Dog owners - raw diet
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I found that when I got my dog the 30 pound bag his poop was subpar towards the end of the bag, but fine when I got a new bag. I went to he 15# bag and the issue went away. I'm thinking it was the food going bad.
It may also not be the right food for her. I can't eat much Indian food without farting up a storm! Switch her to CA Natural, one of the simplest quality foods, and a good go-to food for dogs with sensitive digestive tracts.
It may also not be the right food for her. I can't eat much Indian food without farting up a storm! Switch her to CA Natural, one of the simplest quality foods, and a good go-to food for dogs with sensitive digestive tracts.
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My point was though that it may not be the manufacturing of the food that's an issue. If she has loose stools at the beginning of the bag and gets better towards the end of the same bag, and if it happens consistently with the same brand, that doesnt sound like QC issues, it just may not be the right food for her
previously known as wrxBRAH
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lol pmd you before checking this thread again but here it goes.
I have a APBT that has a kidney stone currently and just had surgery to have lots of bladder stones removed. I was told to put him on the C/D S/D diet because thats what they recommend. I think its due to the lower protein content but I dont know for sure.
I also have another dog (GSD) and shes going to eat whatever the other dog will eat so the food bill went up a lot.
I've feed them Yukanuba their entire lives and its decent food and never had any issues with it. If you can recommend something that doesnt cost me 80$ for a 40 pound bag + 30$ for 12 cans, Im all ears.
I have a APBT that has a kidney stone currently and just had surgery to have lots of bladder stones removed. I was told to put him on the C/D S/D diet because thats what they recommend. I think its due to the lower protein content but I dont know for sure.
I also have another dog (GSD) and shes going to eat whatever the other dog will eat so the food bill went up a lot.
I've feed them Yukanuba their entire lives and its decent food and never had any issues with it. If you can recommend something that doesnt cost me 80$ for a 40 pound bag + 30$ for 12 cans, Im all ears.
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lol pmd you before checking this thread again but here it goes.
I have a APBT that has a kidney stone currently and just had surgery to have lots of bladder stones removed. I was told to put him on the C/D S/D diet because thats what they recommend. I think its due to the lower protein content but I dont know for sure.
I also have another dog (GSD) and shes going to eat whatever the other dog will eat so the food bill went up a lot.
I've feed them Yukanuba their entire lives and its decent food and never had any issues with it. If you can recommend something that doesnt cost me 80$ for a 40 pound bag + 30$ for 12 cans, Im all ears.
I have a APBT that has a kidney stone currently and just had surgery to have lots of bladder stones removed. I was told to put him on the C/D S/D diet because thats what they recommend. I think its due to the lower protein content but I dont know for sure.
I also have another dog (GSD) and shes going to eat whatever the other dog will eat so the food bill went up a lot.
I've feed them Yukanuba their entire lives and its decent food and never had any issues with it. If you can recommend something that doesnt cost me 80$ for a 40 pound bag + 30$ for 12 cans, Im all ears.
And Eukanuba was an OK brand at one point, but they went downhill while the industry went up.
Last edited by VRT MBasile; Apr 30, 2011 at 12:08 PM.
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I been feeding my APBT Kirkland premium (Costco) and she's been thriving off of it.$25 with tax for a 40lb bag. I don't know much about dog food ingredients, but I've had the go ahead from different sources.
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While I don't think Kirkland is on the complete garbage list, I don't think it is on the "ideal" list either.
I have the option to eat junk food or healthy food, and I know the consequences of junk food. My dog can't make that decision so I won't make him suffer the consequences of junk food.
Last edited by VRT MBasile; Apr 30, 2011 at 12:18 PM.
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I had her on castor and pollux before. She pooped less, but she wasn't really excited to eat it. I don't disagree with you, but I think Kirkland is a decent brand
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Here's a list of quality brands put out by The Whole Dog Journal (a good publication to subscribe to for dog info).
2011 Approved Foods - Dry
WDJ’s Selection Criteria for DRY Food
•NOTE For 2011: There are 6 new pet food company additions this year. They are: Annamet Petfoods, Dr. G's Pet Food Company, Dr. Tim's Pet Food Company, Earthborn Holistic,Horizon Pet Nutrition, and Lotus Natural Food.
• New addition for 2008 is transparency. For the first time, this year we required each company who, in the past, had a product on our "approved dry dog food" list to divulge, for publication, information about their manufacturing sites. Seven companies either refused to tell us or there was no response to our inquiry. Those 7 have been REMOVED from our current approved list of dry foods. NOTE: several of the company have since given this information and have been returned to the list of approved foods.
Dry Food REMOVED from Approved List
• Azmira Holistic Animal Care (Tucson, AZ) - Refused to discuss maker of food
• Cloud Star Corporation (San Luis Obispo, CA) - Refused to disclose manufacturing location.
• Newman's Own Organics(Aptos, CA) - Refused to disclose manufacturing location
• Owen & Mandeville Pet Products (Oxford, CT) - No response to either phone or e-mails
• Royal Canin USA, Inc. (St. Charles, MO) - No response to our inquiry
• Timberwolf Organics, Inc. (Winderwere, FL) - No response to our inquiry
• (Evolve) Triumph Pet Industries, Inc. (Warwick, NY) - No response to our inquiry
• We look for foods that contain a lot of high-quality animal proteins. We’d love manufacturers to disclose the percentage of meat, poultry, or fish in theirfood, but they rarely do, so we look for foods that appear to have lots of animalprotein. Ingredients are listed by weight, so ideally a food will have one or twoanimal proteins in the first few ingredients.
