Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: redrider on August 17, 2015, 06:56:33 AM
-
I use Science Diet but have heard good things about Wilderness, just like everything else. Mine is better because....
Calling all pet nutritionists. Which of the brands out there provide the best, most use-full ingredients?
-
I buy either Blue or Whole Earth Farms. WEF is cheaper and both brands have grain free options.
-
there are basically two ways the food is formulated.. one is a formula designed by nutritionists and the other same but has been fed to actual dogs in trials and the dogs are studied as to the effects, this takes longer to develop.
the good stuff says somewhere in the small print "animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substatiate yada yada..."
-
We went through several brands (including the more expensive stuff) until we found one that did not give our dog stomach problems. Nutro Lite. Yep, supposed to be horrible stuff but it works for ours.
-
We went through several brands (including the more expensive stuff) until we found one that did not give our dog stomach problems. Nutro Lite. Yep, supposed to be horrible stuff but it works for ours.
Dogs are like people in some ways, in what they eat and what's good for them. They have allergies and such just like people do, and what works for one may be almost toxic to another.
I long ago gave up the idea that "taste" or "smell" of dog food means anything to a dog. After enough times of watching even the most civil, fastidious dog with its head 18" up inside the arse end of a 3-day dead deer, or rolling in the remains of a dead possum to perfume him/herself up, I don't believe that taste and smell affects them the same way it affects us.
Our border collie Jack had some skin and coat problems which we worked on with the veterinarian, and settled on a low dose of thyroid booster along with "Pedigree" dry dog food. Jack likes it, eats it right up, and his coat now stays bright and full. The state of a dog's coat is a superb indicator of his/her overall health, so for us, the food that makes THAT right, and keeps him eager and energetic, is the one we use.
Lannis
-
We use Nutro Max Senior for our older large dogs. It contains glucosamine and is helpful with joint health. We give Science Diet Small Breed to the Chihuahuas.
-
this thread needs pics
(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-wbWrq9s/0/M/IMG_1061-M.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-wbWrq9s/A)
-
Avoiding any dog foods with fillers, sawdust or other "bulk" crap in them.
Avoid any which have had recalls (particularly those packed in China)
I started my Lab 10 years ago on Innova, then as he moved into adulthood, he's been on Solid Gold...fit as a fiddle at 10 years, athletic, full of energy, great coat, no allergies and eats like a Dyson vacuum cleaner (several years ago I bought him one of those bowls which look like a bundt cake form) so he would take his time.
Fully expect him to get to 15 or so...
-
One of our dogs developed nasty "hot spots" which she continuously licked open. The vet treated them with limited results. A friend suggested we switch to a non-grain food and eliminate any other source of grain--- treats, etc. The spots healed very quickly and never came back. She apparently has a food allergy. The food we now use is made by Zignature and our dogs are healthy.
-
As a 5 year old, I liked Skippy and Chuck Wagon (the red pieces), no idea what my dog liked
-
I found out our shelter pitbull has a sensitive stomach. Give gravy train or some other cheap food and she'll cough up bits of it on the rug ten hours after she's eaten it! Give her science diet chicken based food and she's a happy, healthy little sweety. She's five and just sliding into middle age, so I want to take good care of her.
-
I have a buddy that's worked for Purina for decades selling dog food by the trainload. He feeds his dogs Nutro. Also my vet recommends Nutro.
Bix seems to be thriving OK on the stuff :thumb:
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/bixinsnow_zps93a04e95.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/bixinsnow_zps93a04e95.jpg.html)
-
Don't want to turn this into an oil thread....
Just be sure to check for recalls before making a purchase of your preferred companion's food or treats
-
Don't want to turn this into an oil thread....
Just be sure to check for recalls before making a purchase of your preferred companion's food or treats
Won't turn into an "oil thread" because nobody can really say what's best for someone else's dog - they can only say what works for theirs.
Lannis
-
Won't turn into an "oil thread" because nobody can really say what's best for someone else's dog - they can only say what works for theirs.
