Your version of the "facts" is not the same as what I view as facts. What you claim to be fact, I see as complete hype, to put it mildly.

How do you know? I'm curious? Did Purina tell you this? My point is, Purina is just fine. It's currently working very well on my dog. She has no cancer from eating the food, and no kidney failure. I just had a complete work up done, so I have proof. Blood, urine, ultrasound, full exam, blood pressure. Short of cutting her open for a fishing expedition, I have a lot of proof that the Purina she eats is a phenomenal food that she is thriving on and improving on. Maybe all those dogs that supposedly or allegedly died had owners who didn't properly care for them or want to pay for things like the above. It's like people who say there was a mouse in their can of cola. I don't believe them either.

My first Yorkie, Dixie, lived to be over 16 years old. The first few years of her life she ate dry Pedigree puppy food with a little canned Pedigree canned food. Then I switched all my dogs to Canidae and Chicken Soup dog food and that is primarily what all of mine eat along with a little canned Pedigree dog food. Dixie was always very healthy. My two oldest now are age 12 and 14 and they are very healthy too.

I think diet is important but also think over vaccinating and using to much medication can effect their health.

Waggin train jerky killed more then like 300 dogs that's fact. I do not know where the story about beneful is but I will look for it.

Like I said before there are more that goes into prescription food and more rules.

And that's fantastic. I don't believe anyone can say anything for a fact or with ANY certainty in regards to food and lifespan. There is far too many contributing factors. Who is to say a dog with similar conditions wouldn't still be alive and thriving on a different food? It's just impossible to say.

I've posted this before, but I'll post again.

I mean, really, the chance of your dog dying or suffering some big illness from eating ANY dog food is probably very slim anyway. I think some of our "fears" (mine included) are overblown. I'm guilty of it. I always talk about Diamond for example, how I wouldn't touch it, etc. A lot of us are now TERRIFIED of Diamond produced foods. But really? our dogs probably have a one in a million chance of anything happening to them because of dog food. They probably have a higher chance of dying from a snake bite, or something crazy, then dying because of eating pet food. And the only reason I know about all this stuff is because of pet forums. If I was just a regular ole' owner, I wouldn't even think twice about this stuff, and I'm sure Jackson would be absolutely fine with whatever I chose to feed whether it be Purina or Orijen.

But of course, we want the best for our dogs. I know I do. I pay attention to every little thing, lol. I'm kind of anal about it actually. With that said, dogs are scavengers, and evolved alongside humans... eating whatever scraps they could find and corn mush and whatever they could catch themselves. Was it the healthiest? Probably not, but they survived, and some even thrived. Would I choose to feed a dog food knowing such stuff is in there? Nope, it wouldn't be my first choice.

Would my dog live a good life on Purina? Most likely. But I pay attention to every little thing and notice what he does best on in regards to everything and it just so happens that I've noticed he looks and acts his best on moderate protein/fat and grain-frees or limited grains. We fed grain inclusive low fat low protein foods for 6 months and I noticed a decrease in stamina and energy, lackluster coat (not as shiny), and bigger poops.

With that said, there's a lot of great formulas produced by Purina, Eukanuba and Royal Canin and lots and lots of successful sport dogs are fed them and do wonderfully.

There's always going to be new 'hypes' as well. Grain-free started to become a 'thing' so suddenly you have a bunch of companies proudly stating 'grainfree' on their labels and if you really add everything up, very little protein is coming from animals, and most of it is potatos, peas and pea protein, etc. There's a lot of really crappy GF's and there's a lot of really crappy grain inclusives.

Overall, I believe things like genetics, not over-vaccinating, as well as spaying/neutering come into play in regard to dog lifespan and health. Many fixed dogs and over-vaccinated dogs comes with some issues, issues of which we don't completely understand yet, but many great studies have been done on both. Also, this is somewhat anecdotal, but I remember reading something about how cultures where fixing dogs is not the norm and where puppy mills and over the counter sale of dogs is not a factor seem to have a healthier population of dogs.

So I think food plays a part in their every-day lives, but not necessarily lifespan? If that makes sense?

Point was that she was addressing more than just rx ..

Anywy, I posted the above to show that a food (any food) can influence a dig for the better or the worse. I think it is major and while there are so many factors, nutrition can be a major one.

BTW, rx foods are going to be ade carefully so they do not tet contaminated. I don't have any evidence that there is much more concern, a different intredient source, etc.

I am sure we could all argue about dog food for days but none of us are gonna change our mind and every food has something about it people will say its bad.

I feed my dog kibble but I mix it with homemade foods also. My view is how many overweight inactive ppl who smoke you know are over 60yrs? The ones you do know I bet complain about some ailment, little energy ect?My point is a healthy active person feels better. Say all the dogs have good genetics. If they are active eat well have checkups bet they will be healthier then the one that lay around and just eat garbage snacks all day. Take anybody here. If they are alittle over weight lose it and eat more veggies bet they will feel better. Its hard to say what foods are good. Stay away from the ones that always have recalls. Say away from Made in China. If you dog is healthy no skin/ stomach problems . I would say your doing okay. JMO

I think genetics play a big role, but think food is equally important. I would never give my dog something that contained corn, by-products, sugar, or artificial colors/flavors and I also look at the company as a whole. There's no sense in feeding something that has a good ingredient list if the company keeps issuing recalls. These days there are plenty of good, reasonably priced grain free foods. I tend to err on the side of caution rather than take a risk with something that may cause health issues later in life. I currently feed raw patties from Bravo, but will be switching to The Honest Kitchen soon.

As a pet sitter, many of the dogs I sit who are fed Beneful or Science Diet have a lot of health issues and are always on some kind of medication.

My precious yorkie Lilli lived to be 18 and I fed her chopped meat or chicken with rice her whole life. I thought I was doing the right thing for her. Who knew!!! Now with my chihuahua Lola and new baby yorkie Lexi I feed Primal frozen and freeze dried and Natures Instinct. I hope this food lets them live a long healthy happy life as it is rated 5 stars but you never know!!

Home feeding without a nutritionist and supplement can make a dog sick. Also be careful feeding a puppy raw food there body's are not ready for it and it could make them sick.

Well, if Lilli lived to be 18 then you must have been doing something right! :)

Thank you! I see you have a Lilly too!!! Maybe I should feed my two babies chopped meat and rice also!!! (LOL)

They are finding arsenic in rice now.