! This would be a huge savings for us as I usually spend $15-20 per bag.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Thanks for this tip. I was at aldi today and purchased the shep dog food. It is so much cheaper than the brand I was buying,and it will last at least 3 times as long. It was $8.79 at the Aldi I was at, but 20 Lbs for that is great, since I was paying $10 for 6 lbs. HUGE savings. I gave a piece to our dogs as a treat and they were begging for more.
ReplyDeleteHi Brooke! So glad your good dogs enjoy it! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI'm more than happy to cut corners on my own expenses (within reason), but I absolutely refuse to skimp on the quality of food I feed my dogs and horses. Both IAMS and Shep dog food have been recalled by the FDA too many times for my peace of mind, not to mention that the ingredients list way too many filler grains that a dog's body cannot properly break down and utilize. It may be cheap to purchase up-front, but you'd be surprised at how much money you're wasting on fillers. I used to feed dog food with corn and other grains included, but started doing some independent research of my own and discovered that I can feed a higher quality dog food (Taste of the Wild for my boys) in a much smaller quantity, which ended up saving me a lot more money in the long run. The poop production is smaller, my dogs don't have any itchy skin or watery eyes anymore, and they don't leave any kibble in their bowls anymore. Sure, it costs a little more up front, but the beneficial trade-off in feeding a quality food is enormous.
ReplyDeleteTotally and 100% agree with above. I love saving money wherever I can....but my Bernese Mountain Dog eats nothing but the best food I can give him (California Natural). No compromise there. Every dog food you can buy in a grocery store (and most vet food) is absolute junk. I'm a professional in the dog world, so I know what I'm talking about.
DeleteI am so happy to see these reviews here. You have to wonder what is in the food if it is that cheap. I have a dog and cat food business and have seen what good and bad nutrition does to an animal. Their bodies need real food just like ours do. Can you imagine how you would feel if you ate processed food like cereal for EVERY meal?! How about feeding your scraps of lean meats and vegetables if you don't want to buy real fresh meat. Adding eggs is another great way to get fresh food in the diet.
Deletehttp://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/brand_list.cfm?Trade_Name=IAMS&pet=Cat&utm_campaign=Google2&utm_source=fdaSearch&utm_medium=website&utm_term=iams&utm_content=1
Deletehttp://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/brand_list.cfm?Trade_Name=SHEP%20DOG&pet=Dog&utm_campaign=Google2&utm_source=fdaSearch&utm_medium=website&utm_term=shep%20dog&utm_content=3
shep has has three recalls, but they were all in the canned food. iams has had SEVERAL.
dogfoodadvisor hasn't reviewed it yet, but i put in a request. hopefully it'll turn up soon.
It is critical to read the ingredients on pet foods!! Look at the #1 ingredient: by products---that's the stuff off of the slaughterhouse floor! Carcinogeons! Feed the best food you can afford that does NOT have any by-products in it. You will save money in the long run--your pet will be healthier! I have done years of research on this subject. I have horses, cats and dogs.
DeleteMy vet said that Diamond brand ( Petfood express, or the feed store) is the same as Iams. Diamond brand id the mills' own brand. The numbers on the side of the bag are the same, and my dogs like it....much cheaper alternative!
ReplyDeleteI think there is a recall on Diamond Brand dog food
Deletei will NOT purchase Diamond foods. to many food recalls overall. And you have to be savvy, Diamond produces a lot of the more expensive small brands.
DeleteDiamond and Iams are not comparable to each other. Chicken, fish, lamb or duck should be the first ingredient in your dogs food. Your dog should not be eating anything with soy or soy based products and nothing stating BY-PRODUCT of any kind. You will have more issues in the log run if you keep using foods that will eventually harm your dog. And lets face it vet bills cost more than a bag of dog food.
ReplyDeleteCame across your blog and am enjoying your tips, but felt the need to say what a horrible idea I believe this is. The commenter above said it best, the FDA has recalled cheap (and even not-so-cheap) dog food far too many times for me to feed my doggies anything less than a brand I know and trust. Just one instance is the melamine recall - lots of dogs DIED from eating contaminated dog food that spanned brands of dog food that contained fillers and by-products. It might be cheap, but it's not worth losing a furry family member over.
ReplyDeleteDear concerned readers, I'm sorry that you don't think that my switching to a cheaper dog food is a good idea. The purpose of this blog is to share with you what I am doing to save money - you must use your own judgement as to whether my ideas are something you want to try or skip. Please understand, however, that for some folks, more expensive, "designer" dog food just isn't an option. I, for one, think that a dog food that's been recalled is safer than others at this point in time because all eyes are now on the manufacturer.
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderfully worded reply! It's true, feeding dogs is expensive, and Not everyone can afford to keep their babies, let alone feed them premium labeled food.
DeleteI want to start off saying that I understand most people's need to use a cheaper brand. Pedigree is the cheapest I am willing to go! Cheaper foods result in weight gain, more animal waste, and other health problems. Everyone thought "Beneful" was an excellent answer to "natural" food at an affordable price. It's constantly recalled, even Animals rescues begging for donations won't touch the stuff after problems. They MAY use it to fatten up a very underweight dog.
