[skylielover]

My head is spinning right now with about 20 different types of dog food.:bowl:

Skylie has colitis and a sensitive stomach (no vomiting, just loose stools)

I am finally changing from Blue Buffalo, because of her stomach issues and cost
(I pay almost $50 for large bag - student loan budget)

I thought about Wellness fish & potato, but she didn't seem to like the sample I gave her. After some calculations, I realized I will be a paying a little more for Wellness, so that is not an option.

California Natural is not available here, and I don't like that Natural balance is lower on protein.

I found Chicken soup for the petlovers soul, but to me it's along the lines of Blue buffalo (rich, dense, lots of grain ingredients) which I'm not sure if she tolerates well (chicken soup IS cheaper though)

My vet recommended Science Diet ID :yuck: :no:

I am looking for quality, even if I have to pay more... just not $50

Any ideas or recommendations? I should be studying for school, but I study more about dog issues and food that anything else! haha

Thank you

 

[BeauShel]

I know you dont like the Science Diet but since she has been having problems then I would use that for awhile until the problem is improved. Have you checked to see if one of the online places that can ship it to you?

 

[lgnutah]

I don't know if the Costco store is in your locale, but I remember reading that their Kirkland food is a good lower cost food. However, I don't know if this is the food for your dog's issues.

 

[MillysMom]

I order my food from petfooddirect.com. I wait until I have a good coupon code - either free shipping, 15% off or $20 off on $100 or more, and then I order 1-2 bags and my canned food. It works out to be a bit cheaper than my local dog food supplier, and it's delivered right to my door. I love that there are so many options. It's worth a shot if you really want to try a type of food not sold where you live, like California Naturals.

You can google and find some pretty good coupon codes - every 2-3 months there are some new ones and the bigger amount coupons come out. I just wait until I have a good code and order enough to last until the next coupon code.

 

[Bock]

Healthwise? Although if you don't have CN available, chances are Healthwise won't be available either.

you have a lot of limitations! lol Hope you find something.

 

[Lucky's mom]

The ID is supposed to be temporary to aid in healing. I'd recommend you follow your vet's advice first and then experiment.

 

[skylielover]

Thank for the advice. I have her on a bland diet with some of her regular food mixed in which seems to be helping.

I believe my vet is wanting to me to change to science diet for the long term.

I just wanted to try something with limited and different ingredients first, and my last resort is science diet ID.

Unfortunately no costco here.

Thanks for the recommendation about petfooddirect.com. The main reason I stay away from ordering pet food online is because of the shipping, but I will check this out...

 

[MyBentley]

Hopefully, if you look at the ingredients in the Science Diet ID, you'll not want to feed it to your dog long-term. Some of us would do all we can to avoid it even in the short term, but that's personal opinion.

It sounds like you have limited food options. I also like Healthwise by Natura, but if that's not available maybe consider Avoderm.

 

[tippykayak]

If a dog is healthy on a food, I think it's odd to try really hard to switch to a food the dog is less healthy on, just because of the frequently unsubstantiated opinions on dog food websites.

 

[msdogs1976]

If a dog is healthy on a food, I think it's odd to try really hard to switch to a food the dog is less healthy on, just because of the frequently unsubstantiated opinions on dog food websites.

 

[fostermom]

If a dog is healthy on a food, I think it's odd to try really hard to switch to a food the dog is less healthy on, just because of the frequently unsubstantiated opinions on dog food websites.

I am not sure what you are saying. If the dog has firmer stools, but his coat is not good (not saying that's the case, but you are putting out a supposition, so I thought I would), how is that being healthy? There are other foods out there that are not too rich, but have less fillers in them.

I understand that some people seem to do better eating McDonalds' quarter pounders every day, at least maybe their poops may be firmer. But overall, it can't be healthy for them, right?

skylielover, I think you could google some of the places where you can get food and compare prices and shipping. Around here we have a company called Triangle Pet Supply. They carry all different types of foods and delivery is free (to our area). I used to feed Chicken Soup, but my dogs were seriously itchy on it, and apparently that isn't uncommon.

 

[BJSalz]

I am not sure what you are saying. If the dog has firmer stools, but his coat is not good (not saying that's the case, but you are putting out a supposition, so I thought I would), how is that being healthy? There are other foods out there that are not too rich, but have less fillers in them.

I understand that some people seem to do better eating McDonalds' quarter pounders every day, at least maybe their poops may be firmer. But overall, it can't be healthy for them, right?

skylielover, I think you could google some of the places where you can get food and compare prices and shipping. Around here we have a company called Triangle Pet Supply. They carry all different types of foods and delivery is free (to our area). I used to feed Chicken Soup, but my dogs were seriously itchy on it, and apparently that isn't uncommon.

