[Britster]

You know I wouldn't even mind Science Diet that much if they would take out all the corn, wheat and sawdust... errr, excuse me, powdered cellulose. I know, I know, some say it's great, natural from the earth, etc. But I still don't like it. Sometimes their ingredients just make me ??????? But overall, I like that they have had minimal recalls, are produced in their own plant, and seem to have quality control under control. I don't think I'd ever feed it unless I was desperate or had an ill dog. I really wish they would just offer better options (even their grain-free is not very good, IMO- also find it funny they were totally against grain-free and then to keep up w/ the trends, made a grainfree food). I appreciate how much research has gone into them but I think if a more "holistic" company had the funds to do that kind of research, we could see good results too.

But I DO think it's kind of scary how many new "holistic" foods are coming on the market with no vet on staff, or any professional formulating the foods. Then again, feeding trials are kind of a joke anyways, IMO, from what I've read.

Honestly, I'd really like to see the full actual studies performed on SD foods. There are a lot of BAD and biased studies out there. I think SD's main marketing tool is that they are the only "clinically proven" food and I think vets want to use what "works". They don't have time to do research on all of these foods and companies, and then they be the ones who suggested feeding your dog a food which in turn gives it the runs, or an illness, or something - they don't want to be responsible for that. Vets are also scientists, essentially, who want to promote a product that is "scientifically proven" and highly researched. They also fund a lot of vet schools. I think when people are in school, they just take what they're being told as fact. I've seen many students in my own classes (not veterinary) who listen to a professor and just blindly think that everything he's saying is the truth without looking into it much.

For what it's worth, most vets hardly make money on food, so I really don't think this is the biggest reason like a lot say. Vaccines, however, are a whole 'nother issue and I completely believe vets who still give yearly vaccines are simply in it for the money.

Certain foods will look good on paper, or at least decent, but I personally would never feed (e.g. Merrick and Nutro -- WAY too many quality control problems, imo).

I know it gets to a point where you are going to find a problem with EVERY food you read about, whether it be a small problem or a big problem, so of course in the end, it's about finding what works for your dogs. I've probably spent way too much time researching, etc, but I feel confident that I know enough basics to feed my dog what I believe is right and best for him.

But I do believe that a lot, not all, of these holistic higher end companies are probably not all they are cracked up to be.

Let's be realistic... the meat and ingredients going into ANY of these dog foods is not going to be a prime cut steak that we humans may eat. The prices would be astronomical if they did that. In order to make dog food affordable and sell, price is going to have to be not any more insane than it already is.

Sometimes an ingredient list can look decent, or great, but really the product you are getting is probably not. I'd feed Royal Canin before I fed Nutro. Nutro ingredient list may be superior, but I do not feel their quality or control is.

Basically, there is very few kibbles I feel comfortable feeding nowadays. I've narrowed down a very small list at the moment. There's a few others I may consider but those are what I feel most comfortable with at the moment. One day I'd be happy homecooking but don't have the time or energy right now.

I've kinda changed my mindset a little bit. I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable feeding Science Diet, nor want to personally. But I also do not think they an evil-company that everyone makes them out to be, and no longer do I feel Champion is like the superior all mighty kibble either. All companies are majorly into marketing... all of them will lie, at some point, and use marketing to sell their product. So I dunno, gotta just do what you are comfortable with, and what you feel is right by your dog and what they do best on.


( I copied/pasted what I've written in the past- Sorry it's so long! If you read it all, you deserve a cookie).