Originally Posted by Britster (Post 4697295)

I'm somewhere in the middle with this a lot more now than I used to be.

Do I think RC, Hills and Purina are the devil that I used to think they were? No. Hell, I even grab a few cans of Purina Beyond occasionally to feed because the dogs do well on it, it's cheaper than most cans but still decent quality and it is easy to find.

And honestly at this point, I don't put 100% trust or faith in ANY food company -- human or dog. Just because a food can pass many food trials and tests doesn't make it great per say... it just means that it's "working". And I GET why vets promote some of these foods. They're more than likely not going to kill your dog. And if vets kept going around promoting all of these foods that they know nothing about, and a clients dog gets sick, that client is going to then blame the vet for the recommendation. So they stick with what "works" (glad my vet is not like this though....)

But to flat out say ingredients don't matter just seems a bit far fetched to me. Why else would companies like Purina and SD be promoting "grain-free" diets and everything else to cater to other customers? I think ingredients matter to a point. You can technically make a dog food with old leather boots and throw in some other nutrients and make it nutritionally complete. Doesn't mean I want my dog eating that.

These companies with all this research also have a bottom line: money. They are a business. Just as every other food company out there. They sponsor big dog shows, they have big commercials... it just so happens they have the most money to do these things with. And there is nothing wrong with that. Vets have to make a living, the people who work for these companies have to make a living. And not to mention I know plenty of dogs who do great on some of these foods.

I do think there are a ton of well-meaning dog foods out there and companies who just buy ingredient lists formulated and turn it into a "holistic" brand. Dog food, and dog products in general, have turned into a booming business and every one wants a piece. There are many many many foods out there I would choose NOT to feed due to one reason or another (lack of quality control, etc). Just because an ingredient list sounds good doesn't mean it's a good food, just as a food with 'tons of research and trials' doesn't automatically make a food good either. I think there are too many factors involved.

I mean humans can eat those pre-packaged meals which are technically 'healthy' 'okay for consumption' and 'nutritionally complete'. But eating them day after day will take it's toll.

If we are being real here, dogs are scavenger animals. They domesticated on corn mush and scraps and it wasn't that long ago. You think people who were starving were giving their dogs the best money could buy when they could hardly feed themselves? Now, we have come a long way, but I still don't see how having potato and peas in a food is much better than corn and oatmeal. It's all just used as a binder anyway to make kibble into ... kibble. Now the thing is, of course some of these dogs likely weren't thriving, and many modern advances have been made in today's world and what we are willing to do for our pets and how they are treated in today's society vs. back then. But it's always questionable how much of it was diet or simply lifestyle.

Real food is likely always going to best but let's be honest -- most people don't have the time or $$$ for that. So we work with what we got.

I am rambling, I'm tired, and there's simply too many things to factor in to really know for sure what's better or worse at this point. But I think there's room for all views and we all obviously just want the best for our pets. I personally see the best results in my own dog with lower carb, (not necessarily grain-free, but low grains), simpler formulas, moderate protein/fat. Acana just happens to work and fit the bill. Jackson got chubby on RC just as he did on Fromm and I did not like his poops LOL...

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4697376)

I don't think ingredients don't matter I just think there is more that goes into it then just ingredients. I love using blue buffalo as my example because by ingredients they are rated high but their quality control and stuff is extremely lacking. Dogs have gotten seriously sick on that food.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4697312)

Brit - you're not rambling, I totally get what you're saying and agree. And like you, I used to feel much more opposed to certain brands/foods - and I no longer feel that black and white about it. Every dog is different and can react differently to whichever food.

I'm not against Hills/SD/RC/Purina etc foods - - however, I really do not like their big-pharma methods of marketing, the results of which we see here at times. It's almost impossible to have a real discussion with someone who believes marketing messages as facts - that's what I really hate seeing. That, and the marketing those companies do with vet students, that's just a disaster in terms of a vet's nutritional education, which is already practically nil. :(

One thing I really don't like hearing, though, is when people call the Rx diets "crap" etcetera. They can truly, truly be a miracle solution for so many dogs. And honestly, that's where those companies should focus on shining bright. Wish they would.

I could say so many boring things about ingredients :p...but I'll refrain. My main concern with ingredients comes from the *fact* that allergies in all canines is rampant (yorkies even more rampant, by far!). Talk to a Vet Derm about the astounding increase in dog allergies over the last 20 years - so interesting! So, I actually do think it's very important to try to feed our dogs in such a way that avoids the higher-potential allergen ingredients like corn / high grains etcetera - it could mean the difference btwn triggering an allergy in your dog, or not. Also btw, the huge increase in dog allergies over the last few decades coincides remarkably with our decades of SO over-vaccinating multiple generations of dogs, which some say is the likely cause of all the allergies we now see today.....making proper vaccinating even more important.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4697386)

...I think a lot goes into picking a food not jut ingredients and that was my big point. Two people could sit for hours researching dog food and come up with two completely different opinions. There may be no right dog food because it's not a one size fits all thing.

