Dog food 1st Choice: reviews, composition analysis, price

Certified pet food is the pet's main source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It is important that it not only saturates, but also contains the daily intake of macro- and microelements, and also suits the individual characteristics of the pet, its breed and state of health. Therefore, every owner wants to be sure of the quality and safety of food for their dog. In this article you can find out where “1st choice” dog food is produced, what it contains, the pros and cons of the food line, and what you can replace it with. In addition, read the opinions of experts and ordinary consumers.

The history of the dog food manufacturer “1st choice”

This food was first marketed in 1990 thanks to PLB International in Canada.

Initially, a family from Quebec started a business producing and selling agricultural animal feed. Then they began to supply food for small domestic animals. Growing and expanding over the years, bringing in experts in the pet nutrition field, the family-owned business has become a leader in North America. The “1st choice” brand has become associated with premium cat and dog food.

In the international market, PLB International was also successful. In 2003, it received Canada's first food grade certification for dry pet food.

Now “1st choice” is the winner of many awards; the line of this brand is distributed in more than thirty countries around the world, including Russia. The representative of PLB International in our country is the Ivanko retail chain.

Positive reviews

I have two dogs - a golden and a labrador. Both I and they prefer a natural diet to dry food - cereals, meat, vegetables. But, unfortunately, because of this diet, the golden began to develop an allergy - a coating and smell appeared in the ears, hair began to fall out on the stomach and scratching began.

We tried different hypoallergenic foods, including Pro Plan recommended by the breeder. There was no improvement, and some brands of dogs refused to eat at all. And when compared with real meat, I understand them well. We found out about the Canadian food 1st choice by chance - a kitten appeared and the breeder recommended this particular food. We decided to try it for dogs too.

Let me make a reservation right away, this food is not considered hypoallergenic - it is for animals whose stomach, skin and coat are very sensitive to nutrition and react to the slightest changes: digestive problems begin, the skin becomes dry and flaky, and the coat becomes dull, becomes brittle, the process Shedding occurs excessively long and abundantly. The line includes a separate food for allergy sufferers – with potatoes and duck.

The most important thing is that both dogs really liked the food. I believe you shouldn't judge an entire brand just because your pet didn't like something. There are no guarantees; if one thing works for your neighbor, it will work for you. You should always try. If it becomes boring, we alternate it with hypoallergenic food of the same brand. I can’t say for sure whether it will suit your pet or not, but it’s definitely worth a try.

What is included in the food

Taking care of your animal's nutrition is a company priority. A team of professionals - veterinarians, as well as nutritionists and biologists have developed a special balanced nutritional formula, including an optimal set of vitamins, macro- and microelements. A distinctive feature of the “1st choice” dry food line is:

• high content of natural meat as the main ingredient in each package;
• a good variety of flavors for each category of food: from chicken to lamb;
• the presence of minerals in each granule that helps normalize digestion. They provide healthy shiny coat and skin, allow you to control your pet’s weight;
• the composition contains practically no by-products from meat and bone meal, as well as allergens such as wheat, corn or soy;
• preservatives and flavorings made only from natural ingredients;
• the special form of dry food granules helps clean plaque from teeth;
• strengthening your pet's immune system.

Advantages of Fest Choice food

There are many advantages to 1st Choice dog food, but they especially stand out:

• a large amount of meat;
• high quality products;
• a large amount of vitamins, minerals;
• no chemicals;
• high levels of probiotics, lactic acid and fatty acids;
• variety of lines;
• average price.

The main advantage of 1st Choice diets is a large amount of fiber, medicinal herbs and phytocomponents, which are hypoallergenic, therapeutic, and preventive products.

How much food should you give per day?

The balanced composition allows your pet to eat only food, excluding various types of additives. The optimal amount of food is calculated depending on the individual characteristics of your dog.

This includes age, height and weight (in kg), health status, chronic diseases. For example, the larger the dog, the larger its portion will be. An older pet requires careful attention to its nutritional system. The diet of a pet during illness or after surgery must be discussed with a veterinarian.

