High Quality doesn't always mean High Price!

[Ahis_Mama]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

Yes talking about what our Yorkies eat can turn into some heated exchanges. We have 5 dogs that I cook for. We use a good brand of kibble. Only the two youngest dogs get the same kibble. The other three have age, weight and individual needs. All the dogs get fresh, fruit, veggies, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, lowfat cottage cheese, plain yogurt, organic peanut butter, boiled or steamed low fat fresh meats and eggs. We make our own treats too, in our dehydrator, meat jerky, apple, sweet potato etc. My dog eat a much healthier diet than Hubby and I do. They never get coffee, donuts, pizza or fast food.

I am trying this for Ahi. She refuses any kibble and most canned food. The ones that she does eat, she will only eat it once maybe twice but thats it and the rest of the can is a waste. It is a learning process for me to make sure she is getting all the nutrients she needs. I have even bought Puppy vita-care. I want what's best for her.

And you are exactly right...she eats way better than I do or what I put into my kids. lol

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I don't understand WHY you would want to compare a cat food with a dog food? I know the Royal Canin for Yorkshire Terriers doesn't use chicken by products. Also, corn is not a filler.



If you are really open to debate it may be best not to call someone else's food choice "CRAP" and "garbage." If you really think RC is making too much profit in their food, you ought to buy stock in the company! I buy the product, because they do testing, they have a good record for quality control; their facilities are considered state of the art spotless and clean. Furthermore, I have studied nutrition in college and on my own and believe that the ingredients they have chosen make a quality nutritious meal for dogs, and Joey loves it and is thriving on it.

Thank goodness!!!! I was beginning to think I had not done MY research correctly on RC....This "crap" has served me and my crew very well over many years....no recalls, no problems with bloat, no allergy issues, no dry flaky skin issues, beautiful coats, pep in their step!, etc.

[candigirl]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Yes, and dogs are not pure carnivores, but opportunistic. No one said a dog NEEDED corn, it's a source of carbs, I don't believe a dog food should be 100% protein. It is not difficult to digest if it's cooked. I believe corn got a bad name because some dog food companies used it to boast the total protein count because it's contains several amino acids, but it lacks a couple, so it shouldn't be used as the primary protein in some expert’s opinion.

They are opportunistic carnivores, and in time of famine will eat things they normally wouldn't to get something in their stomachs. However, in a natural environment corn is something they would never eat. There is no famine here so i feed the most ideal diet i can provide. I also believe carbs aren't needed and carb heavy foods put stress on the pancreas. I don't believe in feeding things that aren't needed, what corn provides is pretty much insignificant. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree

[Yorkiemom1]

FYI: "Poultry meal is the dry rendered product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts of whole carcasses of poultry or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears a name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.
Pros:
* Contributes a more concentrated amount of animal protein to a product since it contains only about 10% moisture, making the food more species appropriate. * No limit on the amount that can be used in a food formula, which permits the creation of high-protein, low-carb dry foods.
Cons:
* More processed than fresh meat, already cooked and dried once before added to kibble "dough" and cooked again.

But "chicken meal" is NOT actually a dirty word or a useless filler, and really should not be looked upon with disdain, as if it were a "dirty, unnecessary ingredient".
...and while they are truly carnivores, many people love to add veggies, cheese, eggs, and fruit as well as grains to their dogs diets, for a "balanced" diet!! (as I occasionally watch my babies munching on grass, I am trying to remember they are carnivores!)

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by candigirl

They are opportunistic carnivores, and in time of famine will eat things they normally wouldn't to get something in their stomachs. However, in a natural environment corn is something they would never eat. There is no famine here so i feed the most ideal diet i can provide. I also believe carbs aren't needed and carb heavy foods put stress on the pancreas. I don't believe in feeding things that aren't needed, what corn provides is pretty much insignificant. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree

Very little what we do with dogs is considered natural, and natural isn't always better. Do you feed all protein?

[candigirl]

Just wanted to add that there are things i feed sparingly that a dog wouldn't have access to like certain fruits, veggies and yogurt because they have vitamins/nutrients and probiotics that may do some good. If you want to feed corn or anything else that you feel benefits your dog then do so; but do your research first so you're doing it for right reasons.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by candigirl

Just wanted to add that there are things i feed sparingly that a dog wouldn't have access to like certain fruits, veggies and yogurt because they have vitamins/nutrients and probiotics that may do some good. If you want to feed corn or anything else that you feel benefits your dog then do so; but do your research first so you're doing it for right reasons.

