When Sadie was a baby, she was on Science Diet but didn't really like it much. When I learned to read the labels, I didn't like it much, either. I switched her to Royal Canin & she loved it. But becasue of some intestinal issues she has, I had to take her off of that too. For now, she's back to Science Diet, but the prescription one. I think it's much better than the regular. The one she is on is the W/D, which is high in fiber.

After feeding Ralphie the best holistic and organic food I could find over the past 5 years, I really start to wonder how wonderful it all really is. I have used everything from Natural Balance, Innova, Canidae, Wysong - which absolutely did not agree with him - $45 later straight to the garbage pail; Merrick, Life's Abundance - excellent food and my favorite of all, and I can't remember what else but Ralphie developed calcium oxalate stones and had surgery 3 weeks ago. I would never want to see him go thru this again. I really wonder if all that holistic/organic food is so great for them, considering the high protein content. Yes, the meat is human grade but it's probably not good for every dog. It's also probably a genetic defect but I have no way of knowing that. He is really very healthy regardless.

The vet prescribed Hill's Prescription Diet U/D, much to my disliking what I've read about Science Diet. But the funny thing is Ralphie turned up his nose at so many "holistic healthy" foods that I bought and had to trash and I was really concerned that he'd hate this one too, as it does smell and look gross.

I was shocked that he ate it like it was his last meal! He really loves it, more so than any of the healthy foods he's ever had. The protein content concerns me though as it is really really low, like 8% for the dry, and a bit more for the canned. But I guess I have to do whatever will avoid stones and crystals and pray it is the best diet for my dog. I'm still searching for a healthier alternative but for now I will have to follow the guidance of the vet. I know there are natural holistic brands that I can use but the vet shrugged them off for now and said let's wait and see if this helps him and then we'll see how to proceed in the future.

That's how Sadie eats the W/D. I can't get it in her bowl fast enough. Right now she's on the canned because I have to give her the dry as "treats". Hopefully after a couple of months or so, I can start switching her back over to regular treats & can then make the dry her regular food. Part of me hates to, though, because she loves the can stuff so much.

My vet told me for treats to take a few slices of the the canned food, cut into thin disks and then into strips, bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes or so - I had to do it for 40 mins. - and Ralphie glommed them down in a flash too! I almost feel like this food is leaving him empty and I'm feeling guilty. I wish my kids were as eager to eat as my dog! Maybe I should feed them SD too! ;)

well i cant say anything good about this food. My dog was on it for years...because that was what the vet told me to buy...others are right, my dog had dry skin and this food made it worse! He started scratching which made him loose more hair, it was bad. I switched vets and the first thing it said was DONT feed him that anymore...starting now. I switched and noticed a difference in 1 day...after a week or 2, it all changed. I will never ever ever use any of their products again! My experience was horriable!
Presently, I give my yorkie Nutro and I really like it.

Gigi is PICKY. She will eat one food well for a while, then decide she needs a change, so we are switching between Nutro Ultra, and Royal Canine for Yorkies. We just started the RC last night, but she seems to like it right now.

She will not eat SD. I would never buy it, but our vet gave us a bag of puppy kibble, which is still full!

I used to buy Purina and some other brands for Rockie and he kept itching. I found out about the corn issue on this website and went to the Pet Store and found "Nature's Recipe" for toy dogs. It is especially made for dogs like Rockie--no corn (and other products that are bad for him or allergic). It's been a godsend for him!:animal36

I have been searching for something better than Hill's Prescription Diet U/D for calcium oxalate stones. I hate the ingredients in this food, esp. that I've always used organic and holistic foods before this. I hope this dog doesn't get sick now. I understand this has to be given to him long term too which doesn't make me happy. The alternative I was given was Urecit-K pills with his regular food if he wouldn't eat the SD, but there is over an 80% chance that the stones would return within 3 years. So what's my choice?:confused:

I now feed Katie and Max the Nutro Natural lamb and rice. Katie has a bad itching problem and this is the only one I have found that she will eat and doesn't bother her too bad. I tried the Royal Canin and Wellness and she would not eat them. I ended up giving them to my Lab. She liked it a lot! :D
Since she had her puppies she has not been eating very well and my vet recommended mixing some science diet canned puppy food in it and she loves that! She does great with canned food but it gives Max the diarreah.

