Science Diet?

[ladyjane]

I have a neighbor who feeds his "outside dog" (a term I hate because I don't believe in leaving dogs outside) that nasty meaty food that looks like hamburgers. For the life of me, I cannot think of the name of it. That pup is 14 years old and is never sick. And, I think of when I was a kid, so many people were feeding Alpo and their dogs were ok.
I just think way too much focus is on foods....and honestly as someone said: feed what works for your pups.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have a neighbor who feeds his "outside dog" (a term I hate because I don't believe in leaving dogs outside) that nasty meaty food that looks like hamburgers. For the life of me, I cannot think of the name of it. That pup is 14 years old and is never sick. And, I think of when I was a kid, so many people were feeding Alpo and their dogs were ok.
I just think way too much focus is on foods....and honestly as someone said: feed what works for your pups.

Dh's pet dog he had as a child ate nothing but leftovers and stuff he found in the trash and still lived to be 12!! He also died by getting hit by a car, not from his diet! I do agree with you on the hoopla of the foods.. seems as it is getting out of control!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It always amazes me when I hear the stories about sick, itchy pups from Science Diet when I have fed so many of them this food without all of the effects people say their pups have had from these foods. My guess is I have handled and fed more pups than the average Joe.
Funny I don't get all of these issues.

That is odd, isn't it? And you get some rescue dogs in pretty bad shape, run down, probably often at death's door, no doubt stressed to the max physically and emotionally, and they manage awfully well on Science Diet it seems. I tell you I am very grateful for that company as they make a product that has served many, many dogs (and thus their owners) so very well.

And if it were just a money thing with vets, why wouldn't some other company with big aspirations of horning in on Science Diet's biz just up the ante a bit and have all the vets recommending their products instead? Yet that hasn't happened.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I was sucked into the negativity about SD when I was feeding it to Rosie. Remember that Linda? . But then I stop and think how sick Rosie was BEFORE putting her on the I/D. I home cook now for a variety of reasons. Number one, it works so well for Rosie and her IBS. Number two, I am in control of the quality control. I don't worry about a recall. But with that said, I think SD helped us when we needed it. Bottom line, it saved my baby when she was so sick. When she got better I tried switching foods after reading all the bad stuff in SD. To make a long story short, Rosie got sick again. So I agree with some of the others, it is about what works for YOUR pup. I personally have never had problems with either of my girls when they ate SD.

[Ellie May]

If pup is doing well I see no reason to switch.

There are opinions upon opinions about what the best foods are. I'm not really interested in companies that don't do studies on their foods, the most basic of which is the feeding trial.

Why no qualified nutritionist on staff, no studies, lack of qc at some of these companies? There will be a debate about holistic vs main brands forever. Feed what you are comfortable with. There are many dogs on the main brands doing well and many doing poorly. The same could be said about olistic brands. Who knows if the food is the culprit in a lot of cases... I don't believe that kibble is optimal for the average dog ingredients aside. I think they can do fine on it though.

I don't think corn and wheat are worse rhan other grains. It is a matter of % carbs. Some byproducts are very good for dogs. Some meat meals are far from fit or human consumption. It just us not so clear cut. As for powdered cellulose, it is allowed in people food and can be from fruit and veg plants and not just trees. It is not something I would worry about.

It seems SD's major recall was over melamine which was not previously a concern because it was intentionally put in the ingredient... I'm not saying they will never have another recall. I'm sure they will like most companies. The same is true for homecooked food. It can be contaAminated too. But I put my eggs in the qc basket and the vet nutritionist basket.

If a company is not doing studies, I have to wonder what they are contributing to the field and why they are unwilling or unable to make rx foods.

I'm just not impressed with these small companies popping up with their nice websites saying their food is clearly best based on what they call science. And when listing ingredients and their quality, it is very obvious that some are very skilled at telling the buyer what they want to hear.

[chachi]

You just have to find what works for you. If a food causes mine itching problems or they wont eat It I dont care about how great it is for someone else. All dogs are different and have different tolerences and tastes

[RandiS]

Ahh, I just love this website! So many great opinions! Like I said Science Diet is what my two babies have been eating since I brought them home. One of them is 2 and the other is 1. It has never caused them any problem except Ray is a little on the heavy side. Because I was letting him eat dry kibble whenever he wanted (I know its bad I just didn't/don't like to see him wanting food) We are now on a more strict eating schdule and so far so good!

I def. would not mind cooking them food myself (I actually didn't know people did that until I became a member LOL) if anyone has any receipes on how they cook for there little ones I would love to hear them!

And THANK YOU to everyone who has commented, we sure do appreciate it!

[tokipoki]

Originally Posted by RandiS

Ahh, I just love this website! So many great opinions! Like I said Science Diet is what my two babies have been eating since I brought them home. One of them is 2 and the other is 1. It has never caused them any problem except Ray is a little on the heavy side. Because I was letting him eat dry kibble whenever he wanted (I know its bad I just didn't/don't like to see him wanting food) We are now on a more strict eating schdule and so far so good!

I def. would not mind cooking them food myself (I actually didn't know people did that until I became a member LOL) if anyone has any receipes on how they cook for there little ones I would love to hear them!

And THANK YOU to everyone who has commented, we sure do appreciate it!

Here's a great sticky! Lots of tips and ideas!
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...od-treats.html

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by RandiS

Ahh, I just love this website! So many great opinions! Like I said Science Diet is what my two babies have been eating since I brought them home. One of them is 2 and the other is 1. It has never caused them any problem except Ray is a little on the heavy side. Because I was letting him eat dry kibble whenever he wanted (I know its bad I just didn't/don't like to see him wanting food) We are now on a more strict eating schdule and so far so good!

I def. would not mind cooking them food myself (I actually didn't know people did that until I became a member LOL) if anyone has any receipes on how they cook for there little ones I would love to hear them!

And THANK YOU to everyone who has commented, we sure do appreciate it!

I got mine from Welcome to Pet Diets. It does cost to get them but it is worth it. I also have communicated with Dr. Remillard, a vet nutritionist. About Us
In addition, I use the recommended Balanceit supplement.

[veggienut]

Recently my Vet recommended also using Science Diet due to my Yorkie having bloody stools. The Vet doesn't like all of the Science Diet foods, but he does the W/D and highly recommended this to get his stools back in order. Despite the bad talk of being a "bad food" it has helped wonders with my dog. It's isn't the first time he was on it. Just is very smelly of a food and has corn and pork in it, which is probably why it's smelly.

[ironmike86]

Feed what works for your dog. I agree. But theres good Co like Fromm who have been in business since 1949. So many vets say corn is bad but they sell dog food with corn??
They say to much protein is bad? Not enough is bad?? Guess the health of you dog if it eats ,has shiny coat,and not itchy is the best indicator no matter what u feed?

[concretegurl]

Vets are like Dr.s if a mainstream major corporation sends them literature and gives them a HUGE discount on retailing a product they do it.

IMHO it's all about the money!

I wouldn't donate a bag of SD to the animal shelter.
I prefer TOTW, or BB now that they have a grainless wilderness flavor...although I feed Raw and BARf in model prey it's not for everyone.


Try here---> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com

[odettemayers]

I could still recall that my dog was undergo science diet,It is important part of maintaining a pet's optimal health is selecting a food that provides the right balance of essential vitamins and nutrients. It helps also with brain and vision development.

[ladyjane]

hmmmmm....so what are you saying about shelter dogs? They don't deserve the best? When I donate, I donate what I would feed my own pups.

[tokipoki]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

hmmmmm....so what are you saying about shelter dogs? They don't deserve the best? When I donate, I donate what I would feed my own pups.