[nagdu] possibly switching dog food, advice would be welcome

Thu Mar 20 12:08:07 UTC 2014

Neither do I feed store bought treats. I prefer to feed home baked treats. I particularly like sweet potato cookies. Yes, they have a small amount of grain, but not very much. BARD has a great book on feeding home cooked or baked products. It is called the Good Food Cookbook for Dogs. 
Jewel 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 20, 2014, at 7:56 AM, The Pawpower Pack <pawpower4me at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Raven, 
> Thank you for explaining this.  I'm not yet sufficiently caffeinated to do this question justice. 
> As for why I feed raw— I have fed raw for the last 15 years.  I started because my dog at the time could not have any cereal grains.  I liked the results so have continued.  I am also a bit of a control freak and like to know what my dog eats, exactly.  Lastly, I was feeding a single ingredient treat, which I thought was good quality, but was actually made in China and which caused the death of my almost 16 year old retired guide and which resulted in first stage kidney disease of my working service dog, who is now on the fast track to retirement.  So no more store bought pet treats or food for my dogs.  I have no trust what so ever in the pet industry and am just sorry both of my dogs paid such a high price for me to learn this lesson. 
> 
> 
> Rox'E and the Kitchen Bitches 
> Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
> “America has only three cities:  New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans.  Everywhere else is Cleveland.” –Tennessee Williams
> pawpower4me at gmail.com  
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 20, 2014, at 2:39 AM, Raven Tolliver <ravend729 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Kathy,
>> The truth of the matter is that many of the more expensive dog food
>> brands lack those ingredients that cause health issues in dogs, or are
>> just downright toxic. A dog's diet should not include msg, salt, soy,
>> grains, or carbohydrates of any kind. And many sources even say that
>> out of all the processed dog foods, kibble is the worst. Too, many of
>> those premium brands are still unhealthy and unnatural.
>> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/canine-nutrition/dog-food-carbohydrates/
>> The canine is a carnivore species. Look at their dentition and their
>> digestive tracts. First, dogs do not have flat molars, and dogs' lower
>> mandibles do not move from side to side to allow for the proper
>> crushing and chewing of fruits and veggies. Instead their teeth are
>> pointed and come together in a scissors bite. This is why it is
>> encouraged to chop up fruits and veggies before feeding them to a dog.
>> Also, if you read any diets that promote the feeding of fruits and
>> veggies, you will see that they encourage steaming, pureeing, or
>> preparing fruits and veggies in a way that breaks down the outer layer
>> of cellulose. Why? Because a dog does not possess the digestive
>> enzymes to break this down in order to obtain nutrients. So feeding
>> green beans or carrots does provide fiber, but those things are just
>> fillers and do not provide nutrients unless you prepare it. Guess who
>> cooked for dogs when they were out in the wild?
>> Furthermore, digestion for dogs starts in the stomach, not in the
>> mouth. This is why dogs do not chew their food so finely as we do.
>> Chomp, chomp, chomp, swallow. And the food is down. The stomach acid
>> will take care of the rest.
>> http://rawfed.com/myths/omnivores.html
>> In addition, the cooking process destroys nutrients. If you want
>> proof, look at the list of ingredients for your dog food of choice.
>> Then answer this question: why do they have to add a gamut of vitamins
>> and minerals to the meats, fruits, and veggies listed? Answer: because
>> all the nutrients for those foods were destroyed during the cooking
>> process, so a vitamin premix must be sprayed on. Oh and most of these
>> premixes or many of their ingredients come from China or India.
>> https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-kibble-harming-dogs/
>> Kibble is also laden with toxic chemicals such as molds, carcinogens,
>> and flame retardants.
>> https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/kibble-never-a-good-option/
>> Oh, and want to know what else is in kibble? Various dead and diseased
>> animals, and farming/manufacturing waste.
>> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-industry-exposed/shocking-truth-about-dog-food/
>> 
>> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/animal-by-products/
>> 
>> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/dog-food-grain-by-products/
>> 
>> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/helpful-dog-food-articles/
>> Now why do many people feed raw? The better question is why don't
>> people feed raw? Tell me what's better than having complete control
>> over the ingredients in your dog's food. What's better than knowing
>> that your dog is eating a species appropriate diet, day in and day
>> out, and is reaping the benefits, cleaner teeth, fresher breath,
>> easier digestion, and absorbing every part of their meals as
>> nutrients. Raw fed dogs also have smaller, less frequent stools
>> because their is little waste material passing through their digestive
>> systems, which means the dog is consuming nutrient-rich foods and
>> absorbing nutrients. Healthy raw-fed dogs generally poop once a day,
>> some, such as the Golden Guy, even poop once every 2 days.
