How to reduce plaque

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Why do they say grain-free is better though?

Who is they? Both dog nutritionist and human nutritionist do not support that. It was a fad that picked up.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Why do they say grain-free is better though?

Because grain-free still contains carbohydrates. It just comes from other sources such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas or other legumes, etc. Grains aren't the only ingredients that can contain carbohydrates. In fact, we feed Bella Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed Adult food, which contains potatoes and peas as its carbohydrate source. It's a great food, and Bella does well on it. Here's a link to it on chewy.com: https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-...breed/dp/37167

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Who is they? Both dog nutritionist and human nutritionist do not support that. It was a fad that picked up.

I agree. It doesn't really make any difference whether there are grains in the dog food or not, unless your dog has a specific allergy to a specific grain, which is rare. The only reason we feed Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed to Bella is that it has a small kibble size, Bella loves to eat it, and Wellness has nutritionists on staff and excellent quality control. It's also made in the USA (Indiana).

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I know with human teeth they say to wait an hour before brushing because food causes the enamel to soften.

Oh I usually brush right after and diamond foods huh?

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Who is they? Both dog nutritionist and human nutritionist do not support that. It was a fad that picked up.

The internet.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by pstinard

I agree. It doesn't really make any difference whether there are grains in the dog food or not, unless your dog has a specific allergy to a specific grain, which is rare. The only reason we feed Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed to Bella is that it has a small kibble size, Bella loves to eat it, and Wellness has nutritionists on staff and excellent quality control. It's also made in the USA (Indiana).

Hmm I will look at that. So basically it just gives them a reason to overprice food?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

The internet.

There is A LOT of false information on the internet.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Hmm I will look at that. So basically it just gives them a reason to overprice food?

Wellness is not overpriced. It's fairly average as far as good quality dog foods go. The main difference is the carbohydrate source.

What's really expensive are the commercial "raw" diets. Part of that is marketing, since it's a trendy fad. Part of that is the greater care it takes to sterilize food without cooking it--it's difficult, but it can be done. And the greater difficulty of nutritionally balancing "raw" dog foods since the potential list of ingredients is smaller. And insurance and liability issues too, I imagine. And many of them are small start-ups and can't afford to have a nutritionist on staff. There are a few commercial raw dog food companies that are good--I researched this earlier this year--but their foods are definitely more expensive.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Wellness is not overpriced. It's fairly average as far as good quality dog foods go. The main difference is the carbohydrate source.

What's really expensive are the commercial "raw" diets. Part of that is marketing, since it's a trendy fad. Part of that is the greater care it takes to sterilize food without cooking it--it's difficult, but it can be done. And the greater difficulty of nutritionally balancing "raw" dog foods since the potential list of ingredients is smaller. And insurance and liability issues too, I imagine. And many of them are small start-ups and can't afford to have a nutritionist on staff. There are a few commercial raw dog food companies that are good--I researched this earlier this year--but their foods are definitely more expensive.

Oh I wasnt talking about welllness. I am talking about the 45$ per 12 cans of wet food ones which I know very little off. I also do not wabt to feed raw. My mother has lupus, I don't want high risks of contamination to occur.

I am just looking for foods that are pate, a cheaper price but still excellent, basically I am trying to stretch my dollar without compromising quality, because I'd rather use that money I save from the cans on a good health insurance for my little princess.

I want her to have good tasting food that will be both good for her and easy to eat.

I am looking at wellness basics and wellness balanced or whatever it was. Or hill's science diet, or some other brand that is on top of the recalls like that other kind poster said in this or another thread. A brand I can trust.


ps. also thinking between venison, duck, lamb, chicken, turkey, or fish. I am thinking of two so she can have slight variety.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

There is A LOT of false information on the internet.

I didnt see this, but yes I agree. Problem is one person feverishly argues so and so is bad, while another argues the opposite. Hard to get straight facts. I'm not very good at saying which is which. My last vet for example said hill's science diet is a good food, and like you said some holistic foods can be bad(in his words). But he also spoke about some other cheaper brands. idk

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Oh I wasnt talking about welllness. I am talking about the 45$ per 12 cans of wet food ones which I know very little off. I also do not wabt to feed raw. My mother has lupus, I don't want high risks of contamination to occur.

I am just looking for foods that are pate, a cheaper price but still excellent, basically I am trying to stretch my dollar without compromising quality, because I'd rather use that money I save from the cans on a good health insurance for my little princess.

I want her to have good tasting food that will be both good for her and easy to eat.

I am looking at wellness basics and wellness balanced or whatever it was. Or hill's science diet, or some other brand that is on top of the recalls like that other kind poster said in this or another thread. A brand I can trust.


ps. also thinking between venison, duck, lamb, chicken, turkey, or fish. I am thinking of two so she can have slight variety.

Bella is a little short on teeth since her last dental, so now we feed her regular dry kibble softened with SALT-FREE Swanson Beef Broth. The vet had recommended switching her to wet dog food, but when I mentioned that I would prefer to soften her regular food with salt-free broth, they said that was an equally good option. It's much less expensive than canned food, Bella doesn't have to go through a food change, and there is no waste, since I can give her the exact amount of kibble that she wants to eat and keep the broth refrigerated. A small box of broth lasts a few weeks. When I give it to her, I put a small amount of broth on the kibble, shake it up in the bowl, and give it to her immediately. I don't allow the kibble to go soggy, although the one time I did, she still ate it anyway.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

I didnt see this, but yes I agree. Problem is one person feverishly argues so and so is bad, while another argues the opposite. Hard to get straight facts. I'm not very good at saying which is which. My last vet for example said hill's science diet is a good food, and like you said some holistic foods can be bad(in his words). But he also spoke about some other cheaper brands. idk

You always have to look at where the research is coming from because a lot of research is backed by certain companies where it is helping them. Like I said before the dog advisor is a dentist and he gets money when you click on his site. I would never ask my dentist for dog nutrition advise. I trust my vet. Science diet is a good food they do feeding trials, have nutritionists on staff and good quality control.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

You always have to look at where the research is coming from because a lot of research is backed by certain companies where it is helping them. Like I said before the dog advisor is a dentist and he gets money when you click on his site. I would never ask my dentist for dog nutrition advise. I trust my vet. Science diet is a good food they do feeding trials, have nutritionists on staff and good quality control.

Okay. I will feed her the science diet then. Any particular canned foods that look better from their line?

[dottiesyrky]

Is the Science diet as well controlled as the Prescription diet? I honestly don’t know.
I have used Hills Prescription ID low fat kibble for years and found it very consistent and my dog does well on it.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

Is the Science diet as well controlled as the Prescription diet? I honestly don’t know.
I have used Hills Prescription ID low fat kibble for years and found it very consistent and my dog does well on it.

Hills/Science diet, Royal Canin, and Wellness all have great quality control, nutritionists on staff and do feeding trails.