Try and find a vet who is is good with Holistic Care. I have got into countless fights with my vet over Science Diet and there is NO WAY I owuld ever feed that Carcinogen ridden garbage food to my dogs. It is a trick question I always ask my vets to see what reply they give me. But I always bring a copiy of the ingredients and ask teh vet how can they tell me those ingredients are good for my dog, I get a kick out of it. But I had 2 of the vets switch their dogs food after going through the explanation of what is in dog food especially Sience Diet. There is a website http://www.dogster.com. I love it! It is alot of fun but on the serious side there is a section where you can put in your area code and do a category serach for vets and holisitc cares. I nterview all my vets and I also asked the Lady who owns teh Natural Pet Store where I buy my dog food from for a reccomendation.
Try to look for a vet who is more on the holistic side. I’ve also noticed that the vets around here mostly promote science diet, mainly because that’s the only food they know because Science diet helps support vet schools. Holistic vets seem to be more open on the all natural or organic foods and some are even knowledgeable about homemade diets. Good luck!
My old vet tried to push crappy foods too- so I got a new one. I had done research on dog food before I got my new vet, and I would recommend Innova, Canidae, or Timberwolf Organics. Go to their websites and you will see they all have great ingredients. Innova and Timberwolf are a bit pricey though!
i suggest iams or beneful thats what i feed my dogs and they are extremly healthy we also give our dogs daily vitamins to. i own labs and poodles and these foods are also great for small or large dogs.
My current vet won’t stock or push Science Diet, it is junk food with lots of corn meal rather than meat, and lots of preservatives. There are many other vets who are ethical enough not to stock Science Diet.
I used to feed mine Science Diet, thinking, as many people do, if my (old, not the one I use
now) vet sells it, it must be good – certainly isn’t the case. Vets get payed by the company to stock it. This was pointed out to me by a trainer at an adoption expo I did, I got online and did some research, then compared ingredients and nutrition analysis on many brands and was astounded at the differences in dog foods, it pays to buy a good brand.
I have been feeding mine Canidae chicken and rice since April, and all 6 dogs are doing very well on it, no more stomach upsets and their coats are shiny. I recommend it from personal experience.
Morgan, good thing you give your dogs vitamins, for a breeder you don’t know much about nutrition for dogs, what you feed them is mostly cheap fillers and meal.
its hard to find a truthful vet because companies pay them to reccomend their products.holistic vets are good thoughEagle pack is a pretty good food.but there are fillers like beet pulp(dried residue from sugar beets.no nutritional value which causes on kidney and liver.also it gives ear infections and allergies.another filler they use is tomatoe pomace.also they use chicken fat in the first 4 ingredients which causes bloating inlarge breed dogs.it got a four star rating out of six stars.see for yourself on dogfoodanalysis.com.
a much better food is canidae.it is less expensive too.yet human grade and antibiotic and hormone free meats are used.this product has great reviews.heres why.
Benefits
Four Human Grade Meats – Chicken, Turkey, Lamb and Fish
10 Natural Skin & Coat Conditioners
Balanced Omega 6 & 3 Fatty Acids
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Superior Digestibility
Guaranteed Enzyme Activity
Antioxidant Vitamins & Amino Acid Chelated Minerals
Excellent for Problem Skin & Allergies
Holistic & Herbal Benefits
Formulated for All Life Stages – Puppies, Adults, Seniors & Overweight
Excellent Palatability – Dogs Love CANIDAE®
All Natural Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Herring Meal, Flax Seed, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Lecithin, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Linoleic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Inulin (from Chicory root), Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (source of B2), Beta Carotene, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, D-Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Papaya, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
All Natural and made the CANIDAE® Way with Superior Quality in Every Bag with No Corn, Wheat, Soy, Grain Fractions, Fillers or by products and Naturally Preserved!
Chicken & Turkey Meal – (Human Grade)
Hormone free, antibiotic free and ethoxyquin free. Human quality meat, flesh tissue and skin only.
Lamb Meal – (Human Grade)
Finest American lamb, hormone free, antibiotic free and ethoxyquin free. Human quality meat.
Herring Meal – (F.D.A. Inspected), (Omega 3)
Meats have been tested to have No Ethoxyquin Residual.
