NunnLM
Peshastin, Wa. USA
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Joined: 07/27/2003
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I feed mine Wellness. It doesn't have any by-products in it. I have only been able to find it at feed stores.
Laurie
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Karen 1031
santa barbara county, CA
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Joined: 03/08/2003
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i've tried it all with a variety of breeds, giant to tiny..Innova gets my vote, with 'human-quality' ingredients. think someone mentioned California Natural, that's from Innova, for allergy-sensitive dogs.
i've fed the various Innovas to several breeds/ages now..with zero negative reactions. can't say that for any other food tried.
for whatever that's worth,
Karen
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pyrographer
New Mexico
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Joined: 01/28/2001
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Over the years I have used many different foods, most all were the premium commercial dog foods. Several years ago I developed health problems and began studying about natural health alternatives. Shortly after that one of my dogs developed serious aggressive behavior. Nothing could be found so I started doing research and discovered that many of the chemical additives in dog food caused allergies, aggressive behavior and more. I stopped using them and started making my own dog food and within days her behavior improved to the point that she was like a totally new dog.
Since then I have researched many natural dog foods and tried most of them. I have since settled on Flint River Ranch and it works very well. I am actively involved with Pet Therapy with my 3 golden retrievers and soon to be therapy dog, our new 3 legged lab pup. I am a licensed instructor and evaluator for Delta Society and feel that my experience and training as a naturopath has helped me understand more about how dog food can impact on the health of an animal. Chemicals such as BHA, BHT and ethyoxiquin are known to cause serious health problems, but they continue to be added to dog foods, treats, etc. Your dog may appear to be health and doing well, but the continual build up in the system may not show up for years. My dog was about 8 years old and in perfect health until one day she snapped for no reason. Attacked her lifelong playmate and went after me for absolutely no reason. All tests proved negative and the amazing part was that within days of detoxifying her body and changing her food, she was like a puppy again. When I had our business (naturopathy) I lost many customers who came to me with problems concerning their dogs. First thing I usually did was tell them to change their diet to something without the chemical. Most, if not all of the incidents, they called to say they didn't need my help anymore, that the food solved the problem.
The other issue about dog food is shelf life. Most dog foods are manufactured one place, packed someplace else, sent to a warehouse, shipped to a distributor, shipped to a local store where it then sits on a shelf. There's no idea how long it sits. Also, you cannot be sure that your dog food does not contain these chemical additives because there are no laws regulating the labeling. If the food is manufactured in one place and packed in another they do not have to have the additives listed on the label. YOu have to rely on the company to tell you if it's there. Usually if the company does not add it, they will boast about it on the label.
Why I liked Flint River Ranch is that I can call and order it directly from the company and have it shipped right to my door and it doesn't matter where we are, we get it shipped. You know it's fresh because it doesn't sit on anyone's shelf and you buy direct from the company. There are a lot of websites out there for distributors selling Flint River Ranch, but it's better to get set up with them and buy direct from them. Anyone interested, let me know and I'll give you their toll free number to call direct.
Nedra Denison
Alan & Nedra
Toby & Myah, Shetland Sheepdogs who think they are golden retrievers
2007 Holiday Rambler Neptune 36PDQ Diesel Pusher
2005 Suzuki XL7 4x4 toad
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big ben
SW Florida
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Joined: 04/30/2002
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We feed Purina One . Used High Pro Till I went onn the road full time. Been able to get Purina One all over.Our GSP is 10 ane wood put his condition up against mosttt 4 or5 yr olds. Like most things on these forums ,It is a matter of choice.
Ben & Jean
Tick a GSP
Full time since 1995
Spending the summer in Utah
2002 39' Winnabago Jouney DL
330 Cat
2005 GMC 4X4 PU
2 Yamaha Kodiak ATVs
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kaywalsh
Fresno, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/07/2002
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I'm old. For years, we fed every animal on the farm some form of Purina Chow until the mid-1990s. Cats that avoided accidents lived to 12-14; dogs to 15-17.
Then there was some pseudo-scientific awakening. (I have to wonder how much was science and how much was marketing.) My new vet said I should change my 18-year-old dog from Purina Dog Chow to some yuppie dog food with DUCK protein that she would sell for roughly a thousand dollars a bag. I have to admit that I snorted at that. And gosh, she was right--my beloved old man only lived to 20.
