Has anyone changed their dog food to a more Holistic Quality one?

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I feed raw.

My dog used to eat Pro Plan. Then we changed to Innova, then several years ago we went raw. I wont go back.

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Grapes can cause a toxicity in the liver, probably best not to feed them.

Tomatoes are from the nightshade family, and the occasional slice of a tomato is alright, but under no circumstances should any other part of the plant be fed.

Rawhide is dangerous for multiple reasons. Dogs can bloat after swallowing a large piece, trapping air in the stomach, causing death. It can also be a choking hazard. Remember, rawhide is just a big piece of cow skin, not something the dog would usually eat in one big helping like that. I recommend RMB's or Raw Marrow Bones, available at your butcher or meat dept. They are the large cow leg bones cut into about 3 inch sections. Usually found frozen, but I try and get them before they've even been frozen. The marrow in the bone is excellent for your dog's nutrition and it gives them hours of chew time. They should not splinter because they've never been cooked, but like all responsible ownership, any toys or bones should be discarded if they show signs of wear and tear.

String and Rope toys can also be dangerous. Small lengths of string can be inadvertantly swallowed and lodge in the intestinal track. The workings of the intestine can cause the string to work like a cutter, causing damage and even death.

No bone should ever be given to your dog if it is cooked, or even smoked. The drying, baking,basting and/or smoking process causes the bone to become brittle and can splinter. Raw, uncooked bones are still soft and can be great teeth cleaners. Chicken wings, necks and backs, contain the softest bones. Pick one up some time and try and bend it with your hands, you can, because they are soft and easily chewed into safe pieces. I actually raise my own poultry, chickens and ducks, for the express purpose of feeding my dogs. They are the healthiest animals my vet has ever seen, and their coat, condition and even temperament are all positively impacted!

Consider reading some of Iam Billinghurst's, DVM, work if you are interested in the raw diet. www.barfworld.com 

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I feed my poodle Artemis Dog Food. It's the Holistic Approach to Pet Food. A lot of people think Quality Holistic pet food is expensive but it's really not. You can order it or find a distributor in your area at:
www.artemiscompany.com

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Don't be fooled by key words or gimmicks.  Carefully read the label of the food you are considering.

When you see the ingredients of Animal Food Services' canine and feline diets your common sense will tell you that  these products are as close to a NATURAL PET FOOD as a formulated and balanced, raw, processed food can be for dogs and cats.  There are numerous pet food manufacturers in addition to Animal Food Services that strive to provide frozen, dry, or canned pet foods that meet the concept of a "natural" food for dogs and cats.  Here is a list of a few, all of which are described (including ingredient lists) in detail at, and can even be ordered from,  PetFoodDirect.com.

Neura Wellness
Wellness is a uniquely formulated holistic pet food, made with only the finest human grade ingredients. There are no animal by-products and Wellness is the only baked holistic pet food available. Wellness does not contain any wheat, corn, soybean, egg, animal fat or dairy products. Wellness is baked, not extruded, creating a food that is more digestible and more palatable, with an aroma that pets love!  

Wysong Archetype Canine/Feline Diet
NEW! Formulated to more closely emulate the natural diet of companion animals, complete with meat, organs, bones, essential fatty acids, probioitcs, enzymes, plant nutrients and other vital micronutrients. It is not heated in any stage of production, and contains no grains, which unnaturally dilute the diet with high levels of carbohydrates. It is a lightweight, concentrated food that can be reconstituted into a nutritious gruel.  

Natural Balance Dog Food Roll Beef & Rice Formula
Natural Balance® Dog Food Rolls contain only premium ingredients: USDA inspected meats (an excellent source of protein), and kelp meal (an excellent natural source of vitamins, mineral and trace elements). The high quality animal fats (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of vitamin E, and ascorbic acid – vitamin C) helps your dog have a healthy skin and a shiny coat. Natural Balance® Dog Food Rolls are very appealing to both the owner and, more importantly, to the dog. Can be kept unopened at room temperature for up to 6 months! 

Annamaet Ultra 32% 
Annamaet Ultra is designed for very active dogs -- sleddogs, hunting dogs, search and rescue, show dogs and puppies. 

Evolve Maintenance Dog Food
Evolve natural dog food, with its premium, all-natural ingredients and state-of-the-art packing (resealable bag), represents the ultimate in care and nutrition for your dog. Evolve is comprised of the same basic food groups that humans require for a well-balanced, healthy diet. Contains lamb, yogurt, spinach, brown rice, chicken meal, green split peas, beets, fish oil, garlic, tomatoes, dried whole egg, mineral proteinates, and farmer's cheese. 

Natural Blend Adult Health Optimization Formula by Royal Canin
As an adult dog, your dog has nutritional needs specific to its life stage. Natural Blend Adult Formula combines just the right amount of fat and protein along with natural supplements to give your adult dog truly complete nutrition. The protein level supplies your dog with the quality protein needed to maintain strong bones and muscles. The fat content will supply your dog with the energy needed for a normally active lifestyle. Vegetables and fruits combine with ingredients like chicken, rice and oatmeal to provide your dog with necessary vitamins and minerals.  

PetGuard LifeSpan Super Premium Dog Food
PetGuard Premium LifeSpan® is the first all natural premium food for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. These crunchy nuggets provide your dog with optimum nutrition in a scientific blend of real chicken, whole grains, essential vitamins and chelated minerals. No red meat; no by-products. PetGuard Premium LifeSpan is completely free of soy, wheat and yeast.  

Sensible Choice Adult Chicken Meal & Rice
Sensible Choice Chicken Meal And Rice Adult Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. 

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Azmira Classic Formula Dog Food with Organic Chinese Mushrooms
NEW! Made of only the finest USDA Beef and whole grains, our Classic formula is top nutrition for your top dog. As with all of our formulas Classic is made to Lisa’s exacting standards and is formulated for optimum nutrition. Fish meal and Canola oil are added to provide a rich source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.  

