Dog Food
After reading a couple books on dog food diets etc. and another few books on dogs health. One happened to be written by Dr. Foster & Smith.
The subject is confusing but this is what I ended up going with.
Dr. Foster & Smith signature series dog food.
The subject is confusing but this is what I ended up going with.
Dr. Foster & Smith signature series dog food.
Last edited by Jon on Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Coveyrise64
- Rank: 5X Champion
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- Location: Oklahoma
I swithed to Black Gold close to the end of last year and I love it, the dogs seem to love it and they look really good on it. Another guy and I are now dealers of it so we get it at wholesale price, can't beat that for the number of dogs we are feeding between the two of us. We go get a pallet load at a time and we split it 1/3 2/3 and we're both happy. We switch off who drives this time vs. who drove last time and whoever doesn't drive that trip gets to buy lunch. Works out well for both of us.Addict wrote:I switched to Black Gold in the black bag. The dogs always have tons of energy.
It's a good feed, I think Tak use to use it too but the price got too high for him I think. We kinda stumbled into it when we went to a place about 50 miles away to look for a dog box that we thought he might have, we got to chatting with the guy and left with 10 bags to try out (we did buy them of course) then later bought a pallet load of it, then another a few months later, then another later and so on.
This fall/winter will be our first full huntign season with the stuff, we store it in our hunting clubhouse and we are hoping our regulars will pick up a few bags and then et it through us alot, if not we are still getting a high quality dog food at a great price. if we sell a fulll pallet load over the winter we'll recover our fuel cost of going to get it, but if we don't we are still coming out ahead.
This fall/winter will be our first full huntign season with the stuff, we store it in our hunting clubhouse and we are hoping our regulars will pick up a few bags and then et it through us alot, if not we are still getting a high quality dog food at a great price. if we sell a fulll pallet load over the winter we'll recover our fuel cost of going to get it, but if we don't we are still coming out ahead.
- Wagonmaster
- GDF Junkie
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- Location: Minneapolis, MN
i went back to Euk also. keeps weight on, and although I am not a show person, I do like the richness of the coats on Euk. i will support as long as they get out of that HSUS arrangement.
about two years ago I took my youngest son to one of the Euk sponsored agility shows, because he loves dogs so much. the agility dogs were really something, and my son had alot of fun, but both of us were turned off by the big HSUS display. They had a trailer the size of a large camper, with big screens, and were displaying their shots of mistreated animals. it was pretty disgusting, and put a damper on the whole show as far as i was concerned.
about two years ago I took my youngest son to one of the Euk sponsored agility shows, because he loves dogs so much. the agility dogs were really something, and my son had alot of fun, but both of us were turned off by the big HSUS display. They had a trailer the size of a large camper, with big screens, and were displaying their shots of mistreated animals. it was pretty disgusting, and put a damper on the whole show as far as i was concerned.
- mountaindogs
- GDF Junkie
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Here's the first six ingredients for Science Diet:
"Meal" means that the ingrediant is already dried and ground before it is weighed. Because ingredients are listed in the order of the most weight, be sure that you can spot the ones that were weighed in the wet form versus the dry form, and know that water is processed out of the food.
You be the judge.
Here's the first seven for Canidae:Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver Flavor
Here's the first six for Pro Plan:Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Herring Meal
Chicken, brewers rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E)
"Meal" means that the ingrediant is already dried and ground before it is weighed. Because ingredients are listed in the order of the most weight, be sure that you can spot the ones that were weighed in the wet form versus the dry form, and know that water is processed out of the food.
You be the judge.
- Steven
Justus Kennels.com
Justus James Ayres SH CGC - Justus - Rest in Peace, buddy.
Wind River's JK Clara Belle - Belle
Wind River's JK Black Tie Affair - Tux
Justus Kennels.com
Justus James Ayres SH CGC - Justus - Rest in Peace, buddy.
Wind River's JK Clara Belle - Belle
Wind River's JK Black Tie Affair - Tux
A meal is actually better than a straight ingredient because it means that there is more of that ingredient in the final product. I steer clear of "by-product" ingredients as well, but I believe that they are actually not bad from a nutritional standpoint.
"By-product" to us means innards and other things that are processed out of meats designed for the table. When you find a fresh kill in the wild though, notice that the innards are the first thing that is eaten by the predator. They're packed with nutrition.
"By-product" to us means innards and other things that are processed out of meats designed for the table. When you find a fresh kill in the wild though, notice that the innards are the first thing that is eaten by the predator. They're packed with nutrition.
- Steven
Justus Kennels.com
Justus James Ayres SH CGC - Justus - Rest in Peace, buddy.
