The best way to avoid the worst dog food brands is to Read your dog food labels – There are literally hundreds of brands and varieties of dog food.
CLICK HERE TO SKIP ALL THE BLAH, BLAH, BLAH AND GO DIRECTLY TO MY TOP 7 WORST DOG FOOD BRANDS
Bad dog food ingredients = shortened life span for your companion.
It is easy to increase your dog’s life and improve his health by simply feeding a healthy homemade dog food diet or upgrade your commercial food to an improved, corn free dog food.
Below is a listing of some of the inexpensive dog food brands, with the harmful, unnecessary and outright dangerous and deadly ingredients, highlighted in red.
Use the list below as a guide on what bad dog food ingredients to avoid when buying commercial dog food.
If a specific brand of food is not listed here it does not mean it is bad or good brand. You can find the complete ingredient listing and nutritional analysis on any of the dog food manufacturers websites. An ingredient list like the dog food on this page should always be avoided.
- [RELATED LINKS]
- BEST DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS: A list of good ingredients found in quality dog food. Use this list and compare.
- Dog Food Ingredients that cause allergies in dogs. **NOTE: THIS IS WHAT THE AAFCO SAYS IS FINE TO PUT IN OUR PET FOOD …. WARNING GROSS!
- WORST INGREDIENTS That SHOULD NOT be on Your Commercial Label
DOGS ARE CARNIVORES, following the long ancestral history as canids. 
I am just using this list of foods below as examples of what I consider unhealthy and dangerous dog food brands. Any dog who is fed a consistent and regular diet of corn will be more prone to illnesses, allergies and a shorter life.
Here is the reason why you should question the food you are feeding your dog.
This is the “myth” that we have been led to believe: The Pet Food is fine because it has an accredited label on the bag. This is what can be found on the label: “Our pet foods are made following AAFCO guidelines and must pass stringent testing.” ……….READ MORE HERE!
All these examples have corn as the main ingredient. Use these foods as a comparative guide to see what you should not be feeding your dog.
Worst Dog Food Brands Listed in no particular order:
 BENEFUL BY PURINA
INGREDIENTS: Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat |
ALPO BY PURINA
INGREDIENTS: Ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, beef tallow preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of vitamin E), animal digest (source of chicken flavor), salt, potassium chloride, beef & liver meal, dried cheese powder, dl-methionine, added color, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, brewers dried yeast, calcium pantothenate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin d-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, *menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), ,, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite. |
OL ROY From WALMART:
INGREDIENTS: Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, corn syrup, poultry fat, Meat and bone meal, Animal Fat Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid, Chicken by-product meal, Rice, Animal Digest, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin D and E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulafate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, *menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), , Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid |
KIBBLES N BITS:
INGREDIENTS: Corn, soybean meal, beef and bone meal, ground wheat flour, animal fat – bha used as preservative, corn syrup, wheat middlings, water sufficient for processing, animal digest (source of chicken flavor), propylene glycol, salt, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, caramel color, sorbic acid (used as a preservative), sodium carbonate, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), calcium sulfate, titanium dioxide, yellow 5, yellow 6, red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), dl methionine |
PURINA DOG CHOW:
INGREDIENTS : Whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), corn gluten meal, meat and bone meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, barley, whole grain wheat, animal digest, calcium carbonate, salt, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Yellow 6) , DL-Methionine, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, *menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), ,, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite. |
PEDIGREE: (Puppy Food) INGREDIENTS: Ground Whole Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal (Source of Lutein*), Animal Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Source of Vitamin E), Natural Poultry Flavor, Wheat, Potassium Chloride, Wheat Flour, DiCalcium Phosphate, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Carmel Color, Vegetable Oil (Source of Linoleic Acid), Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Vitamins (dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate [Source of Vitamin E], Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate [Source of Vitamin C*], Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Marigold Meal, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Added FD&C and Lake Colors (Yellow 6, Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5). |
HILL’S SCIENCE DIET ORIGINAL
INGREDIENTS: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Dried Chicken Cartilage, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract. |
You’ve listed the worst dog foods, how about lisitng the BEST ones?
there are so many to choose from even the more expensive ones at the pet stores are confusing, as they have ingredients that are difficult to determine the source.
Hi Paula
Thank you for visiting.
There are many other resources and posts on this site, trying to piece together the dog food confusion for those who are seeking answers.
At the end of the post, there is a small box of related links that address some of your questions.
Also, if you check the menu bar at the top of the website with all the different categories, inclding the HOME page, a Site map, an About us page, RECIPES, REVIEWS ETC.
The home page explains the different “BEST” dog food choices such as homemade, commercial raw, commercial kibble, commercial organic etc., and I’ve tried to link each explanation to the appropriate posts from there.
RELATED INFO:
Hope this helps,
Jane
Jane, will you be conducting research into a new dog food I just heard about called “Nature’s Logic”? It is not cheap, however it seems to be very good. I know people are struggling to make ends meet and sadly, some who feed only dog food to their dogs sometimes can no longer afford the expense and wind up relinquishing to some kill facility in their city. I see the posts every day. “Owner turn in” reason for turning in “expense”. These doggies seldom make it out alive.
I cook for my dog and supplement with a good dog food when I am not able to cook or it is late and she needs to eat right now. Doing it this way conserves the dog food so I don’t have to buy it as often and I can still afford the better quality one. I wish I could go to each and every pet parent and encourage them to keep their dog. There is a way for them to afford their furry family member, just need to figure out what it is. Most people don’t know/remember that pet food only came onto the market in the 1950′s. So what did pet parents in the 30′s, 40′s do to feed their pups? Probably people food which vets tell them NOT to feed. Back then, no alternative. Feeding your furry family member from your own kitchen can be learned, just be patient.
Hi April
Thank you for visiting.
Nature’s Logic is a product I recommend in the post titled: –> NATURAL Dog Food | ALPHABETICAL BY BRANDS.
Table scraps and letting your dog “fend for himself” were the methods of feeding before the commercial dog food boom started brainwashing comsumers in the 50′s.
We’ve come a long way in the way we think about the care and health of our precious companion animals.
I started this website due my own loss of a beloved companion dying a horrible death, which could have been prevented had I known about proper nutrition for dogs. I have read, reviewed and investigated the different methods of dog food diets available today, and personally make my dogs homemade dog food along with additional supplements, minerals and vitamins daily.
My main focus is homemade dog food, with many recipes, tips and choices listed under the RECIPES Categories in the right sidebar.
Thanks again
Jane
I have fed my dos Purina dog chow all of their life and they are healthy and happy. I think dog food companies are like politicians all they do is say im better then you just to make money. If they want people to feed their dogs decent food then they need to lower the prices.
there is a g missing in dogs
Hi,
I have dogs and am a canine behaviourist – used to recommend Hills Science Diet and feed my own dogs the same beccause it says no artificial preservatives etc. The ingredient listings however, are different on my pack than whats stated on your site. Is it still as bad? It says that it contains maize, poultry meat meal, maize gluten meal, animal fat, digest, veg oil, minerls, beet pulp, flaxseed & rice. Cant give homecooked food as I live in a vegetarian hindu household & the brands of commercial food available are limited in India [Pedigree, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Eukanuba & Bosch]
Many others like me in the same boat – what shoud the recommendation be?
thanks!
Hi Raj:
Dogs do not do well with corn (maize) as a regular daily diet. Your listing of Hill’s Science Diet has two listings of corn in the first 5 ingredients.
Look for a food with no corn, wheat, soy or other fillers such as any of these Bad Dog Food Ingredients.
MEAT MEAL is a generic term for unspecified meat sources that are not acceptable for human consumption. Look for specified meat sources.
ANIMAL FAT is most often made up of rendered animal fat, restaurant grease, or other oils too rancid or deemed inedible for humans.
Look for a named fat source, such as poultry or chicken fat, that is naturally preserved.
ALSO DIGEST IS A undesirable ingredient – See the description here also.
Here is a list of what you would want to see on your dog food label.
I’m a vegetarian also, and couldn’t eat meat personally, but do find feeding meat to others a necessity, especially dogs and cats, as they are carnivores.
The only thing I would recommend is upgrading your commercial brand if possible, to something similar to any of these. Look to see if there is auto ship from any of the major pet companies or Amazon in your part of the world.
If it is not possible to change to a different or higher grade commercial food I would suggest not worrying about it, just be happy with the knowledge that you are giving your pet love, shelter and food, which is obviously better that a lot of others get in this world.
This is an informational site for those who want to change, or who are able to change the diet of their pets. It is NOT intended to guilt and berate anyone who does not want to, or cannot change due to circumstances.
Thank you for visiting
Jane
Holy cow– thanks for posting the 7 Worst Dog Foods information. I’ve used Science Diet for years, so I took note and began reading on ingredients (instead of trusting the vet to assure me this was good food). I have five rescued dogs, and I’ll be changing their diet now. You’ve helped me more than you realize.
I so wish I had seen these type articles when we first got our beautiful Lab as a puppy. I think if I had fed him good food instead of commercial food and treats full of chemicals he would still be here with us!! Instead he died at only 9 of stomach cancer. I can’t believe pet food companies don’t care at all what they put into the food we give our beloved pets, I had no idea.
Thank you so much!! Would like to post this on FB, but isn’t on here to like OR post!! Surprised @ sOme of the brands , as led to believe that they were the best!!
Thank you for visiting Linda:
Added facebook etc. to bottom of posts. (It was only on the top when you visited and I noticed it wasn’t as visible.)
I was surprised by the whole dog food industry too, and what I believed to be the best for my dogs.
Jane
Thanks for a great post. There is so much bad food out there. Just because it says its ‘dog food’ does not mean that it is good for your dog. Thanks for helping to educate the masses.
My little dogs are picky eaters so the problem I’m dealing with is finding something they will eat. The dogs get no nutrition if they don’t eat so I’m of the feeling that any nutrition is better than none. Other than Cesar and the moist Beneful, the other dog foods I have bought,(Waltham’s Royal Canin being the one recommended by our vet) just take up space in their bowls until I throw it out the next day. Beneful might not be the best dog food, actually you name it the worst choice but at least they’ll eat it. I’ll keep buying Beneful and Cesar because the alternative is to see my little guys go on a hunger strike.
Glad your dog lived a long life but if you look at the ingredients on Beneful why would you want to feed it to an innocent animal that has no choice but to eat it? Its like you eating fruit loops cereal etc every day
I have been feeding Beneful Salmon & veggies for many many years without any problems. One of my dogs passed away last summer at the age of 21 years If this is so harmful why then aren’t I haveing problems I have 9 dogs right now and none of them have any illnesses,
Thank you
Hi Gail: Thanks for visiting and commenting.
My intention is not to judge or make any one feel bad for their own choices and decisions. Whatever works for you and your puppies is fine with me, and they are lucky to have someone who cares deeply for them.
That to me is the most important aspect of having a companion dog.
My site is here for information for those who want it, not to tell anyone what they should or should not do.
Jane.
This is of worst foods are exactly the ones on my list that I tell my customers about. Thanks for publishing this.
Jane,
I am curious to know if you have any thoughts on any products made by Hi-Tek Rations Inc. They are a local company from my area and produce a variety of products from the low-end (cheap products) all the way up to high-end all natural products. They also produce a Grain Free product called “Hi-Tek Naturals Grain Free”. I have been feeding my two dogs this product and they love it. I was just wanting to see if you had heard of this brand or company and had any thoughts of their practices?
Thanks for your time,
Ashley
Hi Ashley:
At first glance it looks like a good product. I have never heard of it, but by checking out their website, which shows the Guaranteed analysis, ingredient list and calorie count, I would recommend it as a healthy natural dog food.
INGREDIENTS of the Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Adult Dogs:
Lamb Meal, Sweet Potato, Potato, Peas, Pork Meal, Canola Oil (Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Duck Meal, Egg, Salmon Meal, Ground Sage, Ground Basil, Flaxseed, Sea Salt, Tomato, Blueberry, Raspberry, Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifido Bacterium Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Source of Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Source of Vitamin B5), Citric Acid, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Oxide, Selenium Yeast, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid.
Thanks for visiting,
Jane
Jane, I appreciate allmyour information. I feed instinct raw frozen, but would like to offer other foods. What do you think of Holistic brand Health Extension for toy and miniature dogs. Looks healthy to me, but I would love your evaluation of it. Thanks Mary Beth
i MEANT ” all of your info” dog was dancing on my lap!
Hi Marybeth:
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I love your dog dancing error. So cute.
I’ve haven’t seen much about Holistic Health Extension made by Vets Choice. It seems to be above average in all important areas.
The canned formulas are 95% meat, which can be used easily for rotation feeding, toppers or treats.
