The Dog Food Comparison Blog

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention nearly half the pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese. The association states that 43% of all dogs are overweight and that 13 percent are obese.  Not surprising since many dog owners are overweight themselves and many dogs do not get the exercise necessary to maintain good health.  Couple this with the poor quality of dog foods that are often purchased and you have a recipe for weight problems.

Veterinarians agree that the main contributors to making animals fat are “eating too much and lack of exercise — just like in humans.”  Overfeeding can occur with the dog’s regular food or with getting to many additional treats.  When giving treats to a dog, the dog’s regular diet should be cut back accordingly.

Health risks related to dog obesity include:

Arthritis, ligament injuries, spinal disc problems, hip dysplasia, heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, blindness, liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, respiratory difficulties and heat stroke.

Many dog owners don’t even realize their dog is overweight. If you can’t easily feel your dog’s ribs underneath a padding of fat and no waistline is showing, the dog probably needs to lose some weight.

Older dogs that move less don’t need as much food as active dogs and the feeding chart on the dog food package should be used only as a loose guideline.  If you dog needs to loose weight, cut back a little and help him or her to get more exercise.  If you give treats use treats that are low in calories, such as carrots, ice cubes or green beans.  If you do choose to use commercial dog treats, pay special attention to the ingredients to make sure that you are not making things worse.

Remember that your dog values your attention just as much as a treat, so spending time with you exercising will make him just as happy and much healthier.  An added benefit will usually be better behavior on your dog’s part and he or she will live longer, be healthier (which will save money on health care) and be a more enjoyable companion.

Additional Dog Health Resources

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A lot of dog owners like dressing their dog up for Halloween and including their dog in the activities of the day.  One word of caution if this includes you.  First, be careful about any foods that your dog may have access to that he or she normally would not.  Most people know that dogs should not eat chocolate but their are also many other foods that can harm your dog or cause an allergic reaction.

Some of the other foods and drinks that can cause an allergic reaction or worse in dogs are alcoholic beverages, caffeine drinks, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, sugar.  There may be other foods that can cause a bad reaction in a dog depending on the breed so take extra care so you know what your dog is consuming.

Another possible problem can be caused by putting a costume on a dog.  Some costumes are made of materials or have dyes in them that may occasionally cause a skin irritation or allergic reaction to some dogs.  When exposing your dog to contact with a material they have never been in contact with before you need to be careful that it is not causing them a problem.

Involving your dog in your daily activities is a great idea and can help build your relationship and keep your dog active and involved.  Just make sure you are not exposing him or her to anything that might prove harmful.

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Found an interesting by Megan Drake at examiner.com about her dog being put on steroids. Steroids are often used on dogs to alleviate allergies; however, according to some veterinarians the prolonged use of steroids can cause many unpleasant problems of their own.  I would suggest doing some thorough research of your own if you are advised to put your dog on steroids.

Megan talks about the affects the steroids have had on her dog.  Of course, when we think of steroids we may think of bulked up athletes who are abusing steroids to get more muscle mass, but there are medical uses for steroids that may make them worth the well publicized side affects that can cause a lot of harm to people or dogs.

She says “How does one recognize a dog on steroids?  The ravenous appetite is a dead give away… so is constant thirst and frequent urination. (Kind of a pain when it comes to dogs)

Then she talks about the signs of a dog that has allergies and may need to use steroids.  Again, I would do some very serious research before taking this route.  The “Outward signs of need for canine steroids are constant scratching from allergies, patches of fur missing from disease (mine has Cushing’s disease) and the like.”

“My dog on steroids – Oscar Mayer – didn’t need an appetite booster to begin with; he can wolf down his meal in under sixty seconds flat and then start looking for his sibling’s bowls! Due to his severe allergies along with his Cushing’s disease he had lost about half his fur from his waist back. How do you balance the need for steroids and their side effects on your dog and your household?”

Then she talks about her efforts to take him off the steroids and some of the related problems.  Either way it is a difficult problem and one that needs to have both options weighed in the balance.

Here is the link to the rest of the story about her dog on steroids:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1513-Philadelphia-Dog-Advocate-Examiner~y2008m10d24-My-Dog-on-Steroids

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Iams Adult Dog Food Review

The following are the top eight ingredient (by weight) used to manufacture Iams Adult Dog Food and a review of the ingredients nutritional value.

