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What is the best kind of dry dog food ?
Does any one have any thoughts on what they think is a good dog food? My dog is a Pomeranian. She is 3 yrs old. She has been on the Science Diet since she was 6 weeks old. She is now eating the Science diet small bites for adults. I have been reading alot of negative information on the web about how bad this food is. I do not know what to change her food to. I would really appreciate any information.
Thank you,
sasturner
Thank you,
sasturner
Science Diet was absolutely involved in the 2007 recall, on the FDA site. Just happened upon this page and couldn't believe what you posted. There is SO much information from well know, respected veterinarians that would cringe if they saw your post.
This is a very late response to the original question, because I have only just caught up with this thread. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a good dry dog food. Rather than go into detail about why I think that here, please read my piece on it at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Why_Dry_Dog_Food_Is_Bad_For_Dogs
Even if all you think about is this ... it will be enough to make you reconsider what you feed your dogs ... most of the big pet food manufacturers fund dog food research and then promote what they find (from their biased point of view) to vets and other professionals through the seminars and conventions they fund. Vets are also indoctrinated at some universities, because pet food manufacturers also fund some of the lectures there on dog nutrition.
The more I have learned about processed dog food, the more cautious I have become about what I feed my dogs. Hopefully more and more will realize that dry food has been created almost entirely for the convenience of human owners and not for the first priority benefit of their beloved pets.
Tony
Even if all you think about is this ... it will be enough to make you reconsider what you feed your dogs ... most of the big pet food manufacturers fund dog food research and then promote what they find (from their biased point of view) to vets and other professionals through the seminars and conventions they fund. Vets are also indoctrinated at some universities, because pet food manufacturers also fund some of the lectures there on dog nutrition.
The more I have learned about processed dog food, the more cautious I have become about what I feed my dogs. Hopefully more and more will realize that dry food has been created almost entirely for the convenience of human owners and not for the first priority benefit of their beloved pets.
Tony
I would go with Annova brand food. It is made with human-grade ingredients. It is pricey but is well worth it. I cannot afford to feed this alone so I mix it with Iams or Science Diet foods. I also feed raw chicken and eggs (cooked and raw) to my six dogs each week. I am fortunate that three are 11 years old and are doing excellent!
hey sk, lighten up, relax. I'm even considering taking vitamin supplements based on James Herriots books. My GP recommended All Vitamins Great and Small so they must be good.
My vet does not carry Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul. He just recommended it because that's what he thought was best. So in our case, the vet did NOT just recommend what they carry.
I have fed Science Diet small bites to the beagle for 11 years. She has done well and likes the food.
As far as Science Diet goes, it was highly recommended by my vet, and he does not sell this brand or any other dog food. So, it is not because he wants to make a profit. It is what he feeds his dog. He told me their were not a bunch of fillers in it like cheaper brands. As far as Iams goes... I don't really know a lot about it. I know that each dog is different and need unique diets, just like people. Iams hurt my dogs stomach BAD! It just wasn't right for him. Science Diet is the only one that doesn't hurt his stomach, and the only one he really loves.
I would have thought the same thing, but in the last three months I've been seeing a surprising difference in the dogs that come into the place I work (the ones belonging to owners who switch to better quality and different foods or use supplements).
I suppose it breaks down statistically to different groups having different genetic background. some creatures are healthier and stronger than others; they thrive regardless of diet, enviornment, and circumstances. Others need to be catered to more in diet and treatment.
Its interesting for me because I've got a long term background in the medical side of veterinary care (layman's) but had never really been all that interested in the "holistic/alternative" treatments until recently.
But I'm slowly becoming a true believer; every time I see the positive end result with a dog or cat, I'm pleasantly surprised that it actually worked.
I suppose it breaks down statistically to different groups having different genetic background. some creatures are healthier and stronger than others; they thrive regardless of diet, enviornment, and circumstances. Others need to be catered to more in diet and treatment.
Its interesting for me because I've got a long term background in the medical side of veterinary care (layman's) but had never really been all that interested in the "holistic/alternative" treatments until recently.
But I'm slowly becoming a true believer; every time I see the positive end result with a dog or cat, I'm pleasantly surprised that it actually worked.
define holistic.
vets recommend what they carry.
only1% of all brands were affected by the recall. so - 99% of ALL foods were NOT on the recall list. not necessarily a glowing recommendation.
interestingly of all topics in pet care - diet brand brings out the most emotion.
yet no one could tell the difference in a hundred dogs all fed something different.
vets recommend what they carry.
only1% of all brands were affected by the recall. so - 99% of ALL foods were NOT on the recall list. not necessarily a glowing recommendation.
interestingly of all topics in pet care - diet brand brings out the most emotion.
yet no one could tell the difference in a hundred dogs all fed something different.