Lannis
kinda like oil? :-)
-
Won't turn into an "oil thread" because nobody can really say what's best for someone else's dog - they can only say what works for theirs.
Lannis
True, I had two Boxers that couldn't eat any commercial food for a few years (post puppy food) and we tried everything. Ended up having to cook them rice and chicken for awhile until the digestive tracks matured or some such logic. We eventually moved on to a dry food that kept them OK until they passed on.
-
My wife does dog agility and that group is very picky about what they feed their dogs. Many do raw, for that that won't or can't they depend upon Whole Dog Journal for advise. We have one dog that is allergic to processed chicken in dog food so we avoid it now; are feeding Zignature Turkey. We'll rotate into something else so they get a more rounded diet.
The trick is to learn how to read the ingredient label and use WDJ to help you narrow things down.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/news/Top-Quality-Dry-Dog-Foods-20683-1.html
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/pdf/Whole-Dog-Journal-Seal-ofApproval.pdf
-
Won't turn into an "oil thread" because nobody can really say what's best for someone else's dog - they can only say what works for theirs.
Lannis
If this was a dog forum it would be a very hot topic. There is some real crap out there sold as dog food (Beneful is considered about the worst of the worst), some so-so and some pretty good stuff. If your dog is a couch potato the food choice is less critical than if they are an athlete (agility, dock diving, fly ball, etc.). To perform at a top level they need good fuel, crap dog food ain't gonna cut it.
Speaking in broad general terms, a good to excellent dog food should keep any dog in good health with fewer vet visits for problems. A healthy diet will lead to a high quality of life for the dog (and owner) all else being equal. Allergies and activity level will push you towards certain foods over others. Quality foods will not necessarily be expensive - they won't be cheap either - but they don't have be the most expensive.
-
If this was a dog forum it would be a very hot topic. There is some real crap out there sold as dog food (Beneful is considered about the worst of the worst), some so-so and some pretty good stuff. If your dog is a couch potato the food choice is less critical than if they are an athlete (agility, dock diving, fly ball, etc.). To perform at a top level they need good fuel, crap dog food ain't gonna cut it.
Speaking in broad general terms, a good to excellent dog food should keep any dog in good health with fewer vet visits for problems. A healthy diet will lead to a high quality of life for the dog (and owner) all else being equal. Allergies and activity level will push you towards certain foods over others. Quality foods will not necessarily be expensive - they won't be cheap either - but they don't have be the most expensive.
Can't disagree with most of that ... but wouldn't it be more comparable to a "Nutrition and Fitness" forum for people?
There's NO WAY that anyone can say that "No matter who you are, this diet here will lower your quality of life and be bad for you .... " or "No matter what, THIS diet will make you feel better and healthier and improve your outlook on life."
Some people eat just whole grains; that makes other people sick. Some people do well with high-protein diets; some with low-carb diets; some with low fat diets. Some people insist on a given amount of fiber, some cut out dairy products completely, some have LOTS of dairy products.
Some are vegetarians, some are vegans, some keep kosher, some eat only organic food.
Any person can say "Here's what I eat; I've tried different things over the years and this is the optimum diet for me". But no one can truthfully say "If YOU eat THIS way, you will feel better and be healthier and enjoy life more." Whether you feel better and healthier or not depends on so much else, that all you can do is listen to what works for OTHER people and maybe get ideas or say "That boy's crazy, I'm rather die that eat quinoa croquettes with tofu all day !!"
Same for dogs. I'm sure there are many dogs thriving with long happy lives on "Beneful" dog food ..... and some not.
Lannis
-
We use Pro-Pac for our Brittanys. Do to their level of activity we go with 24%-31% protein and stay away from corn meal. Right now we are on Chicken and Brown Rice, but will rotate around with lamb and salmon and other foods (specific table food) to keep their digestive tract more tolerant. I substitute in puppy food during hunting season, lower protein foods during lazy hot summer days, add wet pack food to the dry food when they are working hard and disinterested in eating and give them real bones that lay around for weeks until they are sun bleached. This is for semi-working high energy dogs.