DeleteI think there's also a short term versus long term effect also. While you can never predict health problems, it's been shown that feeding higher quality food leads to longer lives and fewer health problems. Saving money now may cost you a lot more in the long run if you're the type to treat your dog for medical conditions rather than euthanize or neglect (I work in rescue, I see it). I'm hoping that by paying a little more for food now, I'll save money on vet bills in the long run.
DeleteAs a side note, be careful when switching dog food. Try to change dog food slowly, mixing a bit at a time. We once had to change my dog's food out of necessity (not being able to find his dog food) and we thought it would be okay because he can eat any human food without it upsetting his stomach. Au cont-rare, my friend, we came home to a "poopapalooza" and a messy dog. So, change dog foods if you'd like, but do it slowly.
ReplyDeleteI fed my dogs "Natural" expensive dog food, and guess what, it was recalled also because they all came from the same manufacturer.
ReplyDeleteMy only tip is to check the first few ingredients to be sure it has more nutrition then filler. We use Science Diet, but not one of the really expensive ones, after checking ingredients I found the "best" lower end science diet. And, bonus they have been putting $10 off coupons in the bags recently
Oh, and by the way, I ended up on your post because I was researching shep cans after noticing the cost today in Aldi. I tend to buy the science diet cans at the dollar store or walmart. About a buck for 3 morning meals for my pug (larger can). I bought 2 shep today to try, just because I happened to be there. I rarely switch their dry food, but the can is only a little in the morning for the one dog.
ReplyDeleteOur miniature schnauzer eats the same IAMS food. I cannot believe the cost! It's almost more to feed him than it is to feed my family. Is the kibble size the same in the Shep brand? Definitely looking for an IAMS replacement...
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about this site is that I can learn to save money in areas that allow me to buy the type of dog good i personaly feel is best....and i really thank you for that!! I understand the folks who have shared their concerns about using a different brand to feed their dogs... I too choose a brand you cant find at walmart or aldi...and because of the great "recipies" for cleaners and food here I can continue to buy what i feel my dogs need as food..THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting here the things that allow me to do that.!! We are currently a family on the unemployment line and FAKE IT FRUGAL has been a live saver! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI love your Fake it Febreze and Clorox cleaning supply -- but I agree with a previous comment--you should never skimp on your pets food! You will actually be paying more in the long run (in vet bills) and shorten his/her lifespan. Feeding them food full of filler and by products is similar to us eating McDonalds every day for breakfast lunch and dinner. Sure, it may taste good (why you doggie is enjoying it)....but nutritionally...it probably isn't cutting it. So this is one of the few times, you will actually end up paying more for feeding him junk food...
ReplyDeleteI googled "Shep Dog Food" all I got was a million pages about Shep food being recalled as recent as 2011 and far back as 2007. If this is all that came up, it sounds like it could be dangerous to feed to your dog. I don't trust if for any possible problems that might happen to my dog.
ReplyDeleteOK, I feel moved to respond to these comments that keep coming on this post - again.
ReplyDeleteTo all those concerned - If you don't like cheap dog food, don't feed it to your dogs. That's it. Period. Don't.
Don't substitute my judgement for your own, but please don't lecture me on my choices. This is a FRUGAL Blog written by someone who is desperately trying to dig out of a big hole, so try and look at the whole picture before you come in my house (this blog) and pass judgement around.
Realize that some folks don't have the luxury of IAMS or Whole Foods or JCPenny anymore! Some folks are just looking for a way to keep their family pet instead of dropping him off at a shelter. If you can afford gold-level dog food, great - what are you doing reading this post?
I really appreciate your reply :-) Sometimes people don't understand that a blogger is blogging about their own ideas, opinions, and choices. and sometimes the blogger does not take the time to reply.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThank you for your review and thoughts. Waaay too much "judginess" in the comments here. If someone doesn't like your idea, just keep scrolling! Just a note to say you are doing a great job! Everyone has a choice. I am trying the ALDI dog food too. So far my boys are quite happy. After some time since your original post, are you still using it? Any new insights?
DeleteI Love your blog, and I wanted to share a frugal tip with you. My daughter and I recently started making organic dogfood for our shih tzus for several reasons, they had developed skin allergies and were drinking huge quanities of water a day,(a standard issue from the corn meal in dog food) thus needing to go out constantly (or having accidents and dog food is really, really expensive lol. Homemade dog food is s cheap to make and so good for your dog. We use chicken leg quaters or ground beef (you can do organ meats if you can stomach the smell, I can't) frozen mixed veggies, a bag of any kind of bean, a bag of brown rice and a couple of cups of cheese or a container of cottage cheese. I boil the chicken then use the stock left over to cook the rice and pre-cook the beans. We mix it all together with the rest of the ingrediants (debone the chicken) and cook it for about 20 minutes. We package it in little disposable foam bowls for (which we rinse out and reuse)fridge storage and large family size plastic containers for freezer storage. Gourmet dog food costs us about 20.00 for 2 family size containers (14lbs) Vs Vibra Pet Premium Gourmet $9.98 for 2 lbs-14lbs= 69.86 + 45.00 shipping. Total savings just for food 49.86 with shipping 95.86. This is very filling food and a 10-15lb dog only needs about 10ozs of food a day. Our dogs seem calmer, drink less, scratch less and pee MUCH less. No matter what your feed your dog, keep giving them lots of love and please have them spayed or nutered, our shelters are over flowing with animals who would love any kind of food.