Chicken – Good start by Iams.  At least it is real meat, although not necessarily human grade.

Corn Meal – Corn is difficult for dogs to digest.  Not a good thing for it to be the second highest ingredient.

Ground whole grain sorghum – Another filler that is not particualarly digestable.

Chicken by-product meal- Low quality source of protein.  Mainly the parts left over after removing the meat.

Ground whole grain barley meal – Another difficult to digest filler.

Fish meal – Low quality source of protein.

chicken fat – Good source of protein.

Dried beet pulp – Another filler.

Overall, not a very impressive list from Iams Adult Dog Food

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Here is a list of the first eight ingredients in Pedigree Dog Food and a review of each item:

Pedigree Dog Food Top Ingredients (PEDIGREE is a trademark of Mars, Incorporated.)

Ground yellow corn – mostly filler, provides very little protein and is hard for dogs to digest. Some dogs may be allergic to corn

Meat and bone meal – cheap source of protein typically containing mostly bone, which is difficult for dogs to digest. Not human grade.

Corn gluten meal – again, mostly filler, hard to digest and may cause food allergies.

Chicken by-product meal – may consist of parts that are not desired for human consumption or that have been condemned.  Part may include organs, bones, blood, ligaments, heads, feet, feathers, hair, etc.

Animal fat (preseved with BHA/BHT6) – if the fat source is not named specifically (such as in this case by Pedigree) is is most often redered fat, grease from restaurants, or oils that have been condemned for human consumption. BHA and BHT are potentially cancer causing agents.

Wheat mill run – filler, small protien source, grains are hard on most dog’s digestive systems, may cause allergies.

Natural poultry flavor – again a generic term that provides little help in determining nutritional value

Rice – filler, small protien source, grains are hard on most dog’s digestive systems, may cause

Salt – Usually added to improve flavor

Personally I do not use Pedigree Dog Food

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When you compare dog food, protein is the food source that determines the quality of the dog food. You will normally see protein sources shown as meat, animal, and grain protein. 

Compare Dog Food Protein Sources

Meat Protein – This is muscle or organ meat and is superior to other protein sources and the best source of protein for your dog.  When you compare dog food this is the type of protein you want to see on the ingredient list.

Animal Protein – This is protein that comes from any type of animal and any part of the animal that has protein in it.  Stuff like hoofs, beaks, bones, hair, etc.  Not very pleasant stuff and not always digestable for your dog (which stresses the kidney). This is not the type of protein that you want as the main source of protein for your dog.

Vegetable and Grain Proteins – Grains and other vegetables have small amounts of protein.  Therefore, it takes a lot of vegetables and grains to supply the amount of protein your dog needs. Grains are hard for your dog to digest and may cause dog food allergies.  If the main ingredients of the dog food you are comparing are grains and vegetables it should be avoided.  

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Be cautious when feeding your dog people food.  A good example of items to be cautious about are sugar-free item.  Many artificial sweeteners are dangerous to you and your dog.

Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener is what is known as a neuro-excitatory chemical.  It can cause seizures in people and actually increases the appetite. I would not give it to a dog and frankly I don’t eat it myself.

Be extra cautious about another artificial sweetener called Xylitol.  It kills dogs by destroying their livers.

A natural alternative sweetener that should be safe for you and your dog is called Stevia.

Frankly, there shouldn’t be to many situation where you are feeding your dog something that might have an artificial sweetener in it, but in case you do, be careful and read the ingredients.

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A dog can get allergies from different sources including: flea allergies, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, and inhalant allergies. The dog food allergy would typically not depend on the season, whereas the other allergies would typically come and go when it gets cold and insects and pollen are fewer in numbers. Allergies indicate that there is a disruption in the immune system. Sometime it can take real detective work to discover the reasons for it.

However, here are a couple of cautions to be aware of to avoid potential problems.

First, use ceramic or stainless-steel food and water bowls and clean them regularly. Avoid using plastic bowls or containers.

Second, make sure that the water you give your dog is clean and free from contaminants that may end up in your yard, hose, etc.

Third, pay attention to the foods you are giving your dog. Ingredients that are more likely to cause food allergies in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, chicken eggs, corn, and soy. Unfortunately, these items are very common ingredients in dog foods. You may have to switch to a hypoallergenic dog food.