Adding table food can be tough, because they will try to train you in to only feeding that to them by not eating. Just pick up their dry food if they wont eat or are eating too slowly; they will be more hungry the following day(s). Table food can be something as little as adding some leftover rice or coconut oil to their dry food. If I give them any leftover meat, I chop it up and rinse all the spices off first. And just a little bit added to their dry food. They only get some table food maybe once a week on average.
The main thing is the quality of the food going in and monitoring how it comes out. A single bad episode doesn't mean the brand of food is bad, they may have supplemented their diet that day without your knowing. They should be able to tolerate an abrupt switch in dog foods without mixing.
-
Adding table food can be tough, because they will try to train you in to only feeding that to them by not eating. Just pick up their dry food if they wont eat or are eating too slowly; they will be more hungry the following day(s). Table food can be something as little as adding some leftover rice or coconut oil to their dry food. If I give them any leftover meat, I chop it up and rinse all the spices off first. And just a little bit added to their dry food. They only get some table food maybe once a week on average.
The main thing is the quality of the food going in and monitoring how it comes out. A single bad episode doesn't mean the brand of food is bad, they may have supplemented their diet that day without your knowing. They should be able to tolerate an abrupt switch in dog foods without mixing.
Sounds a lot like what we do. We give Jack his thyroid pill in a spoonful of wet canned Pedigree dog food each morning, added to his dry food.
We adjusted his food amount to be JUST the amount he will clean up in the morning ... it's all right for a dog to "wolf" his food down, because, well ... that's how their systems work!
Lannis
-
Give them some Ol' Roy. You'll clean up! :food:
-
Give them some Ol' Roy. You'll clean up! :food:
That Walmart stuff?
I wouldn't feed that to a dog ..... so to speak.
Lannis
-
I don't know much about dogs or their food but it seems to me they are carnivores.. So their diet should be primary meat or has that been bred out of them so they can survive on artificial food?
-
I don't know much about dogs or their food but it seems to me they are carnivores.. So their diet should be primary meat or has that been bred out of them so they can survive on artificial food?
Wild canines get a certain amount of vegetable matter in their diet when they eat the stomach and upper intestine contents of their prey ....
We people do pretty well on "artificial food" - it's doubtful whether cavemen ate pasta with tomato sauce and Romano cheese and a Caesar salad on the side, but it seems to agree with us, so our dogs probably do well on it too. Although my brother eats according to the "Paleo Diet", which is meant to be more like what a cave man would eat; lots of meat, no "farm" grains, and fruits and vegetables like you might pick in the wild ....
Lannis
-
True paleo diet would consist mainly of roots, grains and other green things with very little animal protean. In the Hunter Gatherer scene; it was more gathering than successful hunting.
-
I don't know much about dogs or their food but it seems to me they are carnivores.. So their diet should be primary meat or has that been bred out of them so they can survive on artificial food?
For a while we did the raw meat diet for the dogs but it was just too gross.
-
For a while we did the raw meat diet for the dogs but it was just too gross.
For you or the dog? :grin:
I just can't imagine how a dry food in a bag is any good ....
-
I don't know much about dogs or their food but it seems to me they are carnivores.. So their diet should be primary meat or has that been bred out of them so they can survive on artificial food?
actually they are omnivores, cats are true carnivores.
-
You guys and your Manly Dogs. Rose just got tired while leaving her bed, and chose to stay this way. Oh, and we've had luck with good old Bil-Jac.
(http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo240/segesta65/Rose.jpg) (http://s379.photobucket.com/user/segesta65/media/Rose.jpg.html)
-
actually they are omnivores, cats are true carnivores.
Yes all cats are obligate carnivores but people keep them indoors on a steady diet of dry food .That's why they piss in your shoes....I would call dogs opportunists.. From what I have seen observing dogs for many years, they will most any table food, carrion, beer, sweets, feces. just about anything. Some might call this a scavenger. I assume the thousands of years association with humans has changed their behavior somewhat.