Info From: www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/natural.html

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Now I know they cant have tomatoes.... Cleo, my border collie will be devistated. She loves cooked tomatoes, marinara sauce and chopped roma tomatoes on bread. Sometimes I let her have a slice of pizza margharita (thin, tomato, basil pizza.)

We've turned to "Nutro" "Natural Choice"-- and stopped feeding wet food unless we run completely out of everything else.

Every night, they each get a bowl containing 3 handfuls of "Nutro" dry food, and about one handful of clean, diced lean turkey. I also mix the dry food with water first, then drain the bowl. That is the only way my dogs will eat dry food. If I wet it down.

I'm afraid to feed my pets raw meat. I worry about bacteria and other things. A rescuer I talk to suggested ground human-grade raw turkey for my cats, but I'm still hesitant.

Oh, also, I've heard that along with performing cruel animal tests, IAMS was caught grinding up dead cats and dogs from a veterinary facility and adding that to food-- is that true? I hope not!! My cat's used to eat IAMS. Right now we're trying to join the boycott.

Thanks for the info. That's really helpful.

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Rawhide basted bones that are intended as dog treats are best: NEVER GIVE ANY ANIMAL CHICKEN BONES!!!!

Chicken bones splinter, and the sharp splinters can damage an animal's throats. Whenever we dispose of chicken bones, we even wrap them in plastic to make sure that strays and wild animals don't get a hold of them.

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Raw bones are fine. Cooked bones are bad. Every dog is differnt and every person has their own comfort zone.

I feed raw chicken with bones to my pets. This is my cat Bones eating a raw chicken wing.

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That is because he prepares for sale a pre made raw food. They are sold in patties. If you read his books he discusses the benefits of the raw meaty bones.

As I said not every is comfy feeding the raw bones part. That is fine.

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http://www.barfworld.com/html/dr_billinghurst/books_videos.shtml

Pictures of raw food for dogs. (not a site for the vegitarian (SP)

http://touchmoon.com/dotters/raw/meals.html

BARF FOR BEGINNERS FAQ

http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

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I feed my dog Wysong Development, and he's doing really well on it and loves it.  I originally fed him Medi-cal, because they do humane testing, but the food itself didn't come up to the standards I wanted. 

I found that I can buy the new food directly from Wysong by the case of 4 x 4 lb. bags, and even with s&h and the conversion rate, I would pay about half of what I would pay in the store by the case, which is how it is sold.

Does anyone know if you can by dog food and have it shipped from the U.S. to Canada?  I have so much food on hand right now that I haven't had the opportunity to check by placing an order.

peace

Lizzzie

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It has come to my attention that I forgot to list where I found most of the info I posted about "Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs." I apologize, I meant to post the web site with it.  I did add a few things to the list but most of it was posted on the "Ask the Vet" section of urbanhound.com

http://www.urbanhound.com/houndHealth/ShowAnswer.asp?QID=170

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I found another web site that lists Dangerous Foods For Dogs. It gives a lot of useful information so I thought I'd post it. =)

 Dangerous Foods For Dogs

Some foods must never be fed to dogs because they may produce symptoms ranging from indisposition to illness to death. These include chocolate, onions, raw eggs and meats, liver, bones, pork, milk and mushrooms.

Chocolate (Deadly)

If your dog has a sweet tooth, you may have a problem. Theobromine, a substance found in chocolate and cocoa, is poisonous to animals. It diminishes the blood flow to the brain and can cause heart attacks and a variety of other life-threatening problems. An important rule to remember is that the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains and the more dangerous it is.

Toxic dose: The approximate toxic dose for a small dog (15 to 20 pounds) is

• Milk chocolate: 8 to 12 ounces (each square is one ounce)
• Dark chocolate:1½ ounces of baking chocolate

Symptoms Of Chocolate Poisoning:

• Excessive drooling
• Excessive urination
• Pupil dilation
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Hyperactivity
• Muscle tremors and seizures
• Coma

Treatment: If your dog has gotten into a box of chocolate, the results could be fatal if she is not treated immediately. If you witnessed the tail end (literally) of the chocolate raid, induce vomiting immediately. If you suspect your pet has eaten chocolate, but do not know when, or if your pet is exhibiting any symptoms of chocolate poisoning, get her to a vet immediately. This is a life-threatening situation.

Prevention: Make sure that others, especially children, are aware of the ill effects of chocolate. Children are inclined to giving treats to dogs, and if they don’t know that chocolate can hurt or kill a dog, they are likely to give her the treat that is their favorite. Chocolate candy should be stored in a cupboard or the refrigerator—not on a kitchen counter or coffee table.

Onions (Dangerous)

Onions, both raw and cooked, contain disulfide, a substance that, while harmless to humans, can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells in cats, dogs, horses, sheep and cattle. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the rest of an animal’s body. The condition caused by consumption of onions is called Heinz body hemolytic anemia.

Toxic dose: As little as two slices of onion a week can damage red blood cells sufficiently so that they cannot carry enough oxygen to meet the body’s needs.

Symptoms Of Onion Poisoning:

• Weight loss
• Lassitude
• Excess panting
• Depression
• Rapid pulse
• Weakness
• Pale mucous membranes (gums and mouth)

Treatment: If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the vet. This is an urgent situation. Your dog may be fond of cooked onions, although raw ones might be too pungent for her sensitive nose. Since you can never be sure where the limits of your dog’s taste may lie, keep her out of the garden if you are growing onions, and make sure your garbage cans are secure.

Liver (Dangerous)

Liver is a favorite food for dogs. Many of the treats and prepared foods that you give her contain liver. In small amounts, liver is great for your dog. If her liver intake is too high, however, it can cause nutritional problems because liver has a high content of vitamin A. Consumption of this vitamin in large amounts can lead to vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A.

