Dog Food for Yorkies, an Insight

[livingdustmops]

http://www.api4animals.org/articles?p=361&more=1

When selecting a commercial food for your animal companion, make sure the label has an “AAFCO guarantee,” preferably one that references “feeding tests” or “feeding protocols” rather than Nutrient Profiles.
Never buy a food containing “by-product meal” or “meat and bone meal.” These rendered products are the most inexpensive sources of animal protein. The contents and quality of these meals can vary tremendously from batch to batch, and are not a reliable source of nutrition for your animal.
In general, avoid foods that rely on by-products as the sole source of animal protein. By-products consist of organs and parts either not desired, or condemned, for human consumption. An occasional can of by-product-based food may be okay, since, in the wild, carnivores do consume the whole prey including the organs, but these foods are not acceptable as a steady diet.
Look for a named meat or meal (“lamb” or “chicken meal,” for example, instead of the generic term “meat”) as the first ingredient.
Avoid generic or store brands. These may be repackaged rejects from the big manufacturers, and generally contain cheaper — and consequently poorer quality — ingredients.
Unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian, avoid “light,” “senior,” “special formula,” or “hairball formula” foods. These foods may contain acidifying agents, excessive fiber, or inadequate fats that can result in skin, coat and other problems. In general, select brands promoted to be “natural.” While they are not perfect, they may be better than most. Several brands are now preserved with Vitamins C and E instead of chemical preservatives (such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin and propyl gallate). While synthetic preservatives may still be present, the amounts will be less.
Check the expiration date to ensure freshness.
When you open a bag of dry food, give it a sniff — if there is any rancid odor at all, return it immediately for an exchange or refund.
Store dry pet food in a sealed non-porous container (a large popcorn tin is ideal) in a cool, dry place. Canned food is best removed from the can and refrigerated in a glass or ceramic container.

[livingdustmops]

http://www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1

Get The Facts:
What’s Really in Pet Food

Information on reprints

Plump whole chickens, choice cuts of beef, fresh grains, and all the wholesome nutrition your dog or cat will ever need.

These are the images pet food manufacturers promulgate through the media and advertising. This is what the $11 billion per year U.S. pet food industry wants consumers to believe they are buying when they purchase their products.

This report explores the differences between what consumers think they are buying and what they are actually getting. It focuses in very general terms on the most visible name brands — the pet food labels that are mass-distributed to supermarkets and discount stores — but there are many highly respected brands that may be guilty of the same offenses.

What most consumers don’t know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a market for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered “unfit for human consumption,” and similar waste products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines, udders, esophagi, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts.

Three of the five major pet food companies in the United States are subsidiaries of major multinational companies: Nestlé (Alpo, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Mighty Dog, and Ralston Purina products such as Dog Chow, ProPlan, and Purina One), Heinz (9 Lives, Amore, Gravy Train, Kibbles-n-Bits, Nature’s Recipe), Colgate-Palmolive (Hill’s Science Diet Pet Food). Other leading companies include Procter & Gamble (Eukanuba and Iams), Mars (Kal Kan, Mealtime, Pedigree, Sheba, Waltham’s), and Nutro. From a business standpoint, multinational companies owning pet food manufacturing companies is an ideal relationship. The multinationals have increased bulk-purchasing power; those that make human food products have a captive market in which to capitalize on their waste products, and pet food divisions have a more reliable capital base and, in many cases, a convenient source of ingredients.

There are hundreds of different pet foods available in this country. And while many of the foods on the market are similar, not all of the pet food manufacturing companies use poor quality or potentially dangerous ingredients.

Ingredients
Although the purchase price of pet food does not always determine whether a pet food is good or bad, the price is often a good indicator of quality. It would be impossible for a company that sells a generic brand of dog food at $9.95 for a 40-lb. bag to use quality protein and grain in its food. The cost of purchasing quality ingredients would be much higher than the selling price.


You can read more on the website

[livingdustmops]

One of the best sources for quality dog foods is the "Whole Dog Journal" subscription. Every year they publish their recommendations. I also love WDJ for other articles that they have every month.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

You can now get a subscription for $16.00 for 13 articles

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by JUDY's2yorkies

So what would the Merrick brand be when its 18$ for a 5 lb bag,super dooper premium,thats what mine eat,but we have to call it candy,if they thinks its dog food then they wont eat it

$18.00? Holy crap! Buy it online. See my post below.

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by kitty

How is Chicken Soup premium dog food when it's one of the cheapest out there?

The ingredients. And, I don't think it's "cheap". It's cheaper than some. I looked at some prices on www.petfooddirect.com, and Canidae right now is cheaper than CS...and I know that's a high quality food. All the foods below are dry and based on what we can give our Yorkies.