Understand that whole meat (chicken, beef, lamb, etc.) contains a lot of water weight. If a food list starts out with chicken (rather than chicken meal), and there is no other animal protein listed until 7th or 8th on the list, the food does not actually contain a lot of animal protein. But if it starts out with chicken, and chicken meal (or another named animal meal, such as lamb meal) is number two or three on the list, chances are the product contains an admirable amount of animal protein. Animal proteins tend to be more palatable and bioavailable than plant proteins and offer a wider array of essential and nonessential amino acids.
• We reject any food containing meat by-products or poultry by-products. It’s just about impossible to ascertain the quality of by-products used by a food manufacturer. We’ve spoken to representatives who swore they used only the finest sources of by-products, but when asked, they all say that! The fact is, there is a much wider range of quality in the by-products available for pet food manufacturing than there is for whole meats. Whole meats are expensive, and because they are expensive, dog food makers insist on their quality to an extent that is unreasonable when buying bargain-basement by-products. So we advise that you just avoid foods that contain by-products.
• We reject foods containing fat or protein not identified by species. “Animal fat” is a euphemism for a low-quality, low-priced mix of fats of uncertain origin. “Meat meal” could be practically anything.
• We look for whole grains and vegetables. That said, some grains and vegetables have valuable constituents that accomplish specific tasks in a dog food formula. We don’t get too excited about one vegetable fragment and one grain byproduct on the ingredients panel. Our tolerance diminishes in direct proportion to the number of fragments and by-products contained in a food and the prominence on a label; the more there are, and/or the higher they appear on the ingredients list, the lower-quality the food.
• We eliminate all foods with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives listed on their ingredients panels. A healthy product full of top-quality ingredients shouldn’t need non-nutritive additives to make it look or taste better. And plenty of good natural preservatives (such as rosemary, and vitamins A and C) can be used instead.
• We eliminate all foods with added sweeteners. Dogs, like people, enjoy sweet foods. Like people, they can develop a taste for these nutritionally empty calories.
• We look for products containing organic ingredients. That’s a no-brainer.
Addiction Foods ~ New Zealand
• Viva La Venison made by Pied Piper Pet & Wildlife, Hamlin, TX
• Salmon Bleu made by Taplow Ventures, Vancouver, British Columbia
• La Porchetta made by Texas Farm Products, Nacogdoches, TX
COMMENT: Salmon and venison (puppy and adult) varieties are grain-free. A kangaroo (with oats and rice) variety is also offered for dogs who would benefit form a food with a novel protein. Products sold in independent pet supply stores and direct-shipped.
Annamaet Petfoods ~ Sellersville, PA ~
• Encore, Option, Extra, Adult & Ultra - Basic dog foods
• SALCHA, AQUALUK & MANITOK - Grain-free varities
NOTE: All foods made by Ohio Pet, Lisbon, OH.
COMMENT: Available in a handful of independent pet supply stores and from a few online retailers, including petfooddirect.com.
Artemis Pet Foods ~ North Hollywood, CA
• Agarx Immune Support (1 variety)
• Fresh Mix (5 varieties)
• Osopure (2 varieties for small dogs)
NOTE: All foods made by Diamond Pet Products, Lathrop, CA
COMMENT: Fresh Mix products display what we call "kitchen sink" formulation. Osopure has fewer protein sources. Much of the food is exported, but is available in independent pet supply stores.
Back to Basics ~ Meadville, PA
• 2 Varieties
NOTE: Food now owned and made by Dad's Pet Care (a division of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition) in Meadville, PA.
COMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores. Dad's indicates that an extensive overhaul and reintroduction of this food is in the works, and assures us that the new product will meet WDJ's selection criteria.
Bench and Field Pet Foods ~ Grand Rapids, MI
• Holistic Natural Canine made by WellPet, Mishawaka, IN
COMMENT: Product is available in natural food and fine grocery stores (we originally found this food in Trader Joe's), independent pet supply stores, and by direct shipping to your home.
Blue Buffalo Company ~ Wilton, CT
• Blue Life Protection Formulas (4 puppy varieties, 7 adult, 2 weight control and 3 senior)
• Blue Longevity (3 "life stages" - puppy, adult, mature)
• Blue Wilderness (3 grain-free varieties)
• Blue Basics (2 varieties with "limited ingredients".
NOTE: All foods made by: Chenago Valley Pet Foods, CJ Foods, Dad's Pet Care, Triple T Foods, Tuffy's Pet Foods.
COMMENT: Company launched a "limited ingredient" line (Blue Basics) and discontinued production of its organic food.
Blue Seal Feeds ~ Londonderry, NH
• By Nature (7 varieties) made by Blue Seal, Arcade, NY
• By Nature Organics (1 variety) made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: By Nature products are available in independent pet specialty stores and chains (Petco and Petsmart).
Breeder's Choice Pet Food ~ Irwindale, CA
• Pinnacle Holistic (6 varieties, 3 grain-free)
• Active Care (2 varieties)
• Advanced Pet Diets Select Choice (6 varities)
• AvoDerm Natural (7 varieties, including 1 vegetarian)
• AvoDerm Natural Original Oven-Baked (3 varieties)
NOTE: All Breeder's Choice formulas are made at their plant in Irwindale, CA
COMMENT: Active Care line contains "natural chicken cartilage with the highest levels of unprocessed chondroitin and glucosamine". Advanced Pet Diets line offers "life stage" diets. AvoDerm line developed for dogs with skin and coat issues. AvoDerm Baked meant for dogs with "sensitive stomachs". Pinnacle is meant to be Breeder's Choice "holistic, premium" line, but these are all good foods. Products found in independent pet supply stores and national pet specialty stores (such as Petco, Petsmart).
