Tag Archives: dog foods

I’m still a little confused about all these dog foods….. Advice?

Currently, we are using Purina Pro-Plan Puppy for small breeds. I’ve always been told that you need to look at the first 5 ingredients to determine if its a healthy food. I also know that real meat needs to be the first ingredient listed. No “by product” or anything like that. However, I’m confused about the grains. Is there suppose to be grains or not? Some people say yes, some say no. When I’ve had foods recommended to me, I read the first 5 ingredients and there always seems to be at least one thing that I’ve been told to avoid. lol I’m so confused. I’ve spoken with people at Petsmart, I’ve talked to my vet, I’ve talked to friends, I’ve talked with my breeder….. Everyone has slightly different advice and I’m still confused. lol

Here’s the first 5 ingredients of the food I’m currently using:
-Chicken
-Corn Gluten Meal
-Brewers Rice
-Whole Grain Corn
-Animal Fat preserved with Vitamin E (this just sounds weird. lol)

If someone could please tell me if its okay. If its not, what exactly is not good for them (and why if you don’t mind elaborating)? I’m just looking for a little education. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Earth Witch. GREAT site. Thanks, I’ve never seen that one before.

I hate trusting my vet and people at Petsmart about food because I feel like they are “sponsored” by a certain brand of food, so of course their gonna chat it up. Everyone has been helpful so far. Thanks so much!

What do you feed a dog?

What do you feed a dog that needs lower protein? Since most dog foods that are out for dogs are high in protein what can you give a dog with a low protein diet that he will still eat?

I don’t think he’s goanna eat fruit……..

I can’t decide between Wellness CORE and Blue Wilderness! Your thoughts?

They are both protein-focused and grain-free dog foods.

Here are the ingredients for Wellness CORE:
Deboned Turkey, Deboned Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potato, Tomato Pomace, Natural Chicken Flavor, Canola Oil, Chicken Liver, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Vitamins & Minerals, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Products, Rosemary Extract.

Now Blue Wilderness (made by Blue Buffalo):
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potato Starch, Turkey Meal, Whitefish Meal, Salmon Meal, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Oatmeal, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Shidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Herring Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharides, Monooligosaccharides, Dried Chicory Root, Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Zinc), Iron Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Iron), Copper Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Copper), Manganese Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Manganese), Potassium Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Potassium), Cobalt Proteinate (source of Chelated Cobalt), Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Salt, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium.

Guaranteed Analysis (Wellness CORE:)
Crude Protein min. 34%
Crude Fat min. 14%
Crude Fiber max. 4%
Moisture max. 10%
Calcium max. 2%
Phosphorus max. 1.4%
Vitamin E min. 150 IU/kg
Omega 6 Fatty Acids* min. 3.25%
Omega 3 Fatty Acids* min. 0.70%
Glucosamin Hydrochloride* min. 250 mg/kg
Chondroitin Sulfate min. 200 mg/kg
Total Micro-organisms* min. 80,000,000 CFU/lb

Guaranteed Analysis (Blue Wilderness):
Crude Protein 42.0% min
Crude Fat 16.0% min
Crude Fiber 3.0% max
Moisture 10.0% max
Calcium 1.0% min
Phosphorous 0.9% min
L-Carnitine* 100 mg/kg min
Omega 3 Fatty Acids* 0.25% min
Omega 6 Fatty Acids* 3.50% min
Beta-Carotene* 5.0 mg/kg min
Glucosamine* 400 mg/kg max

They are around the same price, but I have to drive farther to buy Blue Wilderness. Wellness CORE is available at a local pet store that’s a 5-minute drive from my home, whereas Blue is at least 15-20 minutes (It’s at Petsmart.)

Also…. Do you think the high protein content in Blue Wilderness is something to be concerned about?
oopsies, my mistake. Didn’t see the oatmeal. :)

Does anyone KNOW if mushrooms are good or bad for dogs?

I have been making my own dog food for about 6 months and I am trying to get them more variety. I need to get one of those good cook books but I haven’t yet. I have learned a lot about cooking for dogs but I haven’t read anything about mushrooms. When I searched online I got a 50 / 50 answer. I do not want opinions or half answers. Obviously wild mushrooms are bad for dogs. I would really appreciate an educated opinion because there are so many people that think any human food is bad for dogs. This makes me laugh because that is what they use in good dog foods. I researched for about 6 months before I started making food and I started slowly. None of my 3 dogs have ever got runny poop and I know I am doing well with the ,mixture because the texture and color of poop is perfect. Anyway I need a real answer and I don’t know where else to look. I do feed my dogs Canidae once a day as well. I do not see mushrooms in any food ingredient lists for dog food but that does not always mean it is not good for them. Sometimes it is the cost or the way it preserves.