Dog Food -- Whole Dog Journal
Quote: EDITOR'S NOTE:: CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CURRENT DOG FOOD RECALL:
One source you might consider is the Whole Dog Journal... a monthly magazine devoted to natural dog care and training that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 canned and dry recommended dog foods. Here is their selection criteria for their foods list, excerpted from their Feb 2003 article. [snip...] Update, March 21, 2007 OES.ORG has been contacted by the Whole Dog Journal, who has asked us to remove the excerpt of the article which formerly appeared here. This article was posted by one of our members, and not by oes.org itself. This was just an excerpt from a wonderful article filled with good information about proteins and carbohydrates and by-products and fillers and additives. It was solely their criteria for selection. Whole Dog Journal wants a fee of $350 per year from oes.org for permission to reprint their 2007 version of this Whole Dog food list on the web, a fee that oes.org can not afford to pay. Alternatively, Whole Dog Journal wants oes.org not to publish any (not even a snippet) of the article, but to recommmend our readers visit their site so that each reader can pay $10 to read the article on their website (or perhaps to sign up for a subscription to the Whole Dog Journal for $20 per year). How can the Whole Dog Journal Foods expect me to recommend them to our readers, without giving me or the reader (you) a sample of their article? It seems that Whole Dog Journal would rather have all of the information conveyed in their dog food comparisons reserved to those who can afford their subscription rates or their $10 charge to read an article. Personally, I would think that an older "example" review of information peppered with reminders that this info is older with links to their Whole Dog Journal site for the current and up-to-date changes would draw many many more visitors and potential subscribers (like you) to their site. In it's place, instead of the WDJ review of dog foods and instead of their list of criteria for things like protein and fats and carbohydrates and supplemental vitamins and lots of good information all in one place, I will maintain here a list of premium food purveyors for your convenience. This is not the recommended dog food list of the Whole Dog Journal. Also, I will provide a link to Whole Dog Journal for you to follow to purchase the top ten dog food list or a subscription. Since their site gives no sample of the article either, if you were thinking of buying a subscription to WDJ, you can use this information in any way you deem appropriate. The Whole Dog Journal's annual Top 10 lists are released in Dec (canned) and Feb (dry) of each year. Here is a list of premium dog food purveyors for your convenience: Artemis Artemis Pet Foods, Canoga Park, CA (800) 282-5876 artemispetfood.com Azmira Azmira Holistic Animal Care, Tucson, AZ (800) 497-5665 azmira.com Back to Basics Beowulf Natural Foods, syracuse, NY (800) 219-2558 beowulfs.com Bench & Field Bench & Field Pet Foods, Mishawaka, IN (800) 525-4802 benchandfield.com Blue Buffalo “Adult” The Blue Buffalo Company Wilton, CT (800) 919-2833 bluebuff.com Burns Burns Pet Nutrition, Chesterston, IN (877) 983-9651 bpn4u.com California Natural Natura Pet Products, Santa Clara, CA (800) 532-7261 naturapet.com Canidae Canidae Corp., San Luis Obispo, CA (800) 398-1600 canidae.com Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul “Adult” Diamond Pet Products Meta, MO (800) 442-0402 chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com Drs. Foster & Smith Drs. Foster & Smith, Rhinelander, WI (800) 826-7206 drsfostersmith.com Eagle Pack Holistic Select Eagle Pet Products, Inc., Mishawaka, IN (800) 255-5959 eaglepack.com Flint River Flint River Ranch, Riverside, CA (909) 682-5048 (independent reps) Foundations “Chicken & Vegetables” Petcurean Pet Nutrition Abbotsford, BC (866) 864-6112 petcurean.com Fromm Four Star Nutritionals “Duck & Sweet Potato” Fromm Family Foods Mequon, WI (800) 325-6331 frommfamilyfoods.com Go! Natural Petcurean Pet Nutrition, Abbotsford, BC (866) 864-6112 petcurean.com Hund-N-Flocken Solid Gold Health Products for Pets El Cajon, CA (800) 364-4863 solidgoldhealth.com Innova Natura Pet Products, Santa Clara, CA (800) 532-7261 naturapet.com Karma Natura Pet Products Santa Clara, CA (800) 532-7261 karmaorganic.com Lifespan Petguard, Green Cove Springs, FL (800) 877-petguard petguard.com Limited Diets Innovative Veterinary Diets, Pittsburg, PA (800) 359-4483 (veterinarians only) Merrick Pet Foods “Cowboy Cookout” Merrick Pet Foods Hereford, TX (800) 664-7387 merrickpetcare.com Mmillennia Solid Gold Health Products for Pets El Cajon, CA (800) 364-4863 solidgoldhealth.com Natural Balance Ultra Premium Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pacoima, CA (800) 829-4493 naturalbalanceinc.com Newman’s Own Organics “Chicken & Rice” Newman’s Own Organics Aptos, CA (800) 865-2866 newmansownorganics.com Organix “Canine Formula” Castor & Pollux Pet Works Clackamas, OR (800) 875-7518 castorpolluxpet.com Petguard Lifespan (800)874-3221 petguard.com Pinnacle Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods Irwindale, CA (800) 255-4286 breeders-choice.com Prairie Nature’s Variety, Lincoln, NE (888) 519-7387 naturesvariety.com Prime Life Owen & Mandeville Pet Products Oxford, CT (888) 881-7703 ompetproducts.com Royal Canin Natural Blend Royal Canin USA, Inc., St. Peters, MO (800) 592-6687 (US); (800) 527-2673 (Can) royalcanin.us Showbound Naturals Integrated Pet Products, Exton, PA (800) LI-CHOPS integratedpet.com Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken (800)DOG-HUND solidgoldhealth.com Timberwolf Organics Yukon Nutritional Co., Dundee, FL (863) 439-0049 timberwolforganics.com VeRUS VeRUS Pet Foods, Inc., Abingdon, MD (888) 828-3787 veruspetfoods.com Wellness Old Mother Hubbard, Lowell, MA (800) 225-0904 oldmotherhubbard.com Wysong Wysong Corporation, Midland, MI (800) 748-0188 wysong.net |
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| Thanks, Nancy. I guess no Iams on there. Not surprised. I think I am going to switch to Drs, foster and smith. I don't know, though. We bought a 40lb bag of Iams. I think I will do what willow does, mix in the new food with Iams and then maybe just switch all together. Maybe Diamond dog food? I was considering it also. Hate switching food on her, but its better for her in the long run. This was good info. |
| In regard to a dog "loving" a food and whether that indicates quality: In a word No.
Maggy loved Nutro and her free sample of Kibbles and Bits. She also loves garbage, ice cream, and the leftover pizza crusts -- none of which are especially nutritious. I tried many premium foods before I found one that would work for her "interesting" tastes. Why go to the trouble? Because HER nutrition is as important as mine, and I want her to be around for as long as possible. I'm a firm believer that good nutrition promotes optimum health and longevity, and that poor nutrition is one of the reasons the life span of many dogs is cut short. I COMPLETELY understand those people who shrug and say "Well, my dog LIKES it!" because I used to say the same thing. However, I studied and researched and it DID make a difference. I wouldn't let my child eat McDonald's, Snickers bars and potato chips for every meal because their health would eventually suffer. I don't want to feed my Maggy anything LESS than the best food I can find for her, because I want her as healthy as possible, for as long as possible. ::stepping off my soap box::  |
marley wrote: I guess no Iams on there. Not surprised. I think I am going to switch to Drs, foster and smith. I don't know, though. We bought a 40lb bag of Iams. I think I will do what willow does, mix in the new food with Iams and then maybe just switch all together. Maybe Diamond dog food? I was considering it also. Hate switching food on her, but its better for her in the long run. This was good info.
I started out feeding Maggy Eukanuba ... which is made by IAMS. I too had a giant bag of Euk and thought, "Oh great! Now what?!"  I didn't let the bag go to waste. When it was about 1/2 full I started mixing it with her new kibble and gradually made the switch.