I would feed this to my “girls.” That is my ultimate test for what I consider a good food.
As for the Instinct Food, it is one of my favourites — SEE MY NATURE’S VARIETY REVIEW HERE.
I also have Nature’s Variety in my top ten, HEREt
Nature’s Variety has a rotation diet philosophy, which includes rotation of raw, dry kibble and canned, along with rotation of proteins.
Excellent choice for your lucky pup.
Jane
Thank you for this website……….I sometimes need to refer people here when they tell me all the problems their dog is having & I find out what they are feeding………egad! These really bad products will never be pulled off the market (mega-corporations are way too powerful) so people will continue to feed these foods to their very unlucky dogs.
Maybe I’m missing something but I see an asterisk beside menadione but couldn’t find any explanation for why it’s so marked. I think it’s important to let pet parents know just how dangerous this ingredient is & right on this page for the world to see. I’m sure it’s listed under the bad ingredients.
I honestly thought after the 07 recalls, most people would be aware of just how bad some of these ingredients are & sales would take a dump of some of these really awful dog foods. Doesn’t appear that happened. I’m sad & worried about that………:-(
Thanks again for a great website…….
Hi Hannah
Thanks for visiting. I have listed the highlighted and starred ingredients on a separate page.
Under every bad dog food listed above I have these two links which will go to some of my other posts:
CLICK HERE for REASONS THESE ARE BAD DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS
CLICK HERE to SEE WHAT ARE GOOD DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS
The sad smiley face goes to a page which has an explanation as to why the highlighted and starred items are dangerous.
MENADIONE is listed there, with this explanation:
*NOTE: MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE
This synthetic version of vitamin K has not been specifically approved for long term use, such as in pet food. It has been linked to many serious health issues. If you are not aware of this it sounds like one of the healthy vitamins, but beware.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE MSDS GUIDE EXPLANATION!
Thanks again
Jane
Jane
What are your thoughts on Halo dog food?
Hi Lynda
HALO has:
Ingredients – Chicken, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Vegetable Broth, Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Whole Peas, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa, Inulin, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum
Halo is listed in the sidebar under TOP PICKS – ALPHABETICALLY BY BRAND ===>
Jane
Jane, I have that book. It’s an eye opener! I think every pet owner shopuld read it!
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
It sure is an eye opener. That book (Food Pets Die For), is what started my ultimate amazement and disbelief about how we have been duped by the pet food industry.
Kudos to Ann Martin for her years of investigation and revelations.
When I lost my first dog to cancer and connected the dots I was pretty much unable to keep my big mouth shut.
Thus this site.
The animal parts used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality or contamination.
Any kind of animal can be included: goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters and so on. It can also include pus, cancerous tissue, and decomposed (spoiled) tissue.
CLICK ON LINK AFTER EACH DESCRIPTION>REASONS THESE ARE BAD DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS.
This is one of the reasons these bagged foods are bad.Many animals that are euthanized in animal shelters across the U.S. by animal gas chamber or lethal injection are picked up and sent to rendering factories only to end up back in dog food.It’s a sad & disgusting truth.Dog eat Dog.
What is funny is that so many dogs grew up on the above listed foods and they lived long lifes. MY GSD growing up lived to 12 years old on these types of foods plus pancakes, etc .My dads GSD lived to 12 on milk and bread. Personally I think nowadays it is the chemicals in dry dog food AND human food that are kiling our dogs and us earlier (cancer)as opposed to the food type ingredients. I also think the chemicals have more to do with dog allergies than again the food type ingredients. IMHO of course
Jane,
I think people need to go beyond the labels and actually call the company itself to see if a representative can answer basic questions. Ideally, the consumer should be able to talk to the formulator or at least know why certain ingredients are being used. There are so many companies jumping on the “holistic” bandwagon that are putting ingredients in their foods that have no documentation as being good for the pet. The performance of the food, meaning the results you see after 30-60 days, bears more weight than the writing on a “natural” or “holistic” label.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Amelia:
Thanks and you are correct.
I was surprised to learn that the AAFCO “stringent testing guidelines” required a typical feeding trial to use eight dogs over one year of age. All the dogs must be of normal weight and health. Prior to the start of the trial all dogs must pass a physical exam. At the end of the trial four blood values are measured and recorded: they include hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphates and serum albumin.
For six month the dogs are only fed the food being tested and must not lose more than 15% of their body weight. If six dogs of the original eight dogs finish this trial and pass the above tests, then the food is declared within AAFCO standards.
Pretty limited and simplified and very short term trials if you ask me.
Besides we shouldn’t have to conduct trials and tests on animals to see if their food is safe or not. Common sense is not prevailing.
That is why, we, as consumers must educate ourselves.
This book by Ann N. Martin was the first book I bought and learned about what the pet food industry does not want consumers to know. It is all pretty grim. In her book Ann Martin contacted many “authorities and representatives” of different companies and couldn’t get answers to a lot of her questions.
Thanks for visiting
Jane
On your recommended foods I notice you list Honest Kitchen but not Addiction, another freeze-dried raw food I’ve been feeding my pack with success. Are you unaware of it?
Thanks!
Helen:
Addiction is featured under the RAW | Dehydrated | Freeze Dried | Pre-Mix
and
also in my NATURAL AND HOLISTIC: listed ALPHABETICALLY BY BRANDS
and Just for Puppies.
All of these are under the category RECOMMENDATIONS at the top of the page, or alternately also can be accessed through the menu in the right sidebar under Best Dog Food Recommendations.
Sorry for the confusion in my navigation. I’ve tried to clean it up a bit and make it less confusing.
Any way thanks for visiting – I appreciate it!
Jane
I have been feeding my babies “Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul for years. What is your opionion of this food? Thanks so much! Sue
What food can you do if your dog has allergies? My boxer has IBS and we were told by our vet he can only eat hills science diet ZD formula. Its so expensive…8lb bag is $30 and 17lb bag is $60 we go through one 17lb bag Evey 2 weeks. My wallet is screaming to say the least…what other option do I have? Any help would be appreciated.
My dog has allergies and had been on ZD while we got them under control. Then we changed to a limited ingredient diet Nature’s Balance – available at Petco. They have several limited ingredient formulas. My guy is on Potato and Duck. I talked to the vet about it and she said that that was a good brand.
It all depends on what your pup has allergies to. Is it the grains? If so, that is common, and probably because dogs are not meant to eat grains. Vets tout Science Diet prescription formula because they get a kickback from the company. If you need something more affordable and about a million time better, try Taste of the Wild. They are all grain free, and they have many different options for your proteins. They have a fish based one called Pacific Stream, a bison and venison one, a lamb based one, and a fowl based one. The fowl one has chicken, so if your pup is allergic to chicken, you will need to stay away from that one. My favorite for my pups is Acana. It is made by the same Company that makes Orijen. Both are phenomenal foods out of Canada. They use all human grade, fresh meats, and are grain free. They have quite a few protein options, as well. They have a regional red, a ranchlands, a fowl and fish, etc. Acana is more than Taste of the Wild. These companies are both very good, and you will be a million times better off with either. There are many websites that list dog foods by stars that are very educational. Your vet is feeding you a load of crap by telling you that is your only option. Science Diet is terrible. All those chicken by product meals, and other unspecified meat meals are horrifying ingredients, feathers, beaks, everything ground up. the conditions are deplorable, and often these cheap commercial brands even use rendered meats from the poor euthenized dogs and cats from shelters. If you live in an area that makes it hard to come by these foods you can order them from Amazon.
my general rule of thumb is if you can buy it at a grocery store or department store, it’s crap. pet supply stores carry some lower quality stuff too so you still need to read your labels, but you have better chances of finding something good
How about Rachel Ray’s? I just switched to it.
The ingredient list for the Rachel Ray Chicken and Veggies Nutrish (taken from her website) is:
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Rice, Corn Meal, Soybean Meal, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Corn Gluten Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Dehydrated Alfalfa, Dried Peas, Dried Carrots, Dried Tomatoes, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Olive Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Oxide, Dried Parsley, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Mixed Tocopherols, Niacin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Folic Acid.
I wouldn’t use a dog food with corn, much less two different corn listings (this is called double stacking).
*ALSO NOTE: MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE
This synthetic version of vitamin K has not been specifically approved for long term use, such as in pet food. It has been linked to many serious health issues. If you are not aware of this it sounds like one of the healthy vitamins, but beware.
The MSDS guide states -
“Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: 3 (Not classifiable for humans) by IARC.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.” SEE HERE!
Jane
You should also NEVER feed a food that doesn’t name the meat meal, that has NO named meat meal and only a whole pre-cooked meat listed, that lists POULTRY or ANIMAL fat and frankly has ANY grains in it. DOGS and CATS digestive systems CANNOT process grains. They are CARNIVORES. Grains are not a biologically appropriate form of nutrition.
Is there a list of the 7 BEST dog foods?
Hi Via:
There are many lists of best dog foods.
Here is my TOP 10 Favourite Holistic/Natural Dog Foods
Here is my TOP BEST ORGANIC Dog Food (There are 9 in this list)
Here is my general list of top Natural/Holistic dog food. These are all foods that I would consider “good enough for my dogs”.
Here are other websites that have their best dog foods in lists and reviews:
Dog Food Anylsis
Dog Food Advisor
Dog Food Chat
This link is also a good reference on the Dog Food Chat’s forums – The Whole Dog Journal list for 2011. They put out an annual list of approved dog foods that can be also used as a guideline for knowing which dog food’s are better than others. You can get a subscription for all their important dog health info and articles Here:
Whole Dog Journal
Hope that helps, and I’m sure you’ll see a pattern of the same top dog foods throughout all these different sites.
Thanks for visiting
Jane
We have recently (over the past year) switched our labs to Taste of the Wild. They have exhibited better energy, a nicer coat and there feces are more solid. They appear to really be processing a lot more of the food.
Thank you Taste of the Wild for finally helping me to find something good for our dogs to eat. I just hope we caught it soon enough to give them a bit longer life.
Hi Paul
Your pups are lucky.
Kudos to you – Taste of the Wild is an excellent food, and along with the obvious love and devotion of a trained owner such as yourself they have it made.
I have Taste of the Wild in my TOP TEN list of best dog foods, here.
Jane
I also use taste of the wild but aware that they were just bought by iams
Taste of the Wild gave my dogs too much gas! They loved the food. I just couldn’t be in the same room with them.
I have an english mastiff with constant yeast infections in his ears. I recently switched him to Blue a grain free product. Is this a good brand?
Hi Rugby mom
I would recommend Blue as seen here: Blue Buffalo Dog Food Review.
I also have it listed on my top ten best dog foods here, as well as in my list of best Natural/Holistic foods here.
Jane
Dogs with yeast problems need to be on a low glycemic diet. There are only two that I am aware of that are actually certified low glycemic and they are Orijen and Nutrisca. Those are both extremely high quality foods. Blue is a great food, but it contains potatoes that break down into sugar which feeds yeast. It is fine for dogs with grain allergies or no issues at all, but if they have yeast putting them on a low glycemic diet is KEY!
You need to keep your dog on a high quality GRAIN-FREE food. Blue WILDERNESS, not the other varieties. Also other superior grain-free foods are Nature’s Variety Instinct, Innova EVO, Orijen, Acana, Merrick BG, Canidae Grain Free. Because yeast is a fungus and most likey caused by eating lots of grains you need to kill off the candida in the system. Add RAW ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR to your dog’s food or water daily. You may also swab the ears w/NEEM OIL or RAW EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL. These are antifungal and coconut oil is also an anti-inflammatory.
Just curious, are any of the people commenting here PhD’s in Animal Nutrition? (I am not but have been through technical training at Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin USA)
Did you know that there is an AAFCO statement on each bag or can of dog or cat food? Did you know that some of the food is “formulated” and not tested on animals to check out its performance Did you know there are dog and cat foods which are actually puppy and kitten food but are sold as Adult food? READ THE AAFCO STATEMENT before you buy.
Do you know what DMB is? DMB is Dry Matter Basis. Did you know that dog food and cat food labels have the ingredients listed by WEIGHT. So…if the company is using DMB the order in which the items are listed will be different than if they are not using DMB. Of course whole chicken includes WATER so it will be listed first versus chicken meal.
Anyway I could go on and on. Come on people go get an AAFCO book and have a read! Oh and if you do not know what AAFCO stands for here it is: American Association of Feed Control Officials. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THAT?
PS Chicken By Products are items like organs, intestines etc.
Hi Karen:
Here are books that I personally have, use as my references, and recommend. They are all written by pet nutritionists, professionals, doctors and various authorities debunking the pet food industry.
