Need advise / suggestions on limied ingredients / all natural dog food

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by navillusc

It is a monumental task...one I started over 20 years ago 'in detail' looking for clean foods for us and our pets. I research the manufacturing process, where raw materials are sourced, read medlines, even read the MSDS sheets to see what dangers must be disclosed to workers who handle the product...and what precautions they must take. This is amazing...the MSDS...sometimes...compared to what the product is to be used for.

I expect everyone to do as they think best or have the ability to do...I would...so should they. I only mention such things 'because' I already found out...usually with great difficulty and much time spent...and if I can prevent anyone from going through that research like I had to, maybe it is useful info to someone else, too.

I am glad it works for your little ones.

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.

[shelbysmom]

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.

Never mind navillusc, I stalked your profile and found you feed Acana which is pretty wonderful since I bought the small trial size 2 days ago. My pup loves it! Now, if it just agrees with her tummy.

I want to give her a wet food too for variety but I need a small can (no bpa or carrageenan) Ideas?

[BBBentley]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Never mind navillusc, I stalked your profile and found you feed Acana which is pretty wonderful since I bought the small trial size 2 days ago. My pup loves it! Now, if it just agrees with her tummy.

I want to give her a wet food too for variety but I need a small can (no bpa or carrageenan) Ideas?

Weruva

[navillusc]

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.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Never mind navillusc, I stalked your profile and found you feed Acana which is pretty wonderful since I bought the small trial size 2 days ago. My pup loves it! Now, if it just agrees with her tummy.

I want to give her a wet food too for variety but I need a small can (no bpa or carrageenan) Ideas?

Hi...sorry you had to stalk but maybe it was a good exercise program...

Yes, Acana right now. I do not know of a small can of pet food at this time. I have mostly found organic foods in large cans only for dogs, so that means a can will last these 3 kids 3 or more days, and the rest stays in the fridge. The wet foods (commercial-type) that mine get are typically a breakfast item, whether they choose to eat breakfast or not.

They have their quirks...

Oh...had to edit because I almost forgot...

No...I absolutely do not feed carrageenan or bpa or anything like that. On some things, I am extremely picky.