Dog Food Rant-

[borzoimom]

The kind with peanut butter in the middle.

Do you have any alcohol filled ones??

HIC... uhhhhhhh... what??? lolllllllll..

[areias]

Hehehe...wait...I don't know. This morning's headache was a killer.

Ahh, nothing a bottle of aspirin won't fix. Pass the alcoholic chocolates to me!

[borzoimom]

Hehehe...wait...I don't know. This morning's headache was a killer.

Ahh, nothing a bottle of aspirin won't fix. Pass the alcoholic chocolates to me!

** hic-*** sure... lol..

[Ceph]

lol...this isnt good...I have to be up for a run at 5am tomorrow morning....lol...nothing like running still drunk (seriously, the funniest thing ever to watch other poeple do )

I dunno...my dad just sent my this new chocolate with creme brulee in the center....it's divine...might just trump alcholic choclates....

[borzoimom]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh man *** hic*** and i didnt bring any cool whip... ** hic***

[areias]

There was an episode of one of those popular sitcoms...can't remember which one...but his wife was sitting there injecting donuts with liquor. Sounded good to me!

[Scooter's Mom]

nm, started a thread for my question.

[dukedogsmom]

I have a question. I've been feeding Dasher Pro Plan Senior. Is that good? This is after spending a long time looking at all the different dog foods at Petco.

[borzoimom]

I'll add some fuel here... with a real question.

When I got my Shih Tzu, the previous owners were feeding her beneful. I switched her over to Iams, small chunks, because I had heard it was a better food. Currently I have her eating Merrick's products (Grammy's pot pie right now). If I put down Iams, which I still have half a bag of, she won't go near it... at all! But as soon as the Merrick hits the floor (in a bowl, mind you) she is all over it.

Is Merrick a better food, or does she just like it better?

Smart little girl!! Yes - Merrick is a better quality grade in ingrediants than Iams.

[borzoimom]

I have a question. I've been feeding Dasher Pro Plan Senior. Is that good? This is after spending a long time looking at all the different dog foods at Petco.

Pro Plan is one of those foods- if the chemistry of the food, and digestion works for your dog- it does so very well. The problems reported with pro plan are allergies- something a dog can get from any food that the mixture doesnt work for them. They use to use high levels of ethoxyquin and BHA, however- that has changed.
If the food is working for her- I would stick with it- especially with a senior dog.

[elizabethann]

borzoimom, do you subscribe to Whole Dog Journal? The past 2 issues has been on the quality of dog foods (kibble & canned). They rate what they consider the best quality dog food. It's a very interesting article. PM if you would like a copy.

[borzoimom]

Pm sent- .. as you can tell, I collect dog food information. lol..

[Freedom]

It would be more useful if someone started a thread about why it is important to know what you're feeding your dogs and how you can read labels.

The average pet owner listens to their vet and doesn't question them.

You are so right. I should know better, but that is what I did for 12 years. I got a cat, then another . . . and my vet said use Science Diet, so I did. Then 3 months ago, I adopted Sugar. Her foster mom was feeding Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover, but I couldn't find it in the stores I was in. Checked with my vet, followed his rec again, and so I got a bag of Science Diet dog. Sugar turned up her nose, refused to use it. . . . Hmm. Got a bag of Nutro Natural Choice. Again she refused to eat. Now it's been THREE DAYS and the dog is not eating! Needless to say, I am panicking!

So I got on line, found the Chicken Soup web site, and found a dealer near me. (Note: the dealers closest to me are pet stores, they sell puppies. I refuse to go to them. So I am traveling a bit.) Sugar ate to make up for not eating for three days. TA DAA!

Then I started asking here on Pet Talk. This is why I love Pet Talk. NOT for all the bickering and yacking, and yes I DO love seeing all your photos. But I value all the variety of backgrounds people bring to this site. And varied areas of expertise, trials and errors, experience and failure. EVERYONE who participates on here has some useful ideas and suggestions.

So I learned about what to look for in a pet food. I made some decisions based on my budget, my values. Then I moved back to the cat side and did some discussions there. And I looked at web sites for food.

Seven weeks ago, I switched the cats over to Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover. And they took to it right away. They refused to finish off the Science Diet! For years my vet told me cats only need to eat twice per day. And I replied that MY cats hadn't read that book! For the first time in 12 years of cat ownership, my cats are eating twice per day, NOT 5 and 6 times and more. They are more active. With no work on my part, the pudgy ones are trimming down. The oldest, Ruffles, developed hyperthyroidism in January and wasn't doing well, even on the meds. Changed her food and she is happy and healthy again! (yes, still on the meds, too.)

The cat Science Diet, the dog Science Diet and the dog Nutro all were donated to the city pound, as none of mine would touch it anymore.

I should know better. I should have known to read and learn about the food I am getting for my pets. Thank goodness for Pet Talk!!!!

[JenBKR]

Wow....I really don't know what else to say

This is sad. no joke.

It is sad, really sad. I debated even responding, but I have to say that I am a bit worried about you borzoimom........

[borzoimom]

Wow....I really don't know what else to say




It is sad, really sad. I debated even responding, but I have to say that I am a bit worried about you borzoimom........

I am perfectly fine! I have been studying dog foods since the early 80's- out of necessity to feed my own dogs. Then as a trainer, as only a properly fed dog can compete at the level I was doing. Then of course- there were the puppies- trying to feed right from weaning as the organs of the pup start to develop and their bone structure as well.

Its a very serious subject to me. EXTREMELY! And it makes me mad that some companies are just trying to make a buck, with little regard to the actual quality of their food. ITS NO different than the anger I have towards BYB's- they are doing the same type of thing- trying to make a buck with no regard to the actual health of the animals or the conditions of living the dogs live in.. Same thing- try to make a product with the cheapest ingredients you can find- regardless of the quality, for the highest price you can sell it for.

Case in point- several of the foods you can now get at Walmart- and even those sold at pet stores- use to cost alot more money! The main reason their price came down- was not " concern for the consumer paying this much money for their food- ..NOOOOO- the prices came down on those foods because with the Other foods- that are better in quality, and cheaper started to show up on the market. They had to lower the price on the market- or go under... People are getting smarter as time goes- but no longer do us dog show etc people believe every word they write- or their advertising either. You wouldnt buy a car based on a pretty sticker without looking under the hood or checking reports would you??? NEITHER would I..

AND LET ME note this- I have been feeding raw since 1984..- ever wonder why I have continued to look into dog food if I am " so happy " with raw???? The reason is simple- I keep waiting for some company to come up with a food that meets expectations across the board- and it hasn't happened yet!. I want a food that has human grade ingredients in ALL the ingredients, no preservatives known to cause cancer or even suspect of cancer, I want a product that is made well enough to not swell in the gut cause GVD ( bloat), and more convient than chopping up raw. I do not mind doing the raw as to me its a labor of love, And -at least I know FOR A FACT what is in that bowl I put down for my dogs- my kids- my love in life!