Science Diet?

[cyber-sibes]

We tried Premium Kibbles, LIke Innova, and they were too rich for her. She gained weight and had the crystal issues.

That's interesting, I didn't know that kibble could be too rich. Maybe that's why SD is well accepted by my two - huskies have very sensitive stomachs. I usually add fish & meat to their winter diet, but I notice their output is pretty loose when I do. When they have just SD, it seems to be more stable. I did get samples of Canidae, and they seemed to like that quite a bit too - I mixed it into their SD. Poor Cincy, crystals are no fun! She's better now?

[borzoimom]

Try bil jac- its 98 percent digestable ... And balenced minerals. I actually learned about Bil Jac from two sources- a top husky breeder and of course- the Monks of New Skete.

[lizbud]

The process in which copper pipe is made is extrusion.

Again, being that dog food which is made through extrusion swells, does that mean the copper piped in my house are going to swell?

They are probably swelling as we speak.

[borzoimom]

They are probably swelling as we speak.

Its not funny... OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE NEVER HAD a dog DIE of bloat.. And as far as lady human- I cant see his posts as they are blocked on ignore.. This is the only way I can see them..
How DARE you make fun of a terrible situation KILLING DOGS across the us-- I find your joke and agreement horrid!!!!

[dogzr#1]

I know jack squat when it comes to dog food, but I've heard that Science Diet isn't the best food out there. Of course it is better than Alpo or Kibbles N Bits, but there are far better foods out there. On the other hand, some dogs may do terrific on it and look healthy and everything. If that is the case then I say stick with it.

I am lucky and haven't lost a dog to bloat. *knocks on wood* I know how it must feel and everything. However, I didn't see that comment rude in the least. please Michelle, calm down a bit. I don't think she meant any harm in saying that and she certainly wasn't trying to sound mean.

[Lady's Human]

It wasn't a joke. It was merely an extension of an illogical train of thought.

Extruded food=food that swells, regardless of ingredients. As ingredients evidently don't matter, therefore it must be the extrusion process that makes the food swell.

Pipe is formed by the same process. Following the logic that ANY food+ extrusion=swelling food, then extrusion+ copper = swelling pipes.

Makes the "all extruded food is bad" argument seems a little nonsensical, dontcha think?

[Karen]

"Bloat" is not caused by swelling of the food the dog ate. It is caused by a twist in the dog's stomach, so that the digestive tract can no longer work. Whether or not a food is formed by extrusion it has nothing to do with anything. No one is joking about dogs dying from bloat.

The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation"). Stress can be a significant contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.

[Kfamr]

-sigh- Must there be drama EVERYNIGHT???

[dogzr#1]

-sigh- Must there be drama EVERYNIGHT???

This place is starting to look like a high school.

[.sarah]

This place is starting to look like a high school.

No kidding!

[areias]

I have seen a dog die from bloat overnight in the kennel I worked at...it was on Bil-Jac, yes...we're not sure what caused it, maybe from stress from thunderstorms that night, but it wasn't from the dog food. The dog only ate in the mornings.

To answer your question PJs Mom...Science Diet is better than than your "grocery store" foods, but not a "premium" pet food. While it is an OK food, you might be able to find something better for the same price or cheaper. However, if you choose to feed it, it's not going to harm your dogs. I hope that answers your questions.

[critter crazy]

"Bloat" is not caused by swelling of the food the dog ate. It is caused by a twist in the dog's stomach, so that the digestive tract can no longer work. Whether or not a food is formed by extrusion it has nothing to do with anything. No one is joking about dogs dying from bloat.

awsome post Karen!! I didnt even know that!

[cyber-sibes]

-sigh- Must there be drama EVERYNIGHT???

This place is starting to look like a high school.

Have you ever checked out the "Ignore List" on your User CP? It's a handy, "Serenity Now!" option!

Karen, thanks for the info. I've heard it happens when dogs wolf their food down too quickly, especiially if they have just been very active. It makes sense - they would be swallowing a lot of air. I make sure I dont feed mine until I know they are not overheated.

In the long haul, as long as you feed your dogs, you are waaayy ahead of those people you see on Animal planet's dog-cop shows.

[NicoleLJ]

I just thought this might help anyone interested in learning about the different foods and what is in them and so forth. This site helped me to pick the food my dogs are on. It lists the ingredients of each along with other things and tehn gives a star rating. The higher the start rating the better teh food.

Mine are eating Innova Large Breed for 3 months now and are doing great. I used to feed them Purina Pro Plan. They did great on that too. I only switched because it was hard to get. That is ht eonly reason I switched. But when I did switched this site helped me a great deal in finding a great food:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

Just thought it might interest someone.
Nicole

[Ceph]

Is bloat anything like colic in horses out of mild curiosity? I know horses have a slighly more convoluted system...but they sort of sound similiar.