What We Feed Our Aussiedoodles (And Why It Matters)

We get asked about dog food more than almost anything else. So here's the short answer: we use Kinetic Performance Dog Food and have for years.

Our vet has actually commented on how strong and vibrant our puppies are during checkups. He's seen multiple litters from us, and I genuinely believe the food makes a huge difference. You can just tell when dogs are thriving versus just getting by.

But finding the right food took us a while. We tried a lot of brands over the years. Some were fine. Some weren't worth the money. And a few made us genuinely worried about what we were putting in our dogs' bowls. Since we get asked about this constantly, I figured it was time to explain how we landed on Kinetic and what we look for in dog food generally.

When Do Puppies Start Eating Solid Food?

At around five weeks old, when our pups are being weaned, we start introducing solid food and transitioning them from just mom's milk to kibble. It's a gradual process. We soften the kibble at first, then slowly reduce the water until they're eating it dry.

Whether it's their main food or treats, ingredients matter. Just like they do for us humans. Maybe even more so, because dogs can't exactly tell us when something isn't agreeing with them.

What's the Healthiest Food to Feed Your Dog?

Here's the thing. Dog food trends tend to follow human nutrition trends, which isn't always a good thing.

Remember the gluten-free craze? That sparked a whole grain-free movement in dog food. And look, I get it. A lot of cheap kibbles were packed with GMO corn and fillers that nobody felt great about. Going grain-free seemed like the healthier choice.

Then, a few years back, headlines started popping up about dogs developing heart disease. Veterinarians noticed a link with grain-free diets, and the FDA looked into it. They couldn't pinpoint a definite cause, but something in those grain-free formulas, maybe a nutritional deficiency, was causing real problems.

A lot of pet parents felt betrayed. I know we did. We'd been trying to do the right thing, and suddenly we weren't sure what the right thing even was anymore.

Why We Don't Feed Grain-Free or By-product free (And You Shouldn't Either)

After all that, we made a decision: we're not following food trends anymore.

We settled on a quality diet that includes all the macros, protein, carbs, and fat, plus certain grains. We also supplement with probiotics and vitamins since our dogs are active mommies and daddies who need a little extra support.

Please don't feed your dog grain-free kibble. I know there are still brands marketing it as premium, but the science isn't settled, and the risks aren't worth it. Most manufacturers have made corrections, but we feel it's best to avoid completely until they get it right. That's probably a whole other blog post, honestly.

What Ingredients Should You Avoid in Dog Food?

Not all kibble is created equal. Here's what we look to avoid:

Skip these:

• Corn and soy (cheap fillers)

• Animal digest (you don't want to know)

Look for these instead:

• High-quality grains like brown rice or oats

• Named protein sources like chicken meal, lamb, or egg

• Vegetables, fruits, and added vitamins

Why We Chose Kinetic Performance

Kinetic checks all the boxes for us. Quality protein first, good grains, no junk fillers. But honestly, the proof is in the puppies. When your vet keeps commenting on how healthy your dogs look across multiple litters, you know you're doing something right.

Per our Puppy Policies agreement, Fine & Dandy families agree to keep their puppies on Kinetic or one of our other approved foods for the first year. After that, you're free to switch, but please consider finding something with similar quality ingredients. Your dog's long-term health is worth it.

We do have other approved food brands, so just ask us if Kinetic isn't available in your area or doesn't work for your budget.

A Smarter Approach to Dog Treats

Here's something that bugs me a little. People spend a fortune on fancy treats that honestly aren't that healthy. All those little tidbits add up to a lot of unnecessary calories, and before you know it, your dog's gaining weight.

Want a better option? Buy a small bag of high-quality kibble in a different flavor than their regular food. Lamb, salmon, duck, whatever sounds exciting. It's lower calorie than most treats, won't break the bank, and your dog will think they're getting something special.

We love showing love through food. It's kind of our thing. But those treats need to be worth the calories.

We also recommend working with a trusted local dog treat maker. We trust Barkriffic, a local farm to paw dog treat company that makes healthy dog treats that will get your dogs tail wagging.

Choosing the Right Food Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

I know this can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of brands out there, and everyone has an opinion. But here's what it comes down to:

• Quality protein as the first ingredient

• Whole grains (not grain-free)

• No corn or soy

• A brand with a good track record

• Healthy Byproducts like livers

Start there. Add a probiotic for gut health if you want. And don't stress too much about getting it perfect.

We're always happy to talk food with our puppy families. It's one of those things that seems small but really does matter for your dog's long-term health and happiness.