-
My wife and I attended a big dog/food "Hoop-de-Do" a few year back. It REALLY opened my eyes to what we feed our pets. They had many brands ranked and rated in accordance with their respective ingredients. From that day forward, we feed our German Shorthairs Diamond dog food. (Lamb and rice)
Many "top" brands were rated much lower than I expected. Science Diet was given an "F". I believe it scored like a 60% - 65% out of 100. Purina Dog Chow was less than 10 out of 100. The Diamond was given like an 85 or so, out of 100. Diamond was the only high ranked food I can find locally.
Years ago, I owned a wonderful German Shorthair named Chance. (Tremendous pheasant hunter). As he got to be about 13yrs old, he was getting sick frequently, and just wasn't acting right. We took him to a good Vet for tests. I was asked "What the hell do you feed this dog? His cholesterol is 660!!!" That was the end of cheap dog food for my pets. (He was eating Purina dog chow)
I was also told to stay away from any foods that contained poultry. They said it is amazing the amount of canines that have poultry allergies.
Just my experience
Randy
-
Yes all cats are obligate carnivores but people keep them indoors on a steady diet of dry food .That's why they piss in your shoes....I would call dogs opportunists.. From what I have seen observing dogs for many years, they will most any table food, carrion, beer, sweets, feces. just about anything. Some might call this a scavenger. I assume the thousands of years association with humans has changed their behavior somewhat.
Dogs will put a goat to shame. :undecided:
-
Give them some Ol' Roy. You'll clean up! :food:
:thumb:
My dear black lab Jezebel was on a premium formula dry food until she was 13. Going blind, cripple, and seemingly near death, my stepfather switched her over to Ol' Roy from WalMart. "What's the benefit- she's lived a good life on the farm, so let's keep her fed." She lived another 3 years without the signs of pain and lethargy up until the switch in feed.
We were amazed. I'll start eating that stuff when I turn 70!!
Of all the things I miss the most- I miss my brain and my dog!
-
From that day forward, we feed our German Shorthairs Diamond dog food.
I was also told to stay away from any foods that contained poultry. They said it is amazing the amount of canines that have poultry allergies. Just my experience Randy
I looked up this brand: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/diamond-dog-food-dry/
Is this the same stuff? Doesn't seem to get more than an average rating, and seems to be, pardon the pun, filled with fillers, in addition to having had several recalls.
-
I take back what I said.
This has the potential to be WORSE than an oil thread .... !
Lannis
-
Give them some Ol' Roy. You'll clean up! :food:
On the flipside of that statement, and to prove that some of the above advice about what works for one may not work for the other, I present to you Mr. Marbles, my boxer mix. 11.5+ years old, and has eaten Ol' Roy his entire life (for God's sake I'm a Guzzi owner therefore, by definition I am cheap). I started him on it as a pup figuring I'd have to switch him to something healthier once he matured, and started to get overweight. 11.5 years later, and he's weighed exactly 58 lbs for his last 9 or 10 yearly vet visits. You can feel his ribs, but usually not see them unless he stretches. Deep chest, narrow gut. Looks great and has more energy and stamina than any dog we've had him around. When we hunt pheasants, he goes all day, but the others are always crashed in their kennels in the truck at noon. For about a month or so a year he'll quit eating dog food entirely after deer season when we throw the deer carcasses in the yard for him to nibble on. (the fed ex guy get's a kick out of that I'm sure) plus I save all the deer trimmings and freeze them in one pound packages to let him snack on when I get home from work. I've never had to limit his food. His dog feeder (a converted hog feeder, remember Guzzi owner=cheap) holds almost 25 lbs of food, and I keep it topped off. He can eat whenever, and how ever much he wants. He's kenneled during the day, but allowed to run free while I'm home from work, over my quarter section and sleeps on the couch every night. Get's lots of table scraps, even polishes off my chili bowl, and I like it spicy, has the toughest stomach of any dog I've ever had. Never bother to clean the spices off of my steaks etc. when giving him the scraps. I can count on one hand the number of times he's been sick or crapped in the house, and those were always attributed to over indulgence of road kill or table scraps (gave him a bunch of ham fat one time, that wasn't pretty).