I am feeding Maggy California Natural, yet it is said that it is good to switch occassionally between premium brands. I'd love to know what you think of Diamond or Drs. Foster and Smith once you've tried them!  |
I'm with you 100%!  |
| What do you guys think of this one? It's what I'm mixing with Iams puppy before I switch to Diamond (which is very similar to wellness) when Sky is older. I just copied and pasted from the site for Wellness Super5 Puppy
Product Description You're never too young to start eating right! In fact, good nutrition should begin early on. That's why Old Mother Hubbard created Wellness Puppy Food. Specially formulated to meet your puppy's growing needs, it contains increased protein and fat levels to meet the caloric needs of active puppies, like yours. Plus, it is nutritionally balanced to support the development of strong muscles, bones, organs and teeth. Yet, great taste is equally important. With ingredients like deboned chicken, pears, brown rice, oatmeal, Beta-Carotene and Vitamin E, your pet will experience puppy love! Like having a new baby, a new puppy raises lots of questions. With more than 75 years of pet experience, our packaging answers many common questions new pet owners have. Product Ingredients | Ingredient Index | Vitamins/Minerals Deboned Chicken, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Barley Flour, Ground Brown Rice, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tomatoes, Flaxseed, Peas, Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Bananas, Whole Apples, Whole Pears, Garlic, Beta-Carotene, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate (a chelated source of Zinc), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate (a chelated source of Copper), Copper Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate ( a chelated source of Manganese), Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid. Guaranteed Analysis Crude Protein Not Less Than 28.0% Crude Fat Not Less Than 17.0% Crude Fiber Not More Than 5.0% Moisture Not More Than 11.0% Omega 6 Fatty Acids Not Less Than 3.25% Omega 3 Fatty Acids Not Less Than 1.83% As Served Per Cup (percent per cup) Protein: 29.1% Fat: 17.8% Fiber: 3.6% Met. Energy: (Kcal/kg) 3,636 Calories Analysis (calories per cup) 1 Cup 411 AAFCO Statement Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Wellness Puppy Super5Mix provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth. |
| Alos, the wellness foods are not extruded foods.... I don't know how they make it, but it's not extruded.LOL |
| If she were my puppy I would definately go for something like Wellness Super5 Puppy! The ingredient list looks really good.
How is the baby doing anyway? I have to admit -- I'm getting puppy fever! I haven't had a puppy since I was in elementary school!! (always shelters or rescues --which I wouldn't trade for the world ... but ohhh! that puppy breath!) Here's some info on "extruded foods": Extrusion is defined as "shaping by force through a specially designed opening often after previous heating of the material." Extrusion is the continuous forming of plastic or soft materials through a die. Several types of extruders include ram or piston types and screw or worm types (Harper, 1981). Cooking extrusion combines the heating of food products with the act of extrusion to create a cooked and shaped food product and is a process in which moistened, starchy, proteinaceous foods are cooked and worked into a viscous, plastic-like dough. The results of cooking the food ingredients during extrusion are: 1 ) gelatinization of starch 2) denaturation of protein 3) inactivation of raw food enzymes 4) destruction of naturally occurring toxic substances 5) diminishing of microbial counts in the final product. Upon discharge through the die, the hot, plastic extrudate expands rapidly with loss of moisture and heat because of sudden decrease in pressure. After expansion cooling, and drying, the extruded product develops a rigid structure and maintains a porous texture. Advantages of food extrusion are versatility, high productivity, low cost, product shapes, high product quality, energy efficiency, production of new foods, and no effluents or waste. |
| It seems then that if a dog has problems with enzymes a non extruded food would be best? I seem to remember someone's dog here doesn't have enough or the right digestive enzymes? I think vero/pisco? So a food like wellness, with human grade ingredients that are not changed through extrusion would help? |
Willowsprite wrote: It seems then that if a dog has problems with enzymes a non extruded food would be best? IMO any person/dog benefits from non extruded foods. Quote: I seem to remember someone's dog here doesn't have enough or the right digestive enzymes...I think vero/pisco? So a food like wellness, with human grade ingredients that are not changed through extrusion would help?