If you really want the facts, information and the truth these are the go to books.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin are two companies that self promote and also misinform.
I stand by my assertion that any dog food with corn is a “bad dog food”, along with some of the other undesirable ingredients.
There is a much more healthy way to feed today’s pet, and by reading, reviewing, discussing, learning and being open
to these new ideas we will eventually educate enough people to stop the lies from these big commercial companies who
only care about the almightly dollar.
As for your AAFCO statement:
In Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food
, by Ann M. Martin, she goes into extreme detail of how misleading this regulating body really is.
Her book contains the complete AAFCO statement, along with a breakdown of what these requirements really mean.
The AAFCO’s determinations of what is acceptable, and what is allowed to be included in the pet food industry’s acceptable ingredients list is not something I want, or obviously a lot of other people want to feed their companions.
An AAFCO inspection of pet food must meet the standards that are being claimed by the pet food maker. If the product
claims a 20% protein rate, 8% fat, and 2.5% fiber, then the food must test out at these levels.
The sources of these findings do not matter! The AAFCO has poor guidelines. Pet food is allowed to contain meats from the category of the 4 D’s. Dead, dying, diseased or disabled. Fiber from peanut shells is acceptable. Fat from rancid, used restaurant cooking oil is picked up after the restaurants deem the oil used and not edible any more. The oil is stored in drums, sometimes out in the sun for weeks awaiting pickup by the manufacturers,
(I could go on and on!)
Find More of my fact based articles here:
Thanks you for visiting.
Jane
Just as a consumer with the ability to read the ingredients list, I learned years ago that Hills and Royal Canin are some of the most overpriced food on the shelves. I worked at Petsmart and had the privilege to show many interested customers how to read the ingredients list and show them the difference in price vs. food quality. Even if it’s not what I would consider a “premium” food, you can still do a lot better than Hills or RC for the same price range…that’s why I went out of my way to show them better options based on what they could afford.
I often heard, “but my vet recommended this to me”. I would reply, “do you know the companies may supply your vet w/ free food in exchange for promoting there products?”. Even though I stressed that I couldn’t guarantee that was the situation w/ their personal vet, they weren’t happy to learn that it was a possibility.
In regards to not testing on animals, some of us don’t want other should-be pets to suffer a painful, empty life in a cage or kennel to help a company’s bottom line. Especially when it’s completely unnecessary these days.
I’m not a nutritionist, but i’m also not foolish or gullible enough to base my entire view of pet nutrition/food choices on what a person says when they are promoting their own friggin product. Get a clue.
Karen…you’re exactly the kind of person that we who actually study REAL NUTRITION and not ARTIFICIAL nutrition warn people about. And AAFCO means jack shit and you are absolutely CLUELESS about proper biologically appropriate QUALITY pet nutrition. REAL NUTRITION IS NOT CONCOCTED IN A LABORATORY. I suggest you educate yourself. You’re as bad as a MONSANTO or BIG PHARMA cheerleader. I feel sorry for you
Poor girl doesn’t realize that companies like Hills and Purina were started because the food industry needed to find something to do w/their waste products and that ALL food made by companies like Hills, Purina, Royal Canin etc are made from 4-D RENDERED meats which are rancid, cancerous, full of tumors, tuberculosis, parasites and worms, rotted flesh, diseased animals, road kill, euthanized animals from the vet still in the body bags w/tags, collars etc still on them, spoiled supermarket meats that go into the vat still in the styrofoam pkgs and cellophane wrapping, eyes, teeth, hair, etc. The grains used are by products from beer-making, mill floor sweepings, infected w/insects, parasites, fungus and other diseases. In other words THOSE companies make their food from ingredients that ARE NOT FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION… NOR are they fit for animal consumption. They are a way for a slimeball industry to make BIG $$ off of ignorant ppl by brainwashing them through HEAVY propaganda to believe that feeding your pets CRAP is good for them and giving them REAL, NATURALLY nutritious food appropriate for their species and biology is not !
Oh.. and another not.. ALL rendered meat MUST, BY LAW be “denatured” so as not to be able to make it’s way back into the human food chain. This means that ALL of that meat is doused with either CARBOLIC ACID or CREOSOTE.
i am a big beleiver in natural dog food,especially for the elderly or immune compromised. i have always used quinnoa. is this ok? with raw fresh chicken thighs?
Quinoa is an excellent carb for your dog.
Also, these are some other choices of carbohydrates that are healthy: unprocessed oatmeal, brown rice, bulgur, millet, whole wheat couscous, barley, pasta or potatoes.
I cook my meat, just as a personal choice, but there is a lot of pros for feeding raw meat also.
Jane.
On some of the previous posts:
Veterinary nutritional experts now report that the natural diet of the dog would be 70-80% ANIMAL-origin protein (meat, fowl/poultry, eggs, fish), the remainder being vegetation, berries, animal scat, worms, insects, etc.
So, yes, dogs ARE omnivores, but…they are meat-based omnivores with the VAST majority of their diet being comprised of animal-origin protein. Note: The natural diet of the dog would NOT contain grains (wheat, barley, rye, corn) as these are all man-cultivated crops. Original wheat (Einkorn) grew in only one place on earth – the fertile crescent of the Middle east – while the ancestors of corn grew is only one place as well – in Middle America (Mexico). So…the vast majority of wild canids would have not had access these grains nor to the gluten-grain substitutes (rice, potatoes, tapioca, etc.) nor to dairy products and soy, the latter being found one place on earth originally – Eastern Asia. We should have left that one underground!(Google “dangers of soy, Cinderella’s Dark Side”. Whoa!)
Therefore, when a pet food company claims that their food is made to mimic that of wild dogs and yet contains these things (gluten grains, corn, potatoes, or even rice*), they are incorrect (either sincerely wrong or using deception for sales). *RICE is still the healthiest of the grains to feed. The main reason to avoid rice is in the case of secondary food allergies, in which one or more of the “Big 4″ have damaged the lining of the small intestine and established “the Leaky gut syndrome”, which is the PROVEN mechanism for the development of allergies to otherwise healthy foods (eggs, rice, meats, poultry, tree nuts, tropical fruits, etc.). Sadly, lamb, rice and chicken are now the most common secondary food allergens thanks to the injudicious use of the gluten grains, corn, soy and dairy in pet foods. THESE establish the leaky gut and the other allergies follow!
So…when you get on breed forums and read their posts “discussing” (arguing over) what percentage of kibble should be protein, you will quickly see that most of them are incorrect in light of the natural (biologically appropriate) diet of the canine. The CRAZY thing is that this fire is being fueled by the ignorance (lack of knowledge) of my own profession. Once of the main points that is so often lost is the DISTINCTION between the types of protein. You will read that some are concerned that “too much protein” (“45%”, “55%”) will “burn up the kidneys”.
Well, if the majority of the protein is from wheat, corn or soy then, YES, that could be a concern knowing that the proteins (lectins) of these three trouble foods are vitally involved in the inflammation of the kidneys that leads to kidney failure. Gluten is a MAJOR player in kidney failure in both pets and their people (IgA nephropathy). But, if the majority of protein if of animal origin, the protein content being that high or higher is not a concern UNLESS their kidneys are already on the way out (from eating the grains all of their life).
It is insane to have veterinary diet companies defend the feeding of corn to dogs and cats as if it was on par with meat. This could not be further from the truth. But…they have to use some carb in order to make a kibble that can sit in the bag unrefrigerated for months on end and still keep weight on the dog.
If the kibble was made to be biologically appropriate, it would HAVE to be in the refrigerator/freezer, wouldn’t it? And…it would be made of meats, fowl/poultry, eggs, fish, fruits, berries and veggies. It would be OK to leave out the worns and animal scat, I guess.
:):)
Hope this helps,
Dogtor J
Hi Doc
Thanks again. I use this paper, HIGH PROTEIN MYTH DEBUNKED, which supports your comments, and has dozens of references and studies showing a lot of proof for those naysayers.
That is, if they really want to know the truth and read for themselves.
Just a you state, the obvious ignorance is being fuelled, unfortunately, by those higher educated than most of us. (Present company excluded
)
Thanks again for you comments. I will be referring those that disagree and argue, to your site, along with my other references that I routine use. I really don’t think those looking for a fight are really looking for the truth.
Once again, I greatly appreciate your input.
Jane
Great post Dogtor J… this is exactly what I’ve been teaching pet owners for the last 6 or 7 yrs now. I have all of my pets on rotation diets…kibble, home cooked and raw…grain free, high protein, plenty of OFAs and supplements like Missing Link or Wholistic Canine/Feline Complete.
What you didn’t mention that I do when educating people is that an appropriate high quality diet costs more up front by less $ overall, increases health, the immune system and longevity, eliminates “dog smell”, nasty teeth, yeasty ears, eye goop, most digestive problems and diseases/conditions, improves eyesight, heart, kidney, liver and bladder health, eliminates the need for flea/tick products and well… has so many benefits it’s hard to list them all. My dogs/cats ( I have 7 ) are in perfect health and never need to see a vet for anything other than a checkup or rabies vax ( for which I prepare them w/homeopathic nosodes ahead of time to counteract any bad effects ). They look good, smell good and feel good.
Dogs fed poor quality, inappropriate foods do not THRIVE… the merely SURVIVE.
You sure got this right!!!
I have spent the last 12.5 years trying to educate my clients and the rest of the pet-loving world about the dangers of what I now call “The Big 4″ – gluten (wheat, barley, rye), dairy products (those from cow’s milk), soy, and corn. These are the principle foods that cause direct harm to the gastrointestinal lining (villous atrophy), leading to malabsorption of nutrients, food allergies, and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms as well as contributing to every disease state known to mankind.
How can the latter be true? First of all, once we stop absorbing out nutrients properly (calcium, iron, iodine, B complex, C, magnesium, trace minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc.), bad things happen. This should not be hard to imagine. BUT…once these inflammatory proteins (called lectins) from gluten, dairy, soy/legumes, and corn enter the bloodstream, they have direct access to every tissue in the body and begin doing to those tissues what they have already done to the lining of the gut, namely induce inflammation. As it turns out, COUNTLESS individuals- both two and four legged – have developed intolerances to these foods. How and why is explained on my Website, including in a paper titled “A Brief History of the Big 4″, in which I explain why these foods were bad choices and/or what man has done to them to make them toxic to all living creatures, including our food animals.
So…you hit the nail directly on the head with this list, including your top pick. I use it as the glaring example on a regular basis, as it is one of the few foods made that has all 4 of “the Big 4″ plus two forms of sugar, artificial colors and flavors, and virtually NONE of the vegetables they so proudly advertise. The peas and carrots come after the artificial colors on the ingredient list, reducing the amounts of these vegetables to a molecular level. Oh..and BTW…peas are not a vegetable. They are a legume and can cross react in cases of soy sensitivities.
I have now witnessed medical miracles from simply eliminating “the Big 4″ from the diets of the afflicted, including epilepsy (my Internet specialty), chronic skin/ear issues, chronic gastrointestinal problems (including Crohn’s Disease in people), depression, fibromyalgia and even MS. It is not hard to understand why once we see the rather simply cascade of events that follows the intestinal damage caused by these four “foods”. The Website goes into gross detail.
I hope this helps,
Dogtor J
Hello to you, Dogtor J.
Thanks for visiting and especially for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.
Love your website, Dogtor J.com, with your in depth, well researched and easily understood detailed explanations, about “the Big 4″ and why eliminating them is life changing.
Thanks again,
Jane
Thank you, Jane! I’m glad that you’ve discovered the site and found it useful.
Yes…the diet is clearly the single-biggest factor under our control when it comes to reclaiming our health and that of our pets. Sadly, there has been sooo much misinformation out there, turning “diet” into a four-letter word. There have been many fad diets, most of which have given a glimpse into the truth but missed the mark. The Adkin’s Diet is one of them, but…sadly, Dr. Adkin’s didn’t even understand his own recommendations. He simply took an idea (medical truth) that we have known since the 1920′s (that we don’t get fat from eating fat but rather from consuming too many carbs) and popularized it, creating the Adkin’s empire. But when I saw him interviewed by Larry King, the good doctor could not answer the questions being asked by viewers concerning why their arthritis, IBS, migraines and other maladies disappeared along with their fat.