We're feeding Blue buffalo and I know I have to switch - our pup is constantly itching his ears. Can you tell me what food would be best for itchy ears? I know that there is a huge food debate here but I'm just your average pet owner looking to give him ease with the itching. He's already poked his eye with a nail while itching, causing us a trip the urgent care and eye meds. Thanks!

 

[tippykayak]

I am not sure what you are saying. If the dog has firmer stools, but his coat is not good (not saying that's the case, but you are putting out a supposition, so I thought I would), how is that being healthy? There are other foods out there that are not too rich, but have less fillers in them.

I understand that some people seem to do better eating McDonalds' quarter pounders every day, at least maybe their poops may be firmer. But overall, it can't be healthy for them, right?

skylielover, I think you could google some of the places where you can get food and compare prices and shipping. Around here we have a company called Triangle Pet Supply. They carry all different types of foods and delivery is free (to our area). I used to feed Chicken Soup, but my dogs were seriously itchy on it, and apparently that isn't uncommon.

It seems like the OP is having trouble with a dog's health, i.e., colitis. The vet is recommending a food that may help with the problem. However, because of a philosophy about meat that's perpetuated online, the OP feels that the vet-recommended food, which may help with a serious health problem, is not as good as another food.

I think the OP should follow the vet's recommendation and try the recommended food and shouldn't worry about dog food philosophy. If the colitis improves on Science Diet, what's wrong with feeding it? A lot of dogs can tolerate these over-rich, protein intense foods and do well, but some simply can't. Why pursue a philosophy about having two meats in the ingredients or of having over 32% protein by calorie if the dog is better served by something that doesn't look as good on paper?

 

[tippykayak]

I am not sure what you are saying. If the dog has firmer stools, but his coat is not good (not saying that's the case, but you are putting out a supposition, so I thought I would), how is that being healthy? There are other foods out there that are not too rich, but have less fillers in them.

I would also say that most of what people call "fillers" in these foods are simply non-meat products that are perfectly healthy and aren't included as filler, but rather for balance. I already have my dogs on a high-protein, high-fat version of Eukanuba. There's nothing stopping them from making a blend that's even higher, but it simply isn't suitable for most dogs. Heck, even the PP I feed my dogs would make the average pet obese.

 

[MyBentley]

If a dog is healthy on a food, I think it's odd to try really hard to switch to a food the dog is less healthy on, just because of the frequently unsubstantiated opinions on dog food websites.

After reading your post, I reread the OP's first post. The dog is apparently NOT doing well on Blue Buffalo - hence the search for alternatives.

I would think that most people starting threads in the health and nutrition forum are open to a variety of perspectives. They can read the varying opinions from here, other web sites, books and magazines; and then draw their own conclusions.

 

[tippykayak]

We're feeding Blue buffalo and I know I have to switch - our pup is constantly itching his ears. Can you tell me what food would be best for itchy ears? I know that there is a huge food debate here but I'm just your average pet owner looking to give him ease with the itching. He's already poked his eye with a nail while itching, causing us a trip the urgent care and eye meds. Thanks!

Are you cleaning his ears once a week with a soothing solution? That helps greatly.

Also, have you had his thyroid values tested? They're often the root of allergy-like symptoms.

Once you've covered those two more likely causes, it makes sense to look at allergies, and the culprit is probably the largest protein source in the food. Is the BB mostly chicken? Try a lamb or fish-based food with no chicken at all and see if it helps.

 

[tippykayak]

After reading your post, I reread the OP's first post. The dog is apparently NOT doing well on Blue Buffalo - hence the search for alternatives.

I would think that most people starting threads in the health and nutrition forum are open to a variety of perspectives. They can read the varying opinions from here, other web sites, books and magazines; and then draw their own conclusions.

I was referring to the prejudice against Science Diet. If it can make the dog better, why not use it, regardless of how some people might judge it on paper?

 

[The_Artful_Dodger]

I understand that some people seem to do better eating McDonalds' quarter pounders every day, at least maybe their poops may be firmer. But overall, it can't be healthy for them, right?

I see this comparison made a lot, but how is feeding foods with grains anything like eating McDonalds? Companies like Hills develop dog food formulas through years of research and clinical studies. I doubt they would bother doing all that research if they were just going to throw in a bunch of junk. I know a lot of people dont trust thier vets opinion, as most vets dont specialize in nutrition, but they are getting thier info from their colleagues who do research nutrition (who maybe are employed by companies such as Hills). Vets have to have a strong science background to get into vet school, so they would not be researching nutrition by looking at websites, but would look at scholarly sources and clinical studies. Most would not have the time to do this on thier own. Anyways....my point is that I think it's a large leap to say the foods vets tend to recommend are the equivalent of fast food.