ReplyDeleteThe way I look at it is ANY brand has the potential to be recalled. Look at what you are currently feeding your beloved pet. As in, look at the nutritional analysis on the side or back of the food bag. You can look for a cheaper option with comparable numbers. My dog came with Science Diet when we adopted him. I switched him to Purina dog chow. Almost the same exact analysis and half the cost.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to see people think they are doing "good" by taking in a dog from a shelter then feeding them garbage food filled with fillers and junk (corn meal, by-products..beaks and feet) that just mess up their intestines, then end up taking it to the vet ($) need some sort of prescription ($$) etc.. How does that save any money or help your dog? Have raised many healthy dogs on good food needing only their once a yr checkup..no problems..no MEDS..Check your labels folks, would you eat what your dog does and be healthy?..Healthy dogs are happy dogs..
ReplyDeleteThere is not a grocery-store dog food on the market that is good for your pet. They are filled with corn, animal by-products, sugar, artificial ingredients and all kinds of chemicals. I feed my dog 4Health dog food, available only at Tractor Supply. It has no corn, no wheat and no soy, no artificial preservatives. It is a high-quality food without the high price like Taste of the Wild or Blue Buffalo. I will cook for my dog before he ever gets a grocery-store dog food, even Iams, which is not a quality food. If you love your dog, check out www.truthaboutpetfood.com
ReplyDeleteIt is up to the owner to decide what to feed and I'm not about to tell someone they can't feed what they want. Neither of those brands are good dog food and are not healthy.
ReplyDeleteI do understand that not everyone can afford the high $$ food but news flash a lot of the high $$ food is no better for your dog then the cheap store brand. I get a food that is a little more costly, $38 for 40 lbs. That is cheaper then Iams and more then this store brand BUT and this is a HUGE BUT I more then likely spend less per day per lb of dog then you are. I feed way less then you do because this food is high calori,e high QUALITY(not high priced). I have a house dog and two full time working dogs. None of them are small dogs, so saving money is important to me.
When it comes to feeding animals it isn't just the price tag on the bag but what is in the bag. Look for per feeding or per calorie cost not just per lb cost. A good food isn't going to have the fillers that the junk food does so you feed less of it and the dog is healthier to boot. If you feed less and spend less on vet bills you save money.
This is a another good site to learn about different foods
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
Something to keep in mind. Good, high quality food is the ideal BUT there are some dogs that cannot handle it and do better on the cheap junk foods. It's best to start with a good food but remember that if the dog has a problem with every good food you try it isn't the end of the world if you have to feed a cheap food. Better to have the dog health and on a cheap food then try to keep him on a good food that he is having reactions too.
I love that people get so excited over their animals - 'spare no expense' 'buy the best' blah blah blah...yet here they are checking out a blog about being frugal and cutting back expenses for their families. you know, their HUMAN children and husbands. will turn down their heat into the low 60's to save some money but don't bat an eye at plunking down a chunk of change to feed Fido some better kibble. don't have a dog but I can tell you that my cat will never be put higher than my family. not going to sit in my flannel pajamas with the heat down to 62, while i'm eating a can of pork n beans that I got on sale because the can was bent, while Fluffy is enjoying his $40 pork/chicken/beef crunchy food.
ReplyDeleteif i'm eating cheap to save money - you better believe the cat or dog is going to also.
Finally! Someone making some sense on this post! Thank you!
DeleteMy biggest argument to frugally feeding pets is touched in this comment here. Yes, some people don't have the money to feed "the best" or "super premium," but if you can't afford to do the absolute best for your pets, don't get them in the first place. It sounds harsh, yes, but they didn't *ask* to be part of your life. You made that decision all by your grown-up self. The animal doesn't understand that you're in tight financial times, that you are trying to fix a streak of bad luck, or any other reason that their nutritional requirements are being belittled. They count on you - 100% - to meet all of the requirements for their health and well-being. Will cheaper food sustain a dog? I'm sure it will. Just like boxed mac 'n cheese, ramen noodles and koolaide *could* sustain your kid. Would their health suffer long term from it? Most likely. My degree is in animal science, I have four semesters of advanced animal nutrition under my belt, and I assure you that feeding cheep food is the most effective way to slowly kill any living thing you care about.