Actually I did put a LOT of thought into what I feed my dogs. When it comes to my dogs, I will pay whatever it takes for them to have the best of everything. Their food is holistic and recommended by their vets. In addition, during the scary pet food recall, their dog food was not affected.
I think I've put plenty of THOUGHT into this and if I didn't, their dog food would have listed on the recall, just like Iams and Nutro. I'm so glad I did not feed them Iams or Nutro.
So Geez, I would put a little more thought into your response before you accuse anyone else of not putting thought into what they feed their dogs.
I think I've put plenty of THOUGHT into this and if I didn't, their dog food would have listed on the recall, just like Iams and Nutro. I'm so glad I did not feed them Iams or Nutro.
So Geez, I would put a little more thought into your response before you accuse anyone else of not putting thought into what they feed their dogs.
Just so I understand, you are feeding a food that was made based on a book full of cute little dog stories!?? Geez, I think I'd put more thought than that into this choice.
If I grouped any number of sets of dogs in pens - all fed different commercial, premium, super-premium natural, holistic, diets etc. etc., most people could not tell ONE ounce of difference in any of them. even if you ran blood work on them all.
I've ved Hills, Iams, Nutro etc. to German Sheps and Great Danes for 20 years and they all out live their life expectancy and all have superb hair coat, energy and no nutritionally related medical issues.
it's all marketing an opinion - and we know everyone has one of those!
If I grouped any number of sets of dogs in pens - all fed different commercial, premium, super-premium natural, holistic, diets etc. etc., most people could not tell ONE ounce of difference in any of them. even if you ran blood work on them all.
I've ved Hills, Iams, Nutro etc. to German Sheps and Great Danes for 20 years and they all out live their life expectancy and all have superb hair coat, energy and no nutritionally related medical issues.
it's all marketing an opinion - and we know everyone has one of those!
You're talking about the difference between a pet grade and human grade food here in a lot of cases. Iams, Science Diet, they're both pet grade. The're made from meat and by products rejected for human consumption (the human grade foods aren't).
So pet grades have got a lot of fillers in them that aren't great for your pet, plus they have to cook it at such a high temperature to kill all the nasty bacterial critters that it kills most of the nutritional value.
So... california natural IS better because it's human grade.
Frankly, the Freeze dried or frozen foods are the best (eagle pack, Stella & Chewies, Wysong Archtype, etc...). Since they aren't cooked, there's no ash by product and they're nutritionally more intact.
The only catch is they tend to be pure meat diets (or as close as you can get). So you'd best use a good vitamin supplement with them to be sure they're getting a good vitamin and mineral balance.
So pet grades have got a lot of fillers in them that aren't great for your pet, plus they have to cook it at such a high temperature to kill all the nasty bacterial critters that it kills most of the nutritional value.
So... california natural IS better because it's human grade.
Frankly, the Freeze dried or frozen foods are the best (eagle pack, Stella & Chewies, Wysong Archtype, etc...). Since they aren't cooked, there's no ash by product and they're nutritionally more intact.
The only catch is they tend to be pure meat diets (or as close as you can get). So you'd best use a good vitamin supplement with them to be sure they're getting a good vitamin and mineral balance.
I always thought the most important thing to stay away from was anything containing by-products because they could easily become contaminated.
Our dogs always did well on the Science Diet until this one developed a wheat allergy.
Our dogs always did well on the Science Diet until this one developed a wheat allergy.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I am curious as to why you consider 6 of the top 8 ingredients in Science Diet "nutritional no-nos" and why you consider all Iams and Pedigree products worthless?
Companies like Hill's, Iams and Purina have helped to provide a broad foundation in understanding the nutritional needs of dogs and cats and even many other animals as well. Their research and development have benefitted many other smaller companies. And, with increased competition comes better products for our pets. Like I mentioned above, some people have very strong opinions about why they prefer a certain brand of food, but calling food worthless is probably not appropriate.
Your profile doesn't mention your background...are you a DVM or animal nutritionist?
Companies like Hill's, Iams and Purina have helped to provide a broad foundation in understanding the nutritional needs of dogs and cats and even many other animals as well. Their research and development have benefitted many other smaller companies. And, with increased competition comes better products for our pets. Like I mentioned above, some people have very strong opinions about why they prefer a certain brand of food, but calling food worthless is probably not appropriate.
