Processed Dog Food

[Keats]

There's been a lot of discussion about processed pet foods over recent years. I've come to the conclusion that commercial dog food is "fast food" for dogs. Just as I wouldn't give myself a Big Mac with fries each and every morning and the same each night so I re-thought how I should feed my dogs.

It's very easy to be drawn in by statements such as "complete and balanced" on sacks of dog food and to believe that to buy commercial food sold by vets has to be good.

I fed my dogs last two dogs a species appropriate, nutritionally balanced raw food diet of meat, chicken, fruit, and vegetables. They certainly had less wind and healthier teeth than the three dogs that I had before them and neither gained extra weight with age. I had the impression that they were more satisfied nutritionally than my earlier dogs - but, of course, I couldn't make a direct comparison.

What are your views on a processed food vs natural raw food diet, or a mix of the two, for our dogs - for their health and their behavior?

 

[Savile]

It depends on a number of factors. How big is your dog? Can you afford to fee him/her/them the raw food diet all the time? There are several nutritionally sound dog foods out there that won't cost an arm and a leg and achieve the same results. At one time there were more nutrients in a bag of dog food than there was in comparable human food. I feed my girls twice a day. A little in the morning and a little in the evening. They seem to be perfectly happy and they are healthy.

 

[Keats]

Hello @Savile - I don't find the raw diet any more expensive than the best quality processed foods I used to buy, it does take more time though (shopping and preparation). The problem is the lower quality processed foods for dogs that fill the dog up quickly but are not nutritionally sound or species appropriate, they are inexpensive which is an indicator of probable poor quality.

It sounds like you've found a dog food that suits your dogs' health and nutrition-wise.

 

[Vinny]

When I did research on foods years ago I found a site or two that use to be the go to but not sure on the value now. I am pretty sure it has good content. Here is one:
Dog Food Advisor

There was another one that broke down each and every ingredient and explained what it is but can't track it down yet. As for raw when I researched the reviews where a mixed bag. So far personally I stick with a high grade dry food and mix in some good steamed human food with a splash of fresh pumpkin

We will advise DR to get the writers on this topic also for some research...

 

[Savile]

I didn't realize the raw diet was about the same cost as high end dry food @Keats. Thanks for that information. My girls are on Iams Dog Food. I picked up a back of Blue Buffalo Wilderness just to see if they liked it. Oh my, did they ever. I can't afford to feed this to them all the time but I do keep it on hand for a treat. I'll have to look further into the raw diet. They may like that also.

 

[Keats]

The cost depends on where you shop @Savile. I have a butcher who saves the "odds and ends" for me and I buy vegetables at the end of the market day when they are being sold off. Another cost-saving factor is (in my experience) that dogs are satisfied with less volume of food on a raw diet.

 

[Savile]

Good point @Keats. I am sure the market vendors would rather get a little money from their vegetables rather than none at all. How much does the butcher charge for his odds and ends? I have a butcher right down the street that may do the same for me. Thanks!

 

[HereSadie]

I used to subscribe to Susan Thixton's Petsumer and it was a real eye-opener. It's a bit like the Consumer Reports for pet food. I feed Sadie wet and dry food that is grain free, by-product free, chicken or turkey as the first ingredient, made and sourced in the United States, super expensive fussy stuff, but I just can't handle raw food. It grosses me out and we have someone in the house who has a weakened immune system.

Are you all as careful with treats and bones? I'm much more laid-back when it comes to those. Anything but jerky is okay with me.