Average recommendations for the daily amount of dry food can be found on the back of the product packaging.

Rating of wet dog food

Canned food and spiders delight all tailed ones: appetizing pieces, aromatic pates, delicate jelly - even the most fastidious people do not refuse such a diet. However, it is important to choose the best dog food that is not only tasty, but also healthy.

Attention! Do not leave wet food in a bowl: it spoils very quickly. Opened packaging can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days; it is advisable to generally limit storage to 24 hours.

BarkingHeads

This food is made in the UK from natural raw materials. 85% of meat ingredients and a small amount of healthy plant components (apple, spinach, celery, chicory root, etc.) are enriched with balanced vitamin supplements. The packaging clearly states the ratio of meat ingredients (for example, 85% beef includes 60% fresh boneless meat and 25% beef broth).

Pros:

• lVariety of flavors: salmon, turkey, chicken, lamb, beef, etc.
• Healthy composition (there are options for older dogs, for those struggling with excess weight, for puppies, grain-free).

The downside is the high cost of production.

Belcando

These pouches and canned food are made in Germany. The manufacturing company is proud of the quality of meat raw materials and provides more than 90% of meat components in its products. The following types of meat are used: beef, lamb, duck, chicken, pork, rabbit, salmon. Plant ingredients are represented by rice, potatoes, chickpeas with the addition of carrots, spinach, and lingonberries.

Pros:

• Wide range (there are even canned single-protein products consisting of meat, offal and broth).
• Balanced composition, very clearly described on the packaging.
• Special processing of components to preserve beneficial properties.

Minus - the product is popular in Europe, but is not yet widespread in Russia.

Hill's

The well-known manufacturer of dog and cat food is based in the USA, and its factories are located not only in America, but also in France, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. The company strictly selects suppliers and is proud of its internal quality standards.

Pros:

• Acceptable protein content (more than 20%) ;
• A variety of food types: by age, by activity level, by type of meat (chicken, duck, turkey, salmon);
• A wide range of specialized foods: for pets with sensitive digestion, taking care of the health of the kidneys, joints, liver, heart, etc.;
• Easy to find at almost any pet store.

Minuses:

• The description of the ingredients does not contain their percentages;
• The manufacturer uses wheat and corn.

Alma Nature

The Italian company produces dry and wet dog food in Europe, Canada, and the USA. The products are packaged in tetrapacks, pouches, and cans. The content of meat ingredients is about 50% . You can choose chicken, tuna, veal, turkey, beef or lamb.

Pros:

• Convenient packaging options;
• High percentage of meat ingredients;
• Various options (fish, grain-free, two meat and regular).

Minuses:

• The full composition is not indicated on the packaging; the manufacturer is limited to general wording: for example, “products of animal origin”, without specifying whether meat, animal fat or offal is used;
• High price.

Full range of “1st choice”

The company offers several lines of dry food, divided by age.

Puppies from two to twelve months

Newborn dogs require maximum care, especially regarding nutrition, because their digestion is not yet formed, and here it is very easy to cause harm if the food is chosen incorrectly. In the group of these products you can see food:

1st Choice Puppy for toy and small breeds

Small granule size. Composition based on fish or lamb meat. In addition, it contains proteins with hypoallergenic properties, so the food is suitable for short dogs suffering from food allergies. Herring fat has a beneficial effect on the development of the nervous system.

1st Choice Puppy for miniature and small breeds

It is based on chicken and plant ingredients such as potatoes, brown rice, beet pulp, and herbs, which provide a fresh smell from your mouth. A special type of granules helps the development of fragile teeth and ensures a smooth transition from breast milk.

1st Choice Puppy for medium and large breeds with chicken

Contains the optimal amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for the development of a fragile organism. Natural prebiotics, such as chicory extract, help maintain proper intestinal microflora, providing high immunity.