Brown Rice – (U.S.D.A. Grade #1)
Rice has been tested to have no pesticide residual; contains a generous supply of B vitamins, plus calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
White Rice – (U.S.D.A. Grade #1)
Rice has been tested to have no pesticide residual; also nutritious, and of all grains, Rice is the most easily digested and least likely to cause allergic reactions. Rice helps clear up psoriasis and has anticancer and antidiarrheal properties. Rice helps to lower cholesterol and may also help to prevent kidney stones.
Chicken Fat – (Omega 6), (Human Grade)
Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid.
Sunflower Oil – (Omega 6)
Cold pressed, naturally preserved, Rich in linoleic acid and is known for producing a beautiful skin and coat, as well as visible sheen.
Omega-6 & Omega-3 Fatty Acids – (5:1 Ratio)
With balanced Omega’s we can improve the coat and help to avoid hot spots, hair loss and allergy problems caused from flea bites, repeated licking and from a fat imbalance.
Eggs
An excellent source of protein and contains all the essential Amino Acids.
Flaxseed Meal – (Omega 3)
Aids in the movement of food through the digestive tract. Flax nourishes and is soothing to the stomach and intestinal linings. This plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids helps enhance the coat’s sheen.
Linoleic Acid – (Omega 6)
Essential fatty acid for healthy skin and coat.
Lecithin
Is used in the digestion and absorption of fats.
Alfalfa
Aids in healing allergies, stomach ailments and bad breath; cleanses the kidneys and removes poisons from the body; neutralizes acids; is an excellent blood purifier; improves the appetite and aids in the assimilation of protein, calcium and other nutrients.
Sage
Strengthens the mind and concentrating abilities; it aids in healing skin sores and skin eruptions and removing dandruff. It has been mostly employed in disordered states of the digestion and for its savory usage.
Rosemary
Is a stimulant of the circulatory system; to treat bad breath; stimulates the hair bulbs to new growth. Employed for its savory usage.
Cranberries
Prevents the spread of bacterial infections in kidneys and the urinary tract. Helps prevent Cystitis.
Apples
Rich in soluble fiber, helps lower blood cholesterol levels and normalizes blood sugar.
Amaranth
Vitamin packed herb, calms the stomach, reduces
tissue swelling, removes worms and parasites from the digestive tract.
Kelp
Rich in vitamins and contains 30 minerals, controls the thyroid and regulates the metabolism which aids in the digestion of foods and the burning of calories. Kelp aids with improved brain and nerve functions.
Taurine
An amino acid derivative found in meat that shields the heart from harm. Studies also show that Taurine may also benefit vision disorders, epilepsy, and gallstones. Plays an important part as a neurotransmitter, maintains the correct composition of bile and the solubility of cholesterol.
Yucca Schidigera Extract
Used for its reduction of both breath and stool odor! A cleansing agent. Used by the Indians of the southwest for skin disorders, skin eruptions and helps avoid inflammation.
Psyllium
All natural fiber intake to help in digestion, improve intestinal health and effective in reducing cholesterol. Also known as an anticarcinogenic.
Glucosamine
An amino acid sugar necessary for construction of connective tissue and healthy cartilage. Benefits include prevention of arthritis and improved joint health.
Chondroitin
Exist naturally in cartilage. When combined with Glucosamine it is known to produce a synergetic effect in helping prevent arthritis and improving joint health.
Prebiotics
Inulin (from chicory root), Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) / Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Mannan-Oligosaccharide (MOS) – Stimulates the growth of friendly and healthy bacteria. Benefits Include: Helping to prevent cancers and have antimicrobial activity. Prebiotics may further help in lowering triglycerides, stabilizing blood glucose levels, boosting the immune system and helping to improve mineral absorption and rid the gut of harmful microorganisms.
Probiotics
Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Products – Aid in the maintenance of the healthy balance of intestinal flora. Benefits Include: Improved Digestion, Lower Cholesterol Levels, Strengthened Immune Systems and help Correct Digestive Disorders. Probiotics also aid in helping to prevent ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, lactose intolerance, yeast infections and colon cancer.
Digestive Enzymes
Aspergillus Oryzae, Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extracts, Papaya (containing the enzyme Papain), Pineapple (containing the enzyme Bromilian) – Hydrolyzes proteins, fats, oils, starches and carbohydrates for better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Cellulase
Digestive enzyme that hydrolyzes fiber for better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Canidae Pet Foods is once again the leader in cutting edge nutrition by being the first pet food manufacturer to include proven enzymatic activity in our products backed by scientific data and proven methodology on the inclusion of Cellulase.
