Never heard the blueberry thing.
Also, Canidae is currently made at Diamond but is getting a new plant soon - they are done with Diamond. Natural Balance is also made there and was recalled.
I know that some say you need to just listen your vet and others say vets are stupid who know nothing about nutrition. I tend to sway somewhere in the middle. I think they recommend these foods because 1) they don't know any different - it's what their taught and simple as that. Hills, Royal Canin and Purina are the ones who sponsor all their events and classes. 2) they just suggest what "works"... meaning they don't wanna have to research every food out there, and don't know enough about them to be able to suggest them, and don't wanna be responsible for suggesting anything other than what's been "proven" (larger companies have a lot more money to put into research) 3) they do make some money off selling food, but I don't think the amount is substantial enough for that to be the main reason.
But I don't think that just because a vet may be very good at what they do, that they necessarily know what's best for dogs nutrition-wise. But I also don't think you should blindly follow what people post on the internet either. So like I said, I think you have to have a good balance. I've seen with my own eyes dog transform when switching off foods like Purina and SD... *shrugs* but I am sure lots have seen dogs transform when being switched TO SD or Purina...
I like to find smaller family owned companies who have had minimal or no recalls, and handled any potential problems professionally, good customer service, decent ingredients, and good quality control.
If you are looking for something comparable to TOTW in ingredient and price - check out Earthborn, Precise or Nutrisource. I also like Lotus, Fromm, Acana, Canine Caviar. |