Which food do you feed?

[helps]

We're feeding Earthborn holistic Primitive Natural and my sheltie is full of energy, looking all pretty, having the great shiny coat and tiny poos. I couldn't ask for more. But it depends on your decisions whether to feed your dog w/ high protein food only less or lower protein food and give him more. All I can say is that every dog is an individual, but I've read great reviews on this one. Also my always picky dog takes this dry food even as a reward
http://www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/us/dog_formulas/primitive_natural/

If you decide to go with low protein, I'd either go w/ Taste of the wild or try raw meat. Once per week my dog usually gets raw meat, too and he's loving it..

 

[Lacey'sMamma]

You're not going to find a happy anything when you're dealing qith processed foods. Processed food, no matter what price per bag, all have some good things and mostly bad things.

I strongly disagree on the "mostly bad things and only few good things". I'm just guessing that you have no done any research on any of the foods most of us use. I agree that raw is better than any kibble, only if you know how to properly prepare it. There are many nutreints and minerals that are insufficent in only raw meat. For most of us, having to worrie about supplementing everything or feeding foods that contain all these nutrients, is to much hassle. The foods most of us feed are the most top quaility foods on the market. I strongly encourage you to go on Orijen, Acana, or Innova EVO just to name a few, and look at the ingredients. You yourself might even consider feeding raw alongside with one of these foods!

 

[marymrumfelt]

Feeding a raw diet is actually very simple. It just comes down to meat, bones, and organs. They don't need anything else. No supplements or anything. I certainly don't consider feeding my carnivore a species appropriate diet too much of a hassle. Follow the prey model diet and that's all you'll ever need to give your dog. It's considerably more simple than you're putting it. I can give you a ton of info you're ever interested in researching the prey model.

Of course I've done research on the majority of brands that are discussed in this session. What other brands would I be researching? I looked into the majority of brands discussed in this thread alone and just found mostly the same bad things occurring, and occasionally a good ingredient. It's also the ingredients that AREN'T on the bag that worry me. No processed food will ever be perfect. It's just not possible for processed food to be healthy. I wish it were as it would make me feel better about eating frozen things or packaged things.

But in the end, most people would still prefer to rely on a bag of dog food, which is fine, but I feel like sometimes it can lead to looking for something that you won't ever find. I know it did for me at least when I spent a week researching brands for about four hours a day and ended up being discouraged at the end of every day.

 

[graydawntreader]

I think you can help with protein percentages in a food by mixing it with water. A raw diet is actually about 20% protein because it's so high in water content, so I imagine it's similar with the food. Don't quote me on that, though. XP

Feeding a raw diet is actually very simple. It just comes down to meat, bones, and organs. They don't need anything else. No supplements or anything.

I agree. It can be a bit overwhelming in the research stage and when first starting out because you get so worked up about the what-ifs, but I've been feeding raw for about 2 1/2 years and it is rather simple. Not always convenient for me, but not too tough to do either.

 

[KarenCurtis]

Of course I've done research on the majority of brands that are discussed in this session. What other brands would I be researching? I looked into the majority of brands discussed in this thread alone and just found mostly the same bad things occurring, and occasionally a good ingredient. It's also the ingredients that AREN'T on the bag that worry me. No processed food will ever be perfect. It's just not possible for processed food to be healthy. I wish it were as it would make me feel better about eating frozen things or packaged things.

I find the above statement curious, and non specific. The same bad things occurring, such as?
I also find it a generalization, and a promotion of feeding raw- most people don't find it practical, for various reasons. I feel very satisfied feeding Sandstorm a good quality kibble, and the evidence of that satisfaction is knowing that his parents, grandparents, and great grandparents mostly lived until age 15. That is one reason why I bought him.

 

[mbfrench]

I find the above statement curious, and non specific. The same bad things occurring, such as?
I also find it a generalization, and a promotion of feeding raw- most people don't find it practical, for various reasons. I feel very satisfied feeding Sandstorm a good quality kibble, and the evidence of that satisfaction is knowing that his parents, grandparents, and great grandparents mostly lived until age 15. That is one reason why I bought him.