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
All natural live culture. Acts in stimulating microbial and enzyme populations in the animal’s digestive system. This improves feeding efficiency and digestion.
Vitamins
Complete Vitamins including Antioxidants, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha Tocopherols.
Minerals
Complete balanced minerals containing Amino Acid Chelated Minerals. When Amino Acids are bound to minerals they produce Chelated Minerals, which can be attributed to 3 to 10 time better assimilation of minerals.
go to canidae.com for more info and hit store locator.or you can order online at petfooddirect.com.its about $31 for a 40 lb bag.good luck
Well, my attitude is… you don’t need to know what my dog eats, unless I’m taking my dog in for an issue with his food…
Otherwise, just treat the issue I’m there for… I skirt around what I feed and say I feed a homemade diet or just say I feed them the usual. I don’t want my vet so focused on what my dog eats that they don’t diagnose the problem correctly.
Many vets will zero in on the food as the issue, when 99% of the time, it isn’t the problem.
Good luck with finding a decent vet.
You want to feed a food that doesn’t have fillers in it. My dog had a reaction to corn or wheat not sure which (constant itching and biting her paws). I switched to Canidae all life stages she’s better now. You can decide for yourself…go to http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com and look at the ratings for all kinds of foods.
wutevr u do dont do the science diet, the main ingridient in it is corn, and dogs dont digest corn, so its just sitting there rotting in thier stomach, we started getting natural choice made by nutro, for senior dogs, our dog is not a senior, but listen 2 this, it has te small bites, good , it has mor protien than fats, good, and it has naturall food for their skin, and their stool doesnt hardly smell, idk bout it 4 puppys, but when they get a little older, maybe 2 y/o thats what i suggest,…………………………oh… and our dogs coat was shinier just after eating it 4 2 days
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
Try and find a vet who is is good with Holistic Care. I have got into countless fights with my vet over Science Diet and there is NO WAY I owuld ever feed that Carcinogen ridden garbage food to my dogs. It is a trick question I always ask my vets to see what reply they give me. But I always bring a copiy of the ingredients and ask teh vet how can they tell me those ingredients are good for my dog, I get a kick out of it. But I had 2 of the vets switch their dogs food after going through the explanation of what is in dog food especially Sience Diet. There is a website http://www.dogster.com. I love it! It is alot of fun but on the serious side there is a section where you can put in your area code and do a category serach for vets and holisitc cares. I nterview all my vets and I also asked the Lady who owns teh Natural Pet Store where I buy my dog food from for a reccomendation.
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
Try to look for a vet who is more on the holistic side. I’ve also noticed that the vets around here mostly promote science diet, mainly because that’s the only food they know because Science diet helps support vet schools. Holistic vets seem to be more open on the all natural or organic foods and some are even knowledgeable about homemade diets. Good luck!
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
My old vet tried to push crappy foods too- so I got a new one. I had done research on dog food before I got my new vet, and I would recommend Innova, Canidae, or Timberwolf Organics. Go to their websites and you will see they all have great ingredients. Innova and Timberwolf are a bit pricey though!
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
i suggest iams or beneful thats what i feed my dogs and they are extremly healthy we also give our dogs daily vitamins to. i own labs and poodles and these foods are also great for small or large dogs.
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
yes!! i used to work for 2 of them. they were absolutely more concerned with quality nutrition than promoting crap food.
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
My current vet won’t stock or push Science Diet, it is junk food with lots of corn meal rather than meat, and lots of preservatives. There are many other vets who are ethical enough not to stock Science Diet.
I used to feed mine Science Diet, thinking, as many people do, if my (old, not the one I use
now) vet sells it, it must be good – certainly isn’t the case. Vets get payed by the company to stock it. This was pointed out to me by a trainer at an adoption expo I did, I got online and did some research, then compared ingredients and nutrition analysis on many brands and was astounded at the differences in dog foods, it pays to buy a good brand.
I have been feeding mine Canidae chicken and rice since April, and all 6 dogs are doing very well on it, no more stomach upsets and their coats are shiny. I recommend it from personal experience.