My theory is that his high exercise level, he covers a lot of ground roaming the place, regularly goes about chasing down and dispatching raccoons, possums, woodchucks and the like, and loves chasing the four wheeler/ snow mobile/ dirt bikes/ deer etc. around the place, helps him burn off all the fat in the Ol' Roy.
Either way whatever it is it works for him. And I realize he's not the norm. I've owned a lot of dogs over the years and this one has been special. Never been to the vet for anthing but neutering and shots, even at almost 12 he's not showing any signs of slowing down other than his hearing is starting to fade (pretty common for boxers), and he's gray from his nose to his ears, but his eyesight, stamina, joints etc. are all as healthy as they've ever been.
TDF
(http://gallery.mvagusta.net/image_db/toby/57493.jpg)
-
On the flipside of that statement, and to prove that some of the above advice about what works for one may not work for the other, I present to you Mr. Marbles, my boxer mix. 11.5+ years old, and has eaten Ol' Roy his entire life (for God's sake I'm a Guzzi owner therefore, by definition I am cheap). I started him on it as a pup figuring I'd have to switch him to something healthier once he matured, and started to get overweight. 11.5 years later, and he's weighed exactly 58 lbs for his last 9 or 10 yearly vet visits. You can feel his ribs, but usually not see them unless he stretches. Deep chest, narrow gut. Looks great and has more energy and stamina than any dog we've had him around. When we hunt pheasants, he goes all day, but the others are always crashed in their kennels in the truck at noon. For about a month or so a year he'll quit eating dog food entirely after deer season when we throw the deer carcasses in the yard for him to nibble on. (the fed ex guy get's a kick out of that I'm sure) plus I save all the deer trimmings and freeze them in one pound packages to let him snack on when I get home from work. I've never had to limit his food. His dog feeder (a converted hog feeder, remember Guzzi owner=cheap) holds almost 25 lbs of food, and I keep it topped off. He can eat whenever, and how ever much he wants. He's kenneled during the day, but allowed to run free while I'm home from work, over my quarter section and sleeps on the couch every night. Get's lots of table scraps, even polishes off my chili bowl, and I like it spicy, has the toughest stomach of any dog I've ever had. Never bother to clean the spices off of my steaks etc. when giving him the scraps. I can count on one hand the number of times he's been sick or crapped in the house, and those were always attributed to over indulgence of road kill or table scraps (gave him a bunch of ham fat one time, that wasn't pretty).
My theory is that his high exercise level, he covers a lot of ground roaming the place, regularly goes about chasing down and dispatching raccoons, possums, woodchucks and the like, and loves chasing the four wheeler/ snow mobile/ dirt bikes/ deer etc. around the place, helps him burn off all the fat in the Ol' Roy.
Either way whatever it is it works for him. And I realize he's not the norm. I've owned a lot of dogs over the years and this one has been special. Never been to the vet for anthing but neutering and shots, even at almost 12 he's not showing any signs of slowing down other than his hearing is starting to fade (pretty common for boxers), and he's gray from his nose to his ears, but his eyesight, stamina, joints etc. are all as healthy as they've ever been.
TDF
(http://gallery.mvagusta.net/image_db/toby/57493.jpg)
I get that way from Ham fat too.. sounds like he's got the perfect life with the perfect owner..
-
I looked up this brand: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/diamond-dog-food-dry/
Is this the same stuff? Doesn't seem to get more than an average rating, and seems to be, pardon the pun, filled with fillers, in addition to having had several recalls.
