Dog food questions

[tellynpeep]

Quote:
Oh good grief. I agree with Kota on this subject. Vet ARE held to a higher standard. I have 25 years of clinical experience in veterinary medicine, as well as 8 years of academic training. This does not include additional training in specialties or many hours/year of active continuing education in veterinary medicine, surgery, nutrition, alternative/complimentary medicine.

Where did you get your degree?

 

[Wifezilla]

Do you need a degree to know that wolves don't eat corn? That wild cats do not eat soy? Seriously!

 

[farrier!]

With the knowledgeable people posting I would like to ask a question.
I have 2 extremely active dogs (running huge circles around my endurance horses).
I have ended up feeding Diamond Hi-Energy. The older dog will still look a bit too thin when allowed to run with us too often. What could I do for denser calories?

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Farrier,

Look at Diamond's Hi-Energy ingredient list:

http://www.diamondpet.com/products/diamond/dogs/dry_food/diamond_hienergy/

notice the protein level is only 24%, the 1st ingredient is chicken by-product meal, and 2nd ingredient is ground corn, which is not highly digestible.

Now look at Nutro's High Energy ingredient list:

http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncdry-he.shtml

and notice that the protein level is 30%, the 1st ingredient is chicken meal, and the 2nd ingredient is ground rice which is more digestible than corn.

See the difference?

 

[BlackBart]

I consulted with a unbiased Pet Nutritionist who has years of education. She isn't employed or paid by any feed company and she suggested a feeding program for my Aucado's.

She told me to feed California Naturals Herring and Sweet Potato and raw food.

Both have beautiful coats, no tartar on their teeth, lots of energy and the goopy eyes have cleared up, as well as the skin rashes.

I was feeding Medical from the Vet.

 

[farrier!]

Robin'sBrood :

Farrier,

Look at Diamond's Hi-Energy ingredient list:

http://www.diamondpet.com/products/diamond/dogs/dry_food/diamond_hienergy/

notice the protein level is only 24%, the 1st ingredient is chicken by-product meal, and 2nd ingredient is ground corn, which is not highly digestible.

Now look at Nutro's High Energy ingredient list:

http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncdry-he.shtml

and notice that the protein level is 30%, the 1st ingredient is chicken meal, and the 2nd ingredient is ground rice which is more digestible than corn.

See the difference?

I am an avid label reader but my dog is not.....

He will not touch the Nutro. I have also tried most of the name brand foods and for a short time we were on a raw diet but do not have access to that now.

This is a dog that eats almost everything including hot peppers from the counter!

 

[KotaDVM]

Quote:
I would not really consider this to be the scientific evidence I asked for to support your claims...but I can work with this too. I agree that wolves and cats do not normally eat corn and soy as part of their diet. As I stated earlier they receive the carbohydrates in their diet from eating the digestive tract of their herbivorous prey animals.

I also already stated that corn based diets are not ideal, however they serve their purpose. If you feed a reputable company that has plant material as the main ingredient in the correct proportions to your dog- your dog will not be deficient in any nutrients and will have the satisfactory amount of carbs, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, kilocalories, etc to live. Does feeding corn. soy, and wheat hurt our animals? No research has shown this yet. Are there better ways to feed our dogs? Yes...become a food chemist and figure it out for the rest of us.

An animal can have a perfectly balanced diet eating a corn-based meal. Now with that said, there are more important factors that one has to take into account regarding dog food that dog owners should be aware of.

1) A good company will do a feeding trial first before selling the dog food- if a feeding trial has been done it will be on the label somewhere.
2) Brands that say "satisfactory for all stages of life" means they are selling you puppy food. If you are feeding your 10 year old dog puppy food you will have an obesity problem.
3) A good company will have an AAFCO statement that says the food proves complete and balanced nutrition for the animal.
4) If a brand is selling food that can be fed to both dogs/cats- trash it immediately


These 4 statements above means that this dog food brand works for MOST dogs- there are always exceptions. If you are feeding your dog a diet that is missing a feeding trial or an AAFCO statement I would start looking at other brands.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

farrier! :

Robin'sBrood :

Farrier,

Look at Diamond's Hi-Energy ingredient list:

http://www.diamondpet.com/products/diamond/dogs/dry_food/diamond_hienergy/

notice the protein level is only 24%, the 1st ingredient is chicken by-product meal, and 2nd ingredient is ground corn, which is not highly digestible.

Now look at Nutro's High Energy ingredient list:

http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncdry-he.shtml

and notice that the protein level is 30%, the 1st ingredient is chicken meal, and the 2nd ingredient is ground rice which is more digestible than corn.

See the difference?

I am an avid label reader but my dog is not.....

He will not touch the Nutro. I have also tried most of the name brand foods and for a short time we were on a raw diet but do not have access to that now.

This is a dog that eats almost everything including hot peppers from the counter!

Well, if hes like Diamond and is doing well on it, I guess you could just try upping the amount you feed him when he is extra active.

 

[farrier!]

He is eating as much as he can. Unless I can add something more calorie dense he just drops weight....

 

[Robin'sBrood]

farrier! :

He is eating as much as he can. Unless I can add something more calorie dense he just drops weight....

Have you tried mixing in some wet food with his dry? If yes, I honestly don't know what else to tell you other than to consult with your vet.