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Found an interesting answer Dr. Michael Fox at doctormwfox.org to a question about feeding dogs that have matured and are no longer going through the dramatic growth that puppies go through. Dogs go through different stages and have different nutritional requirements during these stages in their life. They also need protection for environmental toxins that are all around us.

Here is an excerpt from his answer that is valuable:

“Your two dogs need to get on a more healthful diet. The high-fat and high-protein puppy food should not be given to most breeds after six to eight months of age. And for some breeds, especially Labrador pups, such a diet is actually harmful. Studies indicate this diet can make developing hip dysplasia significantly worse, and lead to weight-control problems later in life.

“Many factors could be making your older dog gain weight, become less active and begin to decline in health. Aside from the often-dubious ingredients in processed and animal junk foods, and the nutrient deficiencies and pesticide contamination of conventionally grown pet foods, we have environmental chemicals all around us. Many of these are called endocrine disruptors, and they can play a role in both dogs’ and humans’ weight problems. The Canadian province of Ontario just banned lawn-and-garden pesticides — an important step for pets, wildlife and us!

“Then there’s the bisphenols that line food cans and fire-retardant bromides in aerosol dust that can affect the thyroid and immune system. There are so many endocrine disruptors everywhere, and many have been found in blood samples of cats and dogs living in what we would call regular homes. I do not mean to be an alarmist, but these multiple health issues call for much greater vigilance over the use of household cleaners, detergents, room deodorizers, as well as what we eat and feed to our pets who share the same environment.”

To summarize:

- Puppy food should be discontinued when a dog reach 6-8 months of age.

- Use only quality dog food and avoid animal junk foods.

- Be cautious with use of pesticides, lined food cans, aerosols, household cleaners and deodorizers.

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Dog food is becoming a common cause of ailments in many dogs.  These ailments can be caused by a dog food allergy which is an immunologically based reaction to food or by a dog food intolerance, which is a general term describing any adverse reaction to food that does not have an immunologic basis (such as food poisoning).

Dog food allergies seem to affect both male and female dogs alike, but in two recent studies is was found that certain dog breeds may have a risk for the development of dog food allergy.

The breeds noted included: Springer Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Labrador Retriever, Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier, Dalmatian, West-Highland White Terrier, Collie, Chinese Shar Pei, Llasa Apsa, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund and the Boxer.  Data from a Colorado State University sudy shows that retrievers may be at greater risk to develop food allergy than other breeds. Reports also show that animals less than one year old may have a greater chance of developing a dog food allergy.

Clinical Signs of Dog Food Allergy

The most common symptom of a dog food allergy is non-seasonal pruritus (chronic itching), which is usually generalized but may also be primarily focused at the feet or ears. The most common skin problems are papules (a small, solid and usually conical elevation of the skin) and erythema (reddening of the skin) common secondary problems are epidermal collarettes (a circular lesion with a circular rim of scale and or a peeling edge), pyotraumatic dermatitis (hot spots), hyperpigmentation, and seborrhea (the accumulation of scales of greasy skin).

Gastrointestinal (GI) signs caused by dog food allergies seem to be rare; although, a recent report documented 20 dogs with both pruritus and GI signs typical of colitis (inflammation of the large intestine which usually leads to abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea with blood and mucus). Both the skin problems and intestinal signs resolved after the dogs started on an elimination diet.

Neurologic signs such as malaise and seizures rarely have been reported. The author feels that malaise may be under-reported, as an increase in energy level (“acting like a puppy, feeling better”) is often noted upon feeding the dog a diet without the offending allergen; this may occur before cessation of pruritus. Respiratory signs, such as asthma, have also been reported, but seem to be quite rare.

Concurrent hypersensitivities have been reported in dogs and include atopy, flea allergy dermatitis, intestinal parasite allergy, and even an allergy to bovine insulin. Concurrent pyoderma and/or Malassezia pachydermatis infection is also common. Dogs may have pyoderma (infection of the skin) as the only clinical sign of a dog food allergy. These dogs are often clinically normal while receiving antibiotics. Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat secondary infections, as persistence of pruritus due to these infections may confound the ability of the veterinarian to diagnose the underlying dog food allergy.

Source: Stephen White www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00093.htm

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