Toxic dose: If your dog eats raw liver or consumes three servings of cooked liver a week, she could be headed for bone problems. Never feed her liver if she is also on vitamin A supplements.

Symptoms Of Hypervitaminosis A:

• Deformed bones
• Excessive bone growth on the elbows and spine
• Weight loss
• Anorexia

Treatment: If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, take her to the vet. If left unchecked, hypervitaminosis A has in some cases caused death.

Prevention: If you are feeding your dog both canned food and liver, check the label for ingredients to make sure she isn’t getting a double dose of this treat. Also, always cook liver; never feed it raw.

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Bones (Dangerous To Deadly)

The big, treated bones that you can buy your pet in a pet store are of an entirely different composition from the bones in the meat you buy at the grocery. Store-bought bones are specially treated so that they will not splinter. If splinters break off, they can become lodged in your dog’s throat or lacerate the insides of your dog’s mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines. Cooked poultry bones are the worst culprits for splintering, but any cooked, dry bone can be deadly.

Symptoms Of Choking:

If your dog is choking, she will show some or all of these signs:

• Pale or blue gums
• Gasping
• Open-mouthed breathing
• Pawing at face
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Unconscious, with dilated pupils

Treatment: This is a life-threatening situation. Try to remove the obstruction and rush to a vet.

Splintered bones: It may be hard to tell if a bone has splintered. If it lodges in the mouth or high in the throat, you or your vet may be able to remove it. If it splinters in the stomach or intestine, the only symptoms may be severe pain and death.

Prevention: You can treat bones yourself by cooking them until they are soft. This can be done quickly in a pressure cooker. The marrow is a good source of calcium, phosphorous and copper. Chewing on bones also helps remove plaque from the teeth.

Seal off your garbage can to ensure that your dog doesn’t prowl through the refuse for tidbits. Not only is this dangerous because of possible choking and suffocation, but also there may be other hazardous items inside, such as broken glass and discarded cleaning bottles

Raw Eggs (Dangerous)

Although athletes seem constantly to be consuming raw eggs in one variety or another, think twice before giving your pet raw eggs. Although cooked eggs are high in protein and make an excellent treat, raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can deplete your dog of biotin, one of the B vitamins. Biotin is essential to your dog’s growth and coat health. Additionally, raw eggs are often contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella, and you could end up giving your dog food poisoning in addition to biotin deficiency.

Symptoms Of Biotin Depletion:

• Hair loss
• Weakness
• Growth retardation
• Skeleton deformity

Treatment: If your dog is suffering from these symptoms the situation is urgent, and she should be taken to the vet.

Prevention: Eggs, when cooked, are an excellent treat for your dog. They are high in protein and essential nutrients. It is only the raw white of the egg that contains avidin. You could feed her just the raw egg yolk, which does not contain avidin, but you would still be risking bacterial food poisoning.

Raw Meat And Poultry (Dangerous to Deadly)

Although dogs in the wild hunt and eat animals, they rarely prey on cows or chickens raised under commercial conditions! Your dog’s immune system is not adapted to handle the bacteria that can contaminate commercially raised and processed raw meat. As well as danger from food poisoning, raw meats often have traces of pesticides and other chemicals that break down or dissipate with heat.

The two major culprits in food poisoning are salmonella bacteria in poultry and clostridium bacteria in meat.

Salmonella: Salmonella is a gastrointestinal infection. The bacteria enter the stomach, surviving the acids inside to colonize your dog’s small intestine and lymph nodes. From there, they can spread into the blood stream.

Once your dog is infected, she can transmit the disease to other dogs, children and adults with impaired immune systems. Keep this in mind, and keep your pet in a secluded area for the duration of her illness.

Symptoms Of Salmonella Poisoning:

• Poor appetite
• High fever
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Lack of energy

Treatment: If left untreated, salmonella infection can result in death. This is a life-threatening situation, and your pet should be rushed to the vet.

Clostridium: These bacteria give off a toxin that affects your pet’s nervous system. If your dog contracts clostridium poisoning, she may need nursing care for up to three weeks.

Symptoms of Clostridium Poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea, bloody in severe cases
• Shock
• Paralysis

Treatment: This is an emergency situation. Rush your pet to the vet.

Prevention: Making sure that your garbage cans are secure and cooking meat until it reaches the proper temperature can prevent both kinds of food poisoning.

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Pork (Disagreeable)

The fat globules in pork are larger than the fat globules in other meats. Thus, they can clog the small blood vessels of a dog. Avoid pork products, especially bacon, which also contains sodium nitrate.

Milk (Disagreeable)

If your pet has been eating ice cream and yogurt and has never had any problems, you have a lucky pet. Many dogs are lactose intolerant -- unable to produce the enzyme lactase -- so they cannot break down the lactose, or milk sugar, in dairy products. Milk just does not agree with them.

If your dog drinks milk and you observe symptoms such as excess gas, diarrhea, dehydration or skin irritation, you should determine if she is lactose intolerant. Removing milk from her diet should cause all her symptoms to disappear.

To avoid or correct the problem, you can purchase lactose-free brands of milk products specially formulated for dogs. Lactose-free milk for humans can also work, although the nutritional balance is not quite as good. Canned milk or sweetened, condensed milk is usually tolerable, even to a lactose intolerant dog, and can make a good substitute for the occasional must-have treat.

Mushrooms (Disagreeable To Deadly)

Although store-bought mushrooms are perfectly safe for your dog to eat, it isn’t a particularly good idea to have her develop a taste for them. If she has free run of the backyard or is allowed to roam off leash in a park or field, a taste for mushrooms can be dangerous. Dogs with a mushroom fixation will be on the lookout for these treats. If they sniff out some poisonous mushrooms and eat them, the effects can range from disagreeable to deadly.

Info From: http://www.resq4paws.org/dangerousfoods.html

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Searching further on the web I found a few more items of interest by vet@dog.