May I add, when doing your research, please realize that not all websites are created equal as far as giving you solid "facts". Many are "opinions" under the guise of factual matter. Facts are not a “democracy”, it doesn't matter how many people believe it, or how much you read it over and over, it still won't make it true. Facts have to have been scientifically tested and even then are subject to change if better equipment is available to test.

My opinion is that too many people believe the advertising hype, rather than looking for a food that has been scientifically tested and shown to be safe and have the nutrients that a dog needs.

[candigirl]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

May I add, when doing your research, please realize that not all websites are created equal as far as giving you solid "facts". Many are "opinions" under the guise of factual matter. Facts are not a “democracy”, it doesn't matter how many people believe it, or how much you read it over and over, it still won't make it true. Facts have to have been scientifically tested and even then are subject to change if better equipment is available to test.

My opinion is that too many people believe the advertising hype, rather than looking for a food that has been scientifically tested and shown to be safe and have the nutrients that a dog needs.

Is this directed towards me. I don't feed kibble so there is no advertisement company for me to fall victim to or hype to sway me one way or another. When doing my research i focused on the physiology of canines and their ancestors and their digestive systems and diets to guide me in my journey to finding what I felt was the best way to feed my dog.

If you want to talk about advertising hype how about Royal Canin's "Breed Specific" gimmick.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

I think the most important thing to remember about dog food is EVERY dog is different and every dog does better on something different.

I mean no offense to anyone but I am over the food debate. I follow a board certified veterinarian nutritionisits advice, and she has the credentials to prove it.

Bottom line, EVERYONE here wants to feed their dog the best. Why wouldn't you? We as pet parents, want our dogs to live long and happy lives. But, I think saying x brand is better then z brand has no merit. Because what my dog may do wonderful on, your dog may do poorly on. I learned this after trying brand after brand...

My thoughts and views have done a 360 since I have gone through what I went through with Taycie. So my mind is more open. I have no opionions on brands anymore. I just feed with what works, a company I feel safe with ,and gives me the absolute best results

[gemy]

I usually stay out of these discussions. But I do try to read about them. I began my journey to a home "cooked" dog food, because my first show boy, after he got to about a year old, suddenly began to have serious diarrehea. We changed premium kibble 4 times over a 6mth period. The pattern remained the same, first two wks fine, next wk intermittent soft stools, 4th wk we are into diarrehea. I decided to do a raw diet.
There has been few bouts of diarrhea in over 5 yrs. He gets about a cup of kibble in his days food portion, as kibble is about the only thing you can cross the border with, and it is also great for camping. He can tolerate that amt of kibble.

Just on a side note, I do chuckle about the cost of food for a Yorkie. Gosh they only eat what 1/2 c a day? Our large dogs go through 2lbs each on a quiet exercise day.

Our dogs have healthy coats, teeth, breath and ears. Plus they are all good eaters. Our most fussy dog, who happens to be female, usually tucks into her food with a good appetite.

Now I have been starting to cook the meat, due to being treated like an outcast or something when I've visited the vets and or the ER room. There has been a lot of pressure that I've felt from the medical community to cook the meat. So I have done this now for the past month or so.

In terms of making the food, as long as you have a freezer, it won't take long to develop a system that makes food prep fast. You can freeze your meals, and cook wkly or mthly whatever works in your time schedule.

I've recently started to switch over to all glass containers, due to BPA or whatever that chemical thingie is in plastic containers, plus over time the plastic never seems to look clean after I wash the containers out. So that is a bit pricey to do the investment. Each container for the big dogs cost about $10, and about $7 for our Yorkie. I'm building for a three wk supply, I'm currently at 8 days.

I don't have any scientific knowledge to share with any-one, just my personal experience and opinion. I am like some that want to feed healthily to my dogs, and I truly like being in control of what goes into my dogs food. We buy organic veges, and we buy naturally raised meat/poultry. It is expensive, but not so bad if you have the farmers markets in the summertime, and given I buy lots and lots of meat, I can arrange for a discounted price on the meat I buy. We also use supplements that are breed appropriate in their food.