DeleteI, too, cannot get over how many people will get excited over their pets. The same attitude I noticed isn't seen all of the time when it comes to humans. The attitude seems like if a person doesn't buy the top of the line pet food and opts for the cheaper variety, then that person is a horrible pet owner.
DeleteI feed my dog alpo dry dog food. It doesn't put a dent in my wallet. I also give my dog wet dog food every now and then mixed in with a few biscuits so her diet isn't entirely nothing but dry dog food. She also gets a variety of meats, veggies, and stuff from semi-old leftover dinners (the food is at the point where it has sat in the fridge for about 3-4 days. It's not necessarily rancid if some people may think this).
As of now, my dog is already 9 years old and she hasn't had any health issues.
I only wish these other pet owners wouldn't make other owners such as myself seem like a villain just because we choose a less expensive alternative in pet food.
My pets don't come before my family, no. But they are a part of the family. And I think any of us in my home would be willing to turn the heat down to 62 before changing the dogs food. 62 is not exactly freezing temperature and it's not abusive to the humans. We are not talking frostbite temps here for god sakes. Put a sweatshirt on.
DeleteThis is just my opinion, please keep this in mind. I am a vet tech and euth tech in KY. I have worked with several vets and different establishment over the years. I also believe you should feed your pet the best you can offer. A good protein should be the first ingredient. I also have several dogs that where ear marked for euthanasia. My soft hart has put me towards 8 dogs, 6 cats, 3 sad ferrets, 2 blind birds, and believe it or not several stray and injured chickens. So with all that being said I think most of you know my pet food bill(not to mention my cleaning supplies) is quit large.
ReplyDeleteI purchased a 50 gallon garbage can. I fill this with one bag of middle to high grade dog food and one bag of middle to lower grade dog food. For me this is usually Iams and Pedigree. I love Iams! This helps give my dogs a decent grade of dog food that I can afford. I'm going to check out the Shep brand today. This might be a replacement to my Pedigree.
I also do this with my cats. I buy Science Diet and mix it with Purina One urinary tract formula. I have Persians that need some support in this area. I take care of them and by mixing I save money!
Sorry this was so long. Maybe this will help some of you that fell guilty about switching your pet to a cheaper brands. A middle ground.
Believe me, I understand the need to be frugal. My fiancee and I are both grad students and live on a stipend. I do whatever I can cheaply. That being said, I really do have to agree with not feeding your pets unhealthy food. I take the stance that if I had children, I would not feed them ramen soup every day just because it is cheap. Yes it tastes good but has no nutrition. Cheap pet food is mostly (if not all) grain (which carnivores can benefit little from) and has "meat flavor" to make it appealing to pets. This is the nutritional equivalent to us eating ramen every day.
ReplyDeleteWe feed our pets quality food and cut costs in other places. They are very healthy pets. I understand your opinion and desire to save money, and I know it sounds like everyone is attacking your wonderful frugal blog, but I think everyone just wants to keep people informed of the dangers of feeding pets a poor diet. Saving money is great, but can also come at a bigger, non-obvious cost.
Yes, the food is cheap. The Iams was not good quality either. I used to feed cheap food and then the food my vet recommended (Science Diet)...that was until I got educated. First a few facts- Vet's are given very little in regards to training for animal nutrition and what they do get is hosted by (drum roll please)- yes, you guessed it- the big dog food companies. Next fact- dogs are opportunistic carnivores. Yes, even the little dogs have not evolved into omnivores. They were designed to utilize meat, bone and organs of other animals. What happens when you feed an animal a feed it was not designed to digest properly? First, you have large amount of foul smelling stool. Second, you have chemicals and "foreign" foods build up in the system. Result? Anything from allergies to seizures to cancer. On top of that, dental decay. So the money you are saving by going with a cheaper food is NOT a savings. It is actually costing you much more in vet bills, medication, dental care, etc. I have raised dogs for over 25 yrs and tried about every commercial diet out there. I also tried home cooked (of course adding in starches and veggies as it was too expensive to just give cooked meat. Finally because of a dog I had that had organ damage due to ingesting paint (and who also after 4 yrs of kibble had loose teeth) and had seizures as a result, I switched to raw. The difference was amazing. The pup that was sent home to die and after he survived (after hand feeding raw meat)and then was given a sentence of about a year was now acting like a pup, the dental was canceled and the seizures stopped. Amazingly, I found that the amount of raw food needed was significantly less than what the home cooked diet was. This is a dog that would eat 6 cups of kibble a day and still be thin in winter....and he was only needing 3 chicken quarters a day in winter to stay in good condition. I canceled the dental- his gums got healthy and his teeth firmed up in their sockets. I switched all my dogs.