From: http://www.dog.com/vet/holidays/04.html

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R I C H ,   F A T T Y   F O O D S

Rich, fatty foods, such as turkey skin, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, fruit cake, plum pudding, or deep-fried foods can be quite dangerous to dogs susceptible to attacks of pancreatitis. Often you may not know that your dog is susceptible until he is very sick with his first attack. As breed predispositions go, it is often the smaller, more energetic breeds like miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels, miniature schauzers, and other small terrier-type dogs who seem particularly prone. However, any dog may have a problem. It is best to avoid these foods altogether. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting (sometimes with diarrhea) and abdominal pain, which may be evidenced as a hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy. For an additional discussion on this topic, refer to the topic on "Physical Hazards".

 O N I O N S !!!

Most people do not realize that onions can actually be toxic to dogs and cats (especially cats) when consumed in large quantities. There was an article in a prominent veterinary journal several years ago about a cat that actually died from eating onion soup (which has a high concentration of onions in it)! Small amounts of onion are not a problem for most animals, but large quantities cause some changes in the red blood cells (which are the blood cells that carry oxygen) such that they cannot perform their usual function. The individual cells acquire a structural defect called Heinz bodies that make the body think the cells are defective and remove them from circulation. The resulting anemia (=deficiency in oxygen-carrying red blood cells) is called Heinz body anemia. Another reason not to give onions is that the foods that contain them are often rich and fatty (e.g. fried onion rings, onion gravy, turkey stuffing with onions) and rich foods may bring on an attack of pancreatitis [see #2 above].

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Actually raw meat and raw bones and raw eggs are fine. After much researching that is what my dogs eat.

And store bones do break and plinter. Any cooked bone can break and splinter. Put one in a vice grip and turn the handled to squeeze it and watch what it does. It crackes and splinters. My dog has broken a couple store bought bones before.

As for the raw bones, raw edible bones are soft before cooking. My cats and my dog can bite right thru them and eat them. The harder bones (recreational bones) are more for knawing on - like knuckle bones and soup bones. I get them from the grocery store and give them as a treat.

BARF FOR BEGINNERS FAQ

http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

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O V E R E A T I N G   I N   G E N E R A L

The holiday "pig out" is not just confined to people. There are many instances of dogs doing the same thing, either because some owners want their dogs to have their share of holiday goodies or because the dogs have stolen some goodies of their own. As discussed above, some of these goodies are rich enough to cause pancreatitis in susceptible individuals. However, overeating, coupled with excitement, exercise, and/or excessive water drinking, can cause a life-threatening condition (primarily, but not exclusively in large breed dogs) called "gastric dilatation and volvulus" syndrome, known more commonly as "Bloat." We will discuss this syndrome in detail in a future issue of vet@dog, but you should learn the symptoms, so that you can call an emergency facility IMMEDIATELY if you see the symptoms. Typical signs are (1) a distended abdomen, which, when thumped with a finger, sounds like a tight, air-filled drum; (2) intense abdominal discomfort (possibly seen initially as a very "preoccupied" look on the dog's face; (3) non-productive retching or vomiting; and (4) rapid development of severe weakness and shock. This is a rapidly life-threatening emergency. You MUST contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY.
 
 
T H E   C A N D Y   D I S H   O N   T H E   C O F F E E   T A B L E !

Last, but not least, do NOT leave candy dishes on the coffee table! Even small dogs are very creative in figuring out ways to get on a low table and decimate the candy supply. If some of this candy is chocolate, this can be a very dangerous situation (see above). Even nuts, although not toxic (except for macadamia nuts which are toxic), can cause a pretty severe (or at least messy) GI upset from the change in the dog's regular diet. Use common sense when leaving out dishes and trays of food. Never underestimate your dog's ability to ferret out food when given half a chance!!

From: http://www.dog.com/vet/holidays/04.html

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Cruelty-Free Pet Food Standard Dropped in UK June 16, 2005 1:57 PM

BUAV Drops Cruelty-Free Pet Food Standard
Thursday 16 June 2005 headlines >> 

 For the past two years conscientious UK pet owners
have looked to the Not Tested on Animals scheme run by
the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection,
(BUAV) for information about petfood companies and
their policy on animal testing. Only a handful of UK
pet food companies managed to reach the high standard
set by the scheme and proudly, they displayed the BUAV
Not Tested.. logo on their packaging and literature.

Pet Trade magazine, Pet Business World News, (pbwnews)
reports this week that the BUAV has now made a
strategic decision to shelve the standard.

According to the pbwnews report, in a letter to
approved pet food manufacturers, BUAV CEO, Adolfo
Sansolini wrote:

"Following a strategic review, we have decided that we
will not be able to continue to run our No Animal
Testing Pet Food Standard."

Speaking to pbwnews, Mr Sansolini said however that he
had not ruled out the possibility of reintroducing the
scheme in the future and that the BUAV will continue
to expose companies who continue to be involved with
animal testing in the pet food industry.

The pet food companies endorsed by the scheme
expressed their dismay at the decision.

Ann Shear, Europa Pet Foods, summed up the position of
approved manufacturers:

"We are really quite unhappy about their decision,
given our commitment in terms of packaging, leaflets
and so on - but also because it is the one real,
visible thing that we can promote against the 'big
boys' of the industry."

Meanwhile, Leander International Pet Foods which
produces the Arden Grange dry pet food range, has
decided to develop its own 'Not Tested On Animals
Guarantee' which, the company says: "continues on from
the strict criteria that we met when the BUAV Not
Tested On Animals Standard was in practice."

The BUAV has agreed to continue with a formal
endorsement of the currently approved companies until
early next year but will not be accepting any new
applications to the scheme.

BUAV Endorsed UK Pet Food Manufacturers are:

Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd
Harbingers of a New Age
Leander International Pet Foods Ltd
NatureDiet Pet Foods Ltd
Top Number Happidog (email only)
Trophy Pet Foods
Europa Pet Foods Ltd
Fromm Family Foods


Note - not all products from all of these companies
are approved. Please check the BUAV website for more
detailed information.