Well, we now know exactly why. The main foods that make us and our pets fat are wheat, corn, dairy products and excessive sugar/high fructose corn syrup. Why? Because the proteins (lectins) of wheat, corn and dairy are very inflammatory and the body will do what it can to shuttle them out of the bloodstream and into the most expendable tissue in our body – your “recycle bin” know as FAT. It does the same with toxins (PCBs, insecticide residues, carcinogens, etc.), estrogens and other things the body doesn’t want in it. Now we know why lipomas are usually the first tumor, right? Why wouldn’t they be with fat being where carcinogens are stored in high concentration. And…if you don’t have enough fat to store these things, you (hopefully) will make more. No one wants to get fat but the system is working to protect you. The news flash is that some of the very staples of our diet (wheat, corn and dairy) are the worst offenders. Get off of those and watch the weight plummet.
In addition, the arthritis, allergies, asthma, IBS/heartburn, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders (ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, autism), neurodegenerative diseases (MS, Parkinson’s, dystonia, etc.) improve. We now know exactly why, which I attempt to explain on my Website.
The key? Avoiding the bad things and consuming the correct things. So simple, right? It IS simple…just not easy. We’ve been programmed wrong. In some cases, we’ve been deceived badly. But thankfully, we know infinitely more about these matters than we did just 20 years ago. And, it should make sense. It’s hard to argue with the truth.
Thanks again for the warm welcome,
Dogtor J
Well I hate to burst everyones bubble, but. Yes Dogs are Omnivores!!! and you all are putting WAY to much into all of this, not every dog is going to have a problem with CORN, WHEAT, GLUETON OR SOY. more active dogs can handle the carbs, and some wont…. not every dog is the same about raw, most raw diets are very well formulated with Everything they need, I know Many dogs that is all they get and they do great, but I also know dogs that can not handle raw at all. so depending on “YOUR” dog you will feed him/her the way it will work best. we get our food from a local NATURAL pet store and our dogs are better with out corn. “if it aint broke, dont fix it” I dont see “people” getting this outraged on there own diets………
Thank you Jane. I believe everyone has their own personal favorites and way’s about doing things. Just because 1 thing is good for 1 dog does not mean that that certain thing would be good for the next dog or cat or horse or whatever critter. I have a cat that can ONLY eat Purina 1 cat chow due to irritable bowel syndrome and ANY other feed i have tried organic or not have given her horrible bloody diarrehea. i also have a 13 year old rottie mix I adopted from the pound 13 years ago and his entire life he has been on Purina Products. First Purina Puppy, then at 3 Purina Dog chow then at 10 Purina Senior. He has an excellent coat, healthy teeth (has only ever needed 1 dental in his life)and tries to keep up woth the smaller younger dog’s the best a 13 year old dog can. He is currently and will continue to be on cosequin for his hips and joints but all in all is in GREAT health and i have never had ANY issues with him. But like I said no 1 dog is the same as the other and will react the same to w/e diet he or she is on. My pet’s and myself are happy with the food I feed my pet’s and that is really all that matters I guess. I do have a question though, with this raw meat diet thing, are there concerns as too the horomones and what not they add to the diets of the chicken, beef and other meats that are fed to your pet’s? I am just from a small town and we don’t have any fancy organic stores or anything of the such around here. Any insight would be appreciated! =)
It is the Purina 1 Chicken and Rice flavor. It’s the only kind she can eat.
Hi Ryan:
Thanks for your comment. You hit the nail on the head about whatever works best for you and your pet.
Bottom line; that is all that really matters.
You have lucky pets.
Unless you buy certified organic meat that is hormone, anitbiotic and chemical free we will consume these ingredients, along with our pets. As of now, organic meat is more expensive, and a lot of people can’t afford to go this route for themselves, much less their animals.
You can order organic raw pet food online such as PawNaturaw, and others. – Here is my list of favourites
Jane
All kibbles try to mimic the diet of what wolves eat in the wild, if you disagree then provide me with the original blueprint please. Think about it… the blueprint started somewhere! Vit/min mixes are great however not many people ask what the ‘grind’ is in those mixes, is there enough vitamin B carriers, what are the oxalic acid levels in your fiber source ect ect. If the grind is off (the right way is expensive) then most of the nutrients end up sitting in the body trying to get flushed through the kidneys… ouch! Veggies and fruits?!? Ok, dogs do not produce amylase which is needed to break down the cell walls (grade 12 biology reference please). Therefore we need to mechanically render that cell wall which in turn puts the vit/min packed insides at risk. It is IMPOSSIBLE (prove me wrong) to perfectly render the cell wall to enable ALL of the vit/min to be utilized by the body appropriately. In conclusion. The blue prints started from a whole prey based diet in the wild. It is up to you the food companies to prove your mechanically modified commercial foods are better than a raw natural diet NOT ON ME. When a commercial food company decides to put their money where their mouth is and compare their diet DIRECTLY with a BALANCED prey model raw diet then I will say it myself that there is such thing as a high end commercial food. As of right now they refuse to; saying it is on the raw people to prove it. Your using our blueprints!!! By their theory my dog should die because he doesn’t get a vit/min pack and all the modified ingredients… funny I just used the original blue print of whole prey raw and I pay LESS than what you charge, his teeth look fantastic and get this… he isn’t dead :O! If you say your dog didn’t do well on raw you didn’t hold out long enough. Detox can take months, longest I have seen is a year (to much inbreeding and lack of nutrients). Your move pet industry
Actually, since you made the claim ( “It is IMPOSSIBLE (prove me wrong)…”), the burden of proof is on you… :3
Beneful is one of the worst unfortunately. It’s all filler. It’s like the equivalent of a person eating McDonald’s everyday. It will catch up with your pet one day and it will happen very quickly. I volunteer in rescue and have seen it all unfortunately. Best foods are:
Weruva
Orijen
Taste of the Wild
Tiki Dog/Tiki Cat
Ziwi Peak (hard to find but an amazing food)
I also boil boneless chicken and mix that with my dog’s dry food and turkey meatballs broken up into little pieces. (Cats should never eat dry food. In fact, a friend of a friend’s adopted cat just had to be euthanized yesterday due to kidney failure from a dry food diet.)
My friend’s 14 year old cat was on Purina and my friend mentioned that the cat could no longer leap onto the couch or bed etc. I gave her a 2 week supply of Weruva to try out and guess what? The cat actually plays with her kitten sibling now and can leap onto the couch and sofa. This cannot be a coincidence. Her cats are strictly on Weruva now
I dont understand if its such great dog food or cat food then why is it so expensive?
Not every one can afford that kind of dog food.
Sorry, but working with pit bull rescue and rehabilitation on a daily basis, I must say that a food of any kind does not make a pit bull more aggressive. Please stop with the myths about pit bulls. It’s statements like this that hurt the breed. Pit bulls, like any other dog, are only aggressive do to the environment they are in and what they are taught. It’s people that are to blame. NOT the dog. Pit bulls, by nature, are sweet, loyal dogs and were even nicknamed “nanny dogs” 100 years ago because of their gentle nature towards children.
Agreed Ally! My daughter owns a pit bull and that dog is THE sweetest, most loving, adorable dog I’ve ever known (next to my own of course!) – Pit Bulls indeed have been given a bad reputation, they are awesome dogs…… Thank you for your post!
One more thing. Not all dog breeds are suppose to eat raw meat.. I did a lot of reading and investigating into each breed and what that certain breed should eat. I believe that breeds such as husky , Irish wolfhounds , some of the breeds can eat raw meat. Dogs in the wild because they are wild eat meat, the dogs we have at home were breed down over years of breeding and domesticated should not eat raw meat.. meats yes, cooked , and toy breeds should not ever eat raw meats. Each breed has a certain meal plan to follow. Pit Bulls that eat a lot of meat become more aggressive and more apt to fight, given a low meat diet or no meat diet takes the aggressiveness out . Sorry , but I do disagree about all dog breeds should eat raw meat. As I said that was okay before our little home pets were domesticated throughout the years.
Eating raw will not affect pit bulls! I have a pit thats been eating raw his whole life and is as sweet as can be.
Barbara, You can do all the reading you want. Your comment is still ignorant. I almost laughed out loud when you wrote “…no meat diet takes the aggressiveness out.” Really?! So if I read enough about ADHD and I say that if you take all the candy and soda away from them they will calm down? You can not be an armchair expert on dog breeds because you read a few articles. Get some real experience before forming an opinion.
That is 100% false. Dogs’ digestive systems do not differ by breed. No breed or dog becomes aggressive by eating raw meat, that is an old wives tale and it is also 100% false. Absolutely no research suggests anything you’ve said to be true.
any dog an eat raw meat. some dont adapt so well, but they all can digest it. I work with animals for years, and most do extremely well on it. some need adjusting, because their stomachs are screwed up from kibble. You need to do better reasearch before you go giving your opinion. Processed food is never better.. haven’t you learned anything.
Wow Barbara! Seriously, WHERE are you getting your information on feeding raw? Oh wait…commercial dog food companies and your vet, that markets Hills! Of course!
Maybe do a little more research – you moron.
Before I got a dog I did a lot of homework on foods and dog training and raising a dog. I am thinking this is a Industry of dog foods fight. One dog food says they are the best , the other says they are the best , it is all commercial. My sis ter had a dog that ate that wonderful food you were discussing,,the organic all meat , no corn..etc… etc etc. Her dog was constantly ill from it, had bad , dull coat , scracthing all the time etc… I feed my dog and have fed him on Beneful, for a number of years …he has a shiny coat, doesnt scratch, no ear infections. Of course we supplement the Beneful with lean meats and vegies also. He eats fresh green beans, carrots, meats, sweet potatoes and he is just fine.. I think again it is all industry and commercial bull ,,,sorry… I do not buy this Crap. He is 13 going on 5 years old and can out walk me. Well, that is all I have to say about that.
Hi Barbara:
Sounds like you are feeding a well balanced homemade dog food diet.
Here are the recipes I have used for years for my dogs.
Jane
He maybe living so long because he is getting suppliments from other sources. And all that about companies saying their food is best.. Its called “marketing” dont read their labels to find the truth, read veteranarian papers published, Every dog is different, but I have seen many 3 year olds with rotten breath bad skin, poor fur, and they are eatting beneful. It sustains animals life, but doesnt maintain good health.
Feed your dog RAW food and you wouldn’t have to worry about what kibble is good and bad. They are animals – they NEED raw foods.
You are a lunatic. RAW only exposes them to other illnesses and the high protein causes heart issues and kidney issues at fairly young ages. Read the science behind higher quality dog foods and understand that animals need micro-nutrients that are found in higher quality dog foods. This will increase your pets lifespan no matter what breed. Also, if you feed a premium diet, such as Royal Canin, they use top notch ingredients and that is why they are so expensive. They don’t put all the money into advertising. They put it into the science behind it and the best ingredients. Educate yourself. Dogs are OMNIVORES, not Carnivores. They need animal AND PLANT proteins as well as other vitamins and minerals.
KC:
Here is an excellent, succinct, fact based article, regarding the physiology of our carnivorous canines @ Rawfed.com
I appreciate comments and discussion here, but would ask for no direct attacks and name calling. It is unnecessary and really doesn’t help in getting your ideas taken seriously.
Jane
KC You must be reading the science done by pet food company, A raw diet 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ is the best diet you can feed your dog. Do some more research.
About 7 years ago I found a scale like this page has… http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/ratingpetfood.htm
This was when I found Chicken Soup to be pretty good food for the price. and switched from Nurto Max.
This fall I switched from Iams to Chicken Soup (an upper level brand, good balance between cost and quality). I am spending less per meal. Took my 2 medium size dogs 3 months to go through a 35 lb bag. It cost me $10/month/dog on the new stuff. My 6 year old hound started acting like a young dog again. I am feeding less, they are healthier, scratching less, less hair loss, smell better and poo pick up is a breeze as there is hardly any.
Nancy…..
I don’t normally write any kind of response to these type of articles but your statement is absolutely ridiculous!!! Correct me if I am wrong here. Dogs and cats have a heart, lungs, liver, blood, brain the same as us humans and if I were to feed you garbage for your whole life would you feel good? I just can’t believe how under educated people are about animals and it is pretty disturbing if you ask me. Although you are right on the cancer topic and it is genetic but what about every other problem that can occur? Most visits into vet clinics are not for cancer…they are for upset stomachs..infections..etc….why? The garbage that their owners are putting into there body. I have studied nutrition with dogs and here are the facts…the nails are more britter…ear infections all the time….skin problems….bad hair…and so on….where are your facts coming from? Sure they are survivors and they will eat anything but it is our responsibility as responsible owners to make our animals feel their best and look their best. If you were hungry you would eat pretty much anything wouldn’t you? For someone that has the heart to do the right thing and take in dogs and help them sure went off the track completely with the whole nutrition part of things. People trust people like you and I would hope you would educate yourself a bit more before throwing this kind of stuff out there for people to read….it’s pretty embarrassing if you ask me.