That is the same company, but not the same food. We use Diamond Naturals. A higher grade. The lamb and rice. No poultry. Not the top food on the market, but the Dog food advisor site does give it 4 out of 5 stars. Most of the foods that garnished 5 stars I've never heard of. The Diamond brand that you referenced looks like it received 3 stars. Several manufactures offer different levels/price food variations.
Also, looks like around 120 various recalls in the dog food industry in the last 5-6 years. Including the brand we prefer.
Randy
-
Aha...got it! That's a good site...the Dog Food Advisor. Good information there!
-
At least dogs have enough sense not to eat steel cut oats! We sure have some tough riders on WildGoose that claim they eat and LIKE them. I've never been so sick in my life. Even messed up the taste of my after breakfast cigar.
Tex
-
Jake, my one eyed Rat,(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/eldomike/rat%20terrier/2012-08-27_17-27-08_452.jpg) gets grain free Blue Buffalo....seems to work for him....
-
Here's an interesting analysis of many dog food brands and their ingredients. They are also rated.
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/brand/
-
OKAY. What's the skinny on Kirkland Signature? Layla, our somewhat hyperactive Briard eats that stuff. (Armstrong has a digestive problem so he eats Hill's WD.)
Spud
-
OKAY. What's the skinny on Kirkland Signature? Layla, our somewhat hyperactive Briard eats that stuff. (Armstrong has a digestive problem so he eats Hill's WD.)Spud
You can now look it up on the Dog Advisor site recommended above: :)
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/kirkland-signature-dog-food/
-
I am just glad our current pup, an Old English Sheepdog, will eat just about anything we put in her bowl. Yeah, we had to work through different foods to find one she wasn't sensitive to, but, at least she will eat stuff.
Previous dogs, Yorkies, Shi Tzu's, mutts, all were really picky eaters. One of the Yorkies would not eat dry dog food and would not eat most canned dog food. Most of her life she ate cooked chicken, beef or beef liver. Veggies or rice (or both) mixed in. Glad she wasn't a big dog or we would have gone broke feeding her.
Every dog we've had has liked different food. Some were sensitive to one type and not another. I won't call them allergies since in many cases they were not really tested. And just cause the dog tosses it back up does not mean it's an allergy.
-
That Walmart stuff?
I wouldn't feed that to a dog ..... so to speak.
Lannis
Yes, that stuff...and if you do, you will be cleaning up...a lot!
It's all useless filler and you know what that does...
-
With our now departed Border Collie / Aussie Shepherd mix of 12 years it was just plain old Purina Dog Chow, then the Senior Dog Chow, bacon drippings, milk bones and for better or worse, we didn't know any better. We had to put her down last year due to inoperable bladder and Mast Cel tumors.
This past spring we were offered a returned Rhodesian Ridgeback. I say returned because that's what is stipulated in the breeder's contract. Upon purchase of a pup, either show or pet quality, if for whatever reason you can't keep it, it must be returned to the breeder. The original owners went bankrupt, divorced and the 4 year old went back.
I asked the breeder what to feed her. They recommended Blue Buffalo or similar so that's what I started her on. Then after joining a few Ridgeback forums became aware of the dog food wars. Turns out that BB is or has been involved in lawsuits for doing precisely what they say they don't regarding additives or mis-represented ingredients.
Oni seemed to be having trouble passing the food so after some web searching I ended up with Eagle Pack brand. So far so good.
One of things I've learned, that may be breed specific, is to completely ignore the feeding schedule on the bag. One weighs 90 lbs and following the recommendations on the bag, I'd be feeding her 6 cups a day. All I've read and conversations I've had with Ridgeback owners say the adult female is good with 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day. It works. She's lean, active and has just the points of rib showing.
For treats I buy the dried duck feet or pig ears and she gets maybe 2 or 3 a week. A Ridgeback will eat until there's nothing left to eat so it's important to control their intake. (No small children yet Jim!)
A big beef bone from the butcher will keep her busy for a few days too.
Fascinating breed. Watching them run is mesmerizing. Loyal, protective yet sensitive.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/eroman/DSCF1194.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/eroman/DSCF1510.jpg)