Submitted by: Steve O'Malley  

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I feed Fox, my Yorkie, his breed specific formula made by Royal Canin. It's the only food I've been able to get him to eat consistently. As you can see, he's fussy...but worth it! Royal Canin makes several breed specific formulas as well as a weight control and Natural Blend.

For treats, he likes Greenies and Pnutz, a new one made by the same people that make Greenies.

www.greenies.com  for greenies  and    www.nutecforpets.com to check out Pnutz.

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Abby will love Pnutz. I wasn't sure if Fox would at first, he just kind of looked at it, but then he just started. They really look like the peanuts in a shell...come in all different sizes. You'll find them at PetSmart, too.

Another thing he likes is called Frosty Paws. It's like ice cream for dogs. They sell it in the freezer section of the supermarket, where all the human ice cream is. No lactose, so no stomach problems. Fox likes the peanut butter flavor (it tastes like peanut butter, too-I tried)!!! Not all supermarkets have them. I'm not sure what you have near you...but I get mine at Giant.

Let me know if Abby likes them.

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Hills is an overpriced bad of corn IMHO.

Ingreds

IngredientsCorn meal, chicken by-product meal (a source of natural chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine), soybean meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), vegetable oil, chicken liver flavor, dried egg product, flaxseed, dried chicken cartilage (a source of natural chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine), taurine, L-carnitine, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid, minerals

SELECTING A PET FOOD

http://www.api4animals.org/doc.asp?ID=689

Dog Feeding Info (top 10 foods according to the WDJ and specific health diets)

http://www.dogaware.com/

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Thank you again dear Lilith for all the info.I cannot get any food with lamb here.It is not allowed to be imported.

What about the Eukanuba range of foods,are they any good?

Our local foods I do not want to feed.The manufacturers lie about the ingredients so I have to rely on the imported foods.

I stopped feeding Royal Canin as the preservatives are BAD.

Sorry Lilith to worry you so much but I do want the best for my animals.

Today I had to put down my 10 1/2 yr old German Shepherd.He had degenerative Myelopathy and the paralises was getting the better of him.I am absolutely heartbroken.I loved him so much.

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http://www.newsagepress.com/foodpetsdiefor.html

The Latest Information on the Dangers of Commercial Pet Foods, the New Edition of Food Pets Die For Updates and Replaces the Previous Edition!

In this groundbreaking book, Ann Martin was the first to expose in book form the ugly truth that euthanized cats and dogs are common ingredients rendered into many commercial pet foods.

Ann Martin has been investigating the multi-billion-dollar, commercial pet food industry since 1990. Today, she is internationally recognized as an authority on the dangers of commercial pet foods.

In this new and updated edition of Food Pets Die For, first published by NewSage Press in 1997, Martin once again goes behind the scenes of the commercial pet food industry. She uncovers the unsavory ingredients that can legally be used by commercial pet food companies, including euthanized cats and dogs, diseased and contaminated meat, moldy grains, and rancid fat. She also documents the ongoing animal experimentation funded by many major pet food companies in the name of nutritious pet food.

Ann Martin arms consumers with crucial information on how to read labels on pet food, and discern for themselves whether or not they want to feed their pets commercial food. Martin offers healthy alternatives for feeding animal companions with nutritious and easy-to-prepare recipes. For people who don’t have the time to cook, Martin provides information on several pet food companies that produce healthy, human-grade pet food. Martin builds a strong case for why our pets will live longer, healthier lives without commercial pet food.

Pet owners are beginning to understand that beyond the attractive packaging of commercial pet foods and the enticing, slick TV commercials tauting “nutritionally balanced meals,” many of these mass produced pet foods are downright dangerous to the health of companion animals. Ann Martin also discusses pet food regulations in the United States and Canada, which are complex, convoluted, and almost nonexistant. Consumers may think that this is a well-regulated industry, but in fact, just about anything goes---including the rendering of euthanized cats and dogs. Martin also discusses the latest evidence on mad cow disease and how this threatens companion animals who may eat contaminated pet foods. In Europe, cats have already died from the feline form of mad cow disease, Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy. Perhaps some of the most shocking information in this new edition of Food Pets Die For, is the pet food industry’s practices of animal experimental for research to test various pet food ingredients. In essence, thousands of cats and dogs are killed every year in order to test pet food ingredients. Pet food cruelty abounds in this industry that professes to only have animal companions’ best interests at heart.

Since the publication of the first edition of Food Pets Die For in 1997, a grassroots movement has emerged among health conscious pet owners about the dangers of most commercial pet foods and what can be done to remedy this situation. Food Pets Die For was on the cutting edge in 1997, and continues to be with the publication of this new edition.

Special publication discount offer on Ann Martin’s books:
Save $3.00 on each book (shopping cart price reflects discount)

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http://www.newsagepress.com/protectyourpet.html

Protect Your Pet: More Shocking FactsBy Ann N. Martin

Ann Martin continues her thorough investigation of pet-related issues, revealing more shocking facts. Carefully and methodically, Martin explains the ongoing problems with most commercial pet foods. She also carefully examines the controversial raw meat diets, and questions the practice of yearly vaccinations, making a convincing link between increased cancer in pets and over vaccination. Protect Your Pet includes healthy recipes, alternative choices, and solid advice.

(shopping cart price reflects discount)

Book Excerpts from Protect Your Pet by Ann N. Martin
All material copyrighted by Ann N. Martin and NewSage Press, 2001

Pet Food Regulations

(Partial Excerpt from Chapter Four)

Like millions of pet owners, I was under the impression that the pet food industry was regulated to the extent that human foods are regulated. I assumed that government agencies oversaw the ingredients that go into the food we feed our companion animals. According to a document put out by Purina, “Pet foods are among the most highly regulated products on the market.”(1) As much as I want to believe this statement, my research finds otherwise.

