Not happy with my vet right now!

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Food is such a hot topic on this forum

Almost as hot as breeding and "teacups", LOL.

[JuneBugs Momma]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Yikes, 3 years old and he hardly has teeth? Poor baby.. what happened?

My Junebug is a rescue from a puppy mill. If the only problem he has is bad teeth then I am lucky and blessed! You never know what they are fed in the puppy mill business. When the rescue got him, he had an infected mouth so they pulled 18-19 teeth for health reasons. He has a couple molars in the back and his canines and thats it. His kibble is so small that he hardly chews it and mixing it with a little wet (I emphasize little) helps. He does, however, love his Dentastix and goes through one in about 2 days.

When I found out he was a Biewer, I contacted the VP of the BTCA (Biewer Terrier Club of America) who happens to live only an hour away from me. She said she and her hubby took a trip to Hungary and then imported a male Biewer. She said she never saw such a breed with bad teeth so early on in life. She spent more in dental bills on that stud than she did on anything else.

Again, the cards were dealt and now I have to do my best by my JuneBug!

[JuneBugs Momma]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

At one age did you get your pup? Have you told the breeder about this? My guess is something went wrong in the early months of his life, he should have most of his adult teeth by the age of one. Milk teeth are usually gone by then, if not they are pulled by vet.

Check above post.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by JuneBugs Momma

Dog advisor is giving an overall rating for the Authority product which includes their product with chicken. If you read over my post again, I feed the Authority Mini Chunks Lamb & Brown Rice. The first seven ingredients are Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Wheat, Wheat Germ Meal, Oat Groats, & Rice Bran. Brown rice is way better than Brewers rice and there in NO beet pulp and NO corn.

I do not listen to vets, nutritionists, breeders, etc. I educate myself with the basics. Look for the first 5-7 ingredients and the first and second should ALWAYS be meat or some kind of meat meal. It is also a myth about grain-free being so-called better. It is necessary if your dog has allergies or has a sensitivity to grains, but, grains can be beneficial as well as carbs. The only grain that has been found to have no nutritional value and is used as a filler is corn or corn meal.

You go along with what works best, even though every dog is different. My chihuahua was 10-12 yrs old when I rescued her. I did not expect her to live to be 21-22yrs old. I fed her Authority for 8 years and could have not been more satisfied. I took a chance with JuneBug and he likes it so why change?

This is to the bolded and underlined part. Vets do know more about many things then we do even when we do our research! They have to go to school for a pretty long time. I think it is great to educate your self on things but not listening to them could make you end up with a sick or dead dog.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Britster

Grains are NOT the devil! In fact, "grain free" has turned into such a marketing ploy; often times people see 'grain free' on the label and automatically think = better and that is NOT the case.

Yes, some dogs do better on grainfree, some do better with some grains, etc. It's really a matter of trusting the pet food company your food is coming from as well as determining how much protein is coming from good sources. You don't want most of your protein coming from plants.

But many many grain-inclusive foods are great! And many GF foods are not (i.e. I see a lot out now with tons of legumes, potatoes, and peas, which are, IMO, no better than a food containing a few grains).

But don't think you HAVE to feed a GF food by any means. If you choose to, then great. But it's not a bad thing to feed a food with grains.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Just want to add that there are plenty of studies that show that diet does make a difference in the amount of tartar on teeth. Canned foods are considered the worst because they are often sticky. Here's one study: Periodontal Disease and Diet in Domestic Pets Toothbrushing is the best choice, but the study found that "the best way to maintain healthy periodontal tissues in our pets is frequent toothbrushing. The use of a dental hygiene chew and/or a diet designed to reduce dental deposits can be useful adjunctive measures and should be recommended."

There have been problems with Dental Hygiene chews causing blockages in dogs. Read the label. Many are recommended for dogs over 5 or 10 pounds. I question any product that states: 100% digestible. If my dog is going to eat it, it had better be digestible! Does food say '100 % digestible'?

[Amazing Yorkies]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Grain has gotten a bad name because dogs don't eat grain in the wild, they can't digest it. Neither can humans! However, once it is cooked, it's digestible for both dogs and humans. There are SOME dogs that are allergic to all grains and do much better on a grain free diet, the carbohydrates come from vegetables instead of grain. Right now, I think it's more of a fad than anything, I do not believe that all dogs do better on a grain free diet, until there is some proof of it, and there is no scientific proof. Most people have a very poor understanding of nutrition and can be easy swayed, by a few facts mixed in with fiction. Whole grains are so nutritious and not only contain fiber that keeps digestive system healthy, but carbohydrates that are a great source of energy and even protein, that aids in muscle growth. So unless your dog has allergies, grain free isn't any better. The reason your vet thinks differently than most forum writer is that vet have to have a lot of science in their studies, and the learn how to read experimental studies and which statements contain truth and which don't. While individual vets are experts in nutrition, many vets are and your individual vet has learned to rely on these experts, not forum and blog writers. I'm not knocking grain free, it's helped some dogs tremendously. Some people can't eat peanuts, but it doesn't mean that everyone would do better without peanuts.

Well said as always!

[MikaTallulah]

You have to feed what works best for you and your furrbutt.

I feed mine FROMM- Sometimes it is Grainfree and sometimes I is not.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by JuneBugs Momma

Dog advisor is giving an overall rating for the Authority product which includes their product with chicken. If you read over my post again, I feed the Authority Mini Chunks Lamb & Brown Rice. The first seven ingredients are Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Wheat, Wheat Germ Meal, Oat Groats, & Rice Bran. Brown rice is way better than Brewers rice and there in NO beet pulp and NO corn.

