Wellness and The WDJ

[judy v]

I made one of my many trips to my pet supply place this morning. I wanted to see if Wellness was being carried (I'm currently using Innova). The owner, who is usually pretty good about keeping up on things, said that she had heard about it, but didn't carry it at the moment. Of course I could order it. The interesting thing about this conversation was that she showed me a copy of a dog food ranking conducted by The Whole Dog Journal. I couldn't bring it home with me, but what I can remember is that California Natural was second; Innova, fourth or fifth; and Wellness evidently didn't make the cut. I guess the question is then, what's with the WDJ? I didn't have time to look for the cites, so I have no idea who actually did the rankings, or on what they were based, or even the date of the study. Kosmo? Someone who subscribes to this magazine?

[SarasMom]

I checked on this. Wellness did make the WDJ top 10 this year.
The top 10 listed in the February 2000 issue: (not ranked)

Best in Show-Solutions

Canidae

California Natural-chicken and rice

Flint River Ranch- dry water

Innova

Innovative Veterinary Diets- duck and potato

Natural Balance

Petguard Lifespan

Wellness Super5Mix-Hormone free lamb

Pinnacle

These are NOT recommended (partial list)

Abady Stress adn Maintenance formula
APD Lamb Meal and Rice
Bil-Jac
Cornucopia Super Life
Diamond's premium adult
Dr. Ballard's Growth & Performance
Eagle Pack Natural Formula
Eukaneuba Adult
Iams Maintenance adult
Natural Life adult formula
Nature's Recipe Maintenance Lamb & Rice
Nutro Max Naturally Preserved
Perfect Health Diet G&M formula
Precise Foundation Formula
Purina ONE
Science Diet Maintenance
Sensible Choice Adult Dog
Pedigree Prime

Different reasons are given for the not recommended foods including:
Food fragments (brewers rice, corn gluten)
Meat by-products
Artificial preservatives or colors
Sweeteners
Propylene glycol
Fats or proteins named generically (animal or poultry fat instead of the better chicken or beef fat). Generic term indicates possible mixing.

[Kozmo]

Judy,
I don't know how much water their list holds or what their criteria is. I am not sure if some of these companies advertise in the WDJ or what. But I can tell you that Wellness is #1 on my list. And I can give you 101 reasons why according to Jeremy http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif
If I made a top 10 list and published it, I would have trouble filling spots 2 through 10. I do not work for Wellness, But Wellness works for my Rottweilers.
The thing I like about the list is, It does mention many of the feeds that I would not recommend. The WDJ could rank Wellness wherever they wish, Your best bet is to ask users besides myself how they like or dislike Wellness. I guarantee you will se many more manufacturers scrambling to emulate Wellness method of producing a baked holistic feed that is corn, wheat, by-product,
preservative and rendered animal fat free.
If OMH has done anything, they have raised the bar as most pet owners are tired of feeding their dogs less than acceptable ingredients.


Wellness #1 fans Kozmo and Elroy http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

[SarasMom]

Originally posted by Kozmo:

I don't know how much water their list holds or what their criteria is. I am not sure if some of these companies advertise in the WDJ or what.

WDJ accepts NO advertising, so I think you can have faith in their opinions. Their criteria for food is very high, and they do mention the fact and like that Wellness is baked. Their only beef with it is that it has many ingredients, and for dogs with allergies, that could be a problem.

[Kozmo]

Originally posted by SarasMom:

Their only beef with it is that it has many ingredients, and for dogs with allergies, that could be a problem.

I don't buy that one bit. Wellness does not contain any wheat,corn, or soy. These 3 contribute to a majority of the allergy problems in dogs.

[Grumbler]

Kozmo,
I believe the list that Sarasmom posted stated that it was the top ten(10) list and NOT RANKED. Yes, as I have previously stated maybe in the future we might find that some of the ingredients are not of nutritional value or may not be the best for our Rottis. On the allergy theory I am sure there must be some dogs that are allergic to Hormone Free Lamb, White Fish, Brown Rice, Ground Barley, Oatmeal, Rye Flour, Ground Millet, Flax Seed, Canola Oil, Apples, Garlic, Alfalfa Leaf, Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

We might even find these ingredients are detrimental to our Rottis health: Shark Cartilage, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Lactobacillus Plantarum: Faecium,Casei,and Acidophillus. One of our dogs may even be allergic to these ingredients or others found in WELLNESS.