Burns Pet Nutrition ~ Valparaiso, IN
• Chicken and Brown Rice (regular and small "bite" sizes)
• Ocean Fish and Brown Rice
NOTE: All food made by CJ Foods, Bern, KS
COMMENT: Company offers direct sales and shipping of fresh product to your home. Products also sold in independent pet supply stores in a dozen or so states.
Canidae Corp ~ San Luis Obispo, CA
• All Life Stages, Lamb & Rice, Chicken & Rice, Beef & Fish, Platinum
• Single Grain Protein Plus
• Grain-Free (4 varieties - pureELMENTS, pureSEA, pureSKY, pureLAND)
NOTE: All Canidae formulas are made by Diamond Pet Foods, Lathrop CA, Meta, MO, Gaston, SC
COMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores.
Canine Caviar Pet Foods ~ Costa Mesa, CA
• Canine Caviar Holistic Beneficial (4 varieties including 1 puppy, 2 "all life stages" and 1 "Special Needs" low protein/low fat)
• Holistic Grain Free Venison & Split Pea
NOTE: All foods made by Ohio Pet Foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: Company says it uses only dehydrated meats, not rendered meat meals, in its Holistic Beneficial varieties. Grain-free variety does use venison meal, said to be from free-range venison. Available in independent pet supply stores and from a variety of online retailers.
Castor & Pollux Pet Works ~ Clackamas, OR
• Organix (3 varieties) made by CJ Foods, Bern, KS
• Ultramix (5 varieties) made by Crosswinds Petfoods, Inc., Sabetha, KS
COMMENT: Organix's organic certification is now conducted by Oregon Tilth. Products sold in independent pet supply stores as well as national pet specialty stores (Petco, Petsmart); direct shipping to your home is also available.
Champion Pet Foods ~ Morinville, Alberta, Canada
• Acana (10 varieties)
• Acana Grain-Free(4 varieties)
• Orijen (6 varieties, all grain-free)
NOTE: All foods made by their own plant in Alberta, Canada
COMMENT: Company says all ingredients are fresh (never frozen) and locally sourced. All foods are formulated with higher protein, lower carb content then most companies' offerings.
Della Natura Commodities ~ Bayside, NY
• Wenaewe (4 varieties) made by Erro S.A, Uruguay
COMMENT: Imported from Uruguay. Each contains 98% organic ingredients. Company says beef is "beyond organic", free-range. Not found in many stores, available from k9cuisine.com.
Diamond Pet Products ~ Meta, MO
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul (7 varieties)
• Premium Edge (8 varieties)
• Professional Pet Food (7 varieties)
• Taste of the Wild (4 varieties)
NOTE: All Diamond Pet dry dog foods are made at their own plants: Lathrop, CA - Meta, MO - Gaston, SC
COMMENT:Products are sold in independent pet supply stores and some online retailers, including petfooddirect.com.
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance ~ Pacoima, CA
• Natual Balance Organic
• Natual Balance Vegetarian
• Natural Balance Original Ultra (4 varieties)
• Natural Balance Limited Ingredience Diets (6 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by CJ Foods, Bern, KS and Diamond Pet Food: Lathrop, CA; Meta, MO; Gaston, SC.
COMMENT: Company tests each batch for contaminants and makes the test results available on its website. Products available in independent pet supply stores and Petco.
Dogswell, LLC ~ Los Angeles, CA
• Vitality
• Happy Hips ~ with glucosamine & chondroitin
• Shape Up ~ lower fat
• Nutrisca (2 grain-free, potato-free varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Tuffy's Pet Foods, Perham, MN
COMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores and Petco.
Dr. G's Pet Food Company ~ Sedona, AZ
• Canine Holistic Formula made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Company concept is simple: Fresh is better. Food orders will be made fresh weekly and direct-shipped to your home from the manufacturing plant on the following day. Product is available only from the maker. this doctor/founder, Martin Glinsky, PhD, specializes in animal nutrition and has formulated many pet foods in his career.
Dr. Tim's Pet Food Company ~ Marquette, MI
• Momentum - highly athletic formula
• Pursuit - moderately active dog formula
• Kinesis - all life stages formula (couch potato)
• Chase - a true carnivore diet
NOTE: All foods made by Ohio Pet Foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: This company doctor/founder is a veterinarian who specializes in athletic and competitive canine athletics and competes in sled dog racing. Available in independent pet supply stores, expanding from the Midwest outward. Also available by direct shipping.
Drs. Foster & Smith ~ Rhinelander, WI
• Drs Foster & Smith Adult Dog (5 varieties) made by CJ Foods, Bern KS & Pawnee City, NE
COMMENT: Company is a retailing catalog company so it will direct-ship to your home.
Earthborn Holistic ~ Evansville, IN
• Vantage - (1 adult and 1 puppy formula)
• Ocean Fusion
• Small Breed
• Grain-Free (3 varieties: Primitive Natural, Coastal Catch, Great Plains Feast)
NOTE: All foods made at their own plant: Midwestern Pet Foods, Monmouth, IL
COMMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores and from online retailers, including petfooddirect.com & doggiefood.com.
Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co. ~ Wheeling, ILL
• Pheasant & Brown Rice
• Chicken & Brown Rice
• Whitefish & Brown Rice
NOTE: All foods made by Hi Tek Rations, Dublin GA and Mid America, Mt. Pleasant, TX.
COMMENT: Products are available in independent pet supply stores and via direct shipping.
FirstMate Pet Foods ~ North Vancouver, BC, Canada
• FirstMate Grain-Free (6 varieties)
• FirstMate Classic (4 varieties)
• Skoki Grain-Free (6 varieties)
• Skoki Classic (4 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made in their own plant in Chilliwack, BC, Canada
COMMMENT: Skoki formulas cost less then FirstMate, which is the company's "premium" line. Products available in Canada and the Western U.S. in independent pet supply stores and specialty chains.
