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Originally Posted by 107barney  I think we can definitely all agree that we want the best for our pets. I think this sometimes makes us all a little nuts. 
Some people don't trust their dog food so they keep changing brands from this holistic company to that holistic company and are never really satisfied. I sometimes ask myself why the owner even feeds dog food because they just are are not satisfied with the options available in the commercial food market. I wonder if it is a matter of time before that owner becomes a home cooker.
Then there are some people don't mind the mainstream dog food companies but they too are just not entirely trusting of their choice so they add things to the diet - a little meat here, a little veggie there..... and as long as they are not adding too much, other nutrients in the diet will not be thrown too far off (just my lay opinion). Personally, I'd add meat to a diet only if I also added bone and/or a calcium source to manage the Calcium/Phosphorous ratio which is critical.
Then we have the raw movement. I could not be comfortable with that approach for various reasons.
My view has always been that I cannot sort out which company is feeding my dog with my dog's best interest in mind, if in fact there is any company doing that. I made a decision early when my puppies were just babies to feed home cooked because I wanted to know what the ingredients were and where they came from and I wanted to prepare them myself in my kitchen under my own saftey and quality control standards. I still feel good about that decision which has worked for my dogs and my household.
Good luck to everyone with their feeding style, I sincerely wish good health for all of your pets. |
I definitely agree with this.
Great post!
I was guilty of this in the past -- I'd be searching for that one perfect food and tried many different brands, etc, and finally realize I was worrying about it too much
I also can remember reading on other forums about how TOTW was looked at just as an "ok" brand since it was made by Diamond so I was always scared off using but come to find out... it's one of the best kibbles that Jackson has had for HIM, it's worked very well for him so I am satisfied with my choice just like those who feed SD are with theirs. I feel confident that they have fixed most of their errors in the past and I feel comfortable with the particular brand of TOTW right now but I also realize nothing is ever 100% guaranteed.
I do feel satisfied with the different brands and formulas out there. I think it's wonderful we as pet owners have such great choices to pick from. And even though I feed kibble, I don't really think it's a "natural" way of eating for a canine but I still feed it anyways... mainly out of convenience.
To be honest, I really would love to homecook. I do think it may be the best option out there but I really don't have the time, energy, funds or resources to do it... plus I'm lazy.
I don't even cook for myself, like honestly, hardly ever. Maybe one day I will decide to homecook.
I think every company is going to have issues, whether it be quality control, recalls, or whatever. There is never going to be a perfect company out there.
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Originally Posted by Ellie May If one is so satisfied with the holistic food they are feding, then why rotate brands.
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I don't rotate *alot* but I do rotate. I don't do it because I'm not satisfied with one particular brand but mainly to switch proteins every now and then. Also because I don't believe dogs were meant to eat the same thing day in and day out. I like to expose him to different foods so if he, by chance, has to eat something else or does by accident, it usually won't bother him. Because I enjoy to see Jackson enjoying his meals... (and he's spoiled!!
) and because I like to experiment, lol... I can see little changes, such as a shinier coat, better breath, eye boogers and poop w/ different foods, thus why I say he's been doing best on TOTW lamb so far and it's been over 2 months now. *shrugs* It's probably not necessary... and I'm probably humanizing him a bit too much... but oh well!