Wysong ! ! ! (i am totally impressed !)

[crow_noir]

(c&p)

From: CROW_NOIR Nov-10 11:08 pm
To: ALL (1 of 1)
3245.1

ok, you all know i am nuts about the natural/raw diet for cats and dogs. well, i have found a dog food well above the rest in quality. i will still vouch for Pet Botanics. but this one defintly beats the heck out of IAMS and Ol' Roy. (no offence to anyone who doth beleive in these products.) http://ighawaii.com/naturally/wysong/dogfood.html
lists ingredients on some of the dogfoods.
www.wysong.net
is the official site

i went to the store the other day to pick up a bag of it to mix in w/ King's dog food and i picked up a pamphlet. i was reading about their processing practices and ingredient lists. i was so drop jaw! i mean, they, a dog food company was suggesting supplimenting their food w/ fresh and/or raw meats and veggies!!!

i was planning on telling you all about Wysong pet foods, but i figure it is better if you read it for yourself.
www.wysong.net/pet_food_features.htm
www.wysong.net/wysong_processing_methods.htm
www.wysong.net/one.htm

these can all be found from the main page by clicking on "Education Questions Controversies" www.wysong.net/wysong_education_litature.htm
and you can find so much more on this link too.

so, i come online to look at other products. they are more then a dog food company!! they have a human line! so i sent for a catalogue and i just got it in the mail today. i am sooooo impressed w/ this company!!! not related, to me being impressed, but their human line is bigger than their companion animal line.

if anyone wants to order from them i'm going to be sending away for referral coupons. (you can get 20% off your total purchase.) (i only get 5 so it is first come first serve.)

(go ahead and go on the internet and order a free catalogue. it was a pain in the a$$ trying to figure out how to order w/o an account at first, but i finally got the hang of it.)

i plan on writing a letter to Kymythy R. Schultze (writer of Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: the Ultimate Diet) and getting her professional oppinion on the product. wish me luck w/ that.





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[AdoreMyDogs]

I used to give Graham Innova with Wysong mixed in. I know first hand what a great food it was. I never thought I would switch Graham to a pure raw diet, but I did it 6 weeks ago. I would say that Innova or Wysong are some of the best pellet dog foods out there. I am pleased to see someone using their food. You know that Wysong is a made in Michigan, right? I like their theory of smaller packages, so it stayes fresh longer. Neat idea, and the ingredient list is great, as is the ingredient list for Innova.

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

I went to a pet store at the other end of town today, because they are the only store in the area that carries Innova and California Natural, and I wanted to compare the costs of those with the Nutro that we currently use. I also checked out Wysong (which was the first time I've seen it). I love both California Natural and Wysong, but, with four dogs, a $1 per pound of food (or more for the Wysong) is just more than we can spend. If I had one or even 2 dogs, I'd probably be making the switch. We talked about it though, and my hubby agrees that the quality of the Innova, CN. and Wysong is outstanding. We agreed that next year, when he has a 'real job' (he's getting his PhD right now, we will probably make a switch!
I don't understand why it has to be so expensive....

[4 feline house]

And that right there is why most people do not, and will not, feed raw or minimally processed foods to their pets. If it is raw or minimally processed, it has to be packaged in smaller packages because it would spoil too quickly in larger packages. Preparation is also more expensive. Even if it is processed, if they use all animal proteins and no by-products, they are basically using what you pay $2/lb and up for to feed your family.

I'm certainly not an expert on nutrition, but on the other hand I do lack a mere 15 hours of having a BS in Dietetics. The amino acid (what proteins are composed of)that comes from a plant is the same as the amino acid that comes from an animal. There are many amino acids that are only available in animal sources, but if the animo acid is present in both a vegetable and an animal, there is chemically no difference, and it is alot cheaper to get that amino acid from an ear of corn instead of a cattle, and then smaller amounts of meat can be used to provide just the essential amino acids. So, even though cats are carnivores (and remember, dogs aren't), I do not have a problem with Iams, or any other pet food, using corn protein, because they also have animal source proteins in their foods. And that way I can afford to keep four cats. If a person can afford to feed their pets what they feed their families, that's fine, but most of us are unable or unwilling to. And in my only somewhat educated opinion, it is not really necessary. But it is just my [i]opinion[/].

By the way, the list of ingredients for the Wysong cat food was almost identical to Iams, so I'm curious as to how Wysong beats the heck out of Iams. The only difference I could see was the intenstinal cultures in the Wysong, but in a healthy pet those would be very unnecessary, and therefore an unneeded added expense.

[crow_noir]

Adore: I am sooooo happy to hear that you made the switch!!!

Yes, i do know that they are in Michigan. I was estactic to find that out. they are only about 20 miles from here. ...i'm geusstimating.

