Is 'ScienceDiet' dog food overrated? I kind of think so - YorkieTalk.com Forums

PrincessLila · 03-02-2008, 07:43 AM

Hi, I'm wondering, any of you guys/gals think Science Diet foods are overrated?
For one, they are like extremely DRY (canned food version). I find that I have to mash up a serving with a work, and add a little water to make it smoother.

Our yorkie seems to eat it when she's extremely hungry. I also find she will eat the food better if I mix in a tablespoon or two of 'Cesars' wet food.

My other half thinks the food is kind of the best, since its labeled 'sciencediet' and has VET recommended all over it, and it's plastered at the Vet offices.

I tried a 'puppy palate' gourmet food, she ate that nicely.. I find that her stools are often diarrea like.

Such a dry food, it's almost like us eating dehydrated peanut butter on dry bread.

I'm going to try this Candidae item I just read about, I still have like a case left of sciencediet canned stuff.

ALL negative and positive input is welcomed and greatly appreciated regarding
ScienceDiet line. Maybe it is a great food, but not for yorkies?

Wylie's Mom · 03-02-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessLila

Hi, I'm wondering, any of you guys/gals think Science Diet foods are overrated?

Um, quite simply, YES!

It just was quite brilliantly marketed years ago, and that's about it. And, it infected all of the vet schools too, and is still there. SD's foods are quite full of poor ingredients - for all to see. If folks educate themselves about ingredients, that's really all they need to choose the best foods for their pets.

Of course, it would be nice if vets had more time to truly learn about optimal nutrition as well. Vets who understand nutrition are few and far between. That's why it's so exciting to watch people like MyFairLacy go to vet school while also being fascinated by animal nutrition. Love it. Clearly, she'll be MY future vet (even if only by phone, LOL).

marcerella02 · 03-02-2008, 08:26 AM

well you can tell your other half is he wrong. Science Diet is not a good food. It is full of bi products (part of animals that are left over and people dont' eat... ie.. heads, feet) corn, wheat (both are known allergens for our little guys!) and Caesars is not much better. i've heard it equated to feeding your dog McDonalds every day. Also it is "vet recommended" because Science Diet is paying vets to carry it at their offices and hence, they recommend it. The Canidae that you were talking abotu is a GREAT food and you should really think about changing! just keep in mind that when you change do it gradually and your pup will probably have diarrhea for a few days.. but that's normal when switching from a bad food to a good food. Congrats on doing your homework

MyFairLacy · 03-02-2008, 11:29 AM

I would NEVER feed Science Diet to my pets. It's full of corn, fillers, and byproducts. It doesn't at all rank in the "premium" foods to me.

Most vets sell Science Diet because they get a lot of free products. Hill's also gets to most vets while they are in vet school. I'm in vet school right now and I've learned that Hill's donates so much money to the AVMA - millions of dollars. Hill's Nutritionists teach most of the small animal nutrition classes in vet schools around the country - and these nutrition classes are extremely short compaired to other classes vet students take. Vets honestly learn very little about nutrition in vet school, and what they do learn comes from the biased teaching of a pet food company. As a vet student, I am given free Hill's products as well as 80% off any Hill's pet foods (same for Purina). Vet students use these foods because they are cheap or free (most vet students live off student loans and don't have a lot of extra money for pet food) - so by the time they get out of vet school they've been using these products. Vet students are easily set up to promote Hill's once they get out of vet school, especially because they don't know anything about nutrition besides what the Hill's nutritionist told them.

So if you ever wonder why most vets sell science diet, there it is. It's not because it's a good product - it's because vets don't know any better and get a lot of free things for selling it.

Anyway, I do NOT feed it to my pets and never will.

BamaFan121s · 03-03-2008, 06:52 AM

I think Science Diet (and many other foods) are way over marketed...if that makes sense. They may not be the best food(s) but clearly have a huge, effective marketing budget!

And yes, sadly many vets have very limited in depth knowledge regarding proper nutrition. (But some DO.)
That being said, it is not the 'best food' but my be the 'best food' for some dogs. Not all dogs can eat the high end brands. Whatever food is chosen to feed a dog, it's important that the diet be supplemented to add anything that the food lacks.
Every brand dog food from the low end to the high rated are going to market their product to SELL (because that's what companies do), claiming it to be the best made of only the best ingredients. Don't be fooled by fancy claims and websites oozing catch phrases like "holistic" and "organic" None of them are going to say, "we make dog food out of crap" which is the case for MOST brands.