Science Diet U/d For Calcium Oxolate Stones
 

I am in the same situation with my 5 year old neutered male Yorkie, Bob. He recently had a jagged calcium oxolate stone removed surgically from his urethra. MANY things about this food disturb me. I tried to cut and paste the label from Science Diet was unsuccessful.

8.0 % protein alarms me because he is precocious, active and happy now. Do I want to trade that for poor coat, ripples of fat on his body, insatiable hunger, poor muscle tone and him hating me for bringing this stinky food into his life??


1) The number one incredient "brewers rice" is dubious at best. I read it is leftover from liquor production and has no nutritional value whatsoever.


2) Corn Starch is the second ingredient. I don't understand the logic behind that one??

3) Pork Fat 17.5 min (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid) (seems disgusting)!!!!!!!!!!!


I understand his need less protein but I find items 1-3 above unacceptable. This is my first experience with this issue and will some others who know more PLEASE ADVISE ME.

THANKS VERY MUCH

R. Tracy
rlt_43557@yahoo.com

I can tell you that after a few months on this food, he is still as active and as happy as before. I still despise the ingredients. Since the neutering, he has gained about 1/2 to 3/4 lb and that has twisted me. Maybe it's the winter doldrums because he wasn't let outside to play. And so far there is NO spring weather in NY! :( I believe it's partly the change in his hormones and partly the ugly prescription food.

The only thing I do weekly is check his urine using the PH test strips, just to make sure he doesn't fall into the too acidic or too alkaline levels.

Surprisingly, since he started the SD U/D stuff, he no longer has runny eyes!

I have added Missing Link to his diet, sprinkled on that gelled crap in the can food, but I add a teaspoon of yogurt or a bit of raw egg yolk in there or he won't eat. And I can't blame him. The stuff smells horrid....and looks worse than it smells!

Obviously, regardless of what I think, he seems to be doing very well and that's what counts! :) :aimeeyork

Read this link: http://www.canidae.com/ingredients/meatvmeal.html

I noticed that none of the first five ingredients includes chicken, turkey, beef meal. Ingredients go in order of weight, so you may think to yourself, great, it has a lot of meat, when in reality, those ingredients without the meal part are 70% water. So when you take out the water, you're only left with 30% meat which means that those ingredients without the water content would probably be much lower on the ingredient list.
I hope this helps!
Seriously though, read the link because it explains it much better than I can :rolleyes:

we feed all of our dogs science diet and have not had any problems with it

JillandJack ,"You will get many different opinions here about what dry foods are good and bad. My advice is do the research on nutrients and find one your furbaby will actually eat. I have wasted alot of money trying to find the healthiest food. Problem was, the healthier the food, the less likely they were to eat it."

You hit the nail on the head with your answer. I have seen so many threads in the past 3 yrs asking about the best dog food. I asked that question before and got like 15 different brands that I should give my yorkie. I ended up buying them and my yorkie did not like them! I am not saying that SD is the best or worst dogfood out there.I have bought dogfood from boutiques and small petsupply stores .I don't mind paying $15 for a little bag of kibble but if my dog won't eat it then it was a waste :(
If your dog is healthy and has no allergies and doing well on SD then you have a decision to make. Either change their diet to something with no byprdoucts and see if your pet will like it.

Genie,Cookie ,Lola & Angel

Most Vets. have Science diet in the office that they try very hard to make a sale, and most Vets. are not trained in neutrition. Science diet is not a great dog food.....there are a couple that are less and most that are better.
I home cook which is the best possible food you can give your dog or cat. I will not recommed any dog food because it could be next to cause serious health problems.
Buy the book "FOOD PETS DIE FOR" by Ann N. Martin. It breaks down all the ingredients in dog food.