Jessica:, i agree about the expence. on our budget, we really can't afford to feed it as the only food, so we use it to add extra nutrients. (just as we switched varities of Pro Plan. we'd mix two to three varities each time we bought more dog food.)

so, i can see where some/a lot of people would be hesitant to buy this stuff.

Leah is correct about why it costs so much. it has to do w/ quality ingredients and how it is processed.

Leah: A lot of dog food companies don't use quality ingredients in their dog food and use unnatural things such as preservatives. a lot of them are shady in their processes. i wish i redily had available the many links i have read on on the truth about dog food. it is SICKENING. such things as grinding up raod kill and euthanized cats and dogs. sick livestock.

perhaps IAMS does not use roadkill, but i have heard many cases of dogs getting cancer at an early age. ....their food, Eukanauba.

so, as a concerned animal person, i just tent to try to steer people in what i beleive to be the right direction.

"Dog Food" has only been in existance for 60 some years. domesticated dog has been around for aprox. 14,000 years. now all of a sudden "people food" is bad for them?! that's what a lot of pet owners belive. if "you" are saying green beans is bad for them, i'll start lecturing. but if you say chocolate, as a people food is bad for them, then i'll agree.

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Originally posted by crow_noir:
if "you" are saying green beans is bad for them, i'll start lecturing. but if you say chocolate, as a people food is bad for them, then i'll agree.

Our doggies get a couple spoonfuls of salt-free veggies with dinner every day (in fact, Pup gets about half a can). They also get yogurt regularly. I love making food for them - whenever one of them is having a bout of diarhea or throwing up, I make rice and boiled chicken for the sickie, and I mix green beans and yogurt in with it. It makes me feel like a master chef cooking for the most grateful, loving customers!
I love everything I've heard about the BARF diet, but I'm afraid to try. It's just so easy to buy pre-packaged food, and trust that our dogs are getting all the essential nutrients and calories they need.

[crow_noir]

that's one of the reasons i'm always looking at the ingredients on the foods (it drives the SO insane sometimes ...lol). i realize not everyone is going to fall in love w/ and instantly start feeding whole raw foods. so, i'm always searching for the best "kibble".

i know what you mean about them being greatful. ...the hugs i get after he's done *sigh*
...it's so cute, now that i have gotten used to it. ...he won't eat his kibble if we don't stand next to him. or if we're eating dinner, bring his dish over to the table. in the mean time he prances around, and wags his tail, and tries to get you to follow him to his dish. then when you actually take a step in the direction of the food, he goes nuts w/ excitement.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by Leah S:
The amino acid (what proteins are composed of)that comes from a plant is the same as the amino acid that comes from an animal. There are many amino acids that are only available in animal sources, but if the animo acid is present in both a vegetable and an animal, there is chemically no difference, and it is alot cheaper to get that amino acid from an ear of corn instead of a cattle, and then smaller amounts of meat can be used to provide just the essential amino acids. So, even though cats are carnivores (and remember, dogs aren't), I do not have a problem with Iams, or any other pet food, using corn protein, because they also have animal source proteins in their foods.

I know you guys get tired of hearing my opinions but here I go again! When did dogs stop being carnivores??? In the wild they eat other animals mostly and will only eat grains if nothing else is available. A carnivore is a meat eater and dogs are meat eaters so I believe a dog is a carnivore!

Again, while I think Wysong is comparable to some other premium dog foods in quality, there are a few things I do not like about it and I feel don't justify the cost. The main things being "Ground Corn and Ground Wheat". It is true that ground corn is an excellent source of carbohydrates, however; it is also a common cause of allergies in our pets. The same with ground wheat and soy products.

I have seen numerous skin problems in the Golden breed over the years. It may be with other breeds as well but I work mainly with Goldens so that is where I base my opinions on. I would estimate over 90% of the skin problems are due to nutritional allergies from the grains in dog food. I always recommend switching to a good quality meat based product such as Innova and the cases of skin problems almost always clear up and don't reoccur. For dogs that continue with skin allergies on primarily meat based diets (and this number is really low) then I recommend California Natural made by Nutura.

There are some dogs that do well on grain based foods. If yours are one of them then by all means keep them on it. They are less expensive and easier on the pocket book. But if you have a dog who always seems to have skin and coat problems then switch to a meat based product as fast as you can!

I checked the ingredients list in Wysong and the second and third ingredients are Ground Corn and Ground Wheat. It also had soybeans as the number 8 ingredient. This is enough for me to not try the product. Innova on the other had has Turkey, Chicken, and Chicken meal as the top three ingredients. Both products cost about the same so I will go with the Innova and get more meat with no ground corn, ground wheat, or soybeans!