1st Choice Puppy for all dog breeds that suffer from sensitive skin and coat

The main ingredients are lamb, fish and brown rice - ideal for sensitive pets. The composition contains fatty acids and L-cystine, which make the coat shiny and shiny.

Adult dogs from ten months to eight years

1st Choice Adult for decorative and small breeds with chicken

The composition contains rice, oatmeal and pearl barley. Tocopherols (vitamin E) are used as preservatives. Sources of fiber (tomatoes and beets) help digestion.

1st Choice Adult for miniature and small breeds based on chicken

Includes plant substances such as rice, potatoes, barley, beet and tomato pulp. Green tea extract, as well as mint and parsley keep the mouth clean and freshen breath.

1st Choice Adult for medium and large breeds with chicken

It contains sunflower oil, flax seeds, as well as dried tomatoes and beets, which help normalize the functioning of the stomach. Special components (collagen, chondroitin, glucosamine) support healthy bones and joints.

1st Choice Adult for all dog breeds that suffer from sensitive skin and coat

The main component is lamb and herring flour. Ginger extract reduces the risk of eating disorders, reduces gas formation and eliminates the urge to vomit.

Ingredients of 1st Choice Puppy Sensitive Skin & Coat: base

About Puppy, like other 1st Choice brand foods, the English formulation for the Canadian and American (CA/US) markets is very different from the English formulation for the UK (GB). The translation into Russian on the label is based on the British version of the composition, and we compare the data with it.

The first two ingredients in the diet are of animal origin. Place No. 1 is occupied by 18% lamb flour (Lamb Meal), but it is not necessarily made “from lamb meat,” although it was called that way in the Russian translation - the English name does not indicate its purely meat base. In second place is 15% herring flour. By the way, the third ingredient - brown rice - also has a share of 15%, followed by two more carbohydrate components - dried potatoes and barley groats.

Special food

1st Choice Adult for all breeds to control weight

The composition contains chicken, oatmeal, potato flour, and tomato pulp. The nutritional formula has reduced calorie content of granules for dogs with problematic weight and a sedentary lifestyle.

1st Choice Adult hypoallergenic

Contains potatoes and duck - a source of hypoallergenic proteins, without soy, corn and wheat. Sunflower oil and other vegetable fats make your dog's coat healthy and shiny. Yeast extract promotes the development of beneficial microflora in the intestines.

Senior pets from eight years old

Just like puppies, older dogs need a carefully selected diet.

1st Choice Senior for Miniatures and Small Breeds with Chicken

Small granules with plant ingredients: sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beets, flax seeds and sunflower oil. L-caratine promotes better absorption of fats and prevents their deposition.

1st Choice Senior for medium and large breeds

Consists of chicken meat, oatmeal and pearl barley, potato flour. Special components keep joints healthy for as long as possible. Natural antioxidants, vitamins C and E slow down the aging process and muscle degeneration, and reduce susceptibility to various diseases.

1st Choice Senior made with fish, lamb and brown rice for all dog breeds with sensitive skin and coat

Omega-3 in the composition. Ginger extract improves the functioning of the digestive system. Green tea, mint and parsley keep the mouth clean.

Negative reviews

My dog ​​(Pekingese) is currently 1.5 years old. For a long time I tried giving her Purina Pro Plan food with chicken for small breeds. We developed a wild ear allergy. They turned red and scabbed. The veterinarian said that chicken is contraindicated for us and we need to choose food with hypoallergenic ingredients, such as duck, lamb, salmon. So we lived on these feeds for some time.

And then someone told me that 1 choice food won’t give me this allergy. At first, the dog gobbled up the food on both cheeks. But after 4-5 days the excitement disappeared. I ate without pleasure. And at the end of the week she began to scratch her ears suspiciously. And long live allergies. Again redness, again scabs, the ears quickly become dirty and emit an unpleasant odor. And no matter how much the dog loves me, he won’t let me touch his ears again; it hurts. And so behavior, well-being, playfulness, stool remained at the same level.