P.S. Although I would love to help out other countries with sick or starving children but I have to think about my own country’s problems and feed my family the proper way…my dogs and I would also like to know with the extra $30 that you save on your dogfood I sure hope that is donated every month
Hello, Angie! Since you insinuate that I am uneducated and talking out my rear end, I just wanted you to know that I have a BS in ecology, ethology and animal behavior from the University of Illinois and later got my RN, which I have worked under for many years. Before that, I worked as an animal control officer on the animal welfare team as well as a vet tech and veterinary surgical nurse BEFORE I took care of sick children in a hospital, each job about 5 years. I don’t save $30 a month, I save $60 a week by feeding corn based products, which adds up to $240 a month in savings. All of my 7 dogs are healthy, happy and playful with shiny coats and live to at least 12, depending on their size and breed, and they would have been put to sleep if I hadn’t brought them home. They all live as pets in the house. They don’t have any infections or abdominal problems, ever. I think many people in this country have put their heads in the sand regarding starvation in third world countries. Why are we so worried about our dogs and cats? Advertisers have conned us into spending billions more on them than they actually need. I do have Unicef take money directly from my bank account every month to try to help those actually starving. There are no starving children in the U.S., due to school food programs feeding breakfast and lunch as well as food stamps and WICC programs. The poorer you are in the U.S., the more likely you are to be fat, not thin. Donating to provide free birth control to populations with high birth and mortality rates would save room and resources on this planet for wildlife like tigers, etc. I would rather spend my money on those programs than buying more expensive food for my rescued animals.
I made an error in above diatribe. Ethology is animal behavior. My degree was Ecology, Ethology and Evolution.
Lori hit it spot on. Vets only get a short time of nutrition classes they barely cover the surface. Then hill’s comes in and tells the vets if they sell their brand of food then they will help pay back their vet schools loans and such…So of course they are going to sell it not knowing it’s horrid stuff!!!
I work for a veterinarian and we carry no Hill’s products. So I beg to differ about “a short time of nutrition class.” My veterinarian is pretty amazing and stays in tune with the best diets out there. We carry Royal Canin veterinary lines. We have their maintenance line and the prescription line. So not all vets listen to Hill’s Science Diet.
Dogs still possess 98% of their wolf DNA. My “wolf” gets a well-balanced raw diet made of meat, organs, bone, kelp, and tripe.
Because his diet is about 85% moisture, he digests his food in about 7 hours, instead of the 12 – 14 hours it takes to digest kibble. This makes it easier for his body to absorb the nutrients he needs. And because his body doesn’t have to make the effort to reject the fillers and preservatives, he doesn’t need, and because his body doesn’t have to sort through the by-products he can’t use, his body is stress free.
The benefit for me (if that matters): Because his diet has little to waste, he poops out little pellets, and I know that what I’m paying for is to his benefit. The bulk of his food doesn’t end up on my lawn or in a poop bag.
My “wolf” is a nine-year-old German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd cross. He still insists on getting his three walks a day. He spends much of his time outside “guarding” his yard, chewing sticks and playing ball. When he’s not outside he is inside, chewing his deer antler or bully stick. His energy level is astounding. And he sheds very little (unless it’s spring and fall and he’s blowing his coat).
I have no guarantees that he will outlive anyone’s dog that eats kibble. But I do know one thing. He has spent his days on this earth thriving, not just surviving. I know I have given him everything he needs – a good diet, lots of exercise, and a ton of love – to make his days with me as enjoyable as I can.
Well said Pam!
Jane
Where did you get “dogs still possess 98% of their wold DNA”? I think that statement is total garbage. They need more than just meat proteins. Dogs are OMNIVORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They need plant proteins as well as animal proteins along with other vitamins and minerals.
Here are a few references about dogs and their genetics:
1 – Canid Genetics
2 – Dog Food Advisor – Opinion Are Dogs Carnivors?
3 – Dogs are Carnivores, by Jeannie Thomason.
4 – Rawfed.com
5 – Myth: DOGS ARE OMNIVORES.
6 – Nature Works – Carnivores
7 – What is a Carnivore?
8 – Vet Balance – Carnivores vs. Ominvores
9 – Op Ed News, Are Dogs Carnivores?
10 – definition – Carnivore
11 – When and where your dog evolved from the wolf
Jane
we had fed our dogs hills for years thinking that if it was at the vets office it must be good. now that I have been enlightened not even the perscription hills is any better, rate it for yourself! bottom line READ the ingredients and go from there it is your companions life as well as your own at stake!
You’ll find not many vets even know what good dog nutrition is all about. Science Hill helps suppport vet clinics which is why so many vets promote it. Bad stuff.
Dogs are survivors! They can raise a healthy litter of puppies eating Fritos (fried corn) from the garbage at the junkyard. I rescue dogs and always have 7, (which is my limit) including two 140 lb. girls. I go through (2) 40 lb bags of dog food in a little over a week. I buy $20 dog food that they like and they are happy. Most cancers are hereditary and most other problems are also genetic and run in certain breeds – such as 8 year old labs getting cancer. Nobody should spend $50 a bag on dog food while there are millions of starving children in Africa right now who would be very happy to eat any kind of corn based food (even dog food.) People in this country should visit some of the famine plagued countries. Why are we so worried about dogs and cats? They will only live 8 to 16 years, no matter what you feed them, mostly depending on the size and the breed. Feed them what they like! Save your fancy dog food money and use it to help some suffering children!
Ummmmmm – Not sure if this is worth the effort of a reply.
Anyone have the energy???
Jane
I agree with you, but I am sorry that I have to feed my dog cheap dog food but i had circumstances that made me low income and I am not getting rid of our family pet just because I cannot give her the best dog food and make her feel unwanted and make my children sad that their best friend is gone!!!
sincerely,
Chantel
Hi Chantel:
Thank you for your comment and I would like to assure you my intentions are not to guilt anyone into feeling inferior or deny anyone the right to love and care for a companion animal. Having a companion is more than feeding “the best”.
My main mission with this website is informational for those seeking more about the dog food industry. Throughout my site I have tried to reiterate that providing a safe loving home and giving your pet the best your circumstances allow is always the most important thing for all of us to remember.
Anyone who loves and cares for a pet, and makes them a family member should not feel sorry or guilty. That sure is not my intention.
Jane
Nancy,
You are xxxxxxxxxxx! According to your way of thinking, might as well 70 year old humans this crap because they probably only have 15 more years to live. By the way…check your assumptions…40 percent of all cancers are caused by the type of food consumed. Get a life!
Hi Jim:
I respect your opinion and thank you for visiting.
Please, no personal attacks though.
Jane.
Not sure if it is either janed54. Why rescue dogs at all then – send your own money to help feed suffering children?! Or better yet, get off of your computer, sell it, cancel internet and send your money to feed starving children. Good grief – if you want to throw stones, you’d better get your own backyard in order.
Nancy,, AMEN to that!! People do get rediculous about dogs and cats with the food.. as I said before it is all Industry based and commercial, I say no to that and feed my dog what he likes..and you are right about Africa. Also our families in America are eating out of dumpster,, moms out there with children , homeless, what does anyone think they are eating ??? So enough on being so silly about what dog food is the best, it is Balony.
You need to preach to some one that owns a $100,000 car not to someone about what they feed their dogs
Sharon is correct, dogs are onminvores, not strictly carnivores. Pam is also correct in that food is not the only factor in the longivety of our canine friends. My breeder used Wal-Mart’s Ol’ Roy for her dogs and they lived long lives (14+), while I have seen dogs living on carefully created raw food cross the Bridge at 7.
Dogs do eat and need vegetable matter and anyone who tells you they don’t need it is misguided. They tend to get that vegetable matter from their prey, the stomach(of their prey) being a choice food of most carnivores, including partially digested vegetation.
I personally believe that the more pressing threat to our animals is their/our environment. All the pesticides/herbicides/etc that we put on the land around us, our yards/gardens, our floors inside the house, even “pet safe” ones must take their toll on our four legged friends. They live in that space. The same factors that are causing humans ever growing health issues (allergies, asthma, etc) are affecting our pets. Also our sedentry life affects a large number of dogs too.
Do your homework. It is very easy to say “Oh don’t use that food it will kill your dog”. All dogs now are descendant of the dogs that survived the ‘dirty thirties’ and world war times. Dogs would get bread soaked in fat because the family could offer no more. And many of those folks can tell you of ‘Bonnie’ or ‘Laddie’ that lived to be 15 years.
New recalls on products with CORN due to an overgrowth of the fungus common to corn called Aflatoxin, so beware of any products containing corn as this has happened many times before and it can kill.
I used to own a pet supply store and am now an Independent Rep for Life’s Abundance pet food and products. There are a few more details that you want to consider when buying food: how long as it been sitting in a warehouse before it actually gets to the store, is the manufacturing plant USDA APHIS certified(addresses sanitary conditions of plant, pet control among other food safety issues), the quality of the raw ingredients and wether or not you can find out if they are US ingredients, how quickly will be notified if there is a recall and who will contact you, who is formulating the food. The dogs that have lived long lives on some of these foods probably did so due to the family love they got to compensate. I did not know about having better choices years ago, now I do so I make a more educated choice for my rescues.
I’ve had my dog for 11 years. I went through different types of food and what she liked was Beneful Beef. She’s been eating that for most of the 11 years and hasn’t had any health problems. She’s a Rottie and has had a good, healthy life. She’ll be 15 soon. She’s just recently started having hip issues, but I can’t believe how well she’s doing for her age. Did we get lucky?
I don’t think you got lucky. I think articles like this are created by the kind of people who would step over an injured human to prevent a poodle from stepping in a puddle. We’re in a recession, people are losing their jobs left and right, some people can’t even afford to feed the families but WHOA stop right there why aren’t you using your Ikea meat grinder to produce freshly ground filet mignon for Spot? I say Spots lucky he’s not one of the millions locked in cages at shelters or heading for euthanasia. He’s not going to complain about corn being the main ingredient in his food.
Hi Doubtful
Thanks for commenting on my article. I appreciate everyone’s opinion. Just FYI, there is more to this website than this one post.
I’m sorry you feel so angry at people like me, but my intention is not to upset, judge, guilt or force anyone into doing anything they aren’t able to do for their pets, themselves, or others.
I simply started this website after the last dog food recall, and my beagle died from cancer, caused by years of inferior and tainted commercial dog.
I promote educating yourself so you can make your choice based on facts, and then choosing whatever is best for the circumstances any individual is in.
This website intended as an informative tool for those who are seeking answers about one specific topic (the commercial pet food industry).
Jane
Hey Doubtful…Spot is lucky??? I see your lucky and raise you this…If you cant afford to take of a living breathing, pet(family member), then you shouldnt have the dog in the first place! They are NOT a stuffed toy and the choice to own one shouldnt be made by un educated and naive person! No money to feed yourself?? Really?? Then why get a dog?? If you had him or her and then hit hard times then please give up your pet to someone that can give it a good home. If you really love your pet then it shouldnt be hard to do…if you find the dog a nuisance then it should be easy! Either way your reply was harsh, un-called for and def was arrogant…take your meds and maybe when youre balanced again someone will hire you…
i use ivd, VP it works great for my dog,i get it from my vet when i found out about 5 yrs ago almost everything in the foods i was giving him was making aginst him, hes doing great, it cost more, but i love him and it s my job to see he gets what he needs. he d do it for me if i was his pet. i guess i am, im just the one that brings in the food, lol and hes my best friend so i want whats best for him, im glad this was posted so more people see it, iv tryed to get everyone i know to stop buying food with soy, i didnt know about alot of these other things listed,
There are lots of websites out there sharing healthy homemade recipes using the same foods we eat. They need vegetables and meats like we do. Three Dog Bakery is an excellent source for buying good food for dogs. They cook with vegetables, like green beans, carrots, etc and fruits, and have great variety of foods and treats. Everything they make people can eat as well. There are websites offering homemade dog treats. Google it.
Mona:
One of my favourites is right here.
Recipes 4 Gourmet Dogs
HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES
HOMEMADE DOG TREATS
Jane
Yes cornflakes are bad for you. Nearly all corn is GMO & the rest of the ingredients are raunchy too. Processing that the “food” goes through renders it definitely “nonfood” & unhealthy.
surprised to see Hill’s as it is sold in virtually every Vet that I have ever been to. it is promoted as the best food for your dog and helps their digestive system to work efficiently…. oh its also ridiculously expensive, having been prescribed it for our “late” food intolerant Dalmation, who ate canned Hills (original) for two months costing a small fortune. Went back onto James wellbeloved after the Hills diet.