Fromm Family Foods ~ Mequon, WI
• Four-Star Entrees (7 varieties including 2 grain-free)
• Gold Nutritionals (5 varieties)
• Classics (2 varieties)
NOTE: All Fromm's dry foods made at their own plant in Mequon, WI
COMMENT: Four-Star foods contain the most ingredients and variety, Gold line is formulated with multiple animal protein sources, Classic line formulated with chicken as major source. Sold in independent pet supply stores and via online retailers; direct shipping also available.
Horizon Pet Nutrition ~ Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada
• Amicus (3 grain-free varieties)
• Horizon Complete (5 "life stages" varieties)
• Horizon Legacy (2 varieties)
NOTE: All dry foods made at their own plant in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada
COMMENT: Products available in independent pet supply stores. Amicus uses red lentils as the carb source.
Laughing Dog, Inc. ~ Lodi, CA
• Young Dog
• Brave Dog
• Wise Dog
NOTE: All foods made by Taplow Feeds, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
COMMENT: Products available in independent pet supply stores and direct shipped to consumers.
Lincoln Biotech ~ East Bend, NC
• Zinpro made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Company feels that dogs don't get enough zinc, causing sking and coat problems - Zinpro is formulated with a bioavilable zinc. Product is available at only a handful of independent pet supply stores but a number of online retailers, including k9cuisine.com and petfooddirect.com
Lotus Natural Food ~ Torrance, CA
• Grain-free Duck
• (4 varieties) Chicken, Lamb, Senior, Puppy
• RAW
NOTE: All foods made by Bio Biscuit, Montreal, Canada. COMMENT: These foods are baked, not extruded. Company says all ingredients are sourced in North America (with 3 exceptions: lamb, lamb meal and green mussels from New Zealand). Products are available in independent pet supply stores and online from doggiefood.com.
Merrick Pet Care ~ Amarillo, TX
• Merrick Dog Food (7 varieties)
• Before Grain (3 grain-free varieties)
• Whole Earth Farms (3 varieties)
NOTE: All Merrick dog foods are made at their plant in Hereford, TX
COMMENT: Products are sold in Petco and in independent pet supply stores. Available via direct shipping with no shipping charges in the U.S.
Mulligan Stew Pet Food ~ Jackson, WY
• Mulligan Stew (1 variety) made by Mountain Country Foods, Okeene, OK
COMMENT: All dry foods are baked, not extruded. Company says all ingredients are sourced in from U.S. farms and ranches.
Natura Pet Products ~ Davis, CA
• Innova (11 "life stages" varieties)
• California Natural (12 varieties, 3 of which are grain-free)
• HealthWise (6 varieties)
• EVO (7 grain-free varieties)
• Karma Organic (1 variety)
NOTE: All foods made at their plants in Fremont, NE and San Leandro, CA
COMMENT: Natura Pet Products is now owned by Procter & Gamble. California Natural foods contain a single animal protein source. Evo foods are grain-free, high in protein and fat. Innova foods contain several sources of animal protein. Karma is Natura's only baked food and its only organic food. Products sold in independent pet supply stores and through various online retailers.
Nature's Variety ~ Lincoln, NE
• Prairie (5 varieties)
• Instinct Grain-Free (5 varieties)
NOTE: All food made by Pied Piper Mills, Hamlin, TX
COMMENT: Company strongly promotes diet rotation amoung varieties and types, offering complementary frozen raw and canned foods. Products sold in independent pet supply stores and through various online retailers.
OmniPro Pet Foods ~ Madison, MS
• OmniPro Holistic Salmon & Potato is made by Ohio Pet Foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: Food is mainly exported, currently available in the U.S. only through Amazon.com.
Perfect Health Diet Products ~ Elmsford, NY
• PHD Viand (2 varieties) made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Company suggests using its products to supplement a fresh food diet. Available in a handful of independent pet supply stores, veterinary clinics and by direct shipping.
Pet Chef Express, Inc ~ New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
• Pet Chef Express (sole variety) made by Nutreco Canada, Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada
COMMENT: Company provides home delivery in parts of Canada. Also sold in independent pet supply stores.
Petcurean Pet Nutrition ~ Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
• Go! Natural (6 varieties including 3 grain-free)
• Now! (6 formulas, all grain-free)
• Summit Holistics (3 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Elmira Pet Products, Elmira, Ontario, Canada
COMMENT: Go! Natural grain-free variety was recently reformulated with lower protein and fat. Now! varieies contain no rendered meats (meat meals). Products available in independent pet supply stores and a variety of online retailers.
Pet Valu ~ Markham, Ontario, Canada
• Performatrin Ultra (3 varieties) made by Elmira Pet Products, Ontario, Canada
COMMENT: Performatrin Ultra is sold in PetValu stores in Canada and the Northeastern U.S. and via the online retailer petfooddirect.com.
Precise Pet Products ~ Nacogdoches, TX
• Precise Plus (3 varieties)
• Precise (9 varieties)
• Precise Holistic Complete (5 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Texas Farm Products' own plan in Nacogdoches, TX
COMMENT: Precise is owned by Texas Farm Products. Precise varieties have been vastly improved, a nice new line of products (Precise Holistic Complete) has been launched.
SmartPak Canine ~ Plymouth, MA
• LiveSmart (5 varieties) foods made by Chenango Valley Pet foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Products available by direct shipping only. Food is available sealed in custom-measured single-serving packages with the food measured to your dog's specifications. Creates extra packaging (not very "green") but keeps food incredibly fresh.