Morgan, good thing you give your dogs vitamins, for a breeder you don’t know much about nutrition for dogs, what you feed them is mostly cheap fillers and meal.
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
its hard to find a truthful vet because companies pay them to reccomend their products.holistic vets are good thoughEagle pack is a pretty good food.but there are fillers like beet pulp(dried residue from sugar beets.no nutritional value which causes on kidney and liver.also it gives ear infections and allergies.another filler they use is tomatoe pomace.also they use chicken fat in the first 4 ingredients which causes bloating inlarge breed dogs.it got a four star rating out of six stars.see for yourself on dogfoodanalysis.com.
a much better food is canidae.it is less expensive too.yet human grade and antibiotic and hormone free meats are used.this product has great reviews.heres why.
Benefits
Four Human Grade Meats – Chicken, Turkey, Lamb and Fish
10 Natural Skin & Coat Conditioners
Balanced Omega 6 & 3 Fatty Acids
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Superior Digestibility
Guaranteed Enzyme Activity
Antioxidant Vitamins & Amino Acid Chelated Minerals
Excellent for Problem Skin & Allergies
Holistic & Herbal Benefits
Formulated for All Life Stages – Puppies, Adults, Seniors & Overweight
Excellent Palatability – Dogs Love CANIDAE®
All Natural Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Herring Meal, Flax Seed, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Lecithin, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Linoleic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Inulin (from Chicory root), Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (source of B2), Beta Carotene, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, D-Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Papaya, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
All Natural and made the CANIDAE® Way with Superior Quality in Every Bag with No Corn, Wheat, Soy, Grain Fractions, Fillers or by products and Naturally Preserved!
Chicken & Turkey Meal – (Human Grade)
Hormone free, antibiotic free and ethoxyquin free. Human quality meat, flesh tissue and skin only.
Lamb Meal – (Human Grade)
Finest American lamb, hormone free, antibiotic free and ethoxyquin free. Human quality meat.
Herring Meal – (F.D.A. Inspected), (Omega 3)
Meats have been tested to have No Ethoxyquin Residual.
Brown Rice – (U.S.D.A. Grade #1)
Rice has been tested to have no pesticide residual; contains a generous supply of B vitamins, plus calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
White Rice – (U.S.D.A. Grade #1)
Rice has been tested to have no pesticide residual; also nutritious, and of all grains, Rice is the most easily digested and least likely to cause allergic reactions. Rice helps clear up psoriasis and has anticancer and antidiarrheal properties. Rice helps to lower cholesterol and may also help to prevent kidney stones.
Chicken Fat – (Omega 6), (Human Grade)
Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid.
Sunflower Oil – (Omega 6)
Cold pressed, naturally preserved, Rich in linoleic acid and is known for producing a beautiful skin and coat, as well as visible sheen.
Omega-6 & Omega-3 Fatty Acids – (5:1 Ratio)
With balanced Omega’s we can improve the coat and help to avoid hot spots, hair loss and allergy problems caused from flea bites, repeated licking and from a fat imbalance.
Eggs
An excellent source of protein and contains all the essential Amino Acids.
Flaxseed Meal – (Omega 3)
Aids in the movement of food through the digestive tract. Flax nourishes and is soothing to the stomach and intestinal linings. This plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids helps enhance the coat’s sheen.
Linoleic Acid – (Omega 6)
Essential fatty acid for healthy skin and coat.
Lecithin
Is used in the digestion and absorption of fats.
Alfalfa
Aids in healing allergies, stomach ailments and bad breath; cleanses the kidneys and removes poisons from the body; neutralizes acids; is an excellent blood purifier; improves the appetite and aids in the assimilation of protein, calcium and other nutrients.
Sage
Strengthens the mind and concentrating abilities; it aids in healing skin sores and skin eruptions and removing dandruff. It has been mostly employed in disordered states of the digestion and for its savory usage.
Rosemary
Is a stimulant of the circulatory system; to treat bad breath; stimulates the hair bulbs to new growth. Employed for its savory usage.
Cranberries
Prevents the spread of bacterial infections in kidneys and the urinary tract. Helps prevent Cystitis.
Apples
Rich in soluble fiber, helps lower blood cholesterol levels and normalizes blood sugar.
