I used to feed my Basset Hound Healthwise, but when I moved back in with my parents, and lost my job I had 3 other dogs to feed (paid for dog food in exchange for rent). I started feeding my dogs Diamond Naturals, because for the price the food quality was good. While the food seemed to solve a couple of problems (decent food, that can be bought in bulk, for a decent price), a few problems started to emerge.

While the Basset Hound, Male Westie, and German Shepherd do very well on this food, our female Westie, has lately started to have bad allergies (she is on medication and has seen the vet). I’ve noticed that lately her stools have been very soft (she has had her anal glands squeezed, and we stopped the allergy meds 2 weeks ago, but continue with the medicated baths). We think that the food might not be right for her, so we want to try them on another food.

My question to you yahoo people is what is a good food, that can be bought in bulk, that is a decent price. Expense isn’t so much of an obstacle anymore as I am currently working. The food has to be good for all dogs, but conscious of the fact that Bassets tend to have weight issues, (Diamond Naturals is working fine for him, and the vet says he’s at perfect weight 44 lbs). our German Shepherd is a senior dog, and the male Westie has a wheat allergy.

Thanks in advance for your help!
I know how to switch dog food, that isn’t an issue, and I know the first product should be some kind of meat (Diamond Naturals has this).

I tried Taste of the Wild with my Basset Hound and he refused to eat it. The reason why I asked the question is not to find out how to switch food or what food is "good". I guess it was more to find out what would be a good balance for all the dogs with different issues, weight, senior, allergies. I don’t want to go to the store and try a different food every week until I find one that works for all of them if people could point me in a good direction to start with, then we could narrow it down to 3 or 4 instead of 8-10.
The issue with the healthwise, is is that I cannot find it in any store in CT. When I was living in CA it is what I fed my dog. I can find the other brands that this company makes, the California Natural, Innova, and Evo.

Not anything to do with the kidney recalls or anything, just something I can feed my dog anytime. Ol’roy, purina, kibbles and bits, etc.?

Here is the Ingredient list for the Chicken, Lamb, and Active formula. Anyone have any experience with this dog food? Which is better? Chicken or Lamb?

Chicken:
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a Natural Source of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Salt, Herring Oil, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Betaine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Lecithin, Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis %:
Protein 25
Fat 15
Moisture 10
Fiber 3.8

Extra Information:
Calories 1705 Kcal/lb
Calories 3650 Kcal/Kg
Calories 453 KCals/Cup

Lamb:
Ingredients:
Lamb Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a Natural Source of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Salt, Herring Oil, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Betaine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Lecithin, Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis %:
Protein 27
Fat 16
Moisture 10
Fiber 3.8

Extra Information:
Calories 1798 Kcal/lb
Calories 3600 Kcal/Kg
Calories 428 KCals/Cup

Active Formula:
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a Natural Source of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Herring Oil, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Betaine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Lecithin, Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis %:
Protein 30
Fat 20
Moisture 10
Fiber 3.5

Extra Information:
Calories 1795 Kcal/lb
Calories 3870 Kcal/Kg
Calories 461 KCals/Cup