I've worked with animals for the past 11 years and have developed a passion for pet nutrition. I'm trying to conduct a study with various information related to pet foods. I'd like to know what source you consider the best for giving the most reliable information about pet foods.
No, I would not ask my vet. I know that vets get kick backs from certain food companies. I worked in the pet industry for quite a while, so I know a lot of the food they recommend is crap. I would NEVER feed my dogs what I hear them recommend most. If I wanna know what a good food is, regardless if it's for my dogs, fish, whatever, I just read ingredients. It tells me everything I need to know.
Mom Dad Chazz (7y) Rocco (4y) Joey (14m)
Breastfeeding, baby wearing, natural birthing, anti-abortion, SAHM who loves her tattoos, piercings, and hair dye
My vet has always been honest with me when asking her this question, and she will say "well, I personally recommend xxxx brand because I sell it in the office, but if you are looking for a good store type...I recommend this one."
What I have found out though is that if a dog food says it's 100% complete nutritionally for you dog, they can ONLY put that on the bag if the AAFCO approves of the ingredients. So, those are the two things I look for when selecting a food for my dog. I used to think those more expensive brands were better but now I don't believe that anymore. I was feeding my dog Blue Buffalo food (at $45 a bag) and after three months on that, she lost incredible amounts of weight which was something she could not afford to do at all. So when discussing this with my vet, she recommended me change her food to another brand, which I did and now my dog is gaining the weight she needs.
I have had dogs live longer on the less expensive brands (purina one, beneful, etc) and be just as healthy as other dogs, than I have on the more expensive "natural" foods. Personally I think it's the persons preferance as to what type of food they feed, but for me, the more expensive brands just don't cut it.
I have asked the vet in the past what would be the best for any of my animals. I just don't buy it through them. I take what information they have given me and head to the store. I look for what the vet said would be good for them and in a price range I can afford. More (price) doesn't always mean better.
Dog allergies
- Tuzyae
on Nov. 29, 2009 at 5:11 PM