I agree with you totally Karen.Raw feeding is not for everyone,and is not practical for many reasons.Whether it be space to freeze or just the pure thought of feeding raw. It's not for everyone.

It always seems when a food thread is discussed,it always leans back to feeding raw is THE solution.Well its not.Which is one of the reasons,I do not post in threads as these,as the debate of foods is mind boggling.

I'm all for "if it ain't broke..don't fix it"

For us,and many here,feeding kibble,and the majority do feed a high end kibble,and feel satisfied that thier dogs are getting what they need.For some,(us included) we feed based on the best quality of kibble we can afford,we moniter the health & well being of each of these dogs daily.

If something is amiss,like lately with Jasper,we fix it.So the solution is not always raw.I don't mean to discount the benefits of raw,it just is not always the answer.

 

[KarenCurtis]

I agree with you totally Karen.Raw feeding is not for everyone,and is not practical for many reasons.Whether it be space to freeze or just the pure thought of feeding raw. It's not for everyone.

It always seems when a food thread is discussed,it always leans back to feeding raw is THE solution.Well its not.Which is one of the reasons,I do not post in threads as these,as the debate of foods is mind boggling.

I'm all for "if it ain't broke..don't fix it"

For us,and many here,feeding kibble,and the majority do feed a high end kibble,and feel satisfied that thier dogs are getting what they need.For some,(us included) we feed based on the best quality of kibble we can afford,we moniter the health & well being of each of these dogs daily.

If something is amiss,like lately with Jasper,we fix it.So the solution is not always raw.I don't mean to discount the benefits of raw,it just is not always the answer.

I usually don't like to get into food debates either! But the fact that Sandstorms lineage has a history of long lives says something about quality kibble, I think. My son lives on pb and jelly and string cheese. Ocasionally he will have a processed chicken patty. He's never sick, LOL !!! I would feel bad if I cooked better for my dog than my son!! But Sandstorm will eat anything- son would rather drink soda. He is 21, not much I can do!!

 

[Ann]

I agree that raw is not the solution for everyone. My holistic vet actually recommends against it, because he says he's had too many clients get salmonella from handling it. He believes good quality kibble is every bit as healthy for our dogs, and in my experience, that has certainly been the case. I tried raw at one point for Pixie when she had digestive issues with colitis, and it didn't do anything for her. She didn't even like it much.

We also travel a fair amount with our dogs to shows, and the prospect of trying to manage a raw diet while on the road is daunting. It just is not practical.

I'm very happy for those here who have success feeding raw, but I do find myself resenting the attitude that it's the holy grail of canine nutrition. Please remember that it is not the only answer.

 

[BarbV]

Chiming in here, because this is the thread that I started....raw is not on the table for me.

I can imagine that it might be good nutrition, perhaps, but my lifestyle just does not accomodate it.

What I was after was good quality kibble.

What I've found is that the kibble that my boys are on seems to be pretty good food, even though I'm not happy with the results. I emailed the nutrionist at my pet food chain with my specific requirements (Pet Value). It will be interesting to see what he comes back with.

More research on dogs with liver issues is still inconclusive, and I'm not sure how to translate this into what is the right food:

- Too high protein = too high level of ammonia that the dog can't deal with
- Too low protein and the body itself starts to break down.
- Need high quality proteins for the body to repair itself and it must be easily digested and absorbed. Where do you find a high quality protein??? One school of thought is for dogs with liver problems the proteins should come from eggs and dairy instead of meat.
- carbs cannot be overly processed either - need complex carbs (not sure what those are, but rice and past seem to fit the bill.

And the most interesting tidbit of all.....ingesting a toxic substance can cause a temporary liver imbalance. Ya'll know about Bacca and his dope eating habits????? The house and Bacca have been clean for almost a year now.

I think its time to get him restested. And then decide on food

But yes, still fat, so green beans and carrots coming, boys!

 

[Emmasmom]

I'd be interested in hearing what you hear back from Pet Valu. That's where I do most of the shopping for dog food.