Diet and Nutrition

[Squirt's Mom]

I want to start a thread devoted to canine nutrition where we can discuss diet, dog foods, share links, anything nutrition/diet related. A place to share our experiences, tips, interesting or helpful links. Each of our babies is an individual and as such each has a unique system so bear in mind, what works for one does not mean it will work for all.

To quote Dr. Donald Strombeck, "Diet is the most important consideration in a pet's care; it determines health and life expectancy."

So, to kick this thread off, here are some links I (and others on the old thread at cc.net) have gathered on the subject:

BMD Health Library*
http://www.bestbeau.ca/bmd_health_links_4.htm
(scroll down for Dog Food Information)

Research on dog foods
http://www.dogtorj.net/

Primal pet foods-raw available
http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

Pet Diets – consults available
http://www.petdiets.com/

Catherine Lane
http://www.thepossiblecanine.com/

Cat’s discussion group
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/T...ine-Nutrition/

Monica Segal
http://www.monicasegal.com/

Monica’s discussion group
http://www.doggiedietician.com/aboutus/discussions.php

Diet/Recipes for Cancer in dogs
http://www.caninecancerawareness.org/html/Diet.html

Pet Nutrition Principles
http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/nbasics.html

[Lulusmom]

Here's another link to a pretty good site.

http://dogaware.com/

[Tamarah]

I've wondered about diet and metabolism changes with the cushing. Our vet didn't seem to think that changing Crash's diet was anything we needed to worry about now. We have a new heathy pet market that has opened in town - maybe I should research some options.

[BestBuddy]

I know that home cooking means you can be sure of exactly what is in your dogs food but I had no success with it. I also worried that I didn't have all the right ingredients and Buddy's diabetes was always messed up with home cooked. Maybe if I had tried a bit harder to get it right but I just felt that everyday that Buddy's BG was out of control was a strain on his already compromised system.

I had guilt that by feeding a commercial canned food that I wasn't doing all I could for him but in the end the commercial food was one he would eat and it worked well with the insulin. It wasn't the time or the expense of home cooking but the fact that he did better on the commercial canned food.

So if you are like me you need to weigh up all aspects and make your own decision on what to feed.

It's smart to be knowledgeable about dog food but in my opinion you have to decide if it is better for your dog not just your conscience.

Jenny

[Squirt's Mom]

Home cooking isn't for everyone just as raw feeding isn't for everyone. There are pros and cons to every feeding choice, supporters and naysayers, fact and myth. The most important factor in feeding is the dog.

Crys has done well on Innova puppy canned then they changed the formula and ingredients. She ended up with diarrhea. I noticed the label was different but the store owner told me the company said the ingredients were the same. He has always led me straight so I bought the new label. After she got sick, I got an old can out of the recycle bin and compared labels. Different order, new ingredients, ie different and it didn't settle well with her at all! So I took them back and exchanged for some Wellness and Chicken Soup for dogs. Wellness is a no go and she isn't all that fond of the Chicken Soup (or the Innova Lamb kibble all of a sudden ). So I'm wagging my little ole' label around with me trying to get as close to the old Innova ingredient list and analysis as I can. The store carries Solid Gold but not for puppies and I don't want to move her to adult feed until she is a year old. So I stand in the aisles and study labels. Jim can't understand why it takes me so long to buy dog food!

[BestBuddy]

I do understand the standing in the aisle and reading all the dog food labels. Before Buddy and his problems I used to buy the dog food on special but I do know that they are not all created equal. Even the same ingredients in a different order on the labels means a change in composition so it is different. We don't have the same choices as those in the US here in Australia but it is getting better.

I even scrutinize the human food to see where the ingredients come from and where it is made. I do not knowingly purchase anything that has any links to Chinese ingredients or processing. I have thrown out most of the dog toys as they were made in China too.

It's hard trying to do the right thing.

Jenny

[frijole]

Originally Posted by Squirt's Mom

The store carries Solid Gold but not for puppies and I don't want to move her to adult feed until she is a year old. So I stand in the aisles and study labels. Jim can't understand why it takes me so long to buy dog food!

Leslie,

I have had my 2 on Solid Gold foods for almost 10 yrs. When I moved I could no longer get it locally. I went to their home page and found the regional distributor, in my case out of MN. They ship it to me direct! I send them an email saying - time for a reorder and they ship the same thing, billing the same card and I have it the next day on my doorstep. Sweet.

Kim

[Squirt's Mom]

That China stuff really scares me, now, Jenny. I wasn't paying attention and bought some salmon for Squirt that was a product of China. I have a neat little sheet that tells what to look for in buying fish; I very carefully studied it and the choices I had and got the wrong one anyway! She had diarrhea right off! I ended up throwing the whole batch out along with the rest of the salmon. I make SURE now the fish and everything else I use is from somewhere else!

Thanks, Kim! In looking at their site, it looks like they don't have a puppy food, it is for ALS - all life stages like the Canidae. hmmmmmm I know this is a good feed; if I can't find a better puppy food I may go ahead and start this...if it works for her. I'll have to check prices to see if it costs less to order a case online or if the store is cheaper. They have been on Innova products! That surprised me!

Here is the link to the Solid Gold home page: http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/ in case anyone else is interested.

Hugs,
Leslie

[Squirt's Mom]

Here's a link about the commercial feed reviews from The Whole Dog Journal on dry and canned:

http://www.geocities.com/rottndobie/...ogjournal.html

[Squirt's Mom]

Another good nutrition discussion group:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Nutrition/

Also, a link on food ratings:
http://www.petfoodratings.net/

Leslie