If a certain food can help a dog with a medical problem, it would be a shame for someone to be scared away from it because they read on the internet that the food is not good.


BTW, I do respect others opinions on dog foods and I think everyone is entitled to express thier own opinions. But, as a scientist-at-heart, I caution people to evaluate the quality of the evidence supporting various nutritional theories on the internet or elsewhere.

 

[fostermom]

I see this comparison made a lot, but how is feeding foods with grains anything like eating McDonalds? Companies like Hills develop dog food formulas through years of research and clinical studies. I doubt they would bother doing all that research if they were just going to throw in a bunch of junk. I know a lot of people dont trust thier vets opinion, as most vets dont specialize in nutrition, but they are getting thier info from their colleagues who do research nutrition (who maybe are employed by companies such as Hills). Vets have to have a strong science background to get into vet school, so they would not be researching nutrition by looking at websites, but would look at scholarly sources and clinical studies. Most would not have the time to do this on thier own. Anyways....my point is that I think it's a large leap to say the foods vets tend to recommend are the equivalent of fast food.

To me, the comparison is quite apt. The human body was not designed to properly use and rid itself of excess fat, carbohydrates and cholesterol. McDonald's foods are high in all of those things. A dog's body is not designed to properly use a bunch of fillers, such as corn and wheat. Science Diet and some of the other foods out there have a bunch of fillers. To me, it's not only not good for them, but it's a marketing ploy to cause you to have to feed more of their foods.

Yes, Science Diet does extensive testing. So do the premium brands of dog food. And yes, the Science Diet reps do a great job of selling vets on their food. Why not? The vets make money off the sale of the prescription diets. They sure don't make it off from the premium brands. Most vets had enough to learn about in order to graduate vet school without adding studying nutrition.

FWIW, if there is no other option out there and it comes down to Science Diet being the only food your animal can eat, I understand. All 4 of my cats are on Hills Prescription Diet CD because of recurring UTIs. But I did try multiple other foods, most of which they looked better on, but the one cat continued to pee inappropriately, so I switched them back. She still is peeing inappropriately, but until she passes away, I will not try to switch them again.

BJSalz, I would try California Natural. I love that food. I am actually not feeding it right now because I can get a holistic blend of dog food delivered to my house that is comparable to CA Natural in quality, but costs me less.

 

[The_Artful_Dodger]

To me, the comparison is quite apt. The human body was not designed to properly use and rid itself of excess fat, carbohydrates and cholesterol. McDonald's foods are high in all of those things. A dog's body is not designed to properly use a bunch of fillers, such as corn and wheat. Science Diet and some of the other foods out there have a bunch of fillers. To me, it's not only not good for them, but it's a marketing ploy to cause you to have to feed more of their foods.

Yes, Science Diet does extensive testing. So do the premium brands of dog food. And yes, the Science Diet reps do a great job of selling vets on their food. Why not? The vets make money off the sale of the prescription diets. They sure don't make it off from the premium brands. Most vets had enough to learn about in order to graduate vet school without adding studying nutrition.

I have seen many websites that say grains such as corn and wheat are fillers. I have also read on the Hills website that "Corn is an excellent ingredient because of the benefits it brings to the product. Corn is a highly nutritious ingredient chosen as a source of protein (for muscle and tissue growth), carbohydrates (for energy), fiber, antioxidants (Beta-carotene, Vitamin E, Lutein) and linoleic acid - an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy skin and a luxurious coat....Most grains, including corn, are poorly digested before they are cooked. Once cooked, however, they become highly digestible. Corn is also highly digestible, higher than several other grains such as rice, wheat, barley and sorghum. Some consumers are concerned that corn may be a filler. Fillers offer no nutritional value whatsoever. Corn, as mentioned above, is a superb source of nutrients.
We choose all of our ingredients for the nutritional value they contribute to each product we make."

So as a consumer, who is not an expert in nutrition, who do I believe? Personally, I believe the website of a company such as Hills, who I know have been researching dog food for a long time, is more reputable than a website that could have been posted by anyone.

I suppose a premium pet food manufacture site would be more reliable than a random site, so I just briefly browsed the blue buffalo website, as I've heard that food mentioned many times, and I read thier "philosophy" on nutrition, but it didn't mention any scientific research. I don't know what thier credentials are - but now I do know the names of their pets. (I'm not trying to knock this company or thier food but just making the point that I cant tell from their website how reputable they are). I dont know if the formula was based on science, or developed with the presupposition that certain ingredients should be better.

Yes vets make a profit by selling Hills products. And pet food stores also make a profit by pet foods marketed by a variety of pet food manufacturers.