Solid Gold Health Products ~ El Cajon, CA
• Solid Gold (8 varieties including 1 grain-free) made by Diamond Pet Products in Lathrop CA and Meta, MO
COMMENT: Products available in independent pet supply stores and Petco.
Tuffy's Pet Foods, Inc ~ Perham, MN
• NutriSource (11 varieties including 1 grain-free)
• Natural Planet Organics (1 variety)
• PureVita (3 varieties
NOTE: All foods made at their plant in Perham, MN
COMMENT: Natural Plant Organics certified by Oregon Tilth. PureVita varieties each contain a single source of animal protein.
VeRUS Pet Foods, Imc. ~ Abingdon, MD
• VeRUS (5 varieties) made by Ohio Pet foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: Company says all lamb used in foods is free-range, grass-fed, New Zealand lamb. Available in independent pet supply stores and through a few online retailers.
Wellpet ~ Tewksbury, MA
• Holistic Select (10 varieties)
• Wellness Core (3 grain-free varieties)
• Wellness Simple Solutions (3 varieties - each with a single source of animal protein and rice)
• Wellness Super5Mix (9 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Wellpet's plant in Mishawaka, IN; Hagen Pet foods, Waverly, NY; CJ Foods Bern, KS; American Nutrition, Inc, Ogden, UT; Diamond Pet Foods, Gaston SC & Lathrop, CA.
COMMENT: Formerly known as Old Mother Hubbard and Wellness Pet Care. WelPet now owns and operates a formal rival (Eagle Pack). WellPet's products can be found in national pet specialty stores (such as Petco and Petsmart) and independent pet supply stores.
2011 Approved Foods - Dry
WDJ’s Selection Criteria for DRY Food
•NOTE For 2011: There are 6 new pet food company additions this year. They are: Annamet Petfoods, Dr. G's Pet Food Company, Dr. Tim's Pet Food Company, Earthborn Holistic,Horizon Pet Nutrition, and Lotus Natural Food.
• New addition for 2008 is transparency. For the first time, this year we required each company who, in the past, had a product on our "approved dry dog food" list to divulge, for publication, information about their manufacturing sites. Seven companies either refused to tell us or there was no response to our inquiry. Those 7 have been REMOVED from our current approved list of dry foods. NOTE: several of the company have since given this information and have been returned to the list of approved foods.
Dry Food REMOVED from Approved List
• Azmira Holistic Animal Care (Tucson, AZ) - Refused to discuss maker of food
• Cloud Star Corporation (San Luis Obispo, CA) - Refused to disclose manufacturing location.
• Newman's Own Organics(Aptos, CA) - Refused to disclose manufacturing location
• Owen & Mandeville Pet Products (Oxford, CT) - No response to either phone or e-mails
• Royal Canin USA, Inc. (St. Charles, MO) - No response to our inquiry
• Timberwolf Organics, Inc. (Winderwere, FL) - No response to our inquiry
• (Evolve) Triumph Pet Industries, Inc. (Warwick, NY) - No response to our inquiry
• We look for foods that contain a lot of high-quality animal proteins. We’d love manufacturers to disclose the percentage of meat, poultry, or fish in theirfood, but they rarely do, so we look for foods that appear to have lots of animalprotein. Ingredients are listed by weight, so ideally a food will have one or twoanimal proteins in the first few ingredients.
Understand that whole meat (chicken, beef, lamb, etc.) contains a lot of water weight. If a food list starts out with chicken (rather than chicken meal), and there is no other animal protein listed until 7th or 8th on the list, the food does not actually contain a lot of animal protein. But if it starts out with chicken, and chicken meal (or another named animal meal, such as lamb meal) is number two or three on the list, chances are the product contains an admirable amount of animal protein. Animal proteins tend to be more palatable and bioavailable than plant proteins and offer a wider array of essential and nonessential amino acids.
• We reject any food containing meat by-products or poultry by-products. It’s just about impossible to ascertain the quality of by-products used by a food manufacturer. We’ve spoken to representatives who swore they used only the finest sources of by-products, but when asked, they all say that! The fact is, there is a much wider range of quality in the by-products available for pet food manufacturing than there is for whole meats. Whole meats are expensive, and because they are expensive, dog food makers insist on their quality to an extent that is unreasonable when buying bargain-basement by-products. So we advise that you just avoid foods that contain by-products.
• We reject foods containing fat or protein not identified by species. “Animal fat” is a euphemism for a low-quality, low-priced mix of fats of uncertain origin. “Meat meal” could be practically anything.
• We look for whole grains and vegetables. That said, some grains and vegetables have valuable constituents that accomplish specific tasks in a dog food formula. We don’t get too excited about one vegetable fragment and one grain byproduct on the ingredients panel. Our tolerance diminishes in direct proportion to the number of fragments and by-products contained in a food and the prominence on a label; the more there are, and/or the higher they appear on the ingredients list, the lower-quality the food.
• We eliminate all foods with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives listed on their ingredients panels. A healthy product full of top-quality ingredients shouldn’t need non-nutritive additives to make it look or taste better. And plenty of good natural preservatives (such as rosemary, and vitamins A and C) can be used instead.
• We eliminate all foods with added sweeteners. Dogs, like people, enjoy sweet foods. Like people, they can develop a taste for these nutritionally empty calories.
• We look for products containing organic ingredients. That’s a no-brainer.
Addiction Foods ~ New Zealand
• Viva La Venison made by Pied Piper Pet & Wildlife, Hamlin, TX
• Salmon Bleu made by Taplow Ventures, Vancouver, British Columbia
• La Porchetta made by Texas Farm Products, Nacogdoches, TX
COMMENT: Salmon and venison (puppy and adult) varieties are grain-free. A kangaroo (with oats and rice) variety is also offered for dogs who would benefit form a food with a novel protein. Products sold in independent pet supply stores and direct-shipped.