I found Brits history lesson on how the pet food industry evolved to be interesting and informative.

My own personal feeling is I'd like to stay away from any Genetically MOdified anything. It is way too early to see if there are long term health risks to this food.

I do believe that dogs are "still" mainly carnivores and as such should have a predominately meat based diet. Now given Yorkies propensity for liver issues, I reduce the meat portion content in his diet.

To me it makes sense to home cook for my pups and well worth the investment of time that it does take.

[candigirl]

Originally Posted by gemy

I don't have any scientific knowledge to share with any-one, just my personal experience and opinion. I am like some that want to feed healthily to my dogs, and I truly like being in control of what goes into my dogs food. We buy organic veges, and we buy naturally raised meat/poultry. It is expensive, but not so bad if you have the farmers markets in the summertime, and given I buy lots and lots of meat, I can arrange for a discounted price on the meat I buy. We also use supplements that are breed appropriate in their food.

I love the farmer's markets, I just started going so i'm not really familiar with where or how to get the good deals. sent you a pm

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Thank goodness!!!! I was beginning to think I had not done MY research correctly on RC....This "crap" has served me and my crew very well over many years....no recalls, no problems with bloat, no allergy issues, no dry flaky skin issues, beautiful coats, pep in their step!, etc.

Same here. RC is our choice. And exactly as you eluded to.....you don't find me posting theads about issues with poor skin, bad hair, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, etc....because, we don't have any

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

Same here. RC is our choice. And exactly as you eluded to.....you don't find me posting theads about issues with poor skin, bad hair, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, etc....because, we don't have any

I thoroughly agree. I was tempted into switching to a high rated food, even though Joey wasn't having any problems with Royal Canin. I did a slow switch and when he was half and half, I notice significant eye tearing and his beard was wet all the time. Switched back to RC and his eyes cleared up, being the scientist I am, I had to test it again and again the tearing came back with a vengeance. So we are happily back on Royal Canin, but every time I read one of these RC is garbage threads, I do worry about people who will needlessly switch their dog's food when there's no reason to. I mean if I was tempted others will be tempted. Sure if your dog is having trouble with a food do a switch, but if your dog is really doing well, switching might cause you more problems than you can imagine. By doing well, I mean no gas, no vomiting no diarrhea, hair thick and shiny, no flakey skin, good breath, plenty of energy and good weight. So I’m posting on these threads, not to get people to try RC, I just want to reassure those who are using it and are happy with it, that it a good solid choice, with plenty of science behind it to say that it’s safe. As many have said before, if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Thank goodness!!!! I was beginning to think I had not done MY research correctly on RC....This "crap" has served me and my crew very well over many years....no recalls, no problems with bloat, no allergy issues, no dry flaky skin issues, beautiful coats, pep in their step!, etc.

FYI: they have had recalls. Cat food only though I believe.

List of recalls for Pet Food Products from Royal Canin

(not saying this is a huge deal, but they haven't had no recalls).

FWIW, my dog has also eaten primarily Acana (among a few other brands in between) almost all of his life and also has beautiful skin/coat, no bloat, no allergy, no dry skin, and loads of energy, etc. If I put him on RC, would he still have those? Maybe. Maybe not.

I think that's the whole point. Just because Nancy1999 tried one "higher quality" and didn't like the results doesn't mean that she'd have equally good results on another food if she gave a different brand a chance. Just like I don't know how Jackson would do on RC without giving it a chance ... he's been doing fantastic on the foods he's on now, but if I switched to RC, who knows... maybe he'd improve, maybe he wouldn't. But I don't have a desire to switch to it at the moment.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

Same here. RC is our choice. And exactly as you eluded to.....you don't find me posting theads about issues with poor skin, bad hair, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, etc....because, we don't have any

But on the flip side, there are loads of healthy dogs who DON'T have these issues eating "high quality" foods as well, and you can also find threads of dogs doing terrible on RC... so it's kind of a moot point I guess. We can argue it til the death lol but in the end, there are going to be ppl that have dogs with issues eating RC and people with dogs with issues who don't eat RC.