Your profile doesn't mention your background...are you a DVM or animal nutritionist?
This is a "great food" and is actually LESS expensive than most high quality. Have you tried the canned? You can't believe how good it looks....Chicken Soup was listed in "The Whole Dog Journal" as one of their top choices of foods this year. I usually recommend this one to owners of large dogs as it is more affordable to feed.....Good Choice! Karla
P.S. ALL Iams & Pedigree products are worthless!!!!!!!
P.S. ALL Iams & Pedigree products are worthless!!!!!!!
Both our dogs get Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. It was recommended by the vet and it's on the more expensive side, but so far we've been happy with it. We've also tried Organix and might switch to that at some point. This is the ingredient list for Chicken Soup:
Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, oatmeal, millet, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, egg product, tomato pomace, duck, salmon, flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, choline chloride, dried chicory root, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
If someone could take a look at this list and let me know what you think, that would be great.
I would steer clear of supermarket brands such as Iams and Pedigree, but that's just my opinion.
Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, oatmeal, millet, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, egg product, tomato pomace, duck, salmon, flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, choline chloride, dried chicory root, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
If someone could take a look at this list and let me know what you think, that would be great.
I would steer clear of supermarket brands such as Iams and Pedigree, but that's just my opinion.
We just switched from Science Diet. It is filled with wheat and corn. This can cause allergies in dogs. It did with ours. We are now feeding Diamond natural Lamb and Rice.
She has always been a picky eater but seems to like it.
She has always been a picky eater but seems to like it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You have just asked a question that veterinarians get daily and one that generally causes a lot of controversy. People have some very strong opinions about their pets' food!!
Science Diet is a good premium brand that has been in business for a long time. None of their dog foods were adversely affected by the pet food recall in March of 2007, only a few select canned cat foods and a dry veterinary only cat diet.
I think the most important thing about a "good" dog food is whether or not the dog will eat the food!! I have seen many dogs refuse both premium and low cost brands of dog food, especially if they really liked whatever diet they previously ate.
In my opinion, if your Pom is doing well on Science Diet, there is no reason to change. If changing is very important to you, you could try the Iams Mini Chunks or Eukanuba Original diets. You might consider other brands, but a lot will depend on the cost of the foods, how easy it is to purchase (specialty store, pet store, veterinarian, grocery store, etc) and the results you see in your pet.
Your veterinarian is also a great source of information about good diets and how to properly switch a pet from one diet to another.
Take care....
Tomcat
Science Diet is a good premium brand that has been in business for a long time. None of their dog foods were adversely affected by the pet food recall in March of 2007, only a few select canned cat foods and a dry veterinary only cat diet.
I think the most important thing about a "good" dog food is whether or not the dog will eat the food!! I have seen many dogs refuse both premium and low cost brands of dog food, especially if they really liked whatever diet they previously ate.
In my opinion, if your Pom is doing well on Science Diet, there is no reason to change. If changing is very important to you, you could try the Iams Mini Chunks or Eukanuba Original diets. You might consider other brands, but a lot will depend on the cost of the foods, how easy it is to purchase (specialty store, pet store, veterinarian, grocery store, etc) and the results you see in your pet.
Your veterinarian is also a great source of information about good diets and how to properly switch a pet from one diet to another.
Take care....
Tomcat
The negative information your reading about Science Diet is TRUE. I looked up your food and out of the first 8 ingredients listed, 6 of them were No-Nos for proper nutrition. I too, think California Natural is very good. The canned is even better. Their kibble might be too large for a tiny dog...You need to think about that. I feed Innova/Evo Chicken and turkey (Grain free). They make a small kibble called "Small Bites". Also, make a beef food. This food is excellent...Their canned is excellent, too. "Wellness" makes wonderful food. I buy their grainfree canned. I'm sure the dry is great, also. Don't know what size the kibble is, though. You can feel the bag to see before you buy. Again, you cannot find these at grocery stores or discount centers....Of the three listed: Wellness is probably the easiest to find, Then Calif. Natural, then Innova.....Good luck and thank you for your concerns about nutrition for your furry friend. Let me know if you have any other questions......Karla
I think it really depends on what diet is best for your dog. My dog LOVES Science Diet. It is the only one he really likes. It doesn't hurt his stomach like all the others, and it was highly recommended by my vet.
California Natural is very good. It doesn't have any funky byproducts in it. It is also made in the United States. It was one of the few brands not affected by the recall. I have been feeding all 3 of my dogs this food since they were puppies. It is really good. You can find it at specialty pet stores- not at petsmart or anything.
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