Annamaet Petfoods ~ Sellersville, PA ~
• Encore, Option, Extra, Adult & Ultra - Basic dog foods
• SALCHA, AQUALUK & MANITOK - Grain-free varities
NOTE: All foods made by Ohio Pet, Lisbon, OH.
COMMENT: Available in a handful of independent pet supply stores and from a few online retailers, including petfooddirect.com.
Artemis Pet Foods ~ North Hollywood, CA
• Agarx Immune Support (1 variety)
• Fresh Mix (5 varieties)
• Osopure (2 varieties for small dogs)
NOTE: All foods made by Diamond Pet Products, Lathrop, CA
COMMENT: Fresh Mix products display what we call "kitchen sink" formulation. Osopure has fewer protein sources. Much of the food is exported, but is available in independent pet supply stores.
Back to Basics ~ Meadville, PA
• 2 Varieties
NOTE: Food now owned and made by Dad's Pet Care (a division of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition) in Meadville, PA.
COMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores. Dad's indicates that an extensive overhaul and reintroduction of this food is in the works, and assures us that the new product will meet WDJ's selection criteria.
Bench and Field Pet Foods ~ Grand Rapids, MI
• Holistic Natural Canine made by WellPet, Mishawaka, IN
COMMENT: Product is available in natural food and fine grocery stores (we originally found this food in Trader Joe's), independent pet supply stores, and by direct shipping to your home.
Blue Buffalo Company ~ Wilton, CT
• Blue Life Protection Formulas (4 puppy varieties, 7 adult, 2 weight control and 3 senior)
• Blue Longevity (3 "life stages" - puppy, adult, mature)
• Blue Wilderness (3 grain-free varieties)
• Blue Basics (2 varieties with "limited ingredients".
NOTE: All foods made by: Chenago Valley Pet Foods, CJ Foods, Dad's Pet Care, Triple T Foods, Tuffy's Pet Foods.
COMMENT: Company launched a "limited ingredient" line (Blue Basics) and discontinued production of its organic food.
Blue Seal Feeds ~ Londonderry, NH
• By Nature (7 varieties) made by Blue Seal, Arcade, NY
• By Nature Organics (1 variety) made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: By Nature products are available in independent pet specialty stores and chains (Petco and Petsmart).
Breeder's Choice Pet Food ~ Irwindale, CA
• Pinnacle Holistic (6 varieties, 3 grain-free)
• Active Care (2 varieties)
• Advanced Pet Diets Select Choice (6 varities)
• AvoDerm Natural (7 varieties, including 1 vegetarian)
• AvoDerm Natural Original Oven-Baked (3 varieties)
NOTE: All Breeder's Choice formulas are made at their plant in Irwindale, CA
COMMENT: Active Care line contains "natural chicken cartilage with the highest levels of unprocessed chondroitin and glucosamine". Advanced Pet Diets line offers "life stage" diets. AvoDerm line developed for dogs with skin and coat issues. AvoDerm Baked meant for dogs with "sensitive stomachs". Pinnacle is meant to be Breeder's Choice "holistic, premium" line, but these are all good foods. Products found in independent pet supply stores and national pet specialty stores (such as Petco, Petsmart).
Burns Pet Nutrition ~ Valparaiso, IN
• Chicken and Brown Rice (regular and small "bite" sizes)
• Ocean Fish and Brown Rice
NOTE: All food made by CJ Foods, Bern, KS
COMMENT: Company offers direct sales and shipping of fresh product to your home. Products also sold in independent pet supply stores in a dozen or so states.
Canidae Corp ~ San Luis Obispo, CA
• All Life Stages, Lamb & Rice, Chicken & Rice, Beef & Fish, Platinum
• Single Grain Protein Plus
• Grain-Free (4 varieties - pureELMENTS, pureSEA, pureSKY, pureLAND)
NOTE: All Canidae formulas are made by Diamond Pet Foods, Lathrop CA, Meta, MO, Gaston, SC
COMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores.
Canine Caviar Pet Foods ~ Costa Mesa, CA
• Canine Caviar Holistic Beneficial (4 varieties including 1 puppy, 2 "all life stages" and 1 "Special Needs" low protein/low fat)
• Holistic Grain Free Venison & Split Pea
NOTE: All foods made by Ohio Pet Foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: Company says it uses only dehydrated meats, not rendered meat meals, in its Holistic Beneficial varieties. Grain-free variety does use venison meal, said to be from free-range venison. Available in independent pet supply stores and from a variety of online retailers.
Castor & Pollux Pet Works ~ Clackamas, OR
• Organix (3 varieties) made by CJ Foods, Bern, KS
• Ultramix (5 varieties) made by Crosswinds Petfoods, Inc., Sabetha, KS
COMMENT: Organix's organic certification is now conducted by Oregon Tilth. Products sold in independent pet supply stores as well as national pet specialty stores (Petco, Petsmart); direct shipping to your home is also available.
Champion Pet Foods ~ Morinville, Alberta, Canada
• Acana (10 varieties)
• Acana Grain-Free(4 varieties)
• Orijen (6 varieties, all grain-free)
NOTE: All foods made by their own plant in Alberta, Canada
COMMENT: Company says all ingredients are fresh (never frozen) and locally sourced. All foods are formulated with higher protein, lower carb content then most companies' offerings.
Della Natura Commodities ~ Bayside, NY
• Wenaewe (4 varieties) made by Erro S.A, Uruguay
COMMENT: Imported from Uruguay. Each contains 98% organic ingredients. Company says beef is "beyond organic", free-range. Not found in many stores, available from k9cuisine.com.