Wind River's JK Clara Belle - Belle
Wind River's JK Black Tie Affair - Tux
Justus Kennels.com
Justus James Ayres SH CGC - Justus - Rest in Peace, buddy.
Wind River's JK Clara Belle - Belle
Wind River's JK Black Tie Affair - Tux
- kninebirddog
- GDF Premier Member!
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- Location: Coolidge AZ
It really depends on a compnay about by products even the FDA tells you By products are what people discard which generally has more protein sources...By products in quality foods are not the feathers becks and that kind of junk they are the cleaned innerards of animals
Now what really should be of concern is when a food does NOT label what kind of meat...you can be getting any striated muscle that was thrown in to a vat..which some companys back in 2001 showed the same chemicals which they euthansize dogs and cats with...these labels say Meat this is often confused as beef if it was only beef it could and would be labeled as such
now corn though yes as a ground corn though is a filler when processed can and does have some nutritional value ...you have to look at the food also about the ground corn many of your low budget dog foods do not ground down and process they grind down to sand size and this here is not digestable
..Whole ground corn this is literally the whole cob ground down this has roughage but no nutritional value at all
Next you need to look at the Kcal per cup value your food has protien and fat are also important but it is the caloric value where you will find how much your dog needs and burns for energy
here is a link to a comparison http://www.kninebirddog.com/Information ... mparew.pdf
Also when a bag says Real Chicken or what ever meat source they are using...FYI for instance Chicken ...it takes 5 pounds of chicken to make 1 pound of chicken meal
also some companies have gone as far as labeling their By Products such as cartiledge saying it is a natural source of glucosamine thing its yes alot of your By Products are sources of Natural Glucosamime but they do not equate in to the amount worth beable to measure it is just a fancy way to get away with making people think they are getting more for their money
Now what really should be of concern is when a food does NOT label what kind of meat...you can be getting any striated muscle that was thrown in to a vat..which some companys back in 2001 showed the same chemicals which they euthansize dogs and cats with...these labels say Meat this is often confused as beef if it was only beef it could and would be labeled as such
now corn though yes as a ground corn though is a filler when processed can and does have some nutritional value ...you have to look at the food also about the ground corn many of your low budget dog foods do not ground down and process they grind down to sand size and this here is not digestable
..Whole ground corn this is literally the whole cob ground down this has roughage but no nutritional value at all
Next you need to look at the Kcal per cup value your food has protien and fat are also important but it is the caloric value where you will find how much your dog needs and burns for energy
here is a link to a comparison http://www.kninebirddog.com/Information ... mparew.pdf
Also when a bag says Real Chicken or what ever meat source they are using...FYI for instance Chicken ...it takes 5 pounds of chicken to make 1 pound of chicken meal
also some companies have gone as far as labeling their By Products such as cartiledge saying it is a natural source of glucosamine thing its yes alot of your By Products are sources of Natural Glucosamime but they do not equate in to the amount worth beable to measure it is just a fancy way to get away with making people think they are getting more for their money
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"When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure its a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them." Tom Dorrance
If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, try using the door.
- Donnerhund GWP
- Rank: Junior Hunter
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RabbitBeagle
Here is a link that you can compare dog food and you can click onto each ingredient to inform you the reason that ingredient goes into they're dog food.
http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=comp-wiz
Here is a link that you can compare dog food and you can click onto each ingredient to inform you the reason that ingredient goes into they're dog food.
http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=comp-wiz
Billy
"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change"
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=147
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=152
"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change"
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=147
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=152
- mountaindogs
- GDF Junkie
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- Location: TN
Well, I found NUTRO and switched the dogs to it (hi-energy 30,20), and ended up feeding 2 scoops to the dogs that were doing well on 1 scoop of pro-pac (30,20). So I switched back to pro-pack and am really liking it. The dogs look good on it, and I don't have to feed much at all. Only problem is finding it. Have to drive about an hour to buy it (but then have to drive the same to buy NUTRO, Pro-plan, or any other higher quality food ).
So I switch my vote to "OTHER" and so far reccomend pro-pac. Haven't tried sportmix, as there is no comparable high protein fat mix. (26/15 or 24/20) One is a little lower fat and one is below 26% protein which I try to keep all the adult working dogs above.
So I switch my vote to "OTHER" and so far reccomend pro-pac. Haven't tried sportmix, as there is no comparable high protein fat mix. (26/15 or 24/20) One is a little lower fat and one is below 26% protein which I try to keep all the adult working dogs above.