ReplyDeleteMy older dogs were acting like pups- even my husband who did not know about the switch asked what the heck I was feeding as he noticed the change in them. Stools- no more pick up. The stools are suck that they break down in a matter of hours. I tried scooping at first and each time I tried, they would crumble into a powder...and NO odor. An accident that occurred in the house one night while I was gone...I did not notice until I flipped on the light- and clean up was a broom and dust pan and a spritz of cleaner to make sure I got all the dust. No more upset tummies. For years I would have at least one dog that the kibble did not agree with then, but was ok for a time for the others- then one of them would get loose stools and I would switch again. At one time I had 4 different foods for different dogs. No "doggy odor"..I went from having to bathe all the dogs at least every few months to only having to do it when they got into something. No "doggy breath". No goopy eyes or hot spots (common in coated dogs- especially after they get wet). My vet called ME asking if I found a new vet as he had not heard from me in so long. Stronger immune system. One of my gals got pyometria (infection of the uterus caused by uterine lining build up in conjunction with normal hormonal changes), this normally makes a dog very ill and is life threatening. I had been through this once when I fed kibble and we came close to spaying the gal- after the gal got very ill and copious amounts of rank discharge. This time with another gal I rushed in close to closing because I noticed the odor, she started discharge on the way to the vet, he wanted to keep her. He did blood work and gave her a dose of antibiotics and went home. When he came in to check on her, he was amazed to find the discharge had stopped. He called me the next morning and said to come get her. He said she was fine now. He said if he had not pulled the blood and seen the discharge he would not have believed that a dog could recover that fast from pyo. He said whatever I was doing to keep it up. I then told him I was feeding raw. He said, don't stop! Cont..
ReplyDeleteI started feeding raw 7 yrs ago and will never go back. That said, I do understand the fact that some people have an aversion to raw meat/crunching bones and cases where there are immune compromised individuals in the home. In that case I recommend a grain free kibble with raw ground meat or canned meat/fish. Though it will have a starch such as potatoes in it as there has to be for it to be kibble and it is cooked so does not digest completely nor provide as many benefits as raw, it is as close as you can get with a cooked food.
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ReplyDeleteI recently rescued two dogs. The people I got them from said they fed them pedigree. So I bought it. My dog owning friends told me to try taste of the wild... which I did. the difference in the stool is significant. if you have to pick up your dog's stool... it is totally worth the better product. They eat less And pooh less. However, I have started using canned shep from Aldis. I mix a quarter can for each dog twice a day. so I use 1 can a day. apparently, they like it a lot. He is a bluetick coonhound and she is a cattle dog. Both very smart dogs that need mental stimulation. I started making her food like a "puzzle" because she had to be kenneled for 14 days to recover from spay surgery. I take two small bowls and spread the Aldis chicken rice hash real thin all around the bowl...plaster the bowl. Then I press Costco kibble into the wet dog food plaster. I freeze one bowl and give her one bowl in the kennel at 6am and the frozen bowl at 6:45 am when I leave for work. It keeps her occupied and hopefully not as bored until I get home 8 hours later. He's a little easier, he eats the taste of the wild and I just kinda mix the wet into it. I am sorry I started the wet food because they seem to expect it now...and if they don't get that little extra something something they don't touch their food. I use Aldis premium chicken chips and aldis rawhide and they both like that. But I have learned that the rawhide is easily swallowed in large chunks resulting in the dog throwing everything up...so be careful with the rawhide. Anyways...cheap food...big horse size mushy poop...meatier food...smaller well formed easier to pick up poop. I know gross..but it has to be done so why make it hard on yourself. (Unless you can afford a poop pickup service...or force your kids to pick up the poop...its one valid argument for higher protein food).
ReplyDeleteI just read an interesting article about these "fillers" that so many in this string of comments is worried about. http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-industry-exposed/dog-food-corn/ Read it and be free.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that some folks on this string would suggest that I am "poisoning" my dog and that I should give him up. Unbelievable!
I have since deleted some of the more offensive comments such as that because...well, it's my prerogative and this is my blog.
Future negative commenters, please keep in mind that this blog is geared towards folks who are Pinching Pennies. We're not interested in your guilt-inducing comments - we already feel bad that we're struggling.
Telling folks who have hit a hard time to get rid of their dog is akin to telling them to sell their children and that will not be tolerated.
To others who have offered helpful comments on other ways to extend the dog food budget, I thank you!
The problem for me is our dog has issues gaining weight; we finally settled on Nutro Max Ultra and she has gained weight and maintained it. I would switch since its pricey but the drawback to switching is the fact that she would end up losing weight again and be bony again. I just wonder if Aldi brand would be good for her? I don't know the cost of my brand vs the Aldi. But good on you for being able to switch and your dog did well on it. :D
ReplyDeleteI am a single mom, rarely ever received support and I was just barely outside of any form of government assistance. In other words, I struggled in EXTREMES and that was working 2 & 3 jobs. I made it by making things from scratch, clipping coupons, shopping sales & clearance items (grocery store & meats, i'm not talking clothing or housewares folks) I'm talking food was our only purchase outside of rent, utilities & auto (no car payment either). I fed my dogs Iams for years till I found Blue Buffalo. It's considered too rich for my pocket book food. But in comparison, it is cheaper than any store brand or grocery store food. Compare ingredients & nutrition. To match the "pricer" foods you would have to feed DOUBLE the cheap stuff. So in the long run, "cheap food" isn't as cheap as others think. This isn't a neagative comment, just pure fact. Think of it like this, you don't buy a bag of cheese puffs to feed you & your family and expect them to not be hungry before the next meal. Cheap dog food is the same concept, a bag of cheese puffs or a bag of whole food that will supply & nurish your body. Anytime a food requires less to meet nutrional needs, it's always a cheaper choice for human &/or for animal. So please consider that. And this advice is only on nutritional needs, I haven't even begun to explain the costs of veternairy bills it saves. This is by no means a negative post and is only meant to be helpful for the health of pets. The better the food the better the prevention of future costs.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear for this valuable information about dog products like their food, cloths,medicine etc.