Amaranth
Vitamin packed herb, calms the stomach, reduces
tissue swelling, removes worms and parasites from the digestive tract.
Kelp
Rich in vitamins and contains 30 minerals, controls the thyroid and regulates the metabolism which aids in the digestion of foods and the burning of calories. Kelp aids with improved brain and nerve functions.
Taurine
An amino acid derivative found in meat that shields the heart from harm. Studies also show that Taurine may also benefit vision disorders, epilepsy, and gallstones. Plays an important part as a neurotransmitter, maintains the correct composition of bile and the solubility of cholesterol.
Yucca Schidigera Extract
Used for its reduction of both breath and stool odor! A cleansing agent. Used by the Indians of the southwest for skin disorders, skin eruptions and helps avoid inflammation.
Psyllium
All natural fiber intake to help in digestion, improve intestinal health and effective in reducing cholesterol. Also known as an anticarcinogenic.
Glucosamine
An amino acid sugar necessary for construction of connective tissue and healthy cartilage. Benefits include prevention of arthritis and improved joint health.
Chondroitin
Exist naturally in cartilage. When combined with Glucosamine it is known to produce a synergetic effect in helping prevent arthritis and improving joint health.
Prebiotics
Inulin (from chicory root), Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) / Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Mannan-Oligosaccharide (MOS) – Stimulates the growth of friendly and healthy bacteria. Benefits Include: Helping to prevent cancers and have antimicrobial activity. Prebiotics may further help in lowering triglycerides, stabilizing blood glucose levels, boosting the immune system and helping to improve mineral absorption and rid the gut of harmful microorganisms.
Probiotics
Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Products – Aid in the maintenance of the healthy balance of intestinal flora. Benefits Include: Improved Digestion, Lower Cholesterol Levels, Strengthened Immune Systems and help Correct Digestive Disorders. Probiotics also aid in helping to prevent ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, lactose intolerance, yeast infections and colon cancer.
Digestive Enzymes
Aspergillus Oryzae, Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extracts, Papaya (containing the enzyme Papain), Pineapple (containing the enzyme Bromilian) – Hydrolyzes proteins, fats, oils, starches and carbohydrates for better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Cellulase
Digestive enzyme that hydrolyzes fiber for better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Canidae Pet Foods is once again the leader in cutting edge nutrition by being the first pet food manufacturer to include proven enzymatic activity in our products backed by scientific data and proven methodology on the inclusion of Cellulase.
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
All natural live culture. Acts in stimulating microbial and enzyme populations in the animal’s digestive system. This improves feeding efficiency and digestion.
Vitamins
Complete Vitamins including Antioxidants, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha Tocopherols.
Minerals
Complete balanced minerals containing Amino Acid Chelated Minerals. When Amino Acids are bound to minerals they produce Chelated Minerals, which can be attributed to 3 to 10 time better assimilation of minerals.
go to canidae.com for more info and hit store locator.or you can order online at petfooddirect.com.its about $31 for a 40 lb bag.good luck
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
my vet would never push a crappy food, he only recomends the best, Canidae, all my dog eat
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
Well, my attitude is… you don’t need to know what my dog eats, unless I’m taking my dog in for an issue with his food…
Otherwise, just treat the issue I’m there for… I skirt around what I feed and say I feed a homemade diet or just say I feed them the usual. I don’t want my vet so focused on what my dog eats that they don’t diagnose the problem correctly.
Many vets will zero in on the food as the issue, when 99% of the time, it isn’t the problem.
Good luck with finding a decent vet.
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
You want to feed a food that doesn’t have fillers in it. My dog had a reaction to corn or wheat not sure which (constant itching and biting her paws). I switched to Canidae all life stages she’s better now. You can decide for yourself…go to http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com and look at the ratings for all kinds of foods.
December 6th, 2009 8:57 AM
wutevr u do dont do the science diet, the main ingridient in it is corn, and dogs dont digest corn, so its just sitting there rotting in thier stomach, we started getting natural choice made by nutro, for senior dogs, our dog is not a senior, but listen 2 this, it has te small bites, good , it has mor protien than fats, good, and it has naturall food for their skin, and their stool doesnt hardly smell, idk bout it 4 puppys, but when they get a little older, maybe 2 y/o thats what i suggest,…………………………oh… and our dogs coat was shinier just after eating it 4 2 days