dog and cat nutrition. To believe vets or not

[mydog8it]

From what I understand, vets only spend about 2-3 weeks studying nutrition in school. Unless they've spent some time researching on their own, they probably only know what the pet food company who's product they sell told them. Most good breeders know more about nutrition than vets, or you can talk to a canine nutritionist.

What a lot of people don't know is that cheap dog food brands can be made from dead animals picked up from fields or factory farms, and "recycled" into dog food. If an ingredient is not specific and only states "animal by-product" or "animal meal," "meat by-product," etc, it may contain dead animals including dogs and cats. Most cheap foods contain by-products and chemicals, which are questionable.

I've spent ALOT of time researching dog foods and canine nutrition as we have large breed dogs with shorter life expectancy compared to the average dog, so anything we can do to keep them healthier is helpful. I fed our first great dane Science Diet and Iams, and he ended up dying from cancer when he was only 6. I switched to better foods, and started including fresh foods, and have had much better luck - we just lost a german shepherd mix at age 13, and my great dane is 10. Obviously I can't say how much of that is genetics and how much of it is diet, but if there's a chance feeding better food helps, it's worth it to me.

I would never feed my dogs anything with any by-products (think hot dogs...not good for you), nothing with unspecified "animal" or "meat" protein, no artificial preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and nothing with sugar added. What I DO look for is a food with added probiotics and/or digestive enzymes (to support the immune system and for digestive health), glucosamine (for joint health), Omega fatty acids (for brain, skin, coat), a mix of at least two or three different quality protein sources (ie: beef, fish, eggs) and at least two or three grain/carb sources (unless it's a grain-free food). Human-grade meats and organic ingredients are a bonus. I also give my dogs fresh foods like scrambled eggs, carrots, cooked chicken/beef, oatmeal, yogurt, veggies, fruits, etc.

There are a lot of good premium brands like Canidae, Holistic Select, Blue, Innova, Karma, Honest Kitchen, EVO, Wellness, Wysong, Azmira...most have already been mentioned, and one of those would be my first choice. I think Canidae is probably the least expensive of that bunch. If you need a cheaper option, but something that's not completely terrible in my opinion, check out Costco's Kirkland brand dog food. I believe it's made by Diamond, but I think it's WAY better than any "grocery" brand. I think it's around $20-$25 for a 40 lb bag.

 

[Riocotesei]

Quote:
Small note, I wasn't suggesting that 4health was grain free, I was just saying it doesn't have corn, soy, or wheat in it. Which is true.

/end small note. lol.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I agree the Kirkland from Costco is pretty decent food. I know a big time GSD breeder who had a huge slump in puppy sales and went to Kirkland for her whole kennel while things improved and she could go back to her premium/raw foods. I also used it for about a year, eventually my dogs started itching on it though and I went with TOTW instead. As I have stated before my GSD never looked so fit and healthy on any other food, including the Pinnacle I used to feed exclusively.

 

[welsummerchicks]

Gotcha, rio, I think the thing that puzzles me is that 'grain' or 'corn/wheat' people seem to be saying on these threads, these things are 'bad' to have in dog food.

Other than allergies in specific dogs I don't see why 'no corn/wheat' or even 'no grain' is an advantage in a dog food. Further, I don't understand the distinction others make between 'grain' and 'rice/ barley'' - rice, barley are grains.

I do understand that if buyers don't like it, or the prices on it have soared and consumers can be convinced they shouldn't like it, it is to the company's advantage to pull out their least cost formula and substitute with something cheaper - like potatoes.

I also am not sure that meat/protein sources really are that different between premium and just-under-premium feeds.

 

[Riocotesei]

Corn, wheat, and soy are considered low quality filler in dog foods, holding no nutritional value for the dog. If the food is predominantly filler, then they are just pooping it back out because they got nothing from it.
Whole grain brown rice, and whole barley is considered still a filler but much better quality- based on what it actually is compared to the other stuff.
Sweet potatoes are very good for dogs, while I can't say I know how good plain ol' potatoes are.
On the other end of the spectrum brewers rice is the lowest quality of rice to have in dog foods and is not good to have in there.
If you know some about human nutrition, there are actually a lot of the same rules, doesn't mean we actually follow them

For example, mexican rice and wild rice is better for us than white rice. Corn in general is a very difficult thing to digest. it doesn't hold much nutritional value for us humans either.

For me, it is horrifying to think that foods that say Meat meal, bone meal, or by-products, because it is likely it came from a carcass of a unfortunate dog or cat.
I don't eat dog or cat meat, and I can't say I want my dogs to either, I mean now that I know- it really bugs me.

I'm noticing an improvement in all my dogs health. I have a Chihuahua pup that used to poop 10 times day -no joke- and I switched him to Premium Edge and he has finally leveled out, and goes poop outside and only about 4 times a day. Big improvement if you ask me- saves me some paper towels.

My dog Milo whom I've already mentioned, has never had soft fur. Was always course and scratchy, since I switched him to TOTW he has soft plush fur. Along with his increased energy, weight loss, and strengthened his gimpy leg.

I have a Pyr that just had puppies 4 weeks ago and good nutrition is very important for her too. Often you will see nursing dogs get really skinny and their teeth and hair quality goes to pot. She gets canned (4health) food with TOTW and has a slick smooth coat and nice teeth, she isn't anorexic-ly skinny, and her pups are wonderfully healthy and growing well.

Lol, I could go on and on, but in short, I see so many improvements just from a change in diet. I see animals at work that eat (or often don't eat) junky food, and they have allergies or issues that could be avoided just by picking a better brand of dog food. I know these people love their dogs, they spend $29 a night for them to board and $18 for daytime play. What is another few bucks for a good quality food over something that smells like chemicals, french fries, or looks like it came from a skittles bag?

Thank you for reading my short novel, lol.

~Rio

 

[BlackBart]

This is sad news
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/ar...or--gamble-purchases-natura-pet-products.html

 

[TiaView]

That just makes me want to lose my lunch.

Natura has been such a wonderful company with such great quality control over their product for sooooo long. You could eat off of the factory floor. Guess it's time to go back to raw feeding.

 

[welsummerchicks]

thanks rio for explaining. i have some new information to 'digest'!

 

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
I have been feeding EVO to my dogs for years and Innova and EVO to my cats. I am so mad at this change of hands as my pets have been in wonderful condition and so healthy on this food made in the US with US ingredients. I heard this a few weeks ago and just wanted to scream and kick in a kiddie tantrum.

There are few commercial diets of this quality made with such integrity--anywhere. I have begun to investigate other diets and am keeping my eye on the ingredient list to see if any changes.

 

[Riocotesei]

Quote:
Hey no problem

I hope it made sense. Please feel free to ask anything else. I and others on here will be willing to answer.

Also, so people know, I hold nothing against people that disagree or feed their dogs differently- you do what you want, and can do for your animals. No matter, as long as you love 'em!