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I really think the quality of the 'grocery store' foods has gone downhill....along with the quality of people food. Our previous 2 dogs were fed Walmarts Old Roy. They both lived to be 13 and 14 and were over 100 pounds. The 2 we have now have allergy issues so they are on either 4 Health from Tractor Supply or Call of the Wild. I really am starting to believe that all the genetically modified grains and chemicals are wreaking havok on our systems. How else are we explaining the rapid increase of Celiac Disease and Gluten intolerance (gluten content in wheat has increased 300% in 30 years). I know so many kids under 30 that are having their gall bladders out and major unexplained stomach issues. It's no wonder that dog food with grains is causing so many problems for our pets. If you can't afford an expensive brand and your pet is doing ok, then go for it. Just like people, some wont' have a problem. If your pet is itchy, graying early or just doesn't seem right, feed something better. It will make the poop lots smaller. It's that's simple (Oh and I grew up on a large farm and it pains me to blame the ag industry for all this but I see no other explanation)
ReplyDeleteThe FDA has issued recalls on many of Aldi's "Shep" products as being made with tainted chicken. It has made my dog very sick.
ReplyDeleteI was told by someone in another store that shep is made by IAMS plus my beagle Trixie had gotten "rolled" by a car, and had a severe limp. Yet after switching to "shep" the limp is 90% gone. And she at 13 years old is back to jumping on the kitchen table. I am happy with it.
ReplyDeleteMark Goodwin, Wolcott, Ct.
Costco has a premium food at a pretty decent price too.
ReplyDeleteCostco has a premium food at a pretty decent price too.
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ReplyDeleteI have two dogs and cat (I don't own them, they own me) and I have fed them cheaper dog foods since I have gotten them. My yorkie (found him roaming in my old neighborhood) is now 12 years old and doing just fine. Our lab mix who is 4 (found her roaming on the highway)is healthy and rambunctious. They are both healthy and active, but most importantly, they are LOVED. It is ridiculous that one of reviewers said basically that if you don't feed your pets top shelf dog food then you shouldn't have them. I say BULL to that! My kids (fur babies) eat the best that I can afford to feed them. I do cook chicken and turkey when I come across a good sale, but it's not everyday. Ms. Heather don't let these people get you down. It's easy to make decisions for others when it's not your money you are spending. People if you don't have anything constructive and non-judgemental to say then don't say anything! In the end your dog doesn't care where the food you feed them comes from, they just want to be loved.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing. I keep a small bag of dog food in my truck most of the time in case I come across as stray. I can't afford another dog, but I help how I can and guess what people? Not once have any of these babies turned the food down!
There isn't any "Bull" in regards to feeding quality food. Why do people think that the rules we are given in taking care of OUR health such as exercise, eat healthy food, eat less processed food etc. Does not apply to our pets.
ReplyDeleteJust because your pet is 12 years old and is "doing fine" doesn't necessarily mean he or she is healthy or will stay that way.
This "doing fine" is the same argument I have heard of people who smoke and drink. Heck, George Burns smoked a cigar and drank (something, scotch?) every day of his life and lived to be 98.
Does he make a good role model for the general public? No. He is lucky and we don't know what else he may have been doing in addition to his smoking and drinking which may have helped him (he did exercise I know).
What you are doing by feeding processed, poor quality food is gambling with your pet's life. We gamble with our pet's life by feeding healthy food as well but it's a safer bet than sticking to poor quality food.
Providing the best chances to a long, healthy and active life is true love.
I cannot afford extremely expensive dog food. I buy a 40 pound bag of dog food at Fleet Farm for around 30 dollars. It is Lamb & Rice. it has lamb meal as the first ingredient and contains no soy, beef or corn. it does have some poultry by project and the only fillers it really has is a little bit of bran and that lot of brown rice which is really not so bad for the dog.I have tried Shep dog food and yes my dogs really love
ReplyDeleteit because it smells good but it is not a good dog food for everyday it is an emergency use only food when I don't have enough money to get another 40 pound bag of regular food for them. I have 3 dogs and I am feeding. I have a shepherd and 2 small dogs. These animals are part of my family. I want to make sure they're eating properly. All I can say is my vet said that the lamb and rice formula I get from Fleet Farm is 1 of the better less expensive dog foods out there
30 dollars to go buy a bag I will get them a bag of ship to get them by until I get to the store I live quite a ways from anywhere so it's hard for me to go shopping like regular people. But I've only had to give them a big ship maybe twice in the last 6 years so it's not too bad.
