What do you think of this article on the best food for your dog?

[chewysmom]

Originally Posted by mybirdys2003

Thanks everyone! We don't have a Petco or any real pet store here. The one little pet store we have, won't carry dog food, because he says everyone buys it from Wal-Mart. Of course, they don't thave any food I can find that doesn't have animal by-products or BHT.
Thanks! Pat

You can order from PETCO online. It really is worth it to pay the shipping because the food is soooooo much better for them. I have actually heard that these premium foods with no byproducts or other nasties can actually extend the life of your pet.

[mybirdys2003]

Thanks! But my husband won't let me buy on line, as my daughter had her identity stolen when she put her credit card on. It was a nightmare for her. Will go in to the site, and maybe I can order and send a check!
Thanks! Pat

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by mybirdys2003

I wonder what you all think of this article I found on the web. It tells all of the bad ingredients in dog food and says you should feed your dog turkey, beef, chicken, turkey and oatmeal,brown rice, fresh raw vegetables and fresh fruit and yogurt eggs and cottage cheese.
Sometimes, I myself wonder if this would not be a better diet for them then the ick that they put in dog food!
Any thoughts?
Go to : http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/hea...n/feeding.html
Let me know what you think!

Pat

I agree in concept - but there's a practical side that's missing. Commercial dog foods are balanced to meet at LEAST the minimum nutritional standards fod dogs. They add a "vita-mix" to the foods to ensure that after processing those needed vitamins are there. Studies have shown that home cooked meals are seldome balanced. If you had the time and inclination to truly feed your dog a balanced diet, then by all means, a home cooked meal - with top quality FRESH ingrediants would be preferable! That's actually one of the biggest arguments in favor of the "raw food" craze. I take a "get real" approach and use ultra-premium commercial canned food mixed with supplements and whole foods, rotating foods periodically to help prevent imbalances in my dogs' diets.

[mybirdys2003]

Originally Posted by yorkipower

I agree in concept - but there's a practical side that's missing. Commercial dog foods are balanced to meet at LEAST the minimum nutritional standards fod dogs. They add a "vita-mix" to the foods to ensure that after processing those needed vitamins are there. Studies have shown that home cooked meals are seldome balanced. If you had the time and inclination to truly feed your dog a balanced diet, then by all means, a home cooked meal - with top quality FRESH ingrediants would be preferable! That's actually one of the biggest arguments in favor of the "raw food" craze. I take a "get real" approach and use ultra-premium commercial canned food mixed with supplements and whole foods, rotating foods periodically to help prevent imbalances in my dogs' diets.

Where do you get you supplement and what brand and how much do you feed? I cut up raw vegs,fruits,meat,etc. for my birds every morning so just do the same for her. She seems to really love it. But, I do think I probably should give her a supplement. I hate food with by-products and BHT etc. in it. It worries me to death. I just don't think it can be good for them.
Pat

[LvMyYorki]

Pat- Here is a link so that you can locate a store that sells Natural Balance. You can also read all about their products on their site!

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/home/usa.tpl

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by mybirdys2003

Where do you get you supplement and what brand and how much do you feed? I cut up raw vegs,fruits,meat,etc. for my birds every morning so just do the same for her. She seems to really love it. But, I do think I probably should give her a supplement. I hate food with by-products and BHT etc. in it. It worries me to death. I just don't think it can be good for them.
Pat

I use Solid Gold Seameal and SeaPet Cod Liver Oil. I get the Solid Gold Sea Meal from Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue:

http://www.yorkierescue.com/storelist.html

BTW - if you're talking birds - NOAH's makes a very nice bird supplement we give our Macaw.

http://www.noahskingdom.com/vma_plus_information.htm

[klogan]

I have done TONS of research on dog food recently. Also, read a book on yorkie's called "Yorkie's for Dummies". It states that a yorkie should have 24-26% in protein and 8-10% in fat (this low fat is hard to find!). After my research, the best foods I've found out there are:

Solid Gold
Innova
California Natural
Wellness
Natural Balance
Wysong
Canidae

Stomper was on Royal Canine 33. I've heard that it is not the best since it does contain corn which causes allergies in some dogs. I then tried California Natural (Protein 26% - Fat 16%) and Stomper HATED it. Is is very good food and highly recommended. Only has 4 main ingredients! I'm now trying Innova (Protein 26% - Fat 12%) which has tons of good stuff like potatoes, chicken, herbs, etc. So many YT members say this is good stuff. Stomper is having a hard time adjusting. He just loves that Royal Canine!