Diamond Pet Products ~ Meta, MO
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul (7 varieties)
• Premium Edge (8 varieties)
• Professional Pet Food (7 varieties)
• Taste of the Wild (4 varieties)
NOTE: All Diamond Pet dry dog foods are made at their own plants: Lathrop, CA - Meta, MO - Gaston, SC
COMMENT:Products are sold in independent pet supply stores and some online retailers, including petfooddirect.com.
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance ~ Pacoima, CA
• Natual Balance Organic
• Natual Balance Vegetarian
• Natural Balance Original Ultra (4 varieties)
• Natural Balance Limited Ingredience Diets (6 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by CJ Foods, Bern, KS and Diamond Pet Food: Lathrop, CA; Meta, MO; Gaston, SC.
COMMENT: Company tests each batch for contaminants and makes the test results available on its website. Products available in independent pet supply stores and Petco.
Dogswell, LLC ~ Los Angeles, CA
• Vitality
• Happy Hips ~ with glucosamine & chondroitin
• Shape Up ~ lower fat
• Nutrisca (2 grain-free, potato-free varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Tuffy's Pet Foods, Perham, MN
COMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores and Petco.
Dr. G's Pet Food Company ~ Sedona, AZ
• Canine Holistic Formula made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Company concept is simple: Fresh is better. Food orders will be made fresh weekly and direct-shipped to your home from the manufacturing plant on the following day. Product is available only from the maker. this doctor/founder, Martin Glinsky, PhD, specializes in animal nutrition and has formulated many pet foods in his career.
Dr. Tim's Pet Food Company ~ Marquette, MI
• Momentum - highly athletic formula
• Pursuit - moderately active dog formula
• Kinesis - all life stages formula (couch potato)
• Chase - a true carnivore diet
NOTE: All foods made by Ohio Pet Foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: This company doctor/founder is a veterinarian who specializes in athletic and competitive canine athletics and competes in sled dog racing. Available in independent pet supply stores, expanding from the Midwest outward. Also available by direct shipping.
Drs. Foster & Smith ~ Rhinelander, WI
• Drs Foster & Smith Adult Dog (5 varieties) made by CJ Foods, Bern KS & Pawnee City, NE
COMMENT: Company is a retailing catalog company so it will direct-ship to your home.
Earthborn Holistic ~ Evansville, IN
• Vantage - (1 adult and 1 puppy formula)
• Ocean Fusion
• Small Breed
• Grain-Free (3 varieties: Primitive Natural, Coastal Catch, Great Plains Feast)
NOTE: All foods made at their own plant: Midwestern Pet Foods, Monmouth, IL
COMMMENT: Available in independent pet supply stores and from online retailers, including petfooddirect.com & doggiefood.com.
Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co. ~ Wheeling, ILL
• Pheasant & Brown Rice
• Chicken & Brown Rice
• Whitefish & Brown Rice
NOTE: All foods made by Hi Tek Rations, Dublin GA and Mid America, Mt. Pleasant, TX.
COMMENT: Products are available in independent pet supply stores and via direct shipping.
FirstMate Pet Foods ~ North Vancouver, BC, Canada
• FirstMate Grain-Free (6 varieties)
• FirstMate Classic (4 varieties)
• Skoki Grain-Free (6 varieties)
• Skoki Classic (4 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made in their own plant in Chilliwack, BC, Canada
COMMMENT: Skoki formulas cost less then FirstMate, which is the company's "premium" line. Products available in Canada and the Western U.S. in independent pet supply stores and specialty chains.
Fromm Family Foods ~ Mequon, WI
• Four-Star Entrees (7 varieties including 2 grain-free)
• Gold Nutritionals (5 varieties)
• Classics (2 varieties)
NOTE: All Fromm's dry foods made at their own plant in Mequon, WI
COMMENT: Four-Star foods contain the most ingredients and variety, Gold line is formulated with multiple animal protein sources, Classic line formulated with chicken as major source. Sold in independent pet supply stores and via online retailers; direct shipping also available.
Horizon Pet Nutrition ~ Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada
• Amicus (3 grain-free varieties)
• Horizon Complete (5 "life stages" varieties)
• Horizon Legacy (2 varieties)
NOTE: All dry foods made at their own plant in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada
COMMENT: Products available in independent pet supply stores. Amicus uses red lentils as the carb source.
Laughing Dog, Inc. ~ Lodi, CA
• Young Dog
• Brave Dog
• Wise Dog
NOTE: All foods made by Taplow Feeds, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
COMMENT: Products available in independent pet supply stores and direct shipped to consumers.
Lincoln Biotech ~ East Bend, NC
• Zinpro made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Company feels that dogs don't get enough zinc, causing sking and coat problems - Zinpro is formulated with a bioavilable zinc. Product is available at only a handful of independent pet supply stores but a number of online retailers, including k9cuisine.com and petfooddirect.com
Lotus Natural Food ~ Torrance, CA
• Grain-free Duck
• (4 varieties) Chicken, Lamb, Senior, Puppy
• RAW
NOTE: All foods made by Bio Biscuit, Montreal, Canada. COMMENT: These foods are baked, not extruded. Company says all ingredients are sourced in North America (with 3 exceptions: lamb, lamb meal and green mussels from New Zealand). Products are available in independent pet supply stores and online from doggiefood.com.
Merrick Pet Care ~ Amarillo, TX
• Merrick Dog Food (7 varieties)
• Before Grain (3 grain-free varieties)
• Whole Earth Farms (3 varieties)
NOTE: All Merrick dog foods are made at their plant in Hereford, TX
COMMENT: Products are sold in Petco and in independent pet supply stores. Available via direct shipping with no shipping charges in the U.S.