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697396)

Very well written. You are right. I am calling the vet. Still soft mushy stool. Going on too long. This other vet hopefully will have other suggestions. One vet said give pumpkin. I gave a little and daisy threw it up at night.

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697475)

Both yorkies were eating wellness turkey and oatmeal.I called the other vet who treats more aggressively. Both dogs are back on the metroconizole on a paste probiotic and also being treated for worms. So we will see. I asked for a food recommendation and she said use a low fat over the counter food, now I wait pray and keep cooking chicken and rice.
Thank you Yorkie lovers for all your help.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4697312)

Brit - you're not rambling, I totally get what you're saying and agree. And like you, I used to feel much more opposed to certain brands/foods - and I no longer feel that black and white about it. Every dog is different and can react differently to whichever food.

I'm not against Hills/SD/RC/Purina etc foods - - however, I really do not like their big-pharma methods of marketing, the results of which we see here at times. It's almost impossible to have a real discussion with someone who believes marketing messages as facts - that's what I really hate seeing. That, and the marketing those companies do with vet students, that's just a disaster in terms of a vet's nutritional education, which is already practically nil. :(

One thing I really don't like hearing, though, is when people call the Rx diets "crap" etcetera. They can truly, truly be a miracle solution for so many dogs. And honestly, that's where those companies should focus on shining bright. Wish they would.

I could say so many boring things about ingredients :p...but I'll refrain. My main concern with ingredients comes from the *fact* that allergies in all canines is rampant (yorkies even more rampant, by far!). Talk to a Vet Derm about the astounding increase in dog allergies over the last 20 years - so interesting! So, I actually do think it's very important to try to feed our dogs in such a way that avoids the higher-potential allergen ingredients like corn / high grains etcetera - it could mean the difference btwn triggering an allergy in your dog, or not. Also btw, the huge increase in dog allergies over the last few decades coincides remarkably with our decades of SO over-vaccinating multiple generations of dogs, which some say is the likely cause of all the allergies we now see today.....making proper vaccinating even more important.

Originally Posted by cellanjie (Post 4697591)

I wasn't referring to ALL prescription food as "crap". I keep a case of canned i/d here for emergencies since getting the pup. When Tink was a pup, the i/d helped get her well after a bout of pancreatitis. (Breeder lied about her age. She was three to four weeks max according to vet and not ready for a diet of 100% dog food, puppy or otherwise.) The i/d works wonders for dogs with loose stools.

It was the "senior" that has filler (corn hulls) designed to pass through the dog without being digested that had my knickers in a twist because it is meant to be fed daily. There are other lower cal foods that aren't filled with cancer-ausing garbage that I prefer to feed. I can see using it on a temporary basis for weight loss, but I would not put a dog on it for her daily diet for the rest of her life.

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697573)

They are not related. Jojo is 4yrs and daisy will be 5 soon. So strange they both are having the same-issue. Must be something they ate. Just don't know. Hope the med they are getting will help. I rescued Daisy. She was a yard dog no attention. I agree with the poultry elimination. Will try a different food base.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4697621)

Calling it garbage is offensive. You also can not prove it causes cancer that's just your opinions. Please be a bit nicer with how you talk about foods exspecially prescription food that saves dogs lives.

Originally Posted by cellanjie (Post 4697659)

It is not my opinion. It is a FACT that one of the ingredients contained in the food causes cancer in lab animals. I highly doubt this food would save any dog's life as it isn't prescribed as a life-saving food.

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697700)

Here's the latest. Called the other vet. She has them back on the metro on a probistic and on a parasite med. Jojo has very mushy stool . Daisy too. My daughter, Lisa is a registered nurse. She said oh mom you are overmedicating those dogs. Take them off those drugs give them just chicken and rice and the probiotic. Only 3 more days on the parasite med.
I trust thevet. She is aggressive but I can't get this poop right. You are all so helpful. Thank you!

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697818)

The vet does not know. After 2 stool samples she is treating for parasites. Back on the metro. It is frustrating not knowing what is causing this. I stopping the parasite med and the antibiotic and doing just chicken and rice and probiotic. Hope this helps.
I so appreciate your input. All Yorkie owners are special people. All we need is love and a precious yorkie!

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697818)

The vet does not know. After 2 stool samples she is treating for parasites. Back on the metro. It is frustrating not knowing what is causing this. I stopping the parasite med and the antibiotic and doing just chicken and rice and probiotic. Hope this helps.
I so appreciate your input. All Yorkie owners are special people. All we need is love and a precious yorkie!

Originally Posted by sandy simpson (Post 4697886)

I had 2 poop samples so I think there is no giardia. I already did a round ofantibiotics. That's why Lisa thinks im overmedicating. I just know this soft stool needs to get right. Praying for good results.