Ellie May...

[Ellie May]

I think everyone needs to be persuaded in their own mind as to what is best. SD is a good brand. Won't work for all dogs...

Just an FYI, Natura (Innova) does have veterinary nutritionists on staff and does do AAFCO feeding trials from what I read. Whether or not their QC compares to some fo the bigger companies I do not know.

It is not the first food I would choose or recommend, but I think it's far from teh worse.

I think they have Dr. Perea on staff (?) and the site says they do trials. Maybe email them? They do advertise human grade meat which is not defined. Could be a form of trickery. That REALLY bothers me. One of their lines of food is also not something I like. That also bothers me. I don't think it's the best food or company, but not the worst either...

[Taryn0405]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I think everyone needs to be persuaded in their own mind as to what is best. SD is a good brand. Won't work for all dogs...

Just an FYI, Natura (Innova) does have veterinary nutritionists on staff and does do AAFCO feeding trials from what I read. Whether or not their QC compares to some fo the bigger companies I do not know.

It is not the first food I would choose or recommend, but I think it's far from teh worse.

I think they have Dr. Perea on staff (?) and the site says they do trials. Maybe email them? They do advertise human grade meat which is not defined. Could be a form of trickery. That REALLY bothers me. One of their lines of food is also not something I like. That also bothers me. I don't think it's the best food or company, but not the worst either...

I had Cammie, my Cairn with Cushings, on SD rx for years and, maybe this is me just being hopeful, it seemed to help her live a little bit of a longer happier life. She was more entergetic, more alert, more of her old self before cushings. So, I'm not against it in RX or regular form.

Any recommendations for SD non rx Crystal?

[Ellie May]

I prefer some of their newer foods because by-products and such just kinda gross me out.

I feed Rylee SD Nature's Best. Could only find it at a smaller pet store (Rocco's actually). Found out that SD Ideal Balance is very similar and is more widely available at the pet store chains. They are priced about the same. The Ideal Balance maybe a bit cheaper.. Because I can get that at the chain stores, for convenience it is probably the one I will end up feeding. Just got a bag of it.

[ladyjane]

For now I am going to order SD Nature's Best through my vet. They do have it at Petco but in very limited quantities. If I have a problem with that, I will probably go with the Ideal Balance.

[Taryn0405]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I prefer some of their newer foods because by-products and such just kinda gross me out.

I feed Rylee SD Nature's Best. Could only find it at a smaller pet store (Rocco's actually). Found out that SD Ideal Balance is very similar and is more widely available at the pet store chains. They are priced about the same. The Ideal Balance maybe a bit cheaper.. Because I can get that at the chain stores, for convenience it is probably the one I will end up feeding. Just got a bag of it.

Okay good. Rocco's is where I always try to go to. I was looking at their website and saw the Ideal Balance and prefered it.

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by Taryn0405

Okay good. Rocco's is where I always try to go to. I was looking at their website and saw the Ideal Balance and prefered it.

I switched my dogs cold turkey over the weekend to Ideal Balance (I dont recommend this, but my dogs went crazy for it so I gave it to them) and they had no issues what so ever. They still only poop twice a day, they have high energy levels (which I love ) and when they run around I swear they are singing.."we feel good"...lol... Im pretty sure they are very happy, as am I..

[tem_sat]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I think everyone needs to be persuaded in their own mind as to what is best. SD is a good brand. Won't work for all dogs...

Just an FYI, Natura (Innova) does have veterinary nutritionists on staff and does do AAFCO feeding trials from what I read. Whether or not their QC compares to some fo the bigger companies I do not know.

It is not the first food I would choose or recommend, but I think it's far from teh worse.

I think they have Dr. Perea on staff (?) and the site says they do trials. Maybe email them? They do advertise human grade meat which is not defined. Could be a form of trickery. That REALLY bothers me. One of their lines of food is also not something I like. That also bothers me. I don't think it's the best food or company, but not the worst either...

Where do you show that Natura is advertising "human grade meat"?

I show Natural Pet Food FAQs – Pet Feeding, Organic Pet Food Topics – Natura Pet Products to state:

"Describe the grade of meat used in your natural dog food and cat food.

Rather than relying on the “grade” of meat, we focus on the specific nutritional qualities of the meat. We only use meat that fits our strict specifications for protein, fat, moisture, and ash. All animals have received ante- and post- mortem inspection at approved facilities with no evidence of systemic disease of animal and human health significance. The meat meets all USDA/FDA standards for product safety."

