Originally Posted by yorkieusa (Post 3278723)

This is a link to an article discussing the calcemia believed to be connected to the BB if anyone is interested in reading it:

Pet Connection Blog Blue Buffalo dog food may be linked to serious illness

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend (Post 3278711)

According to Yorkshire Terriers for Dummies:

"If the named ingredient comprises 95% of the food, then manufacturers can call it "Beef for Dogs," for example, or "Beef Dog Food." If the name includes a combination of ingredients (like "Beef and Chicken Dog Food"), then the two items together must make up 95% of the product. Also, the first ingredient listed (in this example, beef) has to make up the majority of the 95% - but this rule applies only to ingredients of animal origin. So, if the name is "Beef and Rice Food for Dogs," then 95% of the product still must be beef."

Regarding the Natural Balance L.I.D., this implies to me even though potatoes is listed first on the package and even though it is the first thing in the ingredients list. The food is still mostly duck because potatoes are not an animal product. The only thing the ingredients list order indicates is that it comprises the most by weight.

"...the item that appears first comprises the biggest part of the food, by weight..."

That does not mean that there are more potatoes necessarily, it just means that they weigh more. If the meat is dried it could still mostly be meat, but it wouldn't weight a lot. Same thing if they grind it down.

I will do more research on review sites, but I'm still leaning toward the Natural Balance L.I.D.

Originally Posted by ajcstr (Post 3278731)

I am not sure that the 95% rule is stated accurately - ill get back to you on that.

Also, the duck listed in the ingredients on the natural balance would not be dried or it would be called duck meal. So it will lose some of its moisture weight.

Finally some of the protein in the food comes from the potatoes (this is true of all grain free formulas)

Originally Posted by ajcstr (Post 3278731)

I am not sure that you are reading the 95% rule accurately - this is weight before the moisture is extracted. like a quarter pounder is the weight before cooking.

Originally Posted by ajcstr (Post 3278761)

I am not sure about that 95 percent; (why can't I type a percent sign?)

I am referring to the guaranteed analysis protein percentage; for the LID. That is generally the way I compare how much protein is in a food.

Crude Protein - 21 percent

Originally Posted by yorkieusa (Post 3278802)

Baked chicken breast for supplement.:D

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend (Post 3278825)

Do you have an idea about how much I should give a week to make up for the missing protein %? Like how much chicken breast makes up 1%?

Oh and is there a specific type of chicken breast that is better/safer for them, like no weird things they fed the chickens?

Originally Posted by ajcstr (Post 3278835)

I think you are really racking your brains out for no reason. Experiment a little with how much to feed by how much the dog will eat and maintain a healthy weight. You can also suppliment with wet food if you like. That same potato and duck formula is available in wet form from Natural Balance so you could also use that.

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend (Post 3278711)

According to Yorkshire Terriers for Dummies:

"If the named ingredient comprises 95% of the food, then manufacturers can call it "Beef for Dogs," for example, or "Beef Dog Food." If the name includes a combination of ingredients (like "Beef and Chicken Dog Food"), then the two items together must make up 95% of the product. Also, the first ingredient listed (in this example, beef) has to make up the majority of the 95% - but this rule applies only to ingredients of animal origin. So, if the name is "Beef and Rice Food for Dogs," then 95% of the product still must be beef."

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend (Post 3278839)

You have a point :) It is probably just first time mama worries. I tend to get a little OCD in general when I need to be informed about something important (like having another life in my care). I probably needed that check stop, so thank you!

I will try to stop worrying now, I promise! :p

Rylie will probably eat the correct amount for what she needs, that is what the NB site says too! I'll watch her and see how she does weight/coat/health wise and go from there.

Thank you all for the fantastic advice, spazzing about food is stopping here and now! <3

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend (Post 3278839)

You have a point :) It is probably just first time mama worries. I tend to get a little OCD in general when I need to be informed about something important (like having another life in my care). I probably needed that check stop, so thank you!

I will try to stop worrying now, I promise! :p

Rylie will probably eat the correct amount for what she needs, that is what the NB site says too! I'll watch her and see how she does weight/coat/health wise and go from there.

Thank you all for the fantastic advice, spazzing about food is stopping here and now! <3

Originally Posted by yorkieusa (Post 3278723)

This is a link to an article discussing the calcemia believed to be connected to the BB if anyone is interested in reading it:

Pet Connection Blog Blue Buffalo dog food may be linked to serious illness