>> As for how I even switched. I used to be on the kibble train. I didn't
>> even know that other types of dog food existed, other than canned
>> food. I was lied to by the guide dog school, and told that kibble was
>> better than canned food because it cleans a dog's teeth. Okay, don't
>> even get me started.
>> http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/dry-dog-food-cleaner-teeth/
>> So I fed kibble. First, it was the anal glands. They needed expressing
>> every 6 weeks. I would always ask what things I could do to minimize
>> or eliminate the need for this. All three vets I went to informed me
>> that some dogs have this problem and others don't. Okay, so what was I
>> supposed to do?
>> Then, the chronic ear infections. First every other month, then none
>> during the winter, then a monthly infection from April to October. I
>> went to three different vets again, looking for the solution to my
>> problems. All of them kept saying well, it could be seasonal
>> allergies, or food allergies, or a yeast overgrowth. Okay, so I needed
>> to switch his food. I embarked on a search for different dog foods on
>> my own. Why? Because every vet I went to said Iams was a good dog
>> food. Anyone who claimed that did not have my dog's best interests at
>> heart.
>> So I went through some top notch dog food brands after getting off
>> Iams, which is what the school fed their dogs. I went from Acana, to
>> Canidae, to Wellness Core, and I even tried a couple different recipes
>> within each brand. I knew that systemic issues took time to clear up,
>> so I gave each formula about 3 months. But I still researched
>> furiously, trying to figure out what on God's green earth was causing
>> the ear infections and the anal gland issues! It was driving me up the
>> wall, and I could not imagine what the Golden Guy was going through.
>> I looked into feeding canned dog food, dehydrated, freeze-dried, and
>> even cooking my dog's food. It was too much. The calculating,
>> preparation, and work involved. I threw in the towel on process dog
>> food, and I have not looked back. And you know what? No ear
>> infections, and no more scooting or anal gland issues. I feed my dog
>> as nature intended, and it is easy and stress-free. I don't have to
>> worry about recalls, contamination, harmful chemicals in the food, or
>> a change in recipe. I am done playing with fire and burning my dog.
>> I tell this story because I want to save people from going through
>> what I went through. These issues are so minor, and so easily fixed.
>> Sometimes, it takes minor and/or major health problems to persuade
>> people to feed raw.
>> If your dog is experiencing chronic ear infections, your dog is trying
>> to get rid of toxins in his body. One of the primary ways to get rid
>> of toxins is through the skin, note things like anal gland issues,
>> allergies displayed through the skin and coat, and ear infections.
>> That stuff has to come out somehow. Probiotics will not help you if
>> you continue to put the very same toxins into your dog that your dog
>> is trying to get rid of. It's like solving a vitamin deficiency by
>> taking a multi vitamin while consuming a diet of junk food, or
>> unhealthy food in the least. It doesn't work. Trust me, I tried it my
>> sophomore year of college. Change the diet altogether. Feed your dog a
>> diet that promotes good gut flora, then perhaps add in probiotics if
>> you still feel it is necessary. Probiotics are not necessary in a
>> healthy dog eating a species appropriate diet.
>> If you want to learn more about raw vs. kibble and why raw, check out
>> the links below:
>> http://rawfed.com/myths/index.html
>> www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com
>> www.rawlearning.com
>> http://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners.php
>> 
>> 
>>> On 3/20/14, Tai Blas <taiablas at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi! My dog gets ear infections once a month. I have only had her three
>>> months and she has had an infection each of those months. Can you recommend
>>> a probiotic? C
>>> 
>>> Tai Tomasi
>>> J.D. Candidate, class of 2014
>>> Email: tai.tomasi8 at gmail.com
>>> Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse my brevity and any grammatical errors.
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 19, 2014, at 10:47 PM, Brandy Pinder <bdpinder at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I am all for taste of the wild. It's grain free, on the less expensive
>>>> side. For some reason pinta had that smell that has either subsided from
>>>> switching to wellness grain free or the numerous dry shampoo and wipes I
>>>> have discovered.