Science Diet's official response to the GoodGuide.com rating issue states:

"Our ingredients include by-products, which are common ingredients found in both human and pet food. Chicken by-product meal is a high quality, very palatable, concentrated source of protein. The chickens are sourced from human grade processing plants."

[Ellie May]

I believe their claims about human grade meat are part of what the Natura lawsuit is about.

"Any" company that says they use human grade meat - I expect them to explain what that means. If they don't mean that their meat is fit for human consumption, then IMO it is misleading. So if SD has done this, I take issue with it also. That said, SD said a human grade facility. I don't see where it says they use human grade meat. If they are saying that they use human grade meat and it isn't fit for people, then yes, I would have a problem with that.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by tem_sat

Where do you show that Natura is advertising "human grade meat"?

I show Natural Pet Food FAQs – Pet Feeding, Organic Pet Food Topics – Natura Pet Products to state:

"Describe the grade of meat used in your natural dog food and cat food.

Rather than relying on the “grade” of meat, we focus on the specific nutritional qualities of the meat. We only use meat that fits our strict specifications for protein, fat, moisture, and ash. All animals have received ante- and post- mortem inspection at approved facilities with no evidence of systemic disease of animal and human health significance. The meat meets all USDA/FDA standards for product safety."

Science Diet's official response to the GoodGuide.com rating issue states:

"Our ingredients include by-products, which are common ingredients found in both human and pet food. Chicken by-product meal is a high quality, very palatable, concentrated source of protein. The chickens are sourced from human grade processing plants."

Tem_Sat, this was the subject 2009 class action lawsuit filed in CA (see, Judy Ko v. Natura Pet Prodcuts, Inc.) where plaintiffs alleged a number of claims including those by Natura stating their food was "human grade" and "food you'd eat yourself" etc. (see, Natura Pet Food - overview)

Last month, the court approved a $2.15 million settlement to plaintiffs. See, http://www.petproductssettlement.com...2-2125fa11a47f

[tem_sat]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I believe their claims about human grade meat are part of what the Natura lawsuit is about.

"Any" company that says they use human grade meat - I expect them to explain what that means. If they don't mean that their meat is fit for human consumption, then IMO it is misleading. So if SD has done this, I take issue with it also. That said, SD said a human grade facility. I don't see where it says they use human grade meat. If they are saying that they use human grade meat and it isn't fit for people, then yes, I would have a problem with that.

My point is, where does "[Natura] advertise human grade meat?" I would be suprised that that would occur post-settlement.

Now, on the subject of those companies that denature (also inquiring as to what is used to denature) and those that don't...that is a an entirely different post.

[tem_sat]

Originally Posted by 107barney

tem_sat, this was the subject 2009 class action lawsuit filed in ca (see, judy ko v. Natura pet prodcuts, inc.) where plaintiffs alleged a number of claims including those by natura stating their food was "human grade" and "food you'd eat yourself" etc. (see, natura pet food - overview)

last month, the court approved a $2.15 million settlement to plaintiffs. See, http://www.petproductssettlement.com...2-2125fa11a47f

exactly!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by tem_sat

exactly!

Exactly what?

[107barney]

Originally Posted by tem_sat

My point is, where does "[Natura] advertise human grade meat?" I would be suprised that that would occur post-settlement.

Now, on the subject of those companies that denature (also inquiring as to what is used to denature) and those that don't...that is a an entirely different post.

ROFL. You can't be serious?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by tem_sat

My point is, where does "[Natura] advertise human grade meat?" I would be suprised that that would occur post-settlement.

Now, on the subject of those companies that denature (also inquiring as to what is used to denature) and those that don't...that is a an entirely different post.

I imagine they aren't doing it post settlement because that would be a really ridiculous business move. But they have done it and they aren't admitting responsibility. They won't agree that they did anything wrong. So was that "human grade" meat they were advertising fit for human consumption? If not, then that is a problem to me.

[tem_sat]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Exactly what?

We will start over...

Crystal, and I quote, stated:

I think everyone needs to be persuaded in their own mind as to what is best. SD is a good brand. Won't work for all dogs...

Just an FYI, Natura (Innova) does have veterinary nutritionists on staff and does do AAFCO feeding trials from what I read. Whether or not their QC compares to some fo the bigger companies I do not know.

It is not the first food I would choose or recommend, but I think it's far from teh worse.

I think they have Dr. Perea on staff (?) and the site says they do trials. Maybe email them? They do advertise human grade meat which is not defined. Could be a form of trickery. That REALLY bothers me.

Possibly that line may have been intended to mean, "They HAVE advertised human grade meat". If they no longer do it, then they don't do it. It is up to the consumer to make that determination via independent reasearch and direct inquiries.