If we are to believe what we read, the pet food industry in the United States is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. In addition, voluntary regulations for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state regulations are established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Impressive as all of this sounds, none of these agencies actually regulate what ingredients are contained in rendering products sold to commercial pet food companies for use in pet food.

The FDA and AAFCO are supposed to be the driving forces in the regulations on pet food. According to Linda Grassie, spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA / CVM,) the position of the agency is to “establish standards for all animal feeds; proper identification of the product as a pet food: net quality statement (weight, volume, or count); name and place of business of the manufacturer; packer or distributor; and proper listing of all ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight and identification by their common or usual names.” (2)

However, the FDA does not test nor investigate as to what are the contents of the products from rendering plants nor the quality of the ingredients. In brief, I found no laws that state diseased cattle and companion animals cannot be rendered and used for pet foods. In the case of companion animals, no government agencies oversee the numbers of carcasses sent to rendering plants and no records are kept. All the states that responded to my inquiries agree that there are no regulations that prohibit the rendering of any animal, including dogs and cats.

In this chapter I explain how these various agencies are involved in the regulation of pet food. As you will see, shockingly, there are very few regulations for protecting our pets from unhealthy or harmful material that can be legally rendered into products sold for manufacturing pet food.

(cont.)

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The Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine

The primary duties of the FDA / CVM are to focus on health claims made by the pet food companies, especially if they are labeled for the prevention or treatment of a disease. The FDA / CVM confirms that research supports these companies’ claims. For example, the FDA / CVM investigated pet food companies that claimed their cat foods “will prevent Feline Urological Syndrome (FU.” When it could not be proven that the cat food actually prevented FUS, the FDA required the pet food companies to remove this claim from their packaging. The FDA / CVM had given the pet food manufacturers ample time to change their labels. When some did not comply, the FDA and state officials seized hundreds of tons of cat food. One company, whose products were seized, assured the FDA that the product would no longer be labeled for the prevention of FUS and sold in the United States. However, U.S. pet food companies can take this same pet food with the same false claim and continue to sell it in countries without legislation-Canada, for one.

The FDA / CVM’s duties also include the labeling of products: proper identification of the product, net quantity statement, manufacturer’s address, and proper listing of ingredients. When there are health risks from an ingredient or additive in a pet food, the FDA asks for “scientific evidence” that shows that this is the case. It can then prohibit the use of a questionable ingredient or require the manufacturers to modify an ingredient’s use. Most of the input that the FDA / CVM has when it comes to dog and cat food is product labeling.

One preservative, ethoxyquin, came under question by this agency a number of years ago. Ethoxyquin, a preservative used in a number of pet foods, is a concern to many pet owners. Ethoxyquin can be put into the mix by a feed grain mill, a rendering plant, or by a pet food company. Developed in the 1950s by Monsanto, ethoxyquin was first used as a stabilizer and has also been effective as an insecticide and pesticide. According to literature provided by the FDA / CVM, only when a pet food company uses ethoxyquin does this preservative have to be listed on the label. The suppliers of the raw material, feed grain mills and rendering plants can add ethoxyquin but this will not be listed as an ingredient on the label because they are only the suppliers not the producers of the finished pet food product.

A few years ago, the FDA / CVM began receiving reports from dog owners attributing a myriad of adverse effects to the presence of ethoxyquin in dog food. A FDA / CVM Consumer booklet states, “The reported effects include allergic reactions, skin problems, major organ failure, behavior problems and cancer. However, there is little available scientific data to support these contentions, or to show other adverse effects in dogs at levels approved for use in dog foods. As such, there is no scientific basis to warrant change in the regulatory status of ethoxyquin at this time.” (4) The FDA / CVM, requires scientific data to investigate most health concerns in pets.

The United Animal Owners Association, and in particular, consumer Carol Barfield, protested the use of ethoxyquin in pet food. Because of the allegations made by breeders concerned about foods containing ethoxyquin, Monsanto commissioned an accredited, independent laboratory to conduct a three-year study on its product. In 1996, the results of this study were disclosed.

The study, a feeding trial, was conducted on Beagles (the breed of choice for testers). One group was fed food that contained 180 to 360 parts per million (ppm) of ethoxyquin. According to Petfood Industry magazine in the May/June 1996 edition: “Consistent with previous work, the researchers noted liver pigmentation changes and elevated liver enzymes that depended on the dosage of ethoxyquin. The minimal liver pigmentation that occurred at 180 ppm, in females, was not considered clinically significant because there were no liver enzyme changes or associated pathological changes in the liver or other organs. In addition the dogs’ overall health was not affected.” (5)

As a result of consumer complaints, and the results of the independent study, in 1997 the FDA requested that levels of ethoxyquin be reduced in dog food. “FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) requested that the maximum level for ethoxyquin in complete dog foods be voluntarily lowered to 75 parts per million (ppm). Under the current food additive regulations, ethoxyquin is allowed at levels up to 150 ppm in complete dog foods.”(6)

Unfortunately, ethoxyquin was not completely eliminated from commercial pet foods, just lowered. The FDA advised that if further information became available on the safety of ethoxyquin at 75 ppm in dog food, or shows it to be an effective antioxidant at levels below 75 ppm, the CVM will consider further action.

The second case that the FDA / CVM describes in its literature concerns propylene glycol, a humectant that has been used in semi-moist pet food for about fifteen years. Propylene glycol is a second cousin to antifreeze. Propylene glycol has been proven to be a major contributor in feline cardiac disease according to research accepted by the FDA. The FDA publication, “Understanding Pet Food Labels,” states: “It [propylene glycol] was known to cause overt anemia or other clinical effects. However, recent reports of scientifically sound studies show that propylene glycol reduces red blood cell survival time, renders red blood cells more susceptible to oxidative damage, and has other adverse effects in cats consuming the substance at levels found in semi-moist food.” (7)

...

