Fitness Quotes

Dog Food & Dog Nutrition?

Quote from http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/anutmed.htm#poop: "Scientists theorize that mineral deficiency subjects us, and our animals, to more diseases, aging, sickness and destruction of our physical well-being than any other factor in personal health. A groundswell of nutrition conscious veterinarians are beginning to recommend to their clients that they supplement their animals diet with a daily dose of flaxseed oil, coconut oil and other nutrients for optimum health and vitality. The food your animal eats should provide all of the nutritional components which are necessary for all organs and systems of a healthy body to perform in harmonious unison." Does anyone know if there is a Dog Food out there which will provide all the necessary nutrients my pup needs? Or will I have to buy supplements, in addition to, the food I am currently buying. Right now, she eats "Pedigree; Adult Complete Nutrition". Yes, it SAYS COMPLETE, but is it? LOL Ok, I should have been a little more specific. My "pup" is a little over a year old. She's 50% pitt, 25% shepherd and 25% lab. I call her a "pup" cuz she acts like one. LOL. She's a big girl, though. Anywho... I originally asked this question cuz my "pup" eats her "poo". We also have another dog, 100% pitt. She is 11 yrs old. My other dog does not and never has (that I am aware of). In doing some research, MOST sites stated that she eats her "poo" because she is lacking some important nutrients in her diet.

Public Comments

1. Take a look at this website, at the 5 and 6 star rated foods: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com You might also be interested to search for your current brand, and find its rating!
2. Here are the ingredients, the first and third ingredient is corn which is a cheap source of protein that dogs do not readily digest. The meat in the product is unidentified or a chicken by product meaning all the edible chicken has been removed and the beaks, intestines, feet, etc. are left. It has no Omega fatty acids. Instead of supplementing I would go to a pet store and look for a food that has meat as the first ingredient (no by products), with no corn or wheat. If a food meets these requirements most likely they will also contain omega fatty acids and other supplements to keep your dog at his best. Ground yellow corn, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA/BHT), wheat mill run, natural poultry flavor, rice, salt, potassium chloride, caramel color, wheat flour, wheat gluten, vegetable oil, vitamins [choline chloride, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C*), vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), biotin, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement], trace minerals [zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium sulfate].
3. I don't know if this is any help to you but I purchased a Boston Terrier from a pet store because he didn't look normal to me. As soon as I bought him I took him to the vet and they told me he had some health issues. (nothing the store did, he was born with it and he was lucky to go into the right arms) Anyhow, he has a weak esophagus, abnormally small cranium, and anxiety disorder. The vet told me, besides medication (which I refuse to do) the best thing for the little guy would be a perfect diet. She said there is no one dog food with all the ingredients a dog needs so I can either go broke buying supplements or just add household items. She recommended egg for his coat, flaxseed oil, and omega 3. The Omega 3 I get from her office because I am afraid of overdoing it and giving him too much. She must be on to something because without medication he has grown into a 6 year old normal puppy with only a few moments of anxiety and shortness of breath. His brain fully developed and he is absolutely perfect. I don't know if my story is helpful but he gets his supplements weekly this way and I save a ton of money!
4. First and foremost you refer to your dog as a puppy. If he is a small breed 50lbs and under or a large breed 100 lbs or over at maturity you need to buy PUPPY FOOD for him describing it is for small or large breed puppies. A small breed should be kept on puppy food for at least 9 months and a large breed puppy should be kept on puppy food for at least 12-14 months. The ingredients are necessary for proper bone development in the dog as well as the necessary ingredients to keep him healthy until he matures. Try to stay away from products with wheat, ( a lot of dogs are allergic to wheat and will scratch constantly if they eat it ) and if you can try to get all natural ingredients, but DEFINATELY stay away from any food that has bi products in it. Nutro is a puppy/dog food that has all natural ingredients and all the fatty acids needed, including Omega 3 and 6, flaxseed oil and many other ingredients essential for good health. It is more expensive than other dog foods but gives them great coats and makes them very energetic and healthy. Good luck.
5. I personally wouldnt buy my dog food from the supermarket, its over priced and full of rubbish, you are much better to buy one of the better complete foods, that have natural ingredients and dont use bone meal as the main source of protien, also for a puppy you dont realy want a food that over 25% protien, it will have all the details on the bag, compere some of the foods and ingredients then make up your mind, you wont need any supplements, and most decent feed manufactureres do breed specific food these days
6. First off dogs/puppies don't eat poop because they lack nutrients..this is a very common myth. It is perfectly normal and natural for dogs to eat poop and most do at one time or another in their life time given the opportunity. Puppies & females are more inclined to do it, but mlaes also will. Second..Pedigree is NOT a good food. It is so full of cheap fillers that it is pretty much crap for dogs..it would be better for goats. I would suggest that you feed a high quality meat based food..Canidae, Wellness, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Innova, Solid Gold just to name a few. If you feed a good quality meat based food there is no need of giving supplements...if you are feeding a cheap grain laden food such as Pedigree, IAMS/Eukanuba, Science Diet and the like then yes you should supplement.