The granules are small, neat, all of the same shape. There are no crumbs in the bag, the smell is acceptable. Just right for small jaws, but as I wrote above, the love for it went away in just a few days. I gave the rest for foster care. If your baby/little one also does not tolerate chicken well or they simply have sensitive stomachs, then I highly do not recommend this food.

Review from milo4ka_1 about 1st Choice food for miniature and small breeds with chicken

I bought the food on sale in an online store. The first thing that struck me was the smell. Compared to our food, this smell is much stronger and less pleasant. The granules are not large, just “too tough” for my minis :). As recommended, we tried to gradually switch to the desired food, adding a little granules to the usual food.

However, my beauties completely refused to eat at all. On the third day, there was no end to my anxiety, I decided not to experiment and returned them to their usual diet. No problem - the bowl was empty. I tried giving a couple of granules separately, the dogs turned their nose up. Ultimately, it was decided to “donate” a bag of food to homeless dogs.

Review from Milaya-Ya about Puppy Toy&Small Breeds food

We would be happy to receive feedback from veterinarians and customers about 1st Choice food (Fest Choice). When we receive product reviews, we will definitely post them in this section.

Advantages and disadvantages of food

The Fest Choice brand has a number of advantages:

• good composition. Focusing on maintaining the health of pets, natural ingredients predominate in the developed formula. These are meat and plant matter. In addition, each granule contains a sufficient amount of micro- and trace elements that meet the daily intake;
• You can’t do without preservatives in dry food. “1st choice” uses natural preservatives - tocopherols (vitamin E);
• sufficient range of products. A variety of specialized foods will help you make the right choice in accordance with the characteristics of your dog;
• optimal price. The price corresponds to the quality of the product. At the same time, every dog ​​owner can afford such dry food.

However, along with this, there are some disadvantages to this product:

• a significant amount of plant components in the composition. They make up about a third of all substances;
• presence of by-products. There are very few of them, but they are still present;
• The taste set is quite monotonous. Basically it's chicken. Hypoallergenic formulations contain lamb and fish;
• Buying food of this brand will not be difficult on specialized sites. But finding it in retail stores may not be easy. It is often put on the counter in special pet stores, but more often you have to place an order.

Price and where to buy

You can buy food of this brand in online pet stores:

1. "Old Farm" (link):
2. Packaging 350 g - from 187 rubles;
3. Packaging 2.72 kg - from 971 rubles;
4. Packaging 7 kg - from 2117 rubles;
5. Packaging 15 kg - from 4465 rub.
6. "Le'Murrr" (link):
7. Packaging 350 g - from 210 rubles;
8. Packaging 2.72 kg - from 1099 rubles;
9. Packaging 7 kg - from 2373 rubles;
10. Packaging 15 kg - from 5003 rub.

The prices indicated are valid at the beginning of September 2022 and may change over time. For exact prices, see the store websites using the links above.

Reviews from leading veterinarians

The overwhelming majority of specialized veterinarians speak positively about this brand of dry food. On thematic forums you can find the following statements:

Anastasia S.:

In my practice, there were cases when this food was not entirely suitable for the pet. There were eating disorders. But there are very few of them. In general, the composition of Fest Choice is good. You can try introducing it a little at a time with your usual food, increasing the volume and adjusting the proportions. And then watch the reaction.

Natalia T:

Good food, I like the composition. I often recommend it to my patients. It is, of course, not medicinal. It's very suitable for regular feeding.

Reviews of Fest Choice dog food

Anastasia: We really like Fest Choice, because the composition is very diverse and healthy, and the price is much lower than in similar brands. The veterinarian recommended this food to us, and I read good reviews on the website, so we definitely decided to buy it. We give it from three months, our dog is very active, healthy and savvy.