I was on Iams until I found a dealer of Black Gold near me. I can buy three 40 lb bags for the price of 1.5 bags of Iams. Guinness' coat hasn't been this shiny since he was a pup, and he is full of good fun energy. I buy the black bag. I give 3-4 high protein puppy treats throughout the day. He also has a lot less waste! Less waste means more of the nutrition is being absorbed into his body. Waste is a sure sign of how your dogs body is taking in the nutrients...
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- GDF Junkie
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I watched and listened to my father mix the feed in the mill with all of the ingredients going in. I was always told how purinas standards and quality were above everyones. I would not call it quality control, sure everything was documented, and my father did that as well. Not saying that they are any worse than other feed mills, but I am also not going to pay for what they call quality ingredients and quality control. Just my thoughts.
LVRGSP
LVRGSP
Lvrgsp,
You just posted a post that says nothing. You were very evasive before and were asked to clarify what you meant and again you posted and didn't say a thing that would give anyone a clue what was wrong with the feed. If there isn't anything then I hate to see a company disparraged for nothing.
Ezzy
You just posted a post that says nothing. You were very evasive before and were asked to clarify what you meant and again you posted and didn't say a thing that would give anyone a clue what was wrong with the feed. If there isn't anything then I hate to see a company disparraged for nothing.
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2511
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:12 am
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Ezzy,
You are absolutely correct I was very vague in my explanation. I do not intend to disparrage anyone.
Tak I am sorry I will not go into further detail about there food processing . Also I hope anyone who feeds Purina products likes them and experiences good things from them.
Purina does have probably the greatest animal research center in the world. It is also a controlled environment.
As of now I feed Black Gold and like it.
LVRGSP
You are absolutely correct I was very vague in my explanation. I do not intend to disparrage anyone.
Tak I am sorry I will not go into further detail about there food processing . Also I hope anyone who feeds Purina products likes them and experiences good things from them.
Purina does have probably the greatest animal research center in the world. It is also a controlled environment.
As of now I feed Black Gold and like it.
LVRGSP
And I'll quarantee you that Black Gold is processed just like Purina and every other dog food.
Ezzy
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
I agree. They are all pretty much alike as everyone is limited to the same ingredients that are available.
See ya,
Ezzy
See ya,
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
- big steve46
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 1402
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:50 pm
- Location: S. Illinois
Switched from Iams to Exceed. Until Iams totally washes their hands, I will not buy any more of their product.
Besides, the dog loves the Exceed.
Besides, the dog loves the Exceed.
We have done something with nothing for so long we are now qualified to do everything with anything....
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=275
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=520
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=275
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=520
- Trapper
- Rank: Junior Hunter
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:27 am
- Location: New Brunswick Canada
Pro Plan C&R. Nice firm small poops. And Jazz says the poop even tastes great. *barf*
PointFlushRetrieve.com - Personal Gun Dog Blog- Are You Ready? Is your gun dog ready
I used to feed Kasco and it was a good food. I think they have changed it some since then but I'm sure it is still a good food.
You can pay anything you want for dog food. What you pay or whether the food is called a premium food has little to do with the quality of the food. There are different formulas that use different ingredients and consequently ther cost is different. Though it happens quite rarely a dog can have problems with a certain ingredient so the different formulas normally allow you to find something that will work for most any dog.
Find a food that is near 26% protien and fairly low fiber and you are probably going to be ok for a working dog. Fat content should also be fairly high. When the dog is just laying around home it doesn't need that quality of food but most people find it easier to just cut back on the amount they feed rather than change feed.
The true test of a good food is if it is readily available, you can afford it, and the pup likes it and is doing well on it. The rest is mostly marketing hype.
Ezzy
You can pay anything you want for dog food. What you pay or whether the food is called a premium food has little to do with the quality of the food. There are different formulas that use different ingredients and consequently ther cost is different. Though it happens quite rarely a dog can have problems with a certain ingredient so the different formulas normally allow you to find something that will work for most any dog.
Find a food that is near 26% protien and fairly low fiber and you are probably going to be ok for a working dog. Fat content should also be fairly high. When the dog is just laying around home it doesn't need that quality of food but most people find it easier to just cut back on the amount they feed rather than change feed.
The true test of a good food is if it is readily available, you can afford it, and the pup likes it and is doing well on it. The rest is mostly marketing hype.
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
- zodiakgsps
- Rank: Master Hunter
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:47 pm
- Location: Erie PA
I have been feeding two different purina foods. Hi-Pro and Pro-Plan. We used to feed Diamond until one of our females developed an allergy to the food, and she would clear a room with her gas. Switched the 3 inside dogs to Pro-Plan and they are doing really well on it, and the gas is gone also.
GSP's are like potato chips - - - - - you can't have just one.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=288
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=289
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=288
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=289