Anyjackie, A topic close to my heart! Oh, I can really go on about this one! My Kuvasz male had problems with dog foods, and after I did some research (and was shocked!) I started my own pet treat (and foods) business. Now I do a combo of homemade and store bought foods.

1st: Science Diet sucks!!!! Try Origen, Evo (both of which are high protein, less grains), Van Patten's Natural Balance, some of the Eagle Pack, Wellness (lots others). Nutro not that great. Eukanuba used to be good, as well as Iams, but now they are owned by a company that produces for Walmart (and other large bulk stores). Walmart (whose policy is to buy the product for a few % lower each year) thereby forceing manufacturers to cut corners to keep the contract, often sacrificing quality of ingredients.

2nd: Dogs are actually Omnivores (not carnivores), living with man has changed them somewhat. However they do have a simpler digestive system (than us), meaning they need simpler energy sources to digest. These simple sources are found in meat, many plants take more energy and tiem to digest (think cows and cud). Link to my website if you are interested (ie: bored): Evolution of Domesticated Dog

3rd: not sure how it is in US, but in Canada, if you want quality pet food, go to a pet store. They will also have the knowledge to help you. My local farm supply stores have crappy dog food. And for me, if I find a food in my supermarket, Walmart, etc... this is my signal to stop buying it!!! Big supermarkets are all about the profit margin, if the manufacturer is making it so cheap it can be sold in a Walmart, I don't want it! Some tips to help chose a processed dry dog food (sorry another link, but too long to type on here and hog the thread). Another tip is to compare the recommended feedings. Choose the one that has the lowest. My boy is 120lbs. If I try to feed Iams, they recommend, to get all necessary nutrients from the food, that he eat 8 cups a day (holy he.ll!). I'd do nothing BUT pick up dog poop! But I feed Natural Balance, which recommends 4 cups a day. He's picky - I can get him to eat 3-4 in winter but only about 2-3 in summer. So my choice is NB! LOT less poop too! It is better ingredients, so he gets more NRG from less food (also in the end pay less $).

4th: Table scraps are not actually a bad thing. ON THE CONDITION that they are good food. This is a myth. What do you think dogs eat for the last few thousand years, before the manufacturers came along?! And if dog food manufacturers say that human quality food isn't good for dogs, what the he.ll are they putting in my dog's food?! By scraps I'm not talking about buttery stuff or fatty chunks of meat. But the last of the chicken or steak I just could eat, are OK. The leftover mashed potatoes, or unbuttered peas or green beans. One of my dogs' favorite treat is an egg beaten into goat milk and microwaved for a minute (esp on a cold day). Goat's milk is more digestible to them than cow's milk. Eggs (cooked!) are good for skin and coat. But rule of thumb for table scraps; if you wouldn't eat it why the hell are you giving it to your dog?

If you do give scraps or treats, be sure to reduce the processed food by a little bit. It is not a treat (OK, well it is) but it is a replacement for the boring processed food.

OK, I'll shut up now...