The reason you see Hill’s Science Diet sold in virtually every vet office is because vets take only ONE credit in college of nutrition and who writes their text books? Yeah, Hills. It would be like a human doctor taking a nutrition course and having the text book published by Kraft foods. Most vets aren’t interested enough in nutrition to give it further study. Their job is to fix things when they go wrong, not to prevent them from happening in the fist place staring with a wholesome, healthy diet.
Well said.
you are so right, Hills is not a good food, especially the one that is supposed to be for dogs with food allergies, ridiculous, with all the grains in there. and it is overpriced and there are much better foods that cost less. good site. Too bad that one angry neanderthal (about the poodle in the puddle) tried to discourage it, but he can`t.
Yay Meg!!
I’m shocked to see that Hills Science Diet Original is on this list… I have had many dogs who have lived well past their expected life expectation being fed Hills….
I make my dog’s food. I buy sirloin steak and grind it then grind in frozen (but heated) mixed veggies. Sometimes I’ll put a few sprinkles of seaweed on it before I put it down for her. She loves it. If I feed her canned or kibble she “chokes” throughout the day, sometimes throws up. On the raw, I never have a problem. Only reason it’s fairly low in fat is because fat makes her sick too. Vet told me to feed her medi-cal. That one was the worst for her. I don’t agree in feeding dogs corn. Corn is a filler. It should not be the top ingredient or anywhere near the top ingredient. Yes, humans eat corn but if we ate it in the ratio in the dogfood, it would outnumber all our other food by a landslide. Dogs were bred from wolves and wolves eat mostly the meat and some of the stomach contents of herbivors they bring down. That’s how I base my judgement on in the feeding department. Oh, one last thing, if I feed her kibble or canned, her teeth get full of plaque in less than a month. On raw they stay squeaky clean. She’s only 3 1/2 lbs so really have to watch her teeth.
Add organ meat, a calcium source and ground bone to that and you’ve got a great raw recipe.
@Sharon
Corn is okay for dogs… in moderation. Foods like Eagle Pack use it correctly. They use it as a source of carbohydrates for highly energetic dogs. In fact, it’s the official food of the Idittarod sled race dogs. It’s foods like Science Diet, Purina, and Eukanuba/Iams that use it incorrectly to make their food cheap and sell it for an obscene price. Meat should ALWAYS be the first ingredient. As for by-products, there is no excuse. Also, AAFCO has poor guidelines. Pet food is allowed to contain meats from the category of the 4 D’s. Dead, dying, diseased or disabled. Would you feed that to your family?
Natura, on the other hand, makes excellent foods. I feed Evo myself. As you may know, Natura was bought out by Proctor and Gamble; Eukanuba/Iams was bought out by them a while back as well. On Animal Planet, I see Innova commercials constantly, as well as Blue Buffalo. I love Blue Buffalo, it is great food. I don’t personally feed it because I think there are better foods out there. Just because Blue uses television to advertise, it doesn’t mean it’s poor quality. Blue is a family-owned company; one of the few that still are. They earned their money through success, not by getting bought out by a huge company.
@Jen
If you are wanting to feed a fresh diet, I would check out these brands.
http://www.thehonestkitchen.com – Raw, dehydrated foods that you re-hydrate. You can also add your own ingredients, but it is a complete and balanced base mix. It comes in grain-free varieties, if allergies are present.
http://www.naturesvariety.com/instinctraw – A frozen, raw diet. I mix The Honest Kitchen and Nature’s Variety raw for a meal for my pets. They love it!
Unfortunately, Jen, it isn’t biologically appropriate for dogs to be on a vegetarian diet. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I’ve always fed my dog all natural, no filler food. I don’t feed myself crappy food so why should my dog be treated any less. A lot of these foods are like corn puffs sprayed with cow blood for flavor. Most grocery store brands are not good and you will end up with a an obese dog with a shorter life span. This is a good article. Thanks for sharing.
I disagree that dogs are really omnivores.. although they can eat a little bit of vegetation… their colon is a very short one.. and meant to digest meat… We need to stop putting our food preferences on our dogs, I think..
My dog shouldn’t eat better than me,, for crying out loud, she eats her own poop! They’re animals, not humans.
My dog ate Prina Dog Chow for all his 16 1/2 years. It’s jst not that simple.
@Cindy, any good links to info on preparing fresh meals for dogs? And I know this article says that dogs are carnivores, but I’ve also read that by this point in their history of domestication they could also be considered omnivores. As a vegetarian, I would love to prepare fresh, healthy vegetarian meals for my dog (I don’t like meat in my house) but I would only do so if it would support his health; otherwise I guess it’s high-end kibble.
Hi, this is STRICTLY my two cents for what it’s worth. I do not have any good links for you, but I have used a good book by Dr. Pitcairn called Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. It has been very helpful. A couple of things to consider, with all due respect my dogs are hunting Dogs ( I would assume yours do not hunt since you are a vegetarian) and burn a considerable amount of energy year round with both training. I have a hard time keeping weight on them. Their diet consists of around 80% raw meat and vegetables and 20% high end kibble. The kibble is rated very high by the Whole Dog Journal. While they can eat vegetables they do need some meat for protein. It helps to keep weight on. The only reason that I do feed kibble, is that it does help to clean teeth. So my two cents on that is yes, they really do need meat when going all natural. During the heat of the season, I also add raw eggs to my dogs food. Great more protein!!!! However, too many eggs bad for humans, even worse for dogs, use them sparingly. You also need to consider your dogs activity level before adding eggs and such for protein, and watch weight closely. Look into the Whole Dog Journal website you do have to subscribe, but the month to month info is great. Right now,I’m using Taste of the Wild kibble. The dogs LOVE it. We have fed Holistic Select for a long time, however some of our dogs have dry skin in the winter. The Taste of the Wild has a higher fat content which helps with their coats and the Holistic Select does use canola oil ( not BAD, but not great either, could use something else). So that is my two cents for what it’s worth. Hope it helps.
Give your dogs recreational raw bones to chew on – much better than kibble to clean teeth.
cindy loved ur reply. i am also a vegetarian and have asked myself that question,,, ppl say im being foolish but i am seriously interested in some alswers,,,,,great comment….. thank you for sharing……..
Hello Jen – I came across this article and saw your comment. I respect that you are a vegetarian! Please do all the research before committing your dog to a vegetarian diet. Dogs are not obligate carnivores, however, they do well on a variety of foods. Just look at the teeth of a dog… how many flat molars for mushing up plant matter do you see in there? Josh mentions Dr. Pitcairn’s book, which is an excellent start in your research for making a home-made diet (he even includes a vegetarian diet). As Josh recommends, I too would also suggest subscribing to the Whole Dog Journal. Please read their take on HSUS selling vegetarian dog food titled “HSUS Now Selling Vegetarian Dog Food” April 2010. I did follow Dr. Pitcairn’s raw diet for both my dogs. They are not hunting dogs and I found that the diet was a little too heavy in grains and they put on weight. Now, both my dogs are on a raw, meat & veggie diet and they are thriving. Pet lovers have been sold a false bill of goods from the pet food industry. Kibble does not clean a dog’s teeth (how does your teeth feel after eating cereal?). It is not always wholesome (unnamed animal protein, animal digest, bone meal?). It is not always safe to feed (moldy grains = sick dog). It is economical and convenient. Good luck to you on your quest for knowledge on this interesting topic!
although dogs are listed in the carnivore family genetically, they are actually omnivores, not carnivores at all. Just as people can potentially live healthy vegetarian lives, dogs can too! Cats are obligate carnivores and absolutely must have meat as their primary source of protein. Just because a food contains corn does not mean its harmful or unhealthy – just look at many of our “human” foods; are Corn Flakes bad for you?
The most important thing for you to do is read the AAFCO statement on your pet’s food label. It should have undergone “Feeding Trials”. You should also look for companies who do quality control testing, and manufacture their own food. Many companies hire manufacturing plants to make their food, and end up with harmful contaminants. Just because a product has quality ingredients doesn’t mean it is balanced nutrition either! You could eat carrots all day long, but if you didn’t eat anything else, you wouldn’t get all your vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc.
The better foods out there are in fact made by Purina, Science Diet, Eukanuba, and the Natura lines (Innova, Evo, California Natural). The companies that spend their money on marketing (Blue Buffalo for example) are clearly not putting their resources into a quality food that has been well tested.
Sharon, it blows my mind to see someone giving such incorrect information! Feeding trials really don’t mean anything but that the pets were not harmed/poisoned by the food, it doesn’t speak for quality or nutritional goodness. The reason we advise aginst corn is because dogs do not digest corn or get anything from it at all, it all passes right through the body. Anything corn fed to your dog comes right out the other end, so the more corn fillers are in your dog’s foods, the more poo will be in your yard, you are spending your money on poo for your yard, not nutrition for your dog. Companies use corn not because it is good for the animal, but because it is cheap filler. Yes, you could live on junk food, but it’s not good for you, and these foods are junk. Purina and the others you listed are NOT, nor have they ever been “better” foods, high priced at the grocery store- maybe, but better, no. They are the worst of the worst using corn and animal junk parts(beaks/stomachs) for filler and spending all their $$ on misleading advertising that mis-educates the public. popular doesn’t mean better, in the world of dog foods, these brands rank right up there with cheap ole Roy from WalMart. I have never looked at Blue Buffalo so I have no idea what it is made of, so I can’t comment there. Do a little research and you will see that you are incorrect.
Sharon, are you kidding me? Did you read the above info????? Blue Buffalo is a MUCH better food than Purina etc.! If Purina and the like would spend half the money on ingredients instead of advertising they “might” get close to producing a fair quality kibble. Corn? By-products? Synthetic Vitamin K (banned from people food), Meat meal (no such animal named ‘meat’) And the Natura lines have been purchased by Proctor & Gamble so won’t be long till they ruin that food like they did Iam’s and Eukanuba!
You want a good kibble try FROMM, Solid Gold, Acana, Natural Balance (helpful for allergy dogs) Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Merrick Before Grain, etc. etc. etc. You need to be able to READ a label.
There are always questions on what makes a good kibble dog food. So here are a few rules of thumb:
1) ingredients are listed in order of weight, heaviest first (1st- 5 or 6 count the most)
2) you want a named meat (ex: chicken or chicken meal, lamb, beef etc.)
3) you do NOT want a by-product (or something that says meat meal – as you have no idea what kind of meat)
4) if there are 2 or 3 of the same type of ingredients listed such as rice, brewers rice, etc. when combined they outweigh the first ingredient (called ingredient splitting)
5) NEVER buy a food that contains BHA as a preservative
6) NEVER buy a food that contains SYNTHETIC vitamin K (also known as Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex OR Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite OR Menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite OR sodium bisulfite complex etc. These preservatives have been BANNED from people food!!)
7) READ!! You need to become familiar with reading labels-do it for your dog!!
8) FOOD OTHERS RECOMMEND IS NOT ALWAYS SUITABLE FOR YOUR DOG
You need to find a good food that works for YOUR dog! ( I generally start with a small bag and mix together really slowly over a 2 week period to see how it goes)
Oh and you may want to search on youtube for the comments the AAFCO makes about what CAN be in dog food. In case you don’t search it, he admits that there may be ‘pets’ in dog food!! PETS!!
And just because a human can eat corn, doesn’t mean an animal can.
If I pay for a bag of dog food that advertises to the nines about how good their food is, I don’t’ want to pay the money for corn as a first ingredient!
@Melinda, why would you ruin a perfectly good diet for your animals by mixing in Kibbles and Bits? Do you need it to stretch? How many dogs do you have?
Hello,
For all of you claiming that 10-13 years is an excellent life span for their breed, it really isn’t.
I’ve had German Shepherds live an average of 16-18 years on a natural, fresh, raw/ homemade, or high quality kibble and canned.
I have also seen for myself Danes, English Bulldogs and St. Bernards living w
ay past 13 years. All were notvon the poor quality foods listed.
It’s not competing companies, it is concerned and well-meaning people who have seen dogs thrive on quality foods.
We fee our dogs both good and bad food mixed. We mix the kibbles & bits with a high end food.
So would you also mix spoiled beef in with fresh beef when cooking dinner for your family? Your basically doing the same thing!!!
WHY?
Read the label, buy good stuff and feed the dogs lightly,overfeeding is a problem by itself! Enjoy your dog!
We have been feeding our pit bull mix Harmony Farms dog food since we rescued her almost 2 1/2 yrs ago…she does very well on it, and its fairly inexpensive compared to some of the other brands. No by-products or gluten in it..