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I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. That is always the hardest decision to make. I'm sending positive and happy energy your way.

I'll light a candle for your doggie angel.

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Eukanuba Pet Food has all that bad stuff in it too plus it's made by a company called Procter & Gamble who test on animals. We try to boycott all of their products. They also make IAMS Pet Food.

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Some more links to good foods from the following link http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#TopDry

• ACANA * Premium Canadian pet food, uses human grade and hormone free ingredients.
• Blue Buffalo * Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients
• Canidae * Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul* High quality ingredients
• Dog Lover's Gold * Also available in Europe. Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free, free range ingredients.
• Eagle Pack Holistic Select * Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. "Eagle Pack Super Premium formulas are nutritionally balanced so pet owners can mix up to 25% raw food with the Eagle Pack formulas."
• Flint River Ranch (multiple distributors) * Human grade ingredients
• Fromm Four Star Nutritionals * USDA inspected meats, high quality ingredients (note the Classic line is much lower quality and not recommended). They also offer a raw frozen diet.
• Go! Natural from Petcurean * Human grade ingredients
• Innovative Veterinary Diets * Special diets for specific conditions, including allergies, IBD, kidney disease, etc. as well as a standard line of pet foods. Available from veterinarians, also available at http://www.waggintails.com/
• Merrick Pet Foods * Human grade ingredients
• Natura makes several varieties of recommended foods. They use human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients.
• California Natural Often recommended for dogs with allergies, has the fewest ingredients.
• Innova offers adult, puppy and large breed puppy varieties
• HealthWise
• Evo is a new grain free diet that is very low in carbs, more so than any other dry food on the maket. The ingredients look very good. Do not feed to puppies under 6 months old unless mixed half and half with protein sources (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.) due to the high calcium content.
• Natural Balance Ultra Premium * Human grade ingredients. Also now offering a frozen raw formula in select locations. Note that their Dog Food Rolls make great treats, but are not recommended as a major part of the diet due to the high amounts of sugar (sucrose). As always, the Vegetarian Formula is NOT recommended.
• Newman's Own Organics * Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients
• NRG * Dehydrated Canadian pet food, uses free range human grade meats
• Prairie from Nature's Variety
• Solid Gold
• Timberwolf Organics (Yukon Nutritional Company)
• Wellness from Old Mother Hubbard * Human grade ingredients
• Wysong * Human grade ingredients

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Your'e a  I will peruse all of these sites.Thanks again for all the info.This is a wonderful group.

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Awww, Thanks Heidi!

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Please see this very important group thread.

IAMS CRUELTY

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List of Pet Food Brands That Don't Test on Animals
           http://www.iamscruelty.com/notTested.asp

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I feed my dog (a pomerainian shitzu) purina beneful..... has anyone ever heard if it is a good product?

Some foods that the vet has said are good for them: she has a blocked duct so the vet said to give her pumpkin filling...she sure likes it!!! When she was sick once before I was told to give her gatorade and pepto.. worked like a charm!!!

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We wanted to make you aware of a study conducted by the Food and Drug Adminstration on the presence of pentobarbital in pet foods.

For those who aren't aware, pentobarbital is the chemical of choice that vets and animal shelters use to put animals to sleep.

The study by the FDA concluded that pentobarbital is indeed capable of surviving the rendering process and thus ending up in foods that contain euthanized pets.

There is a good bit of controversy over whether euthanized pets do end up in our pet foods. We understand this is not a pleasant subject, and it is not one that every person really wants to know the answers to.

*****************************************

It is the desire of the staff of Happy And Healthy Pets to educate and inform the consumer and pet owner. It is not our desire to slander or condemn any pet food company.

*****************************************

As a pet owner, if you do ever need to have your pet euthanized, you have a right to know how the vet will dispose of the remains. You also have the right to take the pet home and give it a proper burial.

Some states will not allow you to bury your pet on your own property....pet cemetaries are very nice and most provide your pet with a lasting and peaceful resting place.

Actually the vast majority of small practice vets Do Not sell the remains of euthanized pets. Mostly the dead animals that end up in pet foods come 

from large animal shelters.

This should be reassuring to the thousands of pet owners we have that have needed to have a loved one put to sleep in the past.

We also would urge you that if you have a no-kill shelter nearby, please do everything you can to help them stay in business. Obviously it costs a lot of money for these shelters to keep animals and provide them with adequate care.

We wholeheartedly endorse these no-kill shelters. Please join us in our efforts at keeping precious small animals alive for as long as possible.

They are all capable of giving anyone un-conditional love.

They don't deserve the fate they often get with the shelters that seem to feel the need to do away with them.

Tippy, Alfred, and Dr. Dave

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Are Euthanized Pets In These Dog Foods?

Many, many readers have written in asking if their brand of pet food has pentobarbital residue in it.

What that means is, do these pet food manufacturers really use euthanized pets and animals in their foods?

Well not all answers are clear cut, and some brands have used them, but not necessarily in every product they carry.

According to a study conducted in March 1998 and December 2000, by the Food And Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine,

Here are the brands that tested positive for pentobarbital residue:

(please note not all brands of pet foods were tested)

Nutro
Ol'Roy
Trailblazer
Dad's
Weis Value
Super G
Richfood
Pet Essentials
America's Choice
Ken-L-Ration
Heinz
Kibble Select
Champ Chunx
ProPlan
Reward
PetGold

Again, not all brands of foods were tested, and not all products in the lines of each manufacturer contained residue. The study also went on to say that pentobarbital residue is capable of surviving the rendering process.

They determined that dogs and cats are not in dog food, but sodium pentobarbital the drug used to euthanize them is......

Their study says that the most likely way that pentobarbital can get in dog food is via rendered animals that were euthanized.

So how did the drug get there if euthanized dogs and cats aren't being used in pet food?

They suggest that the drug came via euthanized cows and horses and zoo animals.