My opinion is that each animals digestive system will show you what is best for your ROTTI. Gucci has a strong digestive system and changed from Nutro to WELLNESS in one day with no effect. I had no more Nutro and decided at the feed store to switch. You can also tell by ther coat. Are they scratching, shedding excessively, dandruff present? I believe these factors and others will conclude your decision if your dog food is best for your Rotti. We must also not forget most of us do not have a PHD. in Nutrition so READ, READ, READ and then you still have to make your own decision. And...that is why we also have vets. I know most of them are not up on their nutrition facts: they still sell Science Diet.

Now on a funnier note.....Kozmo who elected you to be WELLNESSES #1 Fan. I disagree with you. GUCCI is their #1 Fan! :P

------------------
GUCCI'S DAD
Doug



[This message has been edited by Grumbler (edited August 12, 2000).]

[Kozmo]

Doug,
If you want to really get into allergies, Aside from the 3 ingredients I mentioned, The ENVIRONMENT your dog lives in is often overlooked when it comes to allergies.
Dtergents and softeners that we use to wash our dogs bedding contain formaldehyde, which is associated with causing arthritis. Wormers and flea repellents of whatever kind, including medicated shampoos and dips, are all possible sources of allergic reactions. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, areas that spray for mosquitos, all emit toxins that cause allergens in pets.
Rawhide treats and hoofs that are left out in the yard and exposed to heat, light, and contaminations, but do not get moldy. Why is this? Preservatives!
Other allergens include, dust, wool carpets and blankets, molds, cedar chips used in bedding, flowers, pollens, house and garden plants, and weeds. Numerous bacteria that floats around, lands on feed that his been left sitting in bowls too long, or raw meat left out oo long, drinking water that has been sitting too long, all contain contaminents that attribute to allergen symptoms.
The kennels that house dogs, the chemicals used to clean these kennels, and even the lighting in a house can be an allergen. (Ordinary flourescent lighting has been linked to depression, inability to breed, and poor appetite in some dogs.
Pillows that contain feathers, perfumes your wife may wear. Even the plastic dog dishes some use contain contaminants. Pottery dishes used for feeding or water contain lead that can leak out and mix with the feed if the pottery was not fired at a high enough temp. Stainless steel dishes for food and water is
best. You can see that their are numerous environmental sources of allergens that are often overlooked. A dog fed properly will be healthy and not react to a majority of these toxins in our environment. The thing that impresses me most since using Wellness is, My dogs have not had any problems with fleas whatsoever. Their "work" requires them to enter wooded areas, and I usually expect to find a flea or tick jump onboard, But after checking them routinely, none are found. They use to scratch occasionally, but not at all since switching feeds.
The probiotics seem to be working very well, Elroy use to get some goop in his one eye, and it has been eliminated.
I don't need to defend Wellness one bit, The dogs who use it are testament itself.
Kozmo

[Tenaj]

Kozmo, My dogs do this on the BARF diet! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif No, Wellnes is not for every dog, just like BARF is not for every dog. For my dogs, the natural diet works wonders. I subscribe to WDJ and have found it to be very informative on pet foods. They have very high criteria that must be met. They just stated that Wellness may have too many ingredients and that it could cause allergies in some dogs. This is possible with any food. Even the best. Don't take offense to someone not liking the feed you feed your dogs. Heck most people don't like/agree with what I feed my dogs but I see the results firsthand. Just as you see the results firsthand with your food. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

[judy v]

Thank you all. That helped. Now, one more question: Does Wellness make a senior food?

[Kozmo]

Judy,
Wellness makes a Senior feed, It comes in a maroon colored bag.

Kozmo http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[CarolineS]

I just wanted to add a note about dogs with food allergies. Even though the three foods Kozmo listed are common allergens, dogs are becoming increasingly allergic to lamb and rice. Since lamb and rice have been touted as "nonallergenic" and have taken on an almost "health food" aura, a lot of people have started feeding their dogs food with these ingredients. Any dog with allergenic tendencies can easily become allergic to almost anything fed over a long period of time, even lamb and rice.

My dog is allergic to quite a few things, including chicken, lamb, rice, oats and rye. These allergies manifested themselves as inflammatory bowel disease which caused her to have diarrhea, awful gas and vomiting. If you have a dog with food allergies, it is better to stick with a food with very few ingredients. From personal experience, I know it is easier to figure out what is causing the problem if the dog is getting fed only one source of protein and one source of carbs. The only way I've successfully been able to treat my dog's inflammatory bowel disease is to prepare her food myself. No additives, no preservatives and I know exactly what she's getting. This feeding approach has turned her around 100% and she no longer has any symptoms of IBD.

This post is not in any way meant to say Wellness is not a good food; I have no opinion about it one way or another. I just thought it important to point out that the WDJ has a very valid point about feeding it to dogs with food allergies.