FOOD! I need references!

[ToBScholarly]

I did a home visit for our rescue last night. They are a WONDERFUL couple and I am very excited they are adopting from us. I promised her I would give her referrals about food and was wondering where I could get information re: Why NOT to feed Purina, what is needed in a dog's diet etc.

I don't think they would do raw, and perhaps they would stick with Purina anyway, but at least I can give her the info. So who has got it? Lay it on me.

[mezmerelda]

Hmm, I made that switch a long, long time ago. I'll have to look for some.

[Ericka]

Here are a bunch of links that represent various opinions and resources:

http://www.petfoodratings.net/dogtable.html
http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/ratingpetfood.htm
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index....badingredients
http://www.halopets.com/pet-educatio...-to-avoid.html and http://www.halopets.com/pet-educatio...-to-avoid.html
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-art...id-629578.html
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/articles.php?p=361&more=1
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dog-f...hout-corn.html
http://www.dogster.com/articles/How-...y-Dog-Food-120

[ToBScholarly]

Thank you! I sent her one of the links and will send out the rest if she interested. I don't want to scare her too much initially. I hate to come off as the food nazi. Which I have.

[ALDOGMOM]

I gently guide people when they ask me what they should feed...I talk to them about reading the labels on their dog food just as they should be doing on their people food..
I am not a food nazi but I am passionate about quality dog food..

My rule is always "buy the highest quality food you can afford to feed"....and make some suggestions...I haven't run across that many people who are up for raw...But I have found a lot of people who are looking for guidance about dog food.

My neighbor that adopted Remy just learned a lesson about dog food all by herself this last week. Remy got sent home with a small bag of Science Diet Lite when he left the vets office. I had told her I would like for them to gradually wean him over to Evo....She bought some Evo...We got the two bags out side and by side and read the labels...And she thought she understood what I was talking about.

Until - a bite of the Science Diet got dropped in the sink and got wet...She watched it expand due to all of the filler....It was then that "she got it".

I also fight the "well, if the vet sells it then it must be good" battle a lot. I explain to people that veterinarians don't receive much education on nutrition (or behavior) in veterinary school. If they don't believe me I will tell them to ask their vet about it.

I make the analogy back to when people are diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes - their MD will almost always refer them out to an RD - someone who has received training in nutrition - not necessarily medicine. That will often help people make the connection.

[ToBScholarly]

Thanks Kim. The thing about the food in the sink made me laugh... and cringe a littlee.

My personality issues get in the way of me being tactful. SOmething I need to work on, I know. And with most people when the subject of dog food comes up, I give them advice, whether they are asking or not. :0

[mezmerelda]

The water reference is a good one. I put a little hot water on Beowulf's food (and sometimes Indy's) so he can smell it better. (Poor old scent hound...) Every once in a while there's a stray piece or two that's left and water soaked. They are mushy if you touch them a few hours later, but otherwise they look exactly the same. The size has not increased at all.

[howsefrau32]

Some people just really don't know that some foods are bad, and I was one of those people. I, on the advice of my vet, fed Beep, science diet reduced calorie for over a year. The poor cat was constantly starving and ate constantly, and her coat was gross. It wasn't until I started learning from other dog owners and online friends how bad that food was, full of fillers and by-products. When I switched Beep over to a decent food, she turned into a new cat, and her coat was like silk, I was convinced that certain foods were better than others. I still feel bad for the year that I fed her that disgusting gruel. I have a brother in KY who feeds his poor little pom this food because he has horrible allergies, and I am getting ready to have a talk with him about getting a better food for his dog. He is already paying a fortune for the food he does buy, but he is one of those who is convinced that his vet wouldn't tell him to buy it if it weren't the best for him. Hopefully I can convince him soon, this poor little pomeranian looks awful, his fur is like dry straw.

[Bigdogs]

I had a WONDERFUL woman from the Saint Rescue do a sight visit at my home (aka the food nazi) who was concerned about the food I was feeding my dog. She will be happy to know, (after reading some scary links about commercial foods) I have changed my brand from Purina to Natural Balance-sweet potato and fish. I just started the switch and Bailey should be fully changed in a week. Who knows...one day I may turn to Raw. But, I have to start cooking for my husband first. It would not fly if I finally started cooking after all these years and it was for the dog. : )

[ToBScholarly]

I had a WONDERFUL woman from the Saint Rescue do a sight visit at my home (aka the food nazi) who was concerned about the food I was feeding my dog. She will be happy to know, (after reading some scary links about commercial foods) I have changed my brand from Purina to Natural Balance-sweet potato and fish. I just started the switch and Bailey should be fully changed in a week. Who knows...one day I may turn to Raw. But, I have to start cooking for my husband first. It would not fly if I finally started cooking after all these years and it was for the dog. : )

Well hello Karen! Good to see you recognize a Food Nazi post when you read one. Welcome to the forum smartypants and now go introduce yourself in the Intro section. LOL!