Farmers don't euthanize sick cows. It costs about $75 to $100 for a vet to come out and euthanize a cow. A bullet costs 25 cents. Horse are euthanized on occasion, but this is mainly reserved for horse that are pets or race horses, and then they are in most instances given proper burial. Zoo animals are euthanized, but the incidences of this are very small.

Our suggestion to you is that you do some serious research on your own and then follow your own conclusions.

Read the results of the FDA study
http://www.fda.gov

Read a copy of  "Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food"
by Ann Martin. You can get a copy at Amazon.com

Read a story written by the wife of a trucker that actually hauled
euthanized pets to rendering plants go here:
http://petcaretips.net/euthanized_pets_in_food.html

Mad Cow Disease and Rendering Plants (NY Times Article)
http://www.mad-cow.org/~tom/render_ed.html

Recycling of Dead Animals & Slaughter House Wastes
http://www.jivdaya.org/rendering_plants.htm

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Hi, everybody...Just switched over my fussy dog to a new food yet again since he stopped eating the Blue that I was giving him. So of course, knowing more about dogfoods than previously, I decided to switch him to Canidae Platinum for Overweight/Senior dogs...I chose this formula b/c he's a bit too chubby. Also, the kibble size is not too big.

The first time I gave it to him, he went to it like mice to cheese and ate the whole bowl. So something good is in that food, especially for Fox to like it. I would highly recommend it.  

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GARLIC CAN BE DEADLY

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They determined that dogs and cats are not in dog food, but sodium pentobarbital the drug used to euthanize them is......

Their study says that the most likely way that pentobarbital can get in dog food is via rendered animals that were euthanized.

So how did the drug get there if euthanized dogs and cats aren't being used in pet food?

Very very interesting and worrying

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For someone who is looking to cure their dogs bad breath instead of greenies you could ask your vet for Breathalyser... you put a few drops in their water and it helps with breath and bacteria...

I live in Alberta.. does anyone have some ideas on some good brands of dog food for my pom??

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Dog Feeding Info (top 10 foods according to the WDJ and specific health diets)

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Great to hear how the Garlic info I posted helped you and your beautiful furbaby.

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anyone familiar with Royal Canin dog food? I am t...

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Chris M.
o'roy dog food recall... cross post please 06/11/2006, 8:54 AM
There has been a recall on O'roy ( Wal-Mart/ Sams) canned dog food because the liners are separating.  Read Info here.
http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/3012556.html  

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--------------------------------

I just wanted to add that this VERY cheap pet food brand also contains most (if not all) of the Cancer/Disease/Illness causing toxic ingredients like By-Products, BHA, BHT, etc. (For more info. see the post above from Nov. 18, 2005 called "Toxic Pet Food Ingredients") PLEASE DON'T FEED YOUR BELOVED PET THIS HORRIBLE FOOD.

-Lilith G.

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There have been many documented cases of animals swallowing smaller pieces of the Nylabone Edibles Product Line.  The Edible Nylabone products are marketed as digestible and safe for dogs.  They are not!  There are several documented cases, including my best friend, of dogs either choking on these pieces or the pieces have lodged inside their digestive tracts which can and is life threatening.  Death has resulted from these intestinal blockages.

Source:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/477664303

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Pet Foods: What's Really In Them?
http://www.nzymes.com/Articles/pet_foods_whats_really_in_them.htm

Pet Food Ingredients | By Products | Rendering | Animal Fat & Poultry | Vomitoxin | Additives | Preservatives | BHA/BHT - Ethoxiquin | Processing | Labeling | Contaminants | Diseases Caused by Poor Nutrition | What happent to Nutrients 

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Prepare to Be Shocked By What Goes Into Dog and Cat Food
http://www.newstarget.com/012647.html

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Organix Feline Formula

Organix Canine Formula

Natural Ultramix Feline Formula

Natural Ultramix Canine Formula

Organix Dog Cookies

Organix Cat Treats

Petco Pet Stores carry these terrific products from Castor & Pollux Pet Works amoung many other fine stores across the country. For a list of those in your area, call us at 800-875-7518 or send us an email at pawmade@castorpolluxpet.com.

http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/pages/quick_search.php?search_text=organix

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http://www.petpromiseinc.com/petpromisehome.htm

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Pet Food Recall / Unsafe Items
http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=3600&pst=355008

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This is a VERY short list. There are many more foods that are dangeous to pets. They are listed in this thread.

- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol

From the NAPCC

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Here's some updates and a few more items to add to the ongoing list in this thread: (I'll compile all of these items later into a nice neat list and post it here for easy access.)

If you feel your dog has consumed something that may be toxic, call your veterinarian or you can call the National Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

For more information, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site at avma.org.

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I was looking at the ingredients for two popular chewing gum's and, to my shock, found BHA and BHT, two cancer causing preservatives commonly found in pet food! I never feed my pets anything with those preservatives and I sure won't be eating (or chewing) anything with them either!

The chewing gum’s were:

• Wrigley's Juicy Fruit - Strappleberry
• Wrigley's Eclipse - Cherry Chill

I'm sure there are many more chewing gum, candy, and food products out there that contain these preservatives, so please everyone check the Ingredients on the back of all the products you and your pets plan on consuming. It could save your life in the long run.

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Chemical preservatives

The chemical preservatives may prolong the shelf life of food retarding the growth of bacteria and moulds.
The use of chemical preservatives enables the careless hygienical conditions by the processing of food.
Chemical preservatives are used with fish products of all types, fruit juices, soft drinks, pastries, salads, margarine, sauces, vines , dried fruits, citric fruits, bananas, desiccated vegetables, sugar etc.

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OMG, Do you know if there's been a recall?

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I've looked online and can't seem to find anything supporting the anonymous claim that Organix contains Aspergillus (black mold) and another mycotoxin. I have no idea if it's true or not. Hopefully anonymous will post more about it. I'd also love to know how the little pug is doing. I hope he/she's doing better.

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