Mulligan Stew Pet Food ~ Jackson, WY
• Mulligan Stew (1 variety) made by Mountain Country Foods, Okeene, OK
COMMENT: All dry foods are baked, not extruded. Company says all ingredients are sourced in from U.S. farms and ranches.
Natura Pet Products ~ Davis, CA
• Innova (11 "life stages" varieties)
• California Natural (12 varieties, 3 of which are grain-free)
• HealthWise (6 varieties)
• EVO (7 grain-free varieties)
• Karma Organic (1 variety)
NOTE: All foods made at their plants in Fremont, NE and San Leandro, CA
COMMENT: Natura Pet Products is now owned by Procter & Gamble. California Natural foods contain a single animal protein source. Evo foods are grain-free, high in protein and fat. Innova foods contain several sources of animal protein. Karma is Natura's only baked food and its only organic food. Products sold in independent pet supply stores and through various online retailers.
Nature's Variety ~ Lincoln, NE
• Prairie (5 varieties)
• Instinct Grain-Free (5 varieties)
NOTE: All food made by Pied Piper Mills, Hamlin, TX
COMMENT: Company strongly promotes diet rotation amoung varieties and types, offering complementary frozen raw and canned foods. Products sold in independent pet supply stores and through various online retailers.
OmniPro Pet Foods ~ Madison, MS
• OmniPro Holistic Salmon & Potato is made by Ohio Pet Foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: Food is mainly exported, currently available in the U.S. only through Amazon.com.
Perfect Health Diet Products ~ Elmsford, NY
• PHD Viand (2 varieties) made by Chenango Valley Pet Foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Company suggests using its products to supplement a fresh food diet. Available in a handful of independent pet supply stores, veterinary clinics and by direct shipping.
Pet Chef Express, Inc ~ New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
• Pet Chef Express (sole variety) made by Nutreco Canada, Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada
COMMENT: Company provides home delivery in parts of Canada. Also sold in independent pet supply stores.
Petcurean Pet Nutrition ~ Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
• Go! Natural (6 varieties including 3 grain-free)
• Now! (6 formulas, all grain-free)
• Summit Holistics (3 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Elmira Pet Products, Elmira, Ontario, Canada
COMMENT: Go! Natural grain-free variety was recently reformulated with lower protein and fat. Now! varieies contain no rendered meats (meat meals). Products available in independent pet supply stores and a variety of online retailers.
Pet Valu ~ Markham, Ontario, Canada
• Performatrin Ultra (3 varieties) made by Elmira Pet Products, Ontario, Canada
COMMENT: Performatrin Ultra is sold in PetValu stores in Canada and the Northeastern U.S. and via the online retailer petfooddirect.com.
Precise Pet Products ~ Nacogdoches, TX
• Precise Plus (3 varieties)
• Precise (9 varieties)
• Precise Holistic Complete (5 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Texas Farm Products' own plan in Nacogdoches, TX
COMMENT: Precise is owned by Texas Farm Products. Precise varieties have been vastly improved, a nice new line of products (Precise Holistic Complete) has been launched.
SmartPak Canine ~ Plymouth, MA
• LiveSmart (5 varieties) foods made by Chenango Valley Pet foods, Sherburne, NY
COMMENT: Products available by direct shipping only. Food is available sealed in custom-measured single-serving packages with the food measured to your dog's specifications. Creates extra packaging (not very "green") but keeps food incredibly fresh.
Solid Gold Health Products ~ El Cajon, CA
• Solid Gold (8 varieties including 1 grain-free) made by Diamond Pet Products in Lathrop CA and Meta, MO
COMMENT: Products available in independent pet supply stores and Petco.
Tuffy's Pet Foods, Inc ~ Perham, MN
• NutriSource (11 varieties including 1 grain-free)
• Natural Planet Organics (1 variety)
• PureVita (3 varieties
NOTE: All foods made at their plant in Perham, MN
COMMENT: Natural Plant Organics certified by Oregon Tilth. PureVita varieties each contain a single source of animal protein.
VeRUS Pet Foods, Imc. ~ Abingdon, MD
• VeRUS (5 varieties) made by Ohio Pet foods, Lisbon, OH
COMMENT: Company says all lamb used in foods is free-range, grass-fed, New Zealand lamb. Available in independent pet supply stores and through a few online retailers.
Wellpet ~ Tewksbury, MA
• Holistic Select (10 varieties)
• Wellness Core (3 grain-free varieties)
• Wellness Simple Solutions (3 varieties - each with a single source of animal protein and rice)
• Wellness Super5Mix (9 varieties)
NOTE: All foods made by Wellpet's plant in Mishawaka, IN; Hagen Pet foods, Waverly, NY; CJ Foods Bern, KS; American Nutrition, Inc, Ogden, UT; Diamond Pet Foods, Gaston SC & Lathrop, CA.
COMMENT: Formerly known as Old Mother Hubbard and Wellness Pet Care. WelPet now owns and operates a formal rival (Eagle Pack). WellPet's products can be found in national pet specialty stores (such as Petco and Petsmart) and independent pet supply stores.
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Now that he's six and no longer has a beach to run on every day, I've taken him off of a high-protein diet.
Last edited by VRT MBasile; Apr 30, 2011 at 02:38 PM.
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I have a friend that ONLY feeds her dogs a pure raw meet diet. She has a huge Mastiff and another dog that is also huge (i forget what breed). She takes pride in taking optimal care of her dogs and the dogs are in excellent health. I believe she may supplement their diets with vitamins as well..
Our Lab mix only eats Cannidae Senior.
Our Lab mix only eats Cannidae Senior.
Last edited by Turbo Rob; Apr 30, 2011 at 03:39 PM. Reason: clarification
