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Originally Posted by shelbysmom  Well, since you have done the research and I find this exhausting...what do you feed your pups. Homecooked? It seems like there is something wrong with every kind of dog food. Since my first dog died of abdominal cancer I would love your input. |
OMG...I am soooo sorry about your little one. Nothing makes that better, but I do seriously undertand trying to find a 'good' food...that's how my search started...I had kitties that became quite ill from specific foods. Diagnoses for both was not acceptable to my thinking, so I figured out what the problems were and fixed them both with more appropriate foods.
While the research is, as you put it, "exhausting"...and it is certainly that...I started such a long time ago, and while doing it, I discovered the same ingredients over and over and over. Eventually I knew much more about what I wish to avoid for my babies, and what I might compromise on, if absolutely necessary, and now I can eliminate products quickly from their ingredients and it makes it easier to find 'qualifying' products for my kids to try...and they are quite choosy.
The number of ingredients I cannot personally 'justify' feeding my kids is too long to put here, but basically, I try to feed a 'species appropriate' diet...foods that are natural to the pet...cat or dog, since I have both. I feed myself the same way, incidentally.
I make no pretense at expertise advising others what foods to feed their pets...I only share my experiences, which includes at least 16 years shopping for 'clean' pet foods. I feed, currently...because the Yorkies 'like it okay' (better than the other samples I tried
), Acana Duck and Bartlett Pear...a limited ingredient dog food...as a kibble ('snack cracker'...LOL), in case they get the munchies...which is exceedingly rare, and with their dinner but
moistened and they also get additional, 'non-commercial pet food' items for breakfast and dinner.
Again, what I do for my pets may not be 'right' for any other pet than these kids...we have been through many food changes here, and will undoubtedly change at some future date...so...nothing I say here is meant as advice...just personal experience.
To get a glimpse of the difference in ingredients between the Acana and any other food, I do an internet search for the ingredients list. I also go to the manufacturer's websites and read about the foods I am interested in, where the raw materials come from, how they were 'raised' and/or processed, etc., and then, if I think it is 'appropriate' for my pets, I will try the food.
My reasons for rejecting a pet food would include ingredients that the pet would not normally eat, chemical additives, etc.
If this doesn't make sense, please feel free to send a PM and I will try to be more specific.
Take care.