I do not listen to vets, nutritionists, breeders, etc. I educate myself with the basics. Look for the first 5-7 ingredients and the first and second should ALWAYS be meat or some kind of meat meal. It is also a myth about grain-free being so-called better. It is necessary if your dog has allergies or has a sensitivity to grains, but, grains can be beneficial as well as carbs. The only grain that has been found to have no nutritional value and is used as a filler is corn or corn meal.

You go along with what works best, even though every dog is different. My chihuahua was 10-12 yrs old when I rescued her. I did not expect her to live to be 21-22yrs old. I fed her Authority for 8 years and could have not been more satisfied. I took a chance with JuneBug and he likes it so why change?

Who told you corn has no nutritional value? Corn got a bad name because some manufactures were using it as the primary source of protein. Corn has amino acids which mixed with other amino acids form a complete protein, and while it probably shouldn't be use as the primary source of protein, but still to say it has no nutritional value is a mistake.
Taken from The Dog Food Project. The Dog Food Project - Common Fallacies of Dog Food Reviews
"Unless an individual dog is sensitive or allergic to corn or wheat, they are no better and no worse than other cereal grains, as long as they are used as a source of carbohydrates and not as a main source of protein, especially in combination with excessive use of gluten as another main ingredient. Depending on an individual dog's needs, some may be more suitable than others, for example in cases where a dog is gluten intolerant, barley is especially unsuitable, despite generally getting "better ratings" from uninformed sources. If you'd like to see a comparison of nutrients, please click here."

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by JuneBugs Momma

Dog advisor is giving an overall rating for the Authority product which includes their product with chicken. If you read over my post again, I feed the Authority Mini Chunks Lamb & Brown Rice. The first seven ingredients are Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Wheat, Wheat Germ Meal, Oat Groats, & Rice Bran. Brown rice is way better than Brewers rice and there in NO beet pulp and NO corn.

I do not listen to vets, nutritionists, breeders, etc. I educate myself with the basics. Look for the first 5-7 ingredients and the first and second should ALWAYS be meat or some kind of meat meal. It is also a myth about grain-free being so-called better. It is necessary if your dog has allergies or has a sensitivity to grains, but, grains can be beneficial as well as carbs. The only grain that has been found to have no nutritional value and is used as a filler is corn or corn meal.

You go along with what works best, even though every dog is different. My chihuahua was 10-12 yrs old when I rescued her. I did not expect her to live to be 21-22yrs old. I fed her Authority for 8 years and could have not been more satisfied. I took a chance with JuneBug and he likes it so why change?

I mean no disrespect, but you say you won't listen to vets and nutritionists yet you give the Dog Food Advisor high marks and he is a human dentist. Somehow this does not link up in my brain as being a safe way to think with regards to the health and well being of your pups.

Perhaps you might want to take some time researching his credentials and also the credentials of the owner of this website: www.petdiets.com
I think a comparison of the two is an eye opener.

[sandy simpson]

There is Science Diet dog food at my vets. I bet they get a kick back from selling that food. I choose carefully what I feed my Yorkies. Never store bought food. I read labels and watch for recalls. I think Spud is getting tired of Blue Buffalo senior food. He is eating less of the dry and picking out the wet in it. I wonder if dogs get tired of one taste like people do. JoJo eats it with no problem.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

There is Science Diet dog food at my vets. I bet they get a kick back from selling that food. I choose carefully what I feed my Yorkies. Never store bought food. I read labels and watch for recalls. I think Spud is getting tired of Blue Buffalo senior food. He is eating less of the dry and picking out the wet in it. I wonder if dogs get tired of one taste like people do. JoJo eats it with no problem.

I think most vets stock certain foods as a service to their clients, rather than a money maker. Any place that you buy something gets a "kick back". If you believe your vet would recommend a food just to make 50 cents, I would find another vet.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

There is Science Diet dog food at my vets. I bet they get a kick back from selling that food. I choose carefully what I feed my Yorkies. Never store bought food. I read labels and watch for recalls. I think Spud is getting tired of Blue Buffalo senior food. He is eating less of the dry and picking out the wet in it. I wonder if dogs get tired of one taste like people do. JoJo eats it with no problem.

My vet carries Science Diet, Purina and Royal Canin prescription foods which are much needed for sick animals.

These companies spend a lot of money in research and are companies that I prefer to use to feed my pups. ... but my vet does not sell food for healthy pups. I buy that at other stores but again using the above mentioned companies because I trust them. I don't find myself worrying about recalls...while I realize anything can happen, I believe it is less likely to happen with those companies.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I think most vets stock certain foods as a service to their clients, rather than a money maker. Any place that you buy something gets a "kick back". If you believe your vet would recommend a food just to make 50 cents, I would find another vet.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I think most vets stock certain foods as a service to their clients, rather than a money maker. Any place that you buy something gets a "kick back". If you believe your vet would recommend a food just to make 50 cents, I would find another vet.

There is very little profit in selling dog food. Vets would never be able to do the volume in sales to make it the least bit profitable. They buy from distributors the same way a regular store does. The stores count on customers picking up a toy or accessory when they buy the food.

Dog food is arguably a loss leader:
A loss leader is a product sold at a low price, at or below its market cost to stimulate other sales of more profitable goods or services.