If you want to feed your dog a raw diet then may I suggest BilJack raw frozen food. There are two reasons I don't feed this to my dogs. 1. It is very very expensive (even more than Innova) and 2. It is very very expensive.

Okay....I'm off the soapbox now. I think the bottom line is feed your dog what is healthy for them and what you can afford. If you have several dogs and one is having problems and the other is not then feed the one having problems a better diet and leave the others alone. Common Sense, I think?

I hope all you Pet Talkers don't boot me off the site for always being so opinionated.

[ November 12, 2001: Message edited by: Dixieland Dancer ]

[crow_noir]

boot you off?!?! He## No!!! Oppinions are what make up a message board. if we all had the same oppinions, then life would be way boring.


i'm sorry, if i upset anyone, but i personally consider canines boarderline carnivores/omnivores. sure, they eat a LOT of meat, but they also need veggies to stay healthy. (Dalmatians more so.) where as i would consider a cat a complete Carnivore.

oh, and Wysong does have 100% canned meat avaliable. (*chuckle* for those who prefer not to catch it themselves.)

BilJack? never heard of it. ...but if it's that expensive, then that might be a reason i never "heard" of it before ...lol


jeeze! if they were going to kick someone off, they'd kick me first. ...i am soooo against the grain. ...when i eventually do state my oppinion.

so, keep those oppinions comming. ...even if we don't agree w/ them.

i mean, if i stoped talking to someone as soon as they said one thing i din't agree w/, i wouldn't be on these internet boards. i would also be very lonely in "regular" life.

[Karen]

No one gets booted off for disagreeing! I, too, think that dogs are scavengers, and while they mostly eat meat in the wild, they also eat other stuff whenever they can steal it. Most dogs I know loved some vegies - with Freckles, the St. Bernard we had when I was a kid, it was cooked carrots and corn on the cob most especially. Yes, when we had corn on the cob (from Grandpa's garden, and don't try to pass of supermarket stuff and tell me it's as good) we'd all leave a few kernels on our cobs for Freckles, who would have a wonderful time with them out in the yard!

[Dixieland Dancer]

It's nice to know you guys don't mind me being so opinionated. My hubby says I usually have good things to say but sometimes I'm too passionate in what I believe in. It makes me who I am I guess.


I just love these smiley faces. One for just about every feeling.

[shais_mom]

I supplemented Shai's food with the Frozen bil-jac. It was expensive $3 for 2pounds and $4 for 5 pounds. But she loved it and I had such trouble with her stomach, and it didn't make her sick and she followed me everywhere with that bag in my hand!
I can actually get it at our local drugstore. Right now, I have Keegan on Professional Puppy Formula Chicken and Rice. I didn't want to use Puppy Chow, or Iams and I am glad I didn't decide on Eukanuba after reading that!
The royal canin I used for Shai didn't have a puppy formula available and to get Innova I have to travel 30 mi in the opposite direction from where I was shopping.
I used the Professional Lamb and Rice formula with Shaianne and she loved it. I was also thinking about trying Diamond but Decided to go with Professional.
The breeder had Keegan on Puppy Chow and she has made the switch just fine, her stools are nice and firm for easy pickup (in the house) She dove into the food right away, so I am very happy with my decision.
Will probably stick to it unless I try Innova.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Staci,
You can have Innova shipped to your house and they have a puppy formula. I weaned all my pups on it and 9 of the families are still feeding it to their pups still.

Nothing is better than Bil Jack Frozen (unless you do your own raw diet) but it is very expensive. I get it occassionally at a dog show since they give reduced rates. I can get it in my local grocery store in the frozen food section. They also have a website.

[shais_mom]

Thanks Candy, I will look into that.
Shai loved frozen biljac I gave her like half a cup mixed with her royal canin. Her coat was so soft, smooth and glossy.

I wonder if the dry BilJac is as good as the frozen?? I know that Logan has Mimi and Butter on BilJac Cat food but I couldn't find it at Pet Supplies Plus.

[Logan]

Guess what, Staci, I changed Mimi and Butter to Pro Plan. The only reason I did it was that I couldn't count on PetsMart to always have it when I need it. In fact, I no longer buy my pet food from PetsMart for that reason! I'm shopping at a local feed and seed store now, and can get the 20 pound bags of the Iams Weight Control for Honey and Lilly, plus they always have the Pro Plan. They've done fine with the change, but all of my pets like BilJac foods. You can check out their website at www.biljac.com . As for the frozen BilJac...I always have some here. It is perfect for making a little meatball to give them medicine. Of course, Lilly is the only one taking medicine right now, but Honey gets her little meatball twice a day too. I just take out a little from the five pound bag and keep it in the refrigerator, and the rest remains frozen. They look forward to that treat!