Fields: We buy a line for adult pets of medium breeds, we especially like the rich composition. The amount of meat, vegetables, cereals and vitamin complexes with supplements is enough to keep our pet active and completely healthy. Even a huge appetite suggests that 1st Choice food is very good, we will not change it under any circumstances.

Oksana: For such quality and incredibly rich, nutritious composition - an excellent, even low price. We have been giving food for two years now, we have never changed it to another and we do not intend to. I have never seen so many healthy products in one diet. We even tried a series of hypoallergenic and therapeutic foods, the problem went away after a week.

Reviews from dog owners

Alexandra S:

I have a Yorkie, my name is Lola. From a young age she constantly had stomach problems. Well, regular cheap food definitely wasn’t suitable. Immediately something happened. Therefore, I carefully selected food for the baby. I decided to try Fest Choice and introduced it gradually. Everything went smoothly. Moreover, she constantly turned her nose up at other mass market brands. I even checked the naturalness of yoghurts with her. If she eats, then everything is fine)) And then Fest Choice began to eat well. And now only on it. So far there haven't been any serious problems.

Olga T.:

The store didn't have our food, I think I'll take this one and try it. Well, to be honest, I didn’t notice much of a difference. Although many people praise 1st choice. Jason seems to eat it the same way, although he doesn’t care what he eats, in my opinion. The packaging is beautiful, it smells nice, but I don’t think I’ll buy it regularly. More likely as a backup option.

Read also:  How to find a dog by chip and check it in the database

Irina F.:

Initially, this food attracted me for some reason when I was choosing food for my puppy. Fest Choice came right away. I take it for miniature dogs. There are small light brown granules, they are just the right size for small breeds. Everything in the composition is beautifully written, but I even tried it myself once. I didn’t feel anything bad about the taste; it wasn’t a very greasy crisp, almost tasteless. I didn't get poisoned)

Holistic food rating

Holistics are a class of complete foods made from natural products. This is a highly digestible, balanced diet of the highest quality. Holistic specialists are expensive, but they ensure the health of the pet, taking into account all its characteristics.

Grandorf

The food of this brand is produced in Belgium and Italy. This product contains at least 60% meat ingredients (meat and meat meal). Plant components are represented by rice, potatoes, dried vegetables.

Pros:

• Hypoallergenic composition: no wheat and chicken;
• Useful components (natural antioxidants, vitamins, chondroitin, etc.);
• Variety of meat types: rabbit, turkey, duck, salmon, lamb, etc.

Minuses:

• Not easy to acquire;
• Low fat and fiber. Due to the low fat content, the food may not be suitable for active pets.

Now Fresh

Canadian food with a grain-free composition (vegetable components are mainly represented by potato flour, peas, healthy herbs, dried vegetables). The main source of meat is turkey, lamb, salmon.

Pros:

• Hypoallergenic composition;
• Strict quality control;
• Availability in stores;
• Balanced vitamin and mineral supplements;
• Different lines: by size, by age, taking into account the characteristics of the dog.

The downside is the high price.

Orijen

This Canadian holistic product contains 70% meat ingredients, there are no by-products or grains (vegetable components include potatoes and dried root vegetables).

Pros:

• High-quality raw materials;
• Balanced, natural composition;
• Various types: by age, by size, hypoallergenic, for those with weight problems.

The downside is the high cost.

Canidae

American holistic with a variety of flavors for all breeds (there is a separate line for the smallest dogs). It is noteworthy that the brand produces grain-free and whole grain food, with several types of meat and mono-meat.

Pros:

• High meat content (lamb, chicken, salmon, beef);
• The composition does not contain wheat (rice, oatmeal, barley are used as the grain base) and corn (plant components are potatoes, peas, carrots);
• Vitamin and mineral supplements.

Minuses:

• High price;
• The percentage of ingredients is not indicated;
• Not easy to find in Russia.

Go! Natural

Canadian food based on natural meat (turkey, venison, duck, chicken, salmon, etc.) with balanced vitamin and mineral supplements. It contains predominantly meat, not offal, bones, or skin.