I am sorry I use voice text and it supposed to say Shep not Ship.
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Shep
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For even healthier dog food feed them raw chicken or turkey. Poultry bones are NOT brittle unless they are cooked. I freeze my chicken when I find it on sale. When it's time to feed the dogs I just throw them a leg.
ReplyDeleteWe received an older dog from my husbands cousin. Her teeth had most all fallen out. She only had about 6 teeth left when we got her. And what she had were loose. To start her out we went to our local health food store and bought her some ground turkey with bone in. With in one months time her teeth were all tightened up.
You will also see the difference in the color of their teeth. The dog we currently have we got when he was 9 weeks old so he's been on raw almost from the beginning. He has the BEST pearly white teeth you have ever seen on a dog. AND NO DOGGY BREATH.
Another advantage is you don't have to pick up after them. With them eating raw (bone marrow) their stools turn to dust in just a few days. I have been feeding my dogs raw for almost 12 years and have not had to pick up after them since.
Think of it this way. Dogs origin is the wild. If they were in the wild what would they eat? Would they have to stop and mix it with grains? NO! Would they stop to cook it? NO! They would have to catch it and they eat it as is.
Nice post dude lots of comments you got great work.
ReplyDeleteI am always to be interested in dogs food related information.
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ReplyDeleteSo, what’s the best dog food? This is probably the single most pressing question on every dog owner’s mind.If you really want best food for your dog than simply check this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0W3VmfoWlE hope this will hep you..
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ReplyDeleteI hate to burst the bubbles of everyone on here getting their panties in a wad, but did you know that no matter what you feed your dog, whether it be the crappiest dog food known to man, or the greatest dog food in the world, it will still die?
ReplyDeleteBefore you continue with this brand, please read the following review. High quality food for our furkids is always going to be more expensive. Since their health is primarily dictated by what they eat, I'm frugal in areas of my own life and provide the best money can buy for my three rescue dogs and rescue cat. My eldest is a springer and she's 18 yrs old. My vet attributes her good health and longevity to appropriate vet care, lots of love the the HIGH QUALITY OF FOOD. In the long run, vet bills for one trip can be many times the amount you save by feeding any animal poor quality food.
ReplyDeleteShep Dog Food (Dry)
by MIKE SAGMAN
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Shep Dog Food receives the Advisor’s lowest rating of 1 star.
The Shep product line includes one dry dog food, a recipe claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Ingredients: Whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, corn germ meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, wheat middlings, animal fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, rice bran, soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, animal digest, calcium carbonate, salt, choline chloride, added color (red #40, yellow #5, blue #2, yellow #6), vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement (source of antioxidant), niacin, zinc sulfate, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, sodium selenite
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.1%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
Estimated Nutrient Content
Method Protein Fat Carbs
Guaranteed Analysis 21% 10% NA
Dry Matter Basis 24% 11% 57%
Calorie Weighted Basis 22% 26% 52%
The remainder of the artical is located at : http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/shep-dog-food/
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wow you have just done it. loving the way you are working on it.
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If you Buy Dog Food without any reviews then you should stop that! This dog food is nice undoubtedly
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My dog LOVES the shep brand from Aldi. I was buying Purina wet cans from Costco and she hated them. She's a big Rottweiler mix. We don't feed her exclusively dog food. She gets table scraps from our teenagers, she even likes veggies, rice and potatoes if they have butter or sour cream on them!. This way her diet is well rounded and we can afford to keep a rottweiler! We experienced a violent break in to our house, last Christmas. Our guard dog, is making sure that doesn't happen again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your original post. I have shopped regularly at Aldi for years and recently went to the pet food isle stunned to see the Shep canned food at only 50 cents with Chicken listed as the main ingredient. I was then stunned to see that it was NOT manufactured in China! So I bought about 4 four cans for my Labrador/Pitt mix (Zeus). At first I mixed it with some of the other canned food we had on the shelf, then I went full throttle the last two - I am on my way to Aldi to pick up some more - He loves it and I love the savings.
ReplyDeleteAs for the 'Nah-Sayers' who are too critical to even enliven the possibility of saving money during this economic crisis, be mindful that the manufacturers of all the other brands have seen re-calls (as one blogger has posted) and the FDA nor any other organization governs over these pet food companies. Instead they allow them "to seek certification or registration of its food safety management system by an external organization, or make a self-assessment or self-declaration of conformity to ISO 22000:2005", etc. etc.....
