Natural Choice by Nutro

[CarolineS]

Originally posted by rommel's mom
I would sure like to know how many people on this discussion forum have degree's in nutrition. How do we know what's in our dogs food we have to go by the label and that's it, the manufacturers could be putting anything in there we don't know. It's the same with our food we don't know what can be put into our food. Let's get real here, we can all think we are experts in selecting dog food for our dogs but we are all still guessing on what' the best for them just like our own food. How many of us humans eat exactly what's good for us everyday of our lives?
We need to wise up and just hope we are doing the right thing for the dogs we love.

Most of us humans don't eat exactly what's good for us every day of our lives, but those of us who care do know exactly what is good for us and the majority of our diet is made up of those things.

You do not have to be a nutritionist nor do you have to take the manufacturer's word to figure out which kibble or home-prepared meal is the best for your dog. It is quite easy to research and find out exactly what "by-product meal" is, what "ingredient-splitting" is, what "NRC standards" are, what the "biological value of a protein" is and why having grain the major ingredient in a food is not a good thing. Surf the net, read books, talk to experts in the field. The last person I'd believe would be a manufacturer who has only one thing in mind...profit.

If you would like to educate yourself on why we shouldn't just take the manufacturer's word for the quality of his food, here are some excellent books you might enjoy reading. These are just a few of the dog nutrition books out there and all are readily available from Amazon.

Food Pets Die For by Ann N. Martin
Protect Your Pet, More Shocking Facts by Ann N. Martin
Canine Nutrition, What Every Owner, Breeder and Trainer Should Know by Lowell Ackerman, DVM
Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets, The Healthful Alternative by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, PhD

Dr. Strombeck is a very well-respected vet who has published many research papers in his speciality which is gastroenterology. He is a Professor Emeritus at UC Davis and has received many awards for research excellence. Here is a quote from his book.

Current diets are based on cereals...These diets are nutritionally adequate in being complete and balanced but do not ensure maximum life expectancy. A number of canine and feline medical problems significantly relate to such diets....Americans can easily learn enough about nutrition and dietetics to prepare a diet for a dog or cat. Owners rarely plan and prepare meals for their pets, however. They leave that to the pet food industry, which claims that only nutritional experts have the competence to formulate a pet's diet

There is not one certified veterinary nutritionist on this board that I am aware of, but there are a heck of a lot of people who've done a heck of a lot of research to arrive at the diets their dogs eat. No matter what they choose to feed, they are to be commended for going that extra mile for their dogs.

This post is not in any way meant to be a slam at you, rommel's mom, just something to show you that you do have the ability to research dog nutrition and make an informed choice instead of having to rely on the manufacturer's word.

As to your question about the glucosamine/chondroitin in the dog food...if a dog has joint problems, I believe the levels in this dog food are so low that they may as well not be there. An 80 pound dog needs 400 mg of chondroitin and 500 mg of glucosamine, three times daily, to be effective. If a dog does not have joint problems, feeding a food with these ingredients is superfluous and will do nothing to prevent future joint problems. A dog with a genetic predisposition to joint problems will be helped by being kept slim and making sure he receives the appropriate levels of nutrition.

[Barbara Surplus]

Originally posted by rommel's mom
How many of us humans eat exactly what's good for us everyday of our lives?

We need to wise up and just hope we are doing the right thing for the dogs we love.

Some of us DO happen know what's in the food we and our dogs eat and it doesn't take a nutritionist to figure that out. As Caroline so eloquently put it, it might take a little time and effort to determine what the label is really telling us but it certainly can be done quite easily.

I guess I'm not quite sure why you posted asking for our opinions as it appears you have your mind made up which is just fine. Your last statement confuses me though: "wising up" would not include "hoping" we're doing the right thing.
Barbara

[rommel's mom]

I owe everyone a sorry. I just thought everyone was trying to talk me into buying Canidae. I've learned alot and you all have been doing your research, I guess I need to do alot more. All I want is the best for Rommel, and it's not that I have already made up my mind but you all are helping me decide. I think I will have to go with Innova because I can't get Canidae where we live. Again I'm truly sorry if I made anyone mad. Inexperience here. I know now by reading the posts that you are all trying to help the breed and make things better. Thanks for all your help please forgive me.