For all those who were fortunate enough to feed low end corn based kibble to your dogs, and they remained heatlhy, that is great. I had one dog, a dalmatian, who also was okay with it. (Looking back, has some itchiness issues, and heavy shedding…signs of grain issues.) However, just like with people, some dogs cannot tolerate grains, and really do not thrive on it at all. Allergies can be common, itchiness, heavy shedding, large stools are a common issues, and overall odour. If you eliminate grains, (science proves dogs are not meant for them) who knows, your 12 yr old Great Dane may have been even healthier? I switched after much research and my three dogs are super healthy. Fresh foods for all beings have to rate higher than anything processed. Just makes sense to me, but to each his own. I only use high end kibble as a rare meal when I forget to defrost their meats
Remember, most dog food companies are highly profit driven (of course!) so cheaper ingredients mean more profit but not necessarily better health for your four legged family member.
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The best dog food out there is ABADY which is made in New York, yes dogs are carnivors and have never been known to raid a garden for gosh sake! We feed a food called River Run which is not quite as good as Abady, because we can’t get it here but it is almost as good. I feel that dogs should not be limited in their food intake, we get to eat when we want, they should too, our dogs do not over eat because they know they have food when they want it and food is left out for them all the time. I hate it when dog foods say how much your pet needs the veggies, well the vets are behind these foods because they will keep you animal going back to them time and again because what is being fed to your pet is like poison to them.
You are kidding right? My dogs have ALWAYS raided the garden! They will steal cucumbers, dig up carrots, and take apples right off the tree. I believe in feeding a high quality dog food but grow weary of the ‘dogs are carnivores’ argument. Dogs are SCAVENGERS. They are not wolves (mind you, even wolves eat vegetable matter on a regular basis, beyond what they get from the intestines of their prey). I’m not even going to get into free-feeding a dog ‘just because you can eat whenever you want’. Take some time out of your nutritional research to look up some studies on dog obesity and how an overweight dog lives on average 2 years less than it’s lean, fit counterpart.
Agreed about dogs being scavengers… so are coyotes, foxes, wolves will also. Your telling me a dog evolved in what…. how many years since dog food has been on the market? Erin put out a bowel of meat and one of veggies.. I will 100% guarantee your dog will go for the meat. They know what they should have. Look at their teeth. Do they look like yours… nope those puppies are for shredding meat. Then if you examine their digestive tract it is not intended for digesting vegetable matter. Give your dog a chopped carrot I also guarantee if you do some searching you will find it undigested. Now veggies probably provide some fiber for dogs which is likely why they will go after that (they eat grass too). If you feed dog food (which cooks all the good stuff out) make sure you rotate brands and give them a variety( of high quality no grain dog food. Veggies are fine as a filler). Imagine if you just ate kix cereal every day.. you wouldn’t be healthy either. It’s one of the major reasons so many dogs are developing allergies. Yeah and don’t free feed!!
I disagree that Abady is the best out there. Any dog food that has a second ingredient of rice is not the best out there. River run is also not a great food in my opinion due to excess fillers. Dogs are carnivores… they need meat. Foods such as Orijen, Instinct by natures variety, taste of the wild or better yet a raw diet is actually the most appropriate diet.
I have a female husky mixed, 13 years old. I feed her ground beef (drain away fat) + brown rice + salad mixed or any vegetable (got to cut into small pieces or else she will not eat the vegetable. Walk her 2 times per day, she is in good health,only take her for routine check-ups and shots.
June just an aside. You need to balance her calcium intake with her phosphorus intake. Meat has phosphorus, so unless you are feeding her raw bones and raw chicken with bone you need to add some calcium.
Also check to see what the vaccine protocol is. The American and Canadian veterinary associations switched their recommendations to every 3 Years for shots. Personally I have done puppy series, one year booster then I titer. NO MORE SHOTS!! If indeed people are more important than animals, we do people not get shots every year?? If you titer it measures the antibodies in the blood. Why give ANOTHER shot if the antibodies are present? Basically you are throwing your money away and compromising the health of your animal.
I read the ingredients. Very simple to do. I limit the kibble my dogs consume, and I do not buy any that contain grains as first listings, or by products.I – so far, have been happy with Blue Buffalo brands
Been feeding my dogs Purina for over 30 years, and all of my dogs lived past their average lifespan, and lived healthy and happy lives. Anyone ever think about where this info comes from? Most likely competitors in the dog food market.
I agree with Clay. My 14 year old Chow Mix, 14 year old Lab/Basset Mix, and 10 year old Retriever mix have all eaten Purina since they were young pups and except for the Chow’s bout of pancreatitis earlier this year they have all been very healthy and frisky.
I don’t feed Purina, but the “bad” Science Diet. I had a bulldog live to be 13. Their average life span is 8-10 yrs. I agree with you on this one.
Actually, not competitors, but by people who know kibble is not the best for your canines. I used to feed only kibble. My dog had limited health issues and lived a long time – just like people, some can tolerate low end foods and be okay, but many cannot. Looking back, she did get itchy feet and would be licking at them a lot (sign of a grain intolerance). I now know, after much research and reading stuff that just makes sense to me (we all have to decide on our own what sounds sensible) fresh foods for any living being is better. So if you do decide to research, raw or real foods are better as dogs guts are meant for it. At the least, higher end grain/corn free kibbles supplemented with some fresh foods are okay too. Remember, no wolf/dog ever raided a corn field. There is a reason they go for the chicken coop instead!!!
) My three dogs thrive on raw/real/fresh. Oldest is healthy and vital at 16 years, no bad breath, low shedding, shiny fur, zero flatulence, small firm stools. All good!
As someone who grew up with a mother who runs a kennel and has bred high quality dogs for hunting, search & rescue, showing and pet homes, and being a professional pet groomer myself who has always had dogs and cats I can honestly say this: we have always fed pedigree and had healthy, long lived dogs for 30 years. Only one dog required lamb & rice due to senitive skin issues. Not a single dog has ever had a health issue, and the golden retrievers she bred lived well into their teens on average. I think its more important to offer your dog proper exercise/attention, plenty of fresh water and a clean environment than it is to give them fresh meat in any form.
what about ACTRIUM, Holistic? Is that ok?
Hi Carol:
Here is a forum discussing the ingredient list of ACTRIUM, listing pros and cons.
I would hesitate feeding any food that contains MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE, which is listed in Actrium.
*NOTE: MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE
This synthetic version of vitamin K has not been specifically approved for long term use, such as in pet food. It has been linked to many serious health issues. If you are not aware of this it sounds like one of the healthy vitamins, but beware.
The MSDS guide states -
“Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: 3 (Not classifiable for humans) by IARC.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.”
SEE HERE!
Jane
For those of you with Costco memberships, they have a very good quality grain-free salmon and sweet potato dog food called Nature’s Domain, comes in a bright blue bag with white lettering. Our dogs love it, their coats are fabulous, no itchy or dry skin problems at all. I’m an avid label-reader, and this stuff is pretty darned good, and not horribly expensive. The Kirkland Supreme dry food isn’t bad, either, no corn, no by-products, and no typical fillers. It’s far superior to Iams or Eukanuba, which costs quite a bit more, but does have some grain, so if there are grain issues in your household, the Nature’s Domain is the way to go. Their dry cat food selection is limited to their brand, which again is far superior to anything you’ll get in a grocery store, and we supplement that with Taste of the Wild or Natural Balance. Healthy, happy dogs and cats without breaking the bank!
Thank you Barbara
Jane
I’m 100% with you on this one Barbara! The blue bags just came to our area an have been thinking about getting those for our dogs. But ever since I changed my dogs to the kirkland brand from expensive brands, no more skin allergies, Or health issues of any kind, except a bit of excess weight, but that was taken care of By changing them to the Healthy Weight kind, and their fur is just beautiful! I always strongly suggest this food to other especially those on a tight budget!
I have AKC Brussels Griffons. I have tried about all of the “quality” dog foods since this breed has allergies. What has worked best and reduced the Vet bills, is a mix of Taste of the Wild and the one you feel is poor quality! BENEFUL. Their coats are beautiful, overall they’re healty and vet bills are down. Teeth are great due to the GREENIES I give them almost daily. They’re playful and the oldest one is nearly 11 years old. Weight is a little more than should be but what can I tell ya? I love to hand feed a little human food by spoonfuls as if they’re kids. They wear sweaters and jammies. They’re family and sleep on the bed with me.
I don’t know about the science of all this, but one thing I do know is that I have fed every dog I have ever owned, Purina Dog Food or Beneful by Purina. My first 2 dogs were Great Danes (small for Danes about 100lbs). My first dog lived to be over 12 yrs old. SHe eventually had to be put down due to hip dysplasia. My second Dane lived to be 13 yrs and was also put down for hip dysplasia. My last dog was a Golden Retriever mix. SHe was 14 when I had to put her down, again for hip dysplasia. All of these dogs lived long healthy lives. I know they say these ingredients are bad, but with my track record, it is hard to argue.
Ever wonder why all your dogs had hip dysplasia? Not all instances are related to genes/breeds.
It does come down to the food. Large breed dog puppies need their growth carefully monitored so they don’t grow too fast. If they grow too fast joint and hip problems develop. A better quality food without filler and by-products can better control that.
As a general question (and this is no attack on you, Marci): Why is it that 12 years and 14 years for a dog is considered a long life? A domestic dog’s DNA is still 98% wolf; commercial kibble has only been on the market for 70 years. I have to wonder how much longer our dogs would live if under our care they are fed what they are supposed to eat. No additives, preservatives and fillers, but meat, organs, and bone.
This is a great article to teach people to read ingredients instead of just picking a brand because they saw it on tv or because they think its cheaper. My dogs eat Fromm, have for 6 years now, better health and only visits to the vet are for shots. Even the vet switched over from carrying science diet. Fromm is $30 here for a 40lb bag, cheaper for kennel bags if you have lots of dogs and space.
Hi Cat
You have expressed exactly what my many wordy pages in this site boil down to. It’s about educating yourself and making the best choice for your won circumstances.
Thank you for your comment.
Jane
I agree with Jane!
BUT you may want to rethink your shots for your animals!
Will copy and paste what I wrote above
“Also check to see what the vaccine protocol is. The American and Canadian veterinary associations switched their recommendations to every 3 Years for shots. Personally I have done puppy series, one year booster then I titer. NO MORE SHOTS!! If indeed people are more important than animals, we do people not get shots every year?? If you titer it measures the antibodies in the blood. Why give ANOTHER shot if the antibodies are present? Basically you are throwing your money away and compromising the health of your animal. “
Have only raw-fed, non vaccinated, long lived late teenaged large breed dogs
Pyrs and Malmutes
Ingrid – Science Diet may be scientifically balanced – but it is crap food – period. First ingredient should ALWAYS be a protein.
When was the last time you saw a dog stalk an ear of corn?
I have owned English Bulldogs for the last 30 years. I have obtained them from reputable breeders and have rescued several. If you know anything about this breed, you know they have a multitude of medical issues and our vet bills can be staggering. I changed their food a couple of years ago from a brand that is considered high quality but affordable to the very expensive Blue Wilderness. The decrease in our vet bills has more than offset the increase in food costs. Their coats are healthier and sleeker, digestive and allergy issues have completely resolved. Since switching, our only vet bills are for routine check-ups and shots.
Sarah, Taste of the Wild is a decent (and grain free) & lesser expensive food. There is also a better food sold only at Tractor Supply called 4Health. I don’t believe it is grain free but it’s rated quite decently on some of the dog food review sites. Most of the time though, premium foods cost more per bag…but the serving size is much less than your grocery store brand food so really it either equals out or cost less. Plus you don’t have a lot of the vet bills due to poor nutrition so in the long run you’re saving money by feeding a better food.
I would of thouht that having to of had all 3 dogs put too sleep because of Dysplasia ! Would not qualify as been “fit and healthy” !!
Typically, the wolf & wild dogs (and our own domesticated dogs, given the opportunity) will shake out the contents of the stomache of their prey before ingesting it. I’m afraid the one with misinformation is you, Ingrid.
) Hills Science Diet & other foods that vets sell & recommend are just as bad as most “grocery store foods” as well. The ingredient list doesn’t lie. When was the last time you saw a dog or wolf or any other carnivore grazing in a corn field? Your vet gets commission on selling their foods…and there is a VERY good chance your vet took a pet nutrition class taught by these companies as well. Conflict of interest? You make the call… There are some terrific vets out there who will further their research themselves & make their own calls as to what good/bad ingredients & foods are. But they are far & few between. Btw, look at a dogs mouth & teeth. They have CARNIVORE teeth not omnivore. They are classified carnivores as well. These are the facts.