>>>> Kathy I switched to quote unquote more expensive food because I feel,
>>>> especially for my dog who has had past ear infections, is healthier over
>>>> all. Dogs do not eat grain such as corn in the wild and grain can cause
>>>> many allergies. Also, I have found I pay the same price because on foods
>>>> like purina and iams I would be feeding at least three cups whereas with
>>>> wellness she is eating two cups. I noticed when I switched my previous dog
>>>> to blue buffalo as opposed to euk she didn't seem hungry at all between
>>>> meals and didn't start asking for her dinner extremely early. The quote
>>>> unquote more expensive brands and especially grain free have higher
>>>> protein whereas the quote unquote less expensive have more carbohydrates
>>>> which I'm sure every one has noticed eggs keep you more full in the
>>>> morning as opposed to oat meal. Lastly, my main reason at first is that I
>>>> lived alone and though I could pick up purina from my grocery store
>>>> sometimes they didn't have it or I went to the one closer to home which
>>>> only carries small bags. When I went on pet food direct and pet flow five
>>>> years ago blue buffalo was fifty two a bad. Purina was forty five while at
>>>> the store it was thirty five so I'm thinking for seven dollars more I can
>>>> get a much better food, however if a grocery store is convenient then yes
>>>> those brands would be cheaper. Raven will explain this much better. Smile.
>>>> I am in no way saying that a person who feeds the less expensive brands
>>>> are bad. Do I think my dog will live longer eating a grain free food? Not
>>>> really. Do I think anyone feeding iams is bad? No of course not. This just
>>>> works for me and I can't deny the fact that my school let me know she had
>>>> had numerous ear infections and was I ok with that and when I brought her
>>>> home she had one, in the last seven months nothing. I strongly feel it is
>>>> the grain free food and the probiotics
>>>> 
>>>> brandy pinder
>>>> Alumni Council -  second vice Chairman
>>>> Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc®
>>>> and America's VetDogs®, The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc®
>>>> Providing "Second uSight"® since 1946
>>>> 
>>>> 371 E. Jericho Turnpike smith town ny 11766
>>>> Cso: 866-282-8047
>>>> Email: brandydp at verizon.net
>>>> Cell: 304-685-4499
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 19, 2014, at 10:42 PM, "Kathy Davis" <kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>> This is Kathy Davis and I am new to the NAGDU list. I have received
>>>>> all 5 of my dogs from The Seeing Eye. I now have a handsome Black male
>>>>> Lab
>>>>> by the name of Wade who will be three in mid July.
>>>>> I have had wonderful luck with Purina Pro Plan after feeding my
>>>>> previous guides Neutro. Wade does great on this food and I wouldn't even
>>>>> consider changing. It is a reasonable cost and is carried by Pet
>>>>> Supermarket, Petmart and no doubt on line as well. I am wondering why so
>>>>> many of you are choosing to use some of the more expensive brands of food
>>>>> and why others are opting to feed raw.
>>>>> You have some interesting discussions and I think I'll enjoy the
>>>>> list. By the way, I should tell you that I am a board member of FLAGDU
>>>>> and
>>>>> have been very active in the NFB of Florida for many years. I reside in
>>>>> Ormond Beach just north of Daytona Beach.
>>>>> I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you better with time
>>>>> and I'm happy to put in my two cents worth when the topic at hand could
>>>>> possibly benefit from my input.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Kathy and Wade the wonderful
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vivianna
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 6:10 PM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] possibly switching dog food, advice would be welcome
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi.
>>>>> Try this website;
>>>>> www.chewie.com
>>>>> they have loads of dog foods to look through with lists of ingredients.
>>>>> if
>>>>> you ring them up they will give you advice and, top that off with free
>>>>> delivery.
>>>>> i personally am using Taste of the Wild in the mornings and feeding raw
>>>>> in
>>>>> the evenings.  i am switching to a RMB diet completely.
>>>>> but, that's not for everyone, i am aware of that.
>>>>> HTH.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Vivianna
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 19, 2014, at 4:54 PM, Laurel and Stockard
>>>>> <laurel.stockard at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hey all,
>>>>>> I don't post much, but occasionally, I need advice. I've got my guide, a
>>>>> female labrador in great health, on natural balance duck and potato along
>>>>> with my family's pet labrador, also in great health. My guide is 5 and a
>>>>> half and our pet is a little over 2. I've got to switch Stockard my guide
>>>>> as
>>>>> well as our pet dog off the natural balance because it's running 60
>>>>> dollars
>>>>> a bag of late and I can't really afford that. I'd like to know what
>>>>> brands
>>>>> you use, and what you find affordable, like under $50. Keep in mind, my
>>>>> dogs
>>>>> are labradors. Specifically, I want your thoughts on a few brands.
>>>>> Eukanuba
>>>>> (especially whether or not I should think about large breed vs. labrador.
>>>>> Is
>>>>> one better than the other, does it matter?) also, royal canin, nutro,
>>>>> Kirkland from Costco, and Iams. Is there another brand that's affordable
>>>>> that I should consider? Are there any websites where I could order in
>>>>> bulk,
>>>>> say 5 or 10 bags at a time, and save money?
>>>>>> Thanks for your thoughts on this matter.
>>>>>> Laurel and Stockard
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>>>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Raven
>> 
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