Aldi has canned dog food? I haven't seen it at mine. I must check that out! <3
Deletespiced and served with whipped cream and a meringue of perfectly poised crunch and chew. Los Angeles Catering
ReplyDeleteI'm a HUGE fan of Aldi's and I'm SO frugal but the bright color puts automatic skepticism in me.... IAMS is NOT the top rated dog food. I may mix it with the expensive one I get. I read these reviews:http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/shep-dog-food/ versus this: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/i-and-love-and-you-nude-food/
ReplyDeleteI used the can and mix it with Rachel Ray's Nutrish (spelling?) My dog loves it. I have no extra money to spend on my food or his. I am SHOCKED at the hateful people posting on here. Blue had a recall recently..aren't they supposed to be "good"? Some of the worst, rudest people on here. I'm so glad you guys are "perfect" in every way...gawd. I'm so glad my daughter would never "preach" to others and judge them like you a-holes do. Until you walk in somebody else's shoes, then be quiet!!!!
ReplyDeleteI recently bought Shep's Pure Being Grain Free at Aldi. The ingredient list rivals ANY of these ridiculously priced dog foods at Petco.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same color kibble as Blue Buffalo. (Who's recall was almost 3 years ago. They immediately changed companies.).....I'm TIRED of paying $60 for a bag of dog food that probably cost $8 to make....I imitator gave my Eskies a few kibble a day to start. My one Eskie will itch like crazy if the ingredients are garbage. .....Well, no itching so far.....I'm now saving $36 a bag, OVER HALF, each purchase or FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY DOLLARS a year.
I got the same, Shep, Pure Grain Free (Salmon and Sweet Potato) and my pug and bulldog love it. First ingredient is SALMON. Their stools are harder and smaller. They love this and have stopped scratching.
DeleteI didn't notice any changes in my dogs' stool. No gastric issues in the switch over. My dogs are still itch-free. The switch was seamless. I'm glad your dogs are doing well on it! Plus, I get the smaller bags. No need to pay a ridiculous amount on a small bag and I don't have to haul a monster bag into the food container!
DeleteThank you very much for an informative and frugal look at purchasing dog food. Im not sure why so many commenters are here seemingly just to chastise you for your choice in dog food, especially if the dog seems to enjoy the food and has had no negative health outcomes. I agree with the earlier commenter when they said that eventually your pet will die no matter what food they eat, or how expensive it was. I also agree that we should try to feed them as nutritious food as possible within our budget, but how does them being fed cheaper dog food imply that we should just leave them at the pound or wandering the countryside? Most pounds in this country will eventually euthanize dogs or any animal that has not been adopted after a certain period of time. So having a home with a caring family, along with their lives is less important than top of the line dog food?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your blog and it's really very helpful and interesting information about the Natural Pet Food good work.
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ReplyDeleteI would just like to give an analogue. If you gave your child a choice to eat junk food for every meal or a well balanced meal what do you think they would choose. Think about it you are doing the same thing to your dog just because the dog loves it does not mean that it is good for them. The first ingredient in your pets from should be a meat protein. If your dog had the choice to eat meat or an ear of corn which do you think it would pick. Corn in dogs food is the same as a human eating corn. Not to be gross but it just goes right out as it went in, it is the same for dogs. I have 4 dog that are all over 100 lbs. If I gave my dogs food that the first ingredient was corn my yard would be full of land mines. LOL I just think people should educate themself on what they feed their pets. When you become a pet owner you take on a huge responsibility to take care of them to your best ability. I find it very funny that you would ask a cashier at a grocery store about dog food. That is like going to Walmart to buy paint appose to going to a paint supply store. There are Pet Store that can tell you what is the best food for your pet and at the price that you can afford. Please use these specialty store in every aspect of your life. If you truly have question about a product go to the experts. I am not trying to be mean just educate yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to me how the dog food industry is influenced by certain groups and certifications which are run by the very interests that benefit from their facts on dog good health. I have fed my dogs Wellness core ever since I adopted them. Wellness is supposed to be one of the best foods on the market and is indeed pricy. I bought a bag of Aldi's dog food and compared the ingredients only to find the same exact items in both products. So what does this tell me? I want my dogs to get the best there is but we all know that just because something costs a lot, it does not mean that it is the best. Since the ingredients are the same, I plan to switch over and monitor my dogs health. I have adopted dogs for over 20 years and one of my babies lived to be almost 20 years old. Love makes them live longer than anything else. I have read nothing that makes me not want to try this food. I will give it a few months and post an update.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post Heather! I will be getting this food the next time I go to the store with my dogs.
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ReplyDeleteWith so many options, browsing the dog food aisle at your neighbourhood grocery or pet store like PetCareRx you may feel daunting. What kind of food is best for dogs is a topic on which pet owners, breeders, doctors, store personnel, and members of the general public all have varied perspectives. The finest dog food diet for your pet can be evaluated objectively at home, despite the huge range of advice.
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon your Shep Dog Food experience, and it's fantastic to hear about the positive change! Convenience matters, and the fact that Shep is not only budget-friendly but also a hit with Reagan makes it even better.Saving on quality dog food is a win for both you and your furry friend. I'll definitely be checking out Shep during my next Aldi run! 🛒
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