Heather, as a holistic vet, I *HATE* Science Diet and do not recommend it in my practice (I recommend Natura and Wellpet products like Wellness, California Natural, and so on). However, vets do not get a commission for selling Hill’s. I also have a masters degree in biology. Dogs are not classified as strict carnivores. They are in the order Carnivora, but so are bears, red pandas, raccoons, to name a few, all of which are not not strict carnivores.
So Jane, you have eliminated nearly all the popular brands, but I fail to see a recommended replacement. What credentials do you have to convince me that you are knowledgeable enough to make me switch brands? We have a three year old very healthy Schnauzer, and he would eat litterally anything in his bowl, set in front of him. His health is deemed to be
excellent, according to the veterinarian. He advised us to never let him eat chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, nuts, pig ears, chews, milk, chicken, turkeyk ham pork, liver, or deer meat. He may eat; scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt,
cooked hamburger, chicken broth, plain rice, slightly burned toast with peanut butter and honey, velveta cheese and be fed a regular diet of; a good quality DOG food, like Iams, Eukanuba, Purina One, or Pro Plan. HE…..is a doctor with certificates of learning to back him up. I hope you post this so the approved by vet foods can be shared by all.
Who do you think pays for the vets schooling? Do your own research and you would see many of these brands have been recalled several times, are filled with ingredients that do not occur in nature, and many of which have been proven to cause all sorts of health problems in dogs. Walk in to any petstore who cares more about the pets than the bottom line and you will find few brands, but ones that any vet would highly recommend as great foods. Fromm, California Natural, Healthwise, Canine Caviar, and a few others are amazing. My dogs have eaten Fromm for years now, never visit the vet except for vaccinations. As soon as we switched digestive issues and ear infections stopped, overall health and energy improved, and we even got our vet to switch from carrying science diet (who paid to be in his office by the way).
Hello Joe and Thank you for commenting:
I have many recommendations, reviews and choices for upgrading your dog’s diet to a healthier diet, although most of these brands are more expensive as they are better quality as compared to the “grocery store brands” which I have listed here.
The different categories here cover my top recommendations.
A more in depth review of specific dog foods are here
You and your vet are correct about these DANGEROUS AND TOXIC FOODS YOUR SHOULD NEVER FEED YOUR PET , but a homemade dog food diet may include plain, fat free, ground meats such as chicken, turkey, pork and venison. I would not advise ham as it is too salty, and liver very rarely is OK.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes Here.
I just promote healthier diets for dogs, to extend their lives, and am open to your concerns, but my opinions on this website are all backed up by Veteranarians, Specialists and Nutritionists in dog health.
Check out:
Also through out this website I have loads of info about Dog Health and Nutrition available for follow up by anyone willing to look further into the commercial dog food industry and the lies they have been telling us.
The Truth behind the Pet Recall
Vet Secrets by Dr. Andrew Jones, D.V.M.
245 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes
More from Dr. Jones, D.V.M.
Jane
Velveta Joe? Yum Yum…an edible oil product. Seriously maybe look BEYOND your vet.
Jane – very well written. There are so many that think that Hill’s Science Diet is a top quality brand but it truly is crap. The list of ingredients prove that. Can’t argue with facts!!
I couldn’t see the list of references, but here’s one that explicitly states that DOGS ARE CARNIVORES, NOT OMNIVORES. (http://www.rawfed.com/myths/omnivores.html) Just takes a second to find quite a bit of scientific data that proves that point.
Also, Lee was nice enough to be correcting Ingrid, not you, on how to spell Carnivore.
As for Ingrid, if you are going to berate someone for what you think is misinformation you should 1) use spell check, 2) not be so nasty, and 3) back it up with facts and references. Jane – your responses were polite and respectful.
Thank you for posting!
Hi Beth:
Thank you so much – I have that as reference # 4.
I appreciate your comment and hope all is well.
Jane
You leave out a variety of dog food that is on the shelf. It makes me wonder about Iams and others. I would love to see a mid range review done by you. Not all of us can afford to buy those fancy dog foods. Thanks!
Most better dog foods don’t cost much if anymore than other foods. I’m on disability income and I can still afford to feed my dogs a food that is $30 for 40 lbs, and they eat less and have better health than if they ate a popular grocery store brand. And the last bag of Science diet I bought (six years ago) was $60 for a 40lb bag for some comparison.
Hi Lauren:
I appreciate your input, and have targeted specifically the high end dog food and homemade dog food market on this site.
That is not to say I disapprove of anyone not using any of the foods I promote.
I am not about judgement, but do promote education, reading labels and buying within your means.
Any one who loves and nurtures a companion animal is a good person in my book. It’s all about doing the best you can do with what you have available.
Jane
Dogs are not obligate carnivoires! They are omnivoires and scavengers. Cats are obligate carnivoires. I agree with all of the foods listed except for Science Diet. This is an excellent food. As for by products and corn, what do you think is in the stomach and intestine of a dog or wolf’s prey? Grain as the largely kill herbivoires! Get the facts straight before spreading misinformation.
Hi Ingrid
Thanks for commenting
Here are a few references
1 – Canid Genetics
2 – Dog Food Advisor – Opinion Are Dogs Carnivors?
3 – Dogs are Carnivores, by Jeannie Thomason.
4 – Rawfed.com
5 – Myth: DOGS ARE OMNIVORES.
6 – Nature Works – Carnivores
7 – What is a Carnivore?
8 – Vet Balance – Carnivores vs. Ominvores
9 – Op Ed News, Are Dogs Carnivores?
10 – definition – Carnivore
11 – When and where your dog evolved from the wolf
Jane
Ingrid,
Get your facts straight. Science Diet is NOT an excellent food! There is NOT a significant meat protein in that food and the first ingredient listed is corn. NOT AN EXCELLENT FOOD!
I will NEVER feed my dogs that garbage, nor will I EVER refer it to friends, family, or clients!!
*CARNIVORES
Hi Lee
Thanks
Jane
I have fed Pedigree for 25 years and before that I fed Eukanuba. My dogs died between 9-12 years old on Eukanuba and now I have 3 over 14, one at 15 years old and though they are eating canned Pedigree now they are still getting up and down on their own and going outside for potty. I have had 20 dogs over those 25 years as I rescue here in Dade County and many came as older adults and they also lived to very old ages. My friend has a 20 year old Cocker mix who was rescued as a young adult after Hurricane Andrew and tho she does not hear or see very well, she still runs circles through the barn looking for any possible mice that might be hiding every single day. Pedigree.. MUST be the Pedigree.
I fed my German Shepherd Kibbles and bits for 15 years and she loved it….never had any medical problems…we put her down because she had hip problems and incontinence of both urine and stool…She might have liver longer…I miss my Patches.
Susan:
Sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is.
I started reading and reviewing dog food initially because of my beagle, Susie here and more about Susie Here.
15 years is a good long life, and I’m sure there are many happy memories of your life together.
Jane
I do rescue and to feed so many animals, I can’t afford to buy the food I would like to feed… What food would you recommend that is not sky high in price? We feed Purina Dog Chow right now, along with what ever donations we get. So are there any decent foods in the $1 per two pound price range??
Sarah, I work at a vet, and COSTCO dog food is actually one of the best foods in the midrange. It is manufactured by Diamond, which makes decent food, and put into a Costco bag!
yes check out chicken soup for the dog lover good ingredients and also costco makes a good one that is very reasonable….
Hi Sarah:
First of all, Bless you for your rescue work.
I promote the high end dog food here for pampered pets, but do not look down on the angles who are saving our neglected and abused animals. Just giving them a chance at a loving interactive life in a warm comfortable environment is very admirable.
Even though you can’t afford the “best” dog food, maybe try upgrading to Purina Pro Plan which has chicken as the first ingredient. It still contains corn and fillers, but in my opinion, if you can’t afford the more expensive, better quality foods, you should not feel bad, or guilty. If you live near Costco, the Kirkland dog food is slightly better than the Pro Plan, but I am not really sure of the price.
Saving an animal from horrible conditions and early death due to neglect and abuse is much more admirable.
A daily supplement such as this one might be the answer if you can afford it
Keep up the Good Work!
Any suggestions from others to help Sarah would be appreciated.
Jane
Sarah,
Look up Natures Select. No, corn, wheat, soy, or icky fillers. And, its a good price, as well as available to kennel & shelters at a discounted price. We feed it at our facility. It also comes in a good variety of proteins; 50# breeder bags; and you can resell to your adopters.
Wow! I’m so glad I spend the extra $$ for my two purebred English chocolate labs. They get Nutro Ultra for large breed dogs. Their coats are shiny. They are happy. It’s worth spending the extra, believe me.
Elaine – Keep an eye on the ingredients for any changes as they were bought out by MARS Corporation. Not a surprise to many that MARS has acquired other products and slowly the quality deteriorated.
And we wonder why animals are getting as fat as we are!
Meat is supposed to be the first ingredient on the label!
Good luck, that’s why I have started feeding raw meat,bones and fat!
I’ve reported this site to Purina, I hope their lawyers will be contacting you.
Get a life! Stop being a meanie, this site is only helping animals. People like you suck, bashing down others who only have good intentions.
You are kidding yourself if you think this is the only site that talks about how bad purina is (and it is if you look at the ingredients they are horrible) … they have problems with everyone but they bank on those that are uneducated.
Oh please! Do you have shares in this crap company?
I would like to point out that Dogs ARE NOT CARNIVORES!!
Hi Jodene
Here are a few of my references.
1 – Canid Genetics
2 – Dog Food Advisor – Opinion Are Dogs Carnivors?
3 – Dogs are Carnivores, by Jeannie Thomason.
4 – Rawfed.com
5 – Myth: DOGS ARE OMNIVORES.
6 – Nature Works – Carnivores
7 – What is a Carnivore?
8 – Vet Balance – Carnivores vs. Ominvores
9 – Op Ed News, Are Dogs Carnivores?
10 – definition – Carnivore
11 – When and where your dog evolved from the wolf
Jane
I read the book Neanderthin; How To Eat Like a Caveman. which explained how corn is poisonous because it isn’t digested. Google Kellog’s and corn, and dog food, Kellog’s started off making dog food I guess and dogs were dying…interesting stuff.
Yes the listed dog foods are not great foods. Real chicken, beef, and other meat products are the desired protein but dogs can’t process high quanities of protein either…their kidneys will show damage from excessively high protein after years of too much. That’s why a balanced diet is the only way to raise dogs.
Hi Laura:
There are different schools of thought on the high protein myth for dogs. Vets are not trained nutritionists, and actually have very few hours of classes in animal nutrition. What they learn in school is mainly nutrition from the big commercial companies, who are then promoted through the vet.
Here are two recent studies debunking the high protein myth, from two different accredited Schools.
Myths of high protein – Kenneth C. Bovée, DVM, MMedSc
Department of Clinical Studies
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
and
Effects of High Protein on Renal Function – Delmar R. Finco, DVM, PhD
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
DOGS ARE NOT CARNAVOIRES THEY ARE OMNIOVIRES ….GOOD GOSH….A PERSON WRITTING A ARTICLE ON DOG FOOD AND YOU DON’T KNOW THAT DOGS ARE OMNIVOIRES … CATS ARE CARNIVORES.
Laura- you are an omnivore… Look in your mouth and see that your teeth are very different from you dogs. Next give your dog a chopped up carrot then wait wait look at the poop and you will find carrot. They can’t digest that. Where did you get your information anyways? Stop writing in CAPS you don’t need to yell. I DISAGREE WITH YOU 100%!!
Good book- Foods pets die for
i personally now feed mostly human grade food..and a mix w taste of the wild..however in the past in my days of less budget..i have fed purina dog chow..i may have just been lucky but my last 3 large breed dogs lived well past the “normal” expected..age..
one shepherd was 17
one was 15
last one had degenerative myopathy and there is no known cause for that one..lots of people i discussed his illness with fed very “high end’ food..and same..he was 10 when we put him down..as his condition just got tooo bad and hard for him to exist..
so not sure if these brands have changed their formulas over the years to be cheaper to manufacture or if they are the same?
i have heard the first ingredient should not be corn so since i’ve learned that..thats how i decide..but thanks for making me aware of these other ingredients!
Hi, i just wanted to know what your thoughts were on Halo dog food. I’ve been feeding my girls Halo for close to a year now, after dogs were getting sick from purina, which at the time i had been feeding my first pup that for many years. After the recall, i was looking for the best thing i could feed them & came upon Halo. I know its better than a lot others out there, but i guess what i want to know if there’s something even better (Home cooked food) for example. Thanks for any help on the subject.
As a dog groomer it sometimes feels like an uphill battle trying to get people to believe that the “BIG Name” brands are not good for their dogs!