Science Diet?

[borzoimom]

Was this food recommended by your vet for a health problem?

[PJ's Mom]

Not for a health problem, but she did say it was time to switch them to a senior food.

[borzoimom]

Then you can do better than that. I wanted to make sure the dogs were not on it for health reasons. Science diet is pretty low on the scale in quality.
What allergies do you dogs have? Or like any arthritis etc?

[cyber-sibes]

I have always fed mine Science Diet & they are very healthy.

Science Diet gets a mixed review here on PT. One of the objections is usually that it contains corn, which can't be digested whole, but my vet (who used to work near their plant) told me that it is so finely ground, it is not a problem. She felt its actually a very good kibble. You'll here other objections here too.

Science Diet also produces lines of specialty formulas often prescribed by vets for different problems.

[borzoimom]

cyber sibes- I am glad your dogs are doing well- however the fact is- only the "heart"/pulp of corn can be digested even finely ground still turns into a filler that is passed in the stool.
Rules with diets- if you see no side affects- probably not to switch. However- this is taking place.
If I knew if your dogs have allergies ( which I rather doubt considering what they are eating now.. ) I can post a few ideas.
There are countless threads on food on this site. So a search and you will get more information.

[PJ's Mom]

They don't have any allergies to anything. They're very healthy and I've heard good things about Science Diet.

[borzoimom]

They don't have any allergies to anything. They're very healthy and I've heard good things about Science Diet.

Then feed it if you want too. There are many others that have a been quality in the ingredients- and considering that dogs eat the same thing, twice a day, 365 days a year- I would get a better quality diet. There are several- Innova, timberwolf, solid gold, chicken soup for dogs.. etc.

[lizbud]

They don't have any allergies to anything. They're very healthy and I've heard good things about Science Diet.

I would listen to your Vet and also to your own good sense on what to
feed your dogs. Science Diet is a perfectly good choice to make. I would
also take the word of a Vet, whom I trust with the health of my dogs, to
suggest the food that's best for them, before I listened to some unknown
person on an internet website.

[bckrazy]

however the fact is- only the "heart"/pulp of corn can be digested even finely ground still turns into a filler that is passed in the stool.

Bil-Jac contains corn. As the 2nd/3rd ingredient, in all formulas. It's like the pot calling the kettle black.

Honestly, I see it this way... everyone here would like to do the best possible for the dogs with the funds they have, right? Well IMHO you can really do much better than Science Diet with the same funds. I'm not saying SD is the worst food evuhhh, but it is HIGHLY over-rated, if you get down to really considering quality.

Natural Balance is $1/lb (about $35 for 35 lbs); Canidae is $1/lb ($40 for 40 lbs); Eagle Pack Holistic is a little over $1/lb ($37 for 33 lbs); Wysong is a little over $1/lb ($34 for 33 lbs); Solid Gold is a little over $1/lb ($37 for 33 lbs); Chicken Soup FTDLS is less than $1/lb ($30 for 35 lbs)

Clearly, there are many better options with BETTER ingredients. Of course we can't say what is right for your dogs, but I definitely encourage you to try other kibbles, because it is worth it!

[borzoimom]

Bil Jac http://www.biljac.com/store/dogmain.asp it also explains why not extrusion food.
I have extensive information over 20 years in the contents of dog foods..