Best Dog Food List

[Lindzorz]

I'm saying I don't agree with feeding this, especially to a dog with kidney problems:

"INGREDIENTS: Whole grain corn, brewers rice, dried egg product, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), sugar, dried whey, sodium caseinate, animal digest, calcium carbonate, vegetable oil, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, fish oil, salt, choline chloride, potassium citrate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite."

That's the Purina for kidney function. I don't need a nutritionist to tell me that it is subpar. If you flipped over a dog food bag in the store and saw these ingredients, the first being corn, you would put it back on the shelf and walk away.

I don't think that Science Diet is crap. It is better than Purina. I think that a vet recommending this to people is crappy! How could they not look at the ingredients? THAT is why I said it is better to utilize your resources and research yourself. I'm sure not all veterinarians are like that and suggest these types of foods, but you just never know which ones will and won't. Our most reputable vet sent that Purina out. I just wish they paid more attention ...

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Lindzorz

I'm sorry you feel that way, ladyjane, but I did mean the Purina. I really, really did. I'm not sure why I'm under fire here for sharing my opinion, because I am just trying to help someone make an informed decision on which dog food to feed. I don't know why this has become somewhat of an argument.

I did do research into Science Diet, and while the grain free is somewhat better, the base form has a high volume of corn, biproduct, and a couple other questionable ingredients in it. A lot of people have pets that have an allergic reaction to it, but I am sure that can happen with most any grain free (I assume that is happening with the base line).

I'm not a nutritionist, but I do know that you don't want corn, grains (except rice -- I am okay with rice because it helps digestion), or animal biproducts. I'm not claiming to be perfect or that I believe in a completely holistic pet care process, because I really don't. That's why I don't work their anymore, because I am not completely holistic. The deal with grains is that it can develop or aggravate food allergies in dogs. Most of the time if they have food allergies, they are to wheat, soy, etc. I'm not saying every dog with food allergies is, but it is the more common reason.
I do feel that ingredients are also important with quality control and what have you. Would I personally feed the base form of Science Diet? No. Am I condemning people who do? Of course not! It just wouldn't be first on my list of those choices.
BB is supposed to be pretty nice. ^^

Rice has arsenic in it.......

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Lindzorz

I'm saying I don't agree with feeding this, especially to a dog with kidney problems:

"INGREDIENTS: Whole grain corn, brewers rice, dried egg product, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), sugar, dried whey, sodium caseinate, animal digest, calcium carbonate, vegetable oil, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, fish oil, salt, choline chloride, potassium citrate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite."

That's the Purina for kidney function. I don't need a nutritionist to tell me that it is subpar. If you flipped over a dog food bag in the store and saw these ingredients, the first being corn, you would put it back on the shelf and walk away.

I don't think that Science Diet is crap. It is better than Purina. I think that a vet recommending this to people is crappy! How could they not look at the ingredients? THAT is why I said it is better to utilize your resources and research yourself. I'm sure not all veterinarians are like that and suggest these types of foods, but you just never know which ones will and won't. Our most reputable vet sent that Purina out. I just wish they paid more attention ...

I wasn't aware of prescription food til recently when Momo & Princess had struvite crystals & the vet put them on Hill's C/D canned & kibble. I didn't like the ingredients (loll) but needed them to get well. It worked, along w/liquefying their diet, I mixed the canned w/the moistened kibble. Since then, I have changed my views on Hill's/ Science Diet & other pet food companies that do feeding trials, extensive scientific research & has a nutritionist on staff.

The Purina for kidney function you posted has 'Whole grain corn' as the 1st ingredient. You have to understand that dogs w/kidney problems can't get their main protein from a meat source they need to be on a low protein but high quality protein, so the protein has to come from somewhere else...in this case it's whole grain corn which is an excellent form of protein. Corn becomes a problem if it's made into 'corn gluten meal', 'corn meal' bc of the higher glcemic index which raises the blood sugar level so a diabetic dog shouldn't have any foods w/ said ingredients, etc. But Brown rice follows right behind it on the high glycemic level. The allergic reaction does not come from the corn/ grains itself, but the undetected contaminants. Canine Diseases Linked to Cereal Grains in Dog Food (Part 1)

What I do have a problem w/in the Purina above is: menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity). It is a controversial ingredient, but it's @ the end of the ingredient list, so there's probably a miniscule amount in there to really cause any harm.
The Controversy Over Menadione in Dog Food

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Lindzorz

I'm saying I don't agree with feeding this, especially to a dog with kidney problems:

"INGREDIENTS: Whole grain corn, brewers rice, dried egg product, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), sugar, dried whey, sodium caseinate, animal digest, calcium carbonate, vegetable oil, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, fish oil, salt, choline chloride, potassium citrate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite."

That's the Purina for kidney function. I don't need a nutritionist to tell me that it is subpar. If you flipped over a dog food bag in the store and saw these ingredients, the first being corn, you would put it back on the shelf and walk away.

I don't think that Science Diet is crap. It is better than Purina. I think that a vet recommending this to people is crappy! How could they not look at the ingredients? THAT is why I said it is better to utilize your resources and research yourself. I'm sure not all veterinarians are like that and suggest these types of foods, but you just never know which ones will and won't. Our most reputable vet sent that Purina out. I just wish they paid more attention ...

I don't know what food label you copied but I can only tell you that I had a yorkie on Purina NF for many, many years and it kept her renal issues under control. Before she started on the food she had elevated BUN and creatinine...within a couple of weeks she responded to just that food alone and I maintained her on that until she was estimated to be around 17. She was on that food for probably 10 years.

