I am being cautious and getting off it immediatly! So, I need suggestions....what is the best food for a 6 year old beagle? Preferably something for weight control since he is a beagle....
Sarah B,
Welcome to the forum.
Dog food is a subject that comes up every day for many reasons, most of the time it is a health or weight issue.
The "Best" dog food will always be the one that fits your budget and works well for your dog. The big problem that I have seen in the past is that when a recall is issued most of the offending food has been consumed, however , it is wise to check for recalls on a regular basis.
In the past , corn based products have had most of the problems ( aflatoxins) I am familiar with. I try to stay with a dog food that has no corn , wheat or soy. If you have a feed store close to you it may be possible to buy a better quality kibble for less than you pay for Beneful at a big box store like walmart. Choosing a new dog food is a little trial and error to find a quality kibble that fits your needs and agrees with your dog , so , don't buy a big bag to start with until you know it works for your dogs digestive system. IMO.
I use this site to compare dog food ingredients:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
4Health is a quality midrange priced dog food that I've used , available at Tractor supply . Link:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/
AS for weight control , a little exercise for your dog goes a long way , and , choose a kibble that has not less that 12% or more than 15% fat content. You can also puree some green beans cooked in fat free chicken/ham or beef stock and add a small amount to your dogs diet daily to cut calories , or take a look at weight control dog food .
You are correct to be vigilant about your dogs food and it is always good to hear for a caring pet, "Beagle" owner. Check for recalls and pay close attention to your dog it what works best for me as this will be a continuing effort. I also think that most of the high priced dog food are way over priced and over rated for what your dog actually gets in a given kibble.
Best , oldhounddog