The Dog Food Comparison Blog

I currently feed my min pin (dry) small bites by Natural Choice by Nutro. We are thinking of changing his diet mainly becasue of what we have recently read on Menadione Sodium Bisulfate… mixed in the Nutro. Blue Buffalo is quickly making its way to the top of the list. Would this be a wise move? Also, the Nutro first ingredient is Lamb meal. BLUE's mall breed is only in a chicken based. My dog is not allergic to chicken. Would a switch of food with a different main ingredient be good for him?

Blue Buffalo is an excellent choice if you have minpins. You could feed the fish and sweet potato and get great coats and skin. My four pins, my manchester, and all three of my herding dogs eat Blue. People often remark how shiny and healthy my pins look. It also keeps up with their energy level.

I am looking for a brand comparison chart to canned dog foods. Not a company specific site that is out to sell its brand. Do does anyone know where to go for one?

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/

Hope you can find the information you are looking for!

Sorry, I just realized this was for dry dog food. It may be helpful, though.

Just what do the pet food companies really put in there? Video autopsy of a Home Brand and Mid Premium Brand commercial canned dog foods. Examines the contents of the cans, the ingredients and some of the additives and makes a cost comparison.

Duration : 0:5:10

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: canned, commercial, cooked, dog, food, home, homemade, natural

I was pleased to see that Freshpet(R) is Hosting the First-Annual Fun Run to Help Benefit Canine Cancer Research. (According to PRNewswire)

Bark for the Cure(TM), an organization created by Freshpet(R), is doing fundraising specifically targeted towards canine cancer research, which is the number one natural cause of death in older dogs according to the Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center.

This research may also help produce breakthroughs in the prevention, treatment and cures of human cancers — in particular childhood cancers.

According to Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM more than 50% of dogs and cats that are over the age of ten will develop cancer.

Signs that your dog may have cancer include, a firm lump that grows and does not go away, increased appetite with continued weight loss, respiratory problems and overall weakness (if they are becoming anemic).

The exact causes of cancer are still not clear. There is a genetic correlation which is shown by an increased incidence in certain breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Boxers.

Exposure to smog, herbicides, and insecticides also play a role as contributing factors.

Of utmost importance is Dog Food – preservatives and other chemical additives may also cause cancer.
On the other hand, when the body is provided with food that is nutritionally rich and free from harmful additives it is then supported with the building blocks needed to maintain healthy cells and repair the damaged ones, and healing from within can occur.

Just like your own body, the most important step you can take towards creating health and vigor in your dog is to consider carefully what goes in his/her mouth.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/las-dogs-unite-bark-cure/story.aspx?guid=%7B2F864530-74B1-44B7-AEC2-B0CF592A4E91%7D&dist=hppr

Technorati Tags: canine cancer, Dog Food Comparison, dog nutrition, health

A recent report on CNN told about a lady in Atlanta, Ga., who opened a food bank for pets. Apparently, foreclosures in the area had become so bad that many pet owners had to give up their pets to animal shelters or foster care organizations. The Help Save Our Pets Food Bank had helped 1,500 needy pet owners in just its first few weeks of operation.

In light of this terrible situation I did a little research and came up with a few ideas for saving money on caring for you dog.

Saving Money on Dog Expenses

Save on Dog Food – making food for your dog yourself is not only better for your pet but can also be cheaper if you use fresh, “bargain-priced” ingredients. There is no doubt that it takes more effort but it can save you a bit from what you would typically spend on any of the better known brands of dog food and it will likely save on veterinary costs down the road and your dog will be healthier and happier.

You also may be able to buy some ingredients in bulk (freezing them is necessary) which will create a bigger discount and reduce the number of trips to the store.

Save on Your Dog’s Health Care – Prevention is always the best way to save on health care whether for dog or human. Again, food is the number one health factor so it should be high in quality and nutrition. Next make sure your dog gets exercise and has proper living conditions.

Checkups and vaccinations: Not all vaccinations are necessary, so you can save some money by only allowing vaccinations for diseases that are common to your area. According to many veterinarians boosters do not need to be given as often as is custom. In fact they can often harm your dog’s health, so question your vet persistently to make sure your dog is not getting any shots that are unnecessary.

If you have multiple pets you can normally get a discount at the vets if you take them in at the same time.

Having your dog spayed or neutered will also reduce the risk of several diseases and cancers. Check with county animal shelters and rescue shelters to get the best price for these procedures.

Save on Grooming – Brushing teeth, bathing and nail trims done at home can save money. Resist buying accessories, toys, etc. that are just passing fancies and focus on the basic needs of your pet. Keep it simple and you will both be better off.

If you have additional ideas on how to save money on dog expenses that you would like to share feel free to comment below.

Technorati Tags: dog expenses, dog food, save money

There is a lot of talk in the news these days of the problems with processed foods. The processing, canning and preserving process often leaves the food with little or no real nutritional value. The end consumer ends up with nothing more than empty calories and chemicals that are often toxic over time. This problem is even more prevalent when it comes to feeding our pets.

According to Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM, “commercial pet food does not always provide all of the nutrients that some dogs and cats need to be healthy at different times in their lives. This food also contains things that your pet doesn’t need, such as chemical additives and preservatives.

“An example of a preservative that is commonly found is propylene glycol. It is used to keep moist pet foods fresh. It has been linked to anemia and bloat. One of the single most important things you can do for your pet’s health is to feed a more natural diet. I have seen natural diets improve allergies, arthritis, diabetes, chronic vomiting and diarrhea.”

Unfortunately many dog owners think that any commercial dog food they buy will be good for their pet. They also fail to realize that many of the health and behavioral problems that they experience with their dog are likely caused (or are compounded) by poor nutrition, reactions to chemicals, and/or food allergies.

This is not surprising, because most people ignore the signals their own bodies are giving them when they eat poor food, why would they recognize the signs their dog is giving them as a reaction to poor food. By paying attention to what you are putting in your dogs mouth and his/her reaction to it you may be able to solve a lot of problems or avoid future problems, just the same as you can by paying attention to what goes in your own mouth.

Technorati Tags: additives, commercial dog food, pet food problems, preservatives