Pros:

• Wide selection: grain-free, whole grain and options for dogs with sensitive digestion;
• Available in the form of canned food and dry granules;
• Available in Russian pet stores.

The downside is the high price.

Briefly about the main thing

1. 1st choice dry dog ​​food belongs to the Canadian company PLB International.
2. A distinctive feature of this food is its completely natural composition of meat and plant ingredients. Flavorings and preservatives are also natural substances.
3. Fest Choice products are divided into groups depending on the age of the dog (newborns, adults and seniors). In addition, you can choose food depending on the breed of your pet, its size, such distinctive features as food or skin sensitivity, allergies, and the need to monitor weight.
4. Limited tastes are perfectly compensated by the presence of natural nutrients, vitamins, micro- and microelements in the composition of dry food.
5. Unfortunately, there are no analogues of this product in our country. However, it is difficult to find it in stock on store shelves. However, it is very easy to place an order on the website on the Internet.
6. But in any case, always follow your veterinarian's recommendations. Don't experiment with your pet's diet. The main thing is his health, not the brand.

Best dry dog ​​food

Dry granules store well, are consumed more slowly than canned food and are cheaper. However, in order for the diet to be balanced, it is important to choose a diet that will provide your pet with all the necessary microelements and other beneficial substances.

Acana

The Canadian company “Champion Petfoods” produces pellets using a unique technology: at low temperatures using steam. Acana products are known for their high animal protein content (up to 85%) and balanced composition. Plant components - mainly peas, lentils, beans.

The company produces various lines: according to dog sizes; according to the age; specialized (to combat excess weight, for example); with different sources of protein (chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, salmon, etc.).

Pros:

• Wide variety of options;
• Healthy ingredients: there is no wheat, which often causes allergies, and corn, which is poorly digestible by predators;
• Availability: Acana is easy to find at pet stores.

The downside is the high price.

Wolfsblut

Wolfsblut is produced in the UK by order of the German company Healthfood24 GmbH. “Wolf's Blood” contains at least 50% meat , no wheat or corn, a balanced amount of ingredients of animal and plant origin. The latter are represented by sweet potatoes and rice. Other herbal ingredients are also present (chickpeas, pumpkin, flaxseed, blueberries, ginseng, sage, etc.) in very small quantities. Wolfsblut combines fresh and dried meat, as well as meat fat.

Pros:

• Variety of options: by age, by the degree of activity of dogs, by size, by type of meat (horse meat, chicken, lamb, rabbit, turkey, venison, etc.)
• A balanced ratio of meat and plant elements, vitamin and mineral supplements.

Minuses:

• High price;
• Difficult to find in domestic pet stores.

Farmina

The Italian company Farmina produces products for dogs not only in Italy, but also in Brazil and Serbia. Raw materials for creating products are selected according to the “suitable for human” standard . This means that meat processing waste (hooves, skin, bone meal, etc.) is not used in production. The main sources of protein are chicken, lamb, eggs, pork and fish. Plant components - oats, rice, spelled, corn, processed using a special technology that increases the digestibility of these components.

Pros:

• Farmina products are rich in protein;
• Natural antioxidants and high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements are used;
• Lots of options.

Minus - the use of spelled (spelt wheat) can cause allergies.

Brit

Brit is a Czech brand that produces a wide range of dry and wet food, as well as treats for dogs. Dry granules contain significant meat content for premium food (at least 40%) . Plant ingredients include wheat or peas, potatoes, rice (grain-free types). Brita contains collagen, as well as cartilage and crustacean shells - these components are beneficial for joints.

Pros:

• A variety of options: by size, by age, by level of activity, there are also specialized types (for weight loss, for long-haired dogs, for allergy sufferers - there is even food containing dehydrated fish and insects).
• Cheaper than other premium foods.

Minus - the designation “chicken” instead of “chicken meat” may indicate the use of offal.