My young dogs today (the 5-year-olds) are on "premium" food mainly because it promises I'll have less poop to pick up. They're both strong, trim, and healthy, but the problem I see is that the lack of filler leaves them feeling hungry. What if you're healthy but not happy?
I think most of the current fad diets for dogs won't really do the dog any harm, because the major factor in longevity is taking the pet for care when it shows symptoms of distress and people who get into these fads also give their dogs very good veterinary care.
Cynical as I am--I think people should be aware of the difference between commercially availably Science Diet foods (which aren't a great bargain) and Science Diet Prescription foods.
Last year, my 14-year-old Siberian became so demented that he'd attack my little Aussie and I'd come home at night to find the little guy hiding in the bathtub so that Nikita couldn't reach him. Sometimes Nik would lose track of what he was doing right in the middle of it and just stand there crying. I thought it was all over for him.
My vet put Nikita on Elavil and Science Diet prescription Brain Diet. Now Nik is frisky even though he's elderly and obese. I don't know if it's the Elavil or the Brain Diet, but he's happy and functioning well so I wouldn't change either of them.
Everybody has a different experience, but don't reject the prescription Science Diet just because you didn't like the commercial Science Diet. They are different.
all best--Kay
k
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Karen 1031
santa barbara county, CA
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Joined: 03/08/2003
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Hi Kay,
i'm curious what xtra ingredients are in the 'brain diet' formula..if not too much trouble, would you share the non-regular-food parts?
thanks,
Karen, glad to hear of Nikita's improvement
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pyrographer
New Mexico
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I doubt that it's the "Brain diet". More than likely it is the Elavil. I'd love to know what they put in the food. It is probably something like Ginkgo, which aids in circulation to the brain which is one of the causes of dementia. The other possibility is DMAE which also helps with memory.
Vets push Science Diet because that's what they all sell, doesn't make it better. I still don't like dog foods (Science Diet included) that have all those chemical additives.
Nedra
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jdepinto
Canton, IL
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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I agree with BCSnob. We feed Diamond to our dogs . Have done so for years. We currently have 7 dogs. The savings is great. I actually think that Diamond is better that the high priced brands.
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cccsmc
Chester, VT
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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I have to agree that *some* vets are biased according to what they are taught in school...somebody gave me this tip once and after having a few experiences with vets just out of school, I found the same thing. It's almost like they were reading out of a book or stating verbatim what the dog food manufacturer told them. Not convincing enough for me since I like to do my homework.
We had a wonderful German Shepard (who has passed on now) which we fed Eukanuba, then Iams. Both caused allergy problems which may have just been unique to my dog/breed. Tried Science Diet and a few others and still had skin problems. A friend and experienced dog owner mentioned "Eagle Pack" to me. I found a nearby store and slowly switched my dog over. It was amazing. His allergies went away, his coat was shinier, healthier and he shed less. Ever since then I'm absolutely sold on the quality of Eagle Pack. I now have a 1 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback and he's been on it his whole life. They carry a large breed puppy formula that is great. It's not just a marketing scam, like others that market "large breed formula's". I've switched a few of our friends over to Eagle Pack if they mention allergies or problems with other food and immediately they notice a positive change. Eagle Pack isn't always easy to find...luckily a local store carries it for us and I pay $28-35 for a 33lb bag. Otherwise I could drive 45 minutes to get it or order online. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned Eagle Pack as I'd like to know others experiences with it. The website is http://www.eaglepack.com if anyone else is interested in taking a look at this product. I'm not affiliated with it in any way...I just love the product!
Cynthia & Scott
Rhodesian Ridgeback (Tyson)-2 year old pup
2004 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Duramax (LLY)/Allison
2004 Cedar Creek Fifth Wheel - 30rkbs
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David Kujala
Commerce,Mi
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Joined: 10/13/2003
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I have fed science diet for years untill I found out what was in it & not in it. Take a look at this great food I found, my 10 year old lab is like a puppy again!!
www.healthypetproducts.com
Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Dogs contains only fresh, natural, wholesome ingredients. It provides 100% complete nutrition.
This premium health food is a high antioxidant formula and contains 3 sources of superior protein ... chicken meal, egg and fish meal plus carrots, apples and more.
There is no corn, wheat, dairy, by-products, artificial colors or flavors in Life's Abundance.
Do You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food?
Listen to a 12 Minute Presentation
by Dr. Jane Bicks,
a Highly Respected & Nationally Recognized Holistic Veterinarian & Formulator
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