A food like Wellness or any other premium food that does not use extrusion would be beneficial. We get so inundated with pet food ads showing cute dogs or puppies that we sometimes don't think to check what is actually inside the fancy package. Kind of like a "Happy Meal". They sure are cute -- but they can be rotten if you eat too many! ::goes out to collect her next 'Happy Meal' bear! ::  |
Quote: Extrusion is defined as "shaping by force through a specially designed opening often after previous heating of the material." Extrusion is the continuous forming of plastic or soft materials through a die. Several types of extruders include ram or piston types and screw or worm types (Harper, 1981). Just because plastics and metals are extruded with heat as part of the process doesn't mean the same process is used for all foods. The reason for the heat in those materials is to make them soft and pliable so they go through the machine and/or die... in the case of a nice, moist nutritious dog food mix (like a dough), that really wouldn't be required. For example: Pasta is extruded Sausages are extruded Hamburger meat is extruded play-doh is extruded Cake frosting is extruded (through those icing bags) to write "Happy Birthday" on your dog's cake Potatoes are extruded before frying them into french fries Quote: One entry found for extrude.
Main Entry: ex·trude 1 : to force, press, or push out 2 : to shape (as metal or plastic) by forcing through a die http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?b ... =extruding Certainly the animal products in the mix need to be cooked anyway to prevent spoilage and contamination. Whether or not some or all of the commercial foods out there are heated into some sort of non-nutritious gelatenous mass is another issue... We used to feed Old Mother Hubbard's "Neura" whose kibble was irregularly shaped and a large percentage of the kibble's pieces and edges were burned. Then they changed the shape of the product to a uniform shape -- no more burning. Then they changed the formula, and we changed brands. |
| Old Mother Hubbard is who makes Wellness. |
| is this sold in walmart - I thought I saw it there yesterday? although my OES puppy is on "hold" for the moment my husband's Irish Setter needs new food and the price on this is comparable to Purina One and I assume from what you are saying it is much better than Purina One. |
| Here Wellness Super5 Puppy is 65.00 for a 33lb bag. I've never seen it at walmart. |
| I thought this might be helpful but of course by the time you pay for shipping and handling the cost of Wellness will probably be just as high. It's from petfooddirect.com. These prices are actually slighltly higher than our local pet store here in Wilmington.
30lb bag of Wellness Super5Mix Puppy - $43.99 Here's a link to petfoodirect - www.petfooddirect.com:80/store/dept.asp ... id=&Page=2 |
grace wrote: I wouldn't let my child eat McDonald's, Snickers bars and potato chips for every meal because their health would eventually suffer.
But then you could SUE them for contributing to your child's health problems and obesity! 
Kristen (who should sue Dunkin Donut's for creating those darn Lattes! ) |
| Please keep in mind that some studies have shown that high protein diets and aggression are linked. Those of you with concerns regarding aggression should be sure to look into this further - some of the puppy foods and large breed dog foods tend to be higher in protein than recommended.
http://www.provet.co.uk/petfacts/health ... ession.htm JMHO. Kristen |
BritPresSyd wrote: Please keep in mind that some studies have shown that high protein diets and aggression are linked...those of you with concerns regarding aggression should be sure to look into this further - some of the puppy foods and large breed dog foods tend to be higher in protein than recommended.
You're absolutely right, Kristen. I wouldn't buy a food that was specifically geared towards large breed, senior, weight mgt., etc. The labels on all pet food bags give an estimate of what to feed a dog according to their weight. There is no need for breed specific foods. Seniors can enjoy the same food but may require less due to their lessened activity, a more active dog may require a bit more. An over weight dog can have the amount of food adjusted and an exercise regimen for dog and owner incorporated. |
BritPresSyd wrote: grace wrote: I wouldn't let my child eat McDonald's, Snickers bars and potato chips for every meal because their health would eventually suffer. But then you could SUE them for contributing to your child's health problems and obesity! Kristen (who should sue Dunkin Donut's for creating those darn Lattes! )arrghh!!  Now you have me craving a Mocha Frap! My SUMMER weekness! Starbuck's closes in 10 minutes! :: rushes out the door :: |
Starbucks Schmarbucks...... Tim Horton's is the only REAL coffee shop!
Tee hee..... little caffiene addict I am!  |
| Grace & Willow
Send some my way PLEASE  Haven't had coffee house coffee since March  Oh well school clothes shopping/big city is soon I cant wait. Iced frappiccino (sp)here i come. lol
cher |
| {{{Cher}}} Sending "coffee hugs" your way! |
| Sending better coffee ...... |
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