5lb Canidae $5.99
5lb California Natural $7.49
6lb Chicken Soup $7.49
7.5lb Evolve $7.49
4.5lb Nutro Ultra $7.99
4lb Solid Gold $8.99
8.38lb Nutri Source $9.99
5lb Merrick's $10.29
5lb Natural Balance $10.99
3lb Royal Canine $11.99
6.6lb Innova $11.99
5lb Wellness $12.99
6.6lb Artemis $14.99

[Muffie's Mom]

Originally Posted by JUDY's2yorkies

So what would the Merrick brand be when its 18$ for a 5 lb bag,super dooper premium,thats what mine eat,but we have to call it candy,if they thinks its dog food then they wont eat it

That price sounds a little high to me. I looked at one site and it was only $12.99. Google it - "cost of Merrick dry dog food" and see what you come up with.

I'm sure you can find it cheaper.

Have you checked the feed stores and health food stores close to you?

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Muffie's Mom

That price sounds a little high to me. I looked at one site and it was only $12.99. Google it - "cost of Merrick dry dog food" and see what you come up with.

I'm sure you can find it cheaper.

Have you checked the feed stores and health food stores close to you?

I looked for her too since that's what I feed Baby. I pay "$11 something" in my local petstore for Merrick's.

[JillandJack]

Has anyone heard of or are using Brightlife Canine Formula?

[hunniebunnie]

Brightlife Canine Formula's ingredient list looks pretty good. I just don't know if 28% protein is particularly good for an adult yorkie. my understanding is that high in protein is good for puppies, breeding, working, and very active dogs. for a regular home body dog, a high protein diet will lead to obesity.

[JillandJack]

Thanks for the info. We are picking our new pup up on Thursday and this is the food he is coming with. Hadn't heard of it so was hoping to get more info. You provided just that. Jack has been on Science Diet and after reading all the posts on food I will be switching him!!!

[kendal]

My pets love their food so much I signed up to start promoting it. It's great stuff, no by-products or corn or anything.... if you go to the website, and go to 'dog food' you can click on a button that will compare other brands with this brand. So even if you don't care to buy this food, you can go there and compare other brands, see how their ingredients measure up to eachother.
http://www.healthypetnet.com/kendalb

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Muffie's Mom

These are just a few of the Super Premium Foods:

Canidae
Innova
Merrick
Artemis
California Natural
Chicken Soup
Eagle
Evolve
Flint River
Natural Balance
Nutri Source
Royal Canin
Wellness

You have to find the ingredients list and see what is in the food.

First of all, you want to find out what you DON'T want in the food; i.e. corn, soy, etc. These are things some dogs are allergic to.

Check and see which has the BEST ingredients in the first 5-6 items in the ingredients list. Also, check which supplements are in the food.

Good luck.

I have found
Chicken Soup
and
Royal Canine
in Petsmart

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I have found
Chicken Soup
and
Royal Canine
in Petsmart

I've found RC in Petsmart too, buy CS. Really? I didn't know that.

[janeandspot]

I'm glad to have found this thread this am. I am a little concerned after reading the article about the dog food and paw licking. I put Preston on royal canin recently and he has been doing a lot of paw licking. I keep checking his paws and checking his paws and I never see any reason for the licking. I mixed 2 kinds of the Royal Canin together. The food for mature small dogs and the one specifically for Yorkies. The mature bag said it was better for mental clarity and the Yorkie kind said it was better for his teeth (I didn't figure we should have to choose between all his wits or all his teeth) so i mixed them. Since he's licking his paws so much should i switch him back to his regular food? maybe try and use just the Yorkie........or just the mature? I don't recall paw issues when he was eating lamb and rice food and it wasn't as expensive.

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by janeandspot

I'm glad to have found this thread this am. I am a little concerned after reading the article about the dog food and paw licking. I put Preston on royal canin recently and he has been doing a lot of paw licking. I keep checking his paws and checking his paws and I never see any reason for the licking. I mixed 2 kinds of the Royal Canin together. The food for mature small dogs and the one specifically for Yorkies. The mature bag said it was better for mental clarity and the Yorkie kind said it was better for his teeth (I didn't figure we should have to choose between all his wits or all his teeth) so i mixed them. Since he's licking his paws so much should i switch him back to his regular food? maybe try and use just the Yorkie........or just the mature? I don't recall paw issues when he was eating lamb and rice food and it wasn't as expensive.

Baby loved RC, but you know what? She was itching, scratching, and biting a lot too (she didn't have fleas). She has been off RC, and she's much better.