Dog Food Hype - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Dreamer74 · 04-28-2008, 01:29 PM

Ok so I am just not sure what to think about all of this, I like the dog food analysis site but it is obviously biased to a certain extent. Also I work with someone who was a plant manager at a major pet food manufacturer for many years, and he gives me all sort of info (and I trust him completely, he is also a dog lover). We all know that one manufacturer makes a variety of different brands, all of which may have many different specifications, which is why when there is a recall it effects to many different brands. Anyway he says I should be just as concerned about the manufacturer as I am the brand because they do not all have equal processing standards which also effects quality. Plus he tells me that all brands play the game of trying to be rated better by how they classify their ingredients on the label. (which is how doganalysis.com seems to rate) He says you can call chicken just that or call it premium poultry products and it is all the same. Plus he said the classification for what can be labeled as chicken vs what has to be labeled as chicken meal is pretty liberal. There is a product that manufacturers can buy(can't remember the exact name right now) that is chicken scraps, beaks, and spines. Apparently it can be labeled as Chicken, or whole chicken the same as if it did not have the beaks and spines and not chicken meal, so you don't really know if you are just getting actual meat or not in your dog food. Plus when it comes to vegetables such as carrots or any other one they can purchase the ones that are unedible for humans because they are starting to rot from food distributors and call it "fresh carrots" or what ever it may be. Fresh only means it was not frozen or canned, it really has nothing to do with quality. Some of you may now be thinking the raw diet it sounding pretty good, but for just as many benefits their are obviously risks with that too. Plus when it comes to the all life stages food he says you need to consider that the nutrition a puppy needs is different from that of an adult and a senior dog, that one food might be pretty good but nothing gives them everything. I guess it is a good reason to switch occasionally and not always stay with one brand.
Ok so I have vented and I now feel better and I am undetermined which brands I will stay with.

MyFairLacy · 04-28-2008, 04:22 PM

I'll stick with a raw diet. Totally 100% comfortable with raw and my pets are all doing fabulous on it. I would never ever go back to kibble again.

Dreamer74 · 04-28-2008, 04:41 PM

More than anything it just upsets me that it is not regulated better, I realize to some people they are just animals so it is not as "important" but for many of us it is like another family member.

Wylie's Mom · 04-29-2008, 07:13 AM

I could write a novel of a response, but I honestly just don't have time. I think one has to consider the entire picture when looking at food choices: the brand/philosophy, the company history, the manufacturer, your *own* research about nutrition/rendering/animal physiology, food labeling and on and on and on.

And, I think if you're truly interested on how things work - you have to get on the phone and start talking to pet food companies and ask questions. That's when the full picture really starts to unfold - at least, for me. Just bc one company may unscrupulously use a label - another company, whose philosophy is different, would not play that card. There are all kinds of ways to find out about pet food companies - and where their "weakest link" is (or whatever), but it's an exhausting process - and, it can change at any time.

So, I completely get your frustration - but there are still a few I recommend highly (at least today

). I feed NV, by the way. Great thread for discussion!!!

Dreamer74 · 04-29-2008, 09:35 AM

NV is highly recommened and I believe comes out of one of the plants in Nebraska that is also highly recommended. We have not tried them yet, but I requested samples.

katies mom · 04-29-2008, 09:58 AM

I have also been having terrible luck with finding a good food for my little one. What is NV? And where can I get it?

Dreamer74 · 04-29-2008, 10:28 AM

NV is Natures Variety, you can check thier website for a store near you. They have a variety of different products to choose from.

04-28-2008, 01:29 PM	#1
Dreamer74 YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 457	Dog Food Hype Ok so I am just not sure what to think about all of this, I like the dog food analysis site but it is obviously biased to a certain extent. Also I work with someone who was a plant manager at a major pet food manufacturer for many years, and he gives me all sort of info (and I trust him completely, he is also a dog lover). We all know that one manufacturer makes a variety of different brands, all of which may have many different specifications, which is why when there is a recall it effects to many different brands. Anyway he says I should be just as concerned about the manufacturer as I am the brand because they do not all have equal processing standards which also effects quality. Plus he tells me that all brands play the game of trying to be rated better by how they classify their ingredients on the label. (which is how doganalysis.com seems to rate) He says you can call chicken just that or call it premium poultry products and it is all the same. Plus he said the classification for what can be labeled as chicken vs what has to be labeled as chicken meal is pretty liberal. There is a product that manufacturers can buy(can't remember the exact name right now) that is chicken scraps, beaks, and spines. Apparently it can be labeled as Chicken, or whole chicken the same as if it did not have the beaks and spines and not chicken meal, so you don't really know if you are just getting actual meat or not in your dog food. Plus when it comes to vegetables such as carrots or any other one they can purchase the ones that are unedible for humans because they are starting to rot from food distributors and call it "fresh carrots" or what ever it may be. Fresh only means it was not frozen or canned, it really has nothing to do with quality. Some of you may now be thinking the raw diet it sounding pretty good, but for just as many benefits their are obviously risks with that too. Plus when it comes to the all life stages food he says you need to consider that the nutrition a puppy needs is different from that of an adult and a senior dog, that one food might be pretty good but nothing gives them everything. I guess it is a good reason to switch occasionally and not always stay with one brand. Ok so I have vented and I now feel better and I am undetermined which brands I will stay with. __________________ Lady Bella & Sir Budsley- AKA Buddy, Member of the LGC

04-28-2008, 04:22 PM	#2
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	I'll stick with a raw diet. Totally 100% comfortable with raw and my pets are all doing fabulous on it. I would never ever go back to kibble again. __________________ ~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.

04-28-2008, 04:41 PM	#3
Dreamer74 YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 457	More than anything it just upsets me that it is not regulated better, I realize to some people they are just animals so it is not as "important" but for many of us it is like another family member. __________________ Lady Bella & Sir Budsley- AKA Buddy, Member of the LGC

04-29-2008, 07:13 AM	#4
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	I could write a novel of a response, but I honestly just don't have time. I think one has to consider the entire picture when looking at food choices: the brand/philosophy, the company history, the manufacturer, your own research about nutrition/rendering/animal physiology, food labeling and on and on and on. And, I think if you're truly interested on how things work - you have to get on the phone and start talking to pet food companies and ask questions. That's when the full picture really starts to unfold - at least, for me. Just bc one company may unscrupulously use a label - another company, whose philosophy is different, would not play that card. There are all kinds of ways to find out about pet food companies - and where their "weakest link" is (or whatever), but it's an exhausting process - and, it can change at any time. So, I completely get your frustration - but there are still a few I recommend highly (at least today ). I feed NV, by the way. Great thread for discussion!!! __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

04-29-2008, 09:35 AM	#5
Dreamer74 YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 457	NV is highly recommened and I believe comes out of one of the plants in Nebraska that is also highly recommended. We have not tried them yet, but I requested samples. __________________ Lady Bella & Sir Budsley- AKA Buddy, Member of the LGC

04-29-2008, 09:58 AM	#6
katies mom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: rhode island Posts: 12	I have also been having terrible luck with finding a good food for my little one. What is NV? And where can I get it?

04-29-2008, 10:28 AM	#7
Dreamer74 YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 457	NV is Natures Variety, you can check thier website for a store near you. They have a variety of different products to choose from. __________________ Lady Bella & Sir Budsley- AKA Buddy, Member of the LGC