Ellie May · 03-03-2008, 06:54 AM

Science Diet is way overrated. Ellie used to eat that food and I wouldn't recommend it. Science Diet Nature's Best is better, but because there is pork fat in it, I probably wouldn't feed it. I do think that some (not all) of their prescription canned foods (not kibbles because they contain ethoxyquin) are fine. What if there is a health problem and the owner doesn't wnat to homecook? I'm not talking about allergies or anything like that because there are so many foods that would work. I mean kidney and liver problems. None of the foods designed for that would be considered great foods ingredient-wise, but it would be far better to give the SD instead of feeding a "normal" diet to those animals. So...I have mixed feelings.

03-02-2008, 07:43 AM	#1
PrincessLila Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 79	Is 'ScienceDiet' dog food overrated? I kind of think so Hi, I'm wondering, any of you guys/gals think Science Diet foods are overrated? For one, they are like extremely DRY (canned food version). I find that I have to mash up a serving with a work, and add a little water to make it smoother. Our yorkie seems to eat it when she's extremely hungry. I also find she will eat the food better if I mix in a tablespoon or two of 'Cesars' wet food. My other half thinks the food is kind of the best, since its labeled 'sciencediet' and has VET recommended all over it, and it's plastered at the Vet offices. I tried a 'puppy palate' gourmet food, she ate that nicely.. I find that her stools are often diarrea like. Such a dry food, it's almost like us eating dehydrated peanut butter on dry bread. I'm going to try this Candidae item I just read about, I still have like a case left of sciencediet canned stuff. ALL negative and positive input is welcomed and greatly appreciated regarding ScienceDiet line. Maybe it is a great food, but not for yorkies? __________________ Best Yorkie in the World!!

03-02-2008, 08:26 AM	#3
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	well you can tell your other half is he wrong. Science Diet is not a good food. It is full of bi products (part of animals that are left over and people dont' eat... ie.. heads, feet) corn, wheat (both are known allergens for our little guys!) and Caesars is not much better. i've heard it equated to feeding your dog McDonalds every day. Also it is "vet recommended" because Science Diet is paying vets to carry it at their offices and hence, they recommend it. The Canidae that you were talking abotu is a GREAT food and you should really think about changing! just keep in mind that when you change do it gradually and your pup will probably have diarrhea for a few days.. but that's normal when switching from a bad food to a good food. Congrats on doing your homework __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

03-02-2008, 11:29 AM	#4
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	I would NEVER feed Science Diet to my pets. It's full of corn, fillers, and byproducts. It doesn't at all rank in the "premium" foods to me. Most vets sell Science Diet because they get a lot of free products. Hill's also gets to most vets while they are in vet school. I'm in vet school right now and I've learned that Hill's donates so much money to the AVMA - millions of dollars. Hill's Nutritionists teach most of the small animal nutrition classes in vet schools around the country - and these nutrition classes are extremely short compaired to other classes vet students take. Vets honestly learn very little about nutrition in vet school, and what they do learn comes from the biased teaching of a pet food company. As a vet student, I am given free Hill's products as well as 80% off any Hill's pet foods (same for Purina). Vet students use these foods because they are cheap or free (most vet students live off student loans and don't have a lot of extra money for pet food) - so by the time they get out of vet school they've been using these products. Vet students are easily set up to promote Hill's once they get out of vet school, especially because they don't know anything about nutrition besides what the Hill's nutritionist told them. So if you ever wonder why most vets sell science diet, there it is. It's not because it's a good product - it's because vets don't know any better and get a lot of free things for selling it. Anyway, I do NOT feed it to my pets and never will. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

03-03-2008, 06:54 AM	#6
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Science Diet is way overrated. Ellie used to eat that food and I wouldn't recommend it. Science Diet Nature's Best is better, but because there is pork fat in it, I probably wouldn't feed it. I do think that some (not all) of their prescription canned foods (not kibbles because they contain ethoxyquin) are fine. What if there is a health problem and the owner doesn't wnat to homecook? I'm not talking about allergies or anything like that because there are so many foods that would work. I mean kidney and liver problems. None of the foods designed for that would be considered great foods ingredient-wise, but it would be far better to give the SD instead of feeding a "normal" diet to those animals. So...I have mixed feelings. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 Last edited by Ellie May; 03-03-2008 at 06:55 AM.

03-03-2008, 06:52 AM	#5
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	I think Science Diet (and many other foods) are way over marketed...if that makes sense. They may not be the best food(s) but clearly have a huge, effective marketing budget! And yes, sadly many vets have very limited in depth knowledge regarding proper nutrition. (But some DO.) That being said, it is not the 'best food' but my be the 'best food' for some dogs. Not all dogs can eat the high end brands. Whatever food is chosen to feed a dog, it's important that the diet be supplemented to add anything that the food lacks. Every brand dog food from the low end to the high rated are going to market their product to SELL (because that's what companies do), claiming it to be the best made of only the best ingredients. Don't be fooled by fancy claims and websites oozing catch phrases like "holistic" and "organic" None of them are going to say, "we make dog food out of crap" which is the case for MOST brands.