[Carters Mom]

The only place I can find Canidae without having to mailorder it is in New Orleans -- an hour away. I am really wanting to try that food. The place that has it available is a doggie daycare place in downtown New Orleans.

[LvMyYorki]

Originally Posted by yorkipower

I
BTW - if you're talking birds - NOAH's makes a very nice bird supplement we give our Macaw.

http://www.noahskingdom.com/vma_plus_information.htm

You have a Macaw??? I have a Grey! Ivan the Grey that is! Please post pics!!!

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by LvMyYorki

You have a Macaw??? I have a Grey! Ivan the Grey that is! Please post pics!!!

He "was" bird of the month on the Long Island parrot society (LIPS) in April. That's the only photo I have up on the net of him right now. Most of his pics grace my office. He's a Hahn's Mini Macaw and will be one next week!

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by klogan

I have done TONS of research on dog food recently. Also, read a book on yorkie's called "Yorkie's for Dummies". It states that a yorkie should have 24-26% in protein and 8-10% in fat (this low fat is hard to find!). After my research, the best foods I've found out there are:

Solid Gold
Innova
California Natural
Wellness
Natural Balance
Wysong
Canidae

Stomper was on Royal Canine 33. I've heard that it is not the best since it does contain corn which causes allergies in some dogs. I then tried California Natural (Protein 26% - Fat 16%) and Stomper HATED it. Is is very good food and highly recommended. Only has 4 main ingredients! I'm now trying Innova (Protein 26% - Fat 12%) which has tons of good stuff like potatoes, chicken, herbs, etc. So many YT members say this is good stuff. Stomper is having a hard time adjusting. He just loves that Royal Canine!

All the foods you listed are very good. If you are having trouble with a very finiky eater - try Newmans or Merrik - bit higher in fat but very good quality. THe transition may be eaiser on you.

Know what you are going though with the Royal Canine. Feel like they got my dogs addicted for awhile. Every time we went to a Yorkie Speciality, we came home with one or several bags of the stuff for free, plus tote bags, towels, t-shirts, and coupons! Great sales pitch - get the people who show and breed Yorkies hooked on the stuff and count on them getting puppy buyers stock on it. Plus make it high in fat so the dogs get used to eating it and wont eat anything else!

The good news is - a hungry dog will eat. And no, dogs do not have to eat their fill every day. Put the food down in front of your dog. Wait 20 minutes, and simply clean the bowl of the left overs. She will come around to seeing it your way. Once you've got her off "burger king,' the transition will be a lot eaiser. If she seems a little weak or lethargic at first during this "sit in" stage, you can pep her off with Nutri Drops or Pedyalite.

[taje]

Pita won't eat the natural balance rolls anymore she used to love them!

I am going to a fresh food diet, she seems to like more variety.

[LvMyYorki]

Originally Posted by yorkipower

He "was" bird of the month on the Long Island parrot society (LIPS) in April. That's the only photo I have up on the net of him right now. Most of his pics grace my office. He's a Hahn's Mini Macaw and will be one next week!

Congrats! That is awesome!

[yinheart]

I give Moxie Wellness, it has human grade meat,fruits & veggies. , no preservatives, no fillers, You could eat it yourself! LOL I get it at the Vets. Some Whole Foods stores carry it. You can check out Wellness on line and find out who carries it near you. Call first though because some of the places that were listed didn't have it. Good Luck
Terry
Moxie's Mom
PS All the foods listed in Klogen's post are good.

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by taje

Pita won't eat the natural balance rolls anymore she used to love them!

I am going to a fresh food diet, she seems to like more variety.

Just keep in mind that you might be creating a behavioral problem for yourself - the more variety and the more human food you give - the picky-er the eater your dog may become.


Thanks on the Parrot Congrats!