[Sansano]

Good luck on your nutrition research. Innova is a great food and don't be dissapointed in using it instead of Canidea. Sometimes I think this board is www.canidea.net! There are may super premium foodout there that are in the same league as Canidea. Each dog is different and does better or worse on different foods. There is NO best food. Take a look in the nutrition archives and you can find lots of information on different types of food. Good luck.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Sansano
Good luck on your nutrition research. Innova is a great food and don't be dissapointed in using it instead of Canidea. .

That's not true at all. I for one have a clear record of recommending a variety of super premium dog foods, such as: Solid Gold, Innova, California Natural, Abady, Best of Breed, Wellness, Health Wise, Wysong, River Flint Ranch, Bil Jac Raw, and so forth. However, I personally believe that Canidae is one of the very best dog foods available, but, if for whatever reason you can't not find it in your area, then try to find one of the other recommended brands ;0

[Tazwick]

I feed both my dogs Canidae, and that can run expensive, especially when I run short of cash! I live in Canada, and I pay 60.00 and something for a 33lbs bag of Canidae. I was paying 70.00 for a 40lb bag, but Canidae has recently stopped making the 40lb bags...

I have to drive an hour each way to get the food as well...I go through about a bag and a half a month. And I am feeding a 17month old male and a 4month old female.

[JonandMichelle]

Originally posted by Tazwick
but Canidae has recently stopped making the 40lb bags...

Ummmm, My 40 lbs bags must be "boot legged" then:D

[Sansano]

Originally posted by German Vanegas


I for one have a clear record of recommending a variety of super premium dog foods, such as: Solid Gold, Innova, California Natural, Abady, Best of Breed, Wellness, Health Wise, Wysong, River Flint Ranch, Bil Jac Raw, and so forth.

You sure do! I just like folks to know that there are a good amount of great foods out there including Canidea.:)

[Tazwick]

That is what the woman said at the pet supply shop where I buy my food..:) So I don't know if its just for Canada or what...

[IRIE'S MAMA]

OMG Tazwick,

That is a lot of $ that you are paying for Canidae. I wonder if it would be less expensive to have it shipped to you. I really don't know for sure, but I would look into it. I just started using Canidae yesterday as a matter of fact, and I get a 40 lb bag for $33.00. I'm sure shipping is quite expensive too, but it may save ya a couple o bucks.

[brunie's mom]

Tazwick;
Dont forget $60. Canadian is about $35. American dollars..... I think this is what most Americans pay for Canidae generally.

Gina -eh?

[CarolineS]

Tazwick,

I don't know where you live in Canada, but if per chance it is east of Toronto, I know of a shop in Whitby that was selling the large bag for $52. Of course, you could live in BC and this is no help at all!

Caroline - another Canuck

[IRIE'S MAMA]

Originally posted by brunie's mom
Tazwick;
Dont forget $60. Canadian is about $35. American dollars..... I think this is what most Americans pay for Canidae generally.

Silly me for not thinking of that. I feel dumb right about now

[ricojsuave]

Chili ate the Nutro large breed till he was 18mo. He loved it and now gets the Adult Nutro and is 27 months and an extremely fit/lean 85lbs. I give it a two thumbs up! :)


Richard

chili's page

[Sheenagirl]

My daughter feeds her Rottie the Nutro Natural Large Breed Senior and Cheyenne loves it and does great on it. I trade off feeding Sheena the Nutro Nat'l., Wellness, California Natural and Canidae. Sheena loves the taste of Nutro Natural and Canidae (not so much for the CA. Natl. or Wellness). I know Canidae is a great food but something in it causes Sheena to itch after she has been on it awhile. So now I mix together the Canidae and one other another quality dry kibble (Ca. Natl.,Wellness or Nutro Natl.,etc.) and I feed her the can IVD White Fish and Potatoe. I feel if I switch (slowly of course) dry foods from time to time she gets the best of all brands. ;)