Good foods, bad foods, what to believe?

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

As you mentioned, I see so many comments about how 'vets only recommend a certain food because they are getting paid to' or 'vets don't really know what is best for our pets' and these are some of the scariest, most bizarre statements to me. Alls I can say is, if this is the way anyone feels about their vet, it's time to find a new one! I'm sure it is the case from time to time....but I can't convince myself that is the case 90% of the time.

It is true that most vets do NOT know much about nutrition at all. There is very little class time devoted to nutrition and it is biased information being taught to students via representatives of major pet food companies. My anatomy lab partners had never even heard of a raw diet Most vet students feed their pets Hills and Purina because we are given those products for free and at very discounted prices...and then the students are told they are the best by the reps of those companies. Add that to almost non-existant nutrition education and that equals vets that just don't know about nutrition. And if you think about it, a vet is a doctor - not a nutritionist.

I choose to feed my dog what is best - a diet that they were designed to eat - and that is a RAW diet (meat, bones & organs)

[jeanietoo]

Don't stress out over what to feed. If your dog hasn't got allergies or other problems related to diet feed any decent food. There are downsides to lots of diets. As long as your dog is healthy and active feed what you want and don't pay too much attention to all the hype.

[Yorkieluv]

[QUOTE=MyFairLacy;1596413]It is true that most vets do NOT know much about nutrition at all.
/QUOTE]

This is very true!! Many vets actually admit to this...

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

It is true that most vets do NOT know much about nutrition at all. There is very little class time devoted to nutrition and it is biased information being taught to students via representatives of major pet food companies.

Hmm...well then I guess it's up to us as pet owners to seek a vet who has made the decision to educate themselves on that subject, heh? They are out there, you just have to find one. Plus, you can't assume that every future vet is learning the exact same topics and that it doesn't extend beyond only what is 'required.' I guess I benefit from only being 1 1/2 hrs from on of the best verterinary institutes in the country. Many of the vets here do continuing research through the university and are in fact, well educated in many 'above and beyond' areas.
Like I said, maybe it's time to find a new vet if you feel their top concern is their pocket.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Hmm...well then I guess it's up to us as pet owners to seek a vet who has made the decision to educate themselves on that subject, heh? They are out there, you just have to find one. Plus, you can't assume that every future vet is learning the exact same topics and that it doesn't extend beyond only what is 'required.' I guess I benefit from only being 1 1/2 hrs from on of the best verterinary institutes in the country. Many of the vets here do continuing research through the university and are in fact, well educated in many 'above and beyond' areas.
Like I said, maybe it's time to find a new vet if you feel their top concern is their pocket.

Texas A&M is one of the top vet schools in the country - #3 to be exact, right under Cornell and Colorado. Yes, some vets do choose to educate themselves on their own...that is what I am doing. Nutrition is VERY important to me so I will definitely continue to learn as much as I can about it, and I plan to do an externship with an animal nutritionist as well. Unfortunately, a lot of vets don't think nutrition is important enough to educate themselves further. I've had a lot of discussions with some students in my class and a lot of them don't see what the big deal is when it comes to nutrition. I just know what actually goes on inside of vet schools and what is being taught and nutrition just isn't given much time. Part of the veterinary profession is continueing to educate yourself as things are continually changing and developing over time so hopefully most vets choose to continue educating themselves. But that still doesn't change the fact that most vets aren't educated when it comes to nutrition. There are animal nutritionists that you can seek out if you want to find out more about nutrition for your pet.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

But that still doesn't change the fact that most vets aren't educated when it comes to nutrition. There are animal nutritionists that you can seek out if you want to find out more about nutrition for your pet.

I agree with you, not arguing. Not all of them are informed but some are--be it vet or nutritionist. So it is up to us to find one that can answer questions, not use 'oh vets don't know' and 'they are only concerned about money' as an excuse, mainly because it is not accurate. (Not every vet is versed in reproduction, so if that is an area that you need your vet to be on the up and up about, you find one that is.)

By the way, good for Texas A&M...woo hoo, way to go? Guess you benefit from being close to them too...? Wasn't trying to challenge who's school was better...

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I agree with you, not arguing. Not all of them are informed but some are--be it vet or nutritionist. So it is up to us to find one that can answer questions, not use 'oh vets don't know' and 'they are only concerned about money' as an excuse, mainly because it is not accurate. (Not every vet is versed in reproduction, so if that is an area that you need your vet to be on the up and up about, you find one that is.)

By the way, good for Texas A&M...woo hoo, way to go? Guess you benefit from being close to them too...? Wasn't trying to challenge who's school was better...

You're right..that is why I always say MOST vets don't know anything about nutrition. So far as schools, I wasn't trying to challenge whose school is better...just saying I'm attending one of the top vet schools in the country. You said you benefited by being close to one of the top vet schools and all I was saying was A&M is a top one too

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

So far as schools, I wasn't trying to challenge whose school is better...just saying I'm attending one of the top vet schools in the country. You said you benefited by being close to one of the top vet schools and all I was saying was A&M is a top one too

Gocha..then I guess we both benefit. I just meant that the vets here being within a close proximity have more opportunities to continue working with them...I'm sure much like what you experience there.

[rachelcb80]

It's pretty sad that nutrition isn't given a lot more time in vet school, and that vets don't chose to learn more themselves about it. Shouldn't they be concerned with preventive medicine? A healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep medical problems at bay.

I like my vet on a personal level and I think he's fine as far as his medical knowledge goes but I don't leave my dogs health solely in his hands. His clinic sells Eukanuba (sp) so that's the food he reccommends. Right now I'm feeding Blue, though we are switching to Innova's Evo this week. I also looked at Orijen. My vet had not heard of any of those foods.

I agree that every dog is different and you just have to find what works for your dog, as well as what works for you.

[Yorkiekids]

I have found some good foods at Pet Supermarket, but usually go to the feed stores for the better foods.

[micc1]

My thanks to everyone who responded - I checked out the website mentioned. Basically everything reinforced what I suspected, that there's no one answer and that every dog is different...I'm not sure what I will do for Sargie's diet when he finishes hs puppy food, but at least we have backup that there are people who are very careful and still choose to feed the commercial foods condemned by these sites...and their dogs are healthy. (I have to wonder, how many dogs are happy and healthy on supermarket food, with all the tons of it that are sold, but a majority of them are becoming ill and having their lives shortened by it? That doesn't make sense. And if it does, Bama's right - I hate to think what I'm consuming then! Sometimes I buy these organic Hormel white chicken breast meat pieces, pre-cooked, in a resealable bag, and keep them for Sargie - he only gets a bit at a time, so they last a while...but gotta tell ya, a few times I snacked on them - he was eating better than me!)

Since I have that small bag of Royal Canin to start glad to read that some dogs had problems with it, I will have to keep a watch now when I try it.

What is the Liquid Oral care? I have to start brushing Sargie's teeth and someone told me her poodle loves this CET toothpaste you can only buy online, and I tried a sample she gave me and Sargie took to it - but if there is something else that will work better and is easier I'd like to try that. My vet has something you paint on the teeth with a swab, which is supposed to eliminate brushing, but I haven't asked him about it yet.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Sargie & Chrissy

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by micc1

What is the Liquid Oral care?

It's a clear liquid that you add to their drinking water. It fights the plaque and bad breath and works GREAT! I tried 2 different kinds and actually like the Petkin from PetSmart over the more expensive one that I orders.

[micc1]

Thanks!

Sargie & C.