I think you just don't realize how much research these companies do ... I am not going to get into a discussion about ingredients because I am not a vet nor am I a nutritionist. Suffice it to say that I will still take the word of specialists in the field over that of some self proclaimed expert on the internet. Here is an excellent website regarding these issues...since you like to research, do yourself a favor and peruse her website if you have not already. Her credentials speak for themselves.
PetDiets - VNC putting pets' health first!

[ladyjane]

As for allergies, my experience has been that the ones who had allergies were environmental, not food. I really have never had a pup in my home that itched from food. My vet always tests first for environmental because she says that those are more common than food allergies.

[gabby7]

Wow everyone! This topic got tons of opinions and replies! Thank you so much! I actually bought new food tonight. Won't start it until tomorrow though! I ended up getting Blue Buffalo - Wilderness. Puppy formula of course I can't thank you enough for all the input! After reading that Purina isn't good, I felt I needed to go out right away and get something else.

Now my question is. I know you're supposed to slowly transition them into the new food. I read on the bag that 3-20 lbs, 3-5 months the recommended feeding amount is 1/3 - 1 1/4 cup per day. Gabby is 2 lbs 15 oz. How would you suggest slowly transitioning her? How much of the new food and for how long? And when do I know to start increasing it?

[Lindzorz]

I found this example:

"Day 1 – Mix 20% of the new food with 80% of the old.
Day 2 – Mix 40% of the new food with 60% of the old.
Day 3 – Mix 60% of the new food with 40% of the old.
Day 4 – Mix 80% of the new food with 20% of the old.
Day 5 – Feed 100% of the new food."

... and another suggested stretching that over a 10 day span. The concept is still the same though! Whichever you and your pup are most comfortable with. ^^ Others may have more insight into this as well.

Chances are, you may see some upset tummy issues for one to two weeks during the transition. If you do, you can give your baby cooked sweet potato or canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling -- straight pumpkin), and that should help. ^^ Best of luck!

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by gabby7

Wow everyone! This topic got tons of opinions and replies! Thank you so much! I actually bought new food tonight. Won't start it until tomorrow though! I ended up getting Blue Buffalo - Wilderness. Puppy formula of course I can't thank you enough for all the input! After reading that Purina isn't good, I felt I needed to go out right away and get something else.

Now my question is. I know you're supposed to slowly transition them into the new food. I read on the bag that 3-20 lbs, 3-5 months the recommended feeding amount is 1/3 - 1 1/4 cup per day. Gabby is 2 lbs 15 oz. How would you suggest slowly transitioning her? How much of the new food and for how long? And when do I know to start increasing it?

Glad you found something!! I have never had luck with switching foods.. Peanut will always eat out the new food and leave the old

[dottiesyrky]

Glad you have settled on a new food. You should be happy with BB.
The transition regimen above sounds good, but the pup could well undermine your great intentions by just eating the new food and rejecting the old as Lovespandp says LOL!
I have not found that my dog had any issues with the change over, but each dog is different. The annoying thing can be if the pup refuses to eat the new food period!!! Good luck, hope you don't have a picky dog!

[gabby7]

Great! Well, I started her on it today and just for today, I only put a few pieces of the new food in there. Just for the first day I'm a nervous mommy with all my animals, lol! I grabbed a few pieces and she attacked my hand! LOL! I guess she likes it..... ya think? HAHA!

[lovespandp]

That’s great news!! With new food that is the first speed bump! Seeing if they like it.

[gabby7]

Wellp - I think she more than likes it! LOL

Now, I have another question. I swear I'm not new to actually OWNING dogs, but this IS my first young puppy!

So.. Since I was on Purina, There was not a recommended feeding guide on the bag, and if there was - I didn't see it. So I'm just free-feeding her.

I'm having troubles kind of figuring out the percentages of the transition. Can someone help me with this??

[gabby7]

Well I kind of did it... It's probably too precise.. and it's only over a 10 day period...
But here it is - if someone wants to give me some feedback on it??

5/30 - 1.5 T (new) / 1/2c & 6.4 T (old) 10%
5/31 - 3.2 T (new) / 1/2c & 4.8 T (old) 20%
6/1 - 4.8 T (new) / 1/2c & 3.2 T (old) 30%
6/2 - 6.4 T (new) / 1/2c & 1.6 T (old) 40%
6/3 - 1/2c (new) / 1/2c (old) 50%
6/4 - 1/2c & 1.6 T (new) / 6.4 T (old) 60%
6/5 - 1/2c & 3.2 T (new) / 4.8 T (old) 70%
6/6 - 1/2c & 4.8 T (new) / 3.2 T (old) 80%
6/7 - 1/2c & 6.4 T (new) / 1.5 T (old) 90%
6/8 - 1c NEW FOOD! 100%

What do ya'll think?? I know it's a little precise, but I'm a perfectionist. LOL

[dottiesyrky]

That schedule sounds fine, you end up with 100% new and that is good! If only your baby complies! They are not perfectionists and don't know the formula you are using, and will just eat what they like and not always appreciate your carefully calculated amounts. LOL! You may find they just want the new food after a few days - or they will not eat it at all. Go with the flow and if she does well on what she eats that is great, you won! I must say I have never found my dog difficult to change to a new food, if they like it. Not that critical to get exact ratios with time. Good Luck, hope she does well,

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

That’s great news!! With new food that is the first speed bump! Seeing if they like it.

Isn't that that truth lol