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Originally Posted by LadyGemma  I am not an expert. But I have contacted pet nutritionists and they all agree the cheap brands are crap and full of fuller and that feeding that to your dog is like "feeding them McDonalds cereal every day (most say raw is best and I have looked at the ingredients of Primal and Stella & Chewy's are they are great)." They also say TONS of studies are paid for by the big, powerful corporations who have an interest in promoting their cheap filler food. Think about it, why would the government and scientists just be doing dog food studies? Where would the funding come from. It's the same with many vets who get samples and kick backs from the cheaper brands like Science Diet, etc. The good pet stores near me don't even stock stuff like that, only raw, and good brands like Weruva and Orijin, etc., and I really feel it's important to be a thoughtful consumer. Every one needs to do what they feel is best for their dog, but as a human nutritionist, I wouldn't feed my kids meat from Walmart or lots of processed stuff, I would feel them meat from Whole Foods and fresh fruits and veggies. Everyone is different though, lets learn from each other. I am so excited to get help and guidance from the knowledgeable people on this forum about my fur baby!  |
I too have spoken to pet nutritionists over the past 5.5 years as I engaged the professional services of diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists (ACVN) for my dogs home cooked and special dietary needs. As a human nutritionist, you must at least appreciate and have respect for those kinds of professional licensure and designations, training, and advanced clinical experience.
Would it surprise you to know that some of these very highly regarded experts have the very opposite view that you've stated? They would most certainly pick quality control and scientific features over a well launched and funded marketing strategy by companies who shirk things like science and professional nutritionists. I can't say which companies are good or bad but I know I would look first at who is making their food -- and in most cases, it is not a veterinary nutritionist! Why spend millions on marketing and not spend a fraction of that to have a salaried nutrtionist on staff. Hospitals certainly wouldnt hire a painter to make up meals for their patients, so why should pet food companies hire advertising people or relatives to make up our pets food?
Not everything you buy at whole foods is nutritionally superior. I don't shop at walmart much, but when I have, I have seen organic foods and grass fed meat options. There are canned items that are "processed" like coconut milk that are no different than WF and wild caught salmon or sardines that are no different in nutritional value than a fancier more expensive brand. The frozen food sections carry local fishes, and they may not say "wild caught" but when you see "cod" in New England, there is really nothing farm raised. I'm sure local catfish or the like end up in wamarts down south. Do you really think that a major buyer like Walmart isn't sourcing their foods from many places including local dairies, fisheries, or slaughter facilities? Many people save a lot of money shopping at Walmart for their families, and there is nothing wrong with that!