Vander's new food

Vander seemed to be having a tough time adjusting to Wellness Super5 Mix Lamb/Barley (which he was transitioned to from EVO Herring).


I suspect, though haven't tested the theory, that he may be sensitive to the grains in the formula.
Wellness Super5 Mix Lamb/Barley Ingredients:
Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, Rye Flour, Tomato Pomace, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Salmon Meal, Rice Bran, Tomatoes, Ground Millet, Natural Lamb Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Carrots, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a natural preservative), Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Chicory Root Extract, Garlic, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation products.

Vander is now switched (cold turkey) to Taste of the Wild High Prairie

Ingredients:

Bison, lamb meal, chicken meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, roasted bison, roasted venison, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

We switched him from EVO for three reasons - 

1.  EVO (natura) sold to Proctor  & Gamble :( 

2. TOTW is more cost efficient for a dog his size, and easier to obtain should he be adopted. 

3. I think he needed a red meat based food (zinc!) because he already gets fish oil supplements. 
And bonus, it's still grain free. 

Comparison | Acana Pacifica & EVO Herring

Due to the recent sale of Natura to Proctor & Gamble,

I have begun to transition my foster dog to Acana Pacifica.
Here is a side by side comparison (taken directly from each bag label) to show you why I chose this food:

Animal Protein Ingredients:

ACANA PACIFICA, 60%                EVO HERRING/SALMON, 76%
Boneless salmon                                Herring
Salmon meal                                     Salmon meal
Herring meal                                     Herring meal
Whitefish meal                                  Salmon
Salmon oil                                        Eggs
Boneless Herring                              Herring Oil
Boneless Flounder                            Cottage Cheese

Fruit/Vegetable/Carbohydrate/Botanical Ingredients:

ACANA PACIFICA, 40%            EVO HERRING/SALMON, 23%

Russet Potato                                Peas

Peas                                              Pea Fiber

Sweet Potato                                Sunflower Oil

Sun-Cured Alfalfa                         Apples

Pumpkin                                       Carrots

Turnip Greens                               Dried Chicory Root

Spinach  

Tomatoes

Carrots

Apples

Organic Kelp

Cranberries

Blueberries

Juniper Berries

Black Currants

Chicory Root

Licorice Root

Angelica Root

Fenugreek

Marigold Flowers

Sweet Fennel

Peppermint Leaf

Chamomile Flowers

Lavender Flowers 

Summer Savory

Rosemary                                                                                                                                         

Vitamin/Mineral/Probiotic Ingredients:

ACANA PACIFICA                               EVO HERRING/SALMON

Vitamins A, D3, E, B5, B6, B12             Vitamins E, A, B12

Niacin                                                     Niacin

Zinc Proteinate                                        Glucosamine Hydrochloride

Thiamine Mononitrate                              Chondroitin Sulfate

Riboflavin                                                Zinc Proteinate

Iron Proteinate                                        Iron Proteinate

Manganese Proteinate                            Copper Proteinate

Copper Proteinate                                 Manganese Proteinate

Folic Acid                                             Calcium Iodate

Biotin                                                    Betaine Hydrocholoride 

Selenium                                               Thiamine Mononitrate 

Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus            Calcium Pantothenate

Dried Enterococcus Faecium                Biotin

                                                            Riboflavin

                                                           Beta Carotene

                                                          Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

                                                          Phylloquinone

                                                          Folic Acid

                                                         Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus 

                                                         Dried Lactobacillus casei 

                                                        Dried Enterococcus faecium

Select Analysis:

ACANA PACIFICA                        EVO HERRING/SALMON

Protein 33%                                    Protein 42%

Fat 18%                                          Fat 18%

Moisture 10%                                 Moisture 10%

Calcium 1.4% min, 1.6% max         Calcium not listed

Phosphorus 1.1% min, 1.3% max   Phosphorus not listed

Enjoy your new ownership, Natura.... 

Rate Your Dog's Kibble

First, find the ingredients... either on the food's website or a decent vendor, like K9 Cuisine.

Second, go to Rate Your Dog's Food and answer the 20+ questions.


EVO Herring & Salmon got an A+ (102)

Solid Gold's Wolf Cub got an A+ (105)


Go find yours!

puppy kibble | solid gold wolf cub

Almost three weeks ago, I got a call first thing on a Sunday morning that I'd be fostering a puppy that afternoon. A 13 week old puppy.
At first, I was like ok.... then the panic set in that I was SO NOT prepared for a puppy! Especially nutritionally.

I ran out to find a decent kibble that I could feed, and also some wet foods (will describe in next post) to make into a sort of 'soup' to make sure puppy was also getting some real meat and proper hydration.

Once at Petco, I settled on Solid Gold Wolf Cub (even though he is a smaller breed of dog, the analysis is OK for all dogs) for his base kibble. Why? Well the ingredients are good enough, as I have been told "you have to be careful not only with the calcium & phosphorus levels but also an appropriate amount of DHA" and this line by Solid Gold has all these covered.

Most dog feeders have 'heard' that the problem you face with feeding a puppy (specifically of a larger breed) is the high protein levels in most of the better puppy foods. It is actually the calcium, and its ration to phosphorus, that is more of a growth concern. Puppies cannot regulate calcium like adults can and too much can cause them to grow more rapidly than nature intended. This has been said to cause problems such as dysplasias, HOD, OCD etc.

The Ingredients:
Bison | Salmon Meal | Brown Rice | Millet | Cracked Pearled Barley | Rice Bran | Canola Oil | Tomato Pomace | Flaxseed | Natural Flavor | Salmon Oil (source of DHA) | Choline Chloride | Taurine | Dried Chicory Root | Parsley Flakes | Pumpkin Meal | Almond Oil | Sesame Oil | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Thyme | Blueberries | Cranberries | Carrots | Broccoli | Vitamin E Supplement | Iron Proteinate | Zinc Proteinate | Copper Proteinate | Ferrous Sulfate | Zinc Sulfate | Copper Sulfate | Potassium Iodide | Thiamine Mononitrate | Manganese Proteinate | Manganous Oxide | Ascorbic Acid | Vitamin A Supplement | Biotin | Calcium Panthothenate | Manganese Sulfate | Sodium Selenite | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Riboflavin Supplement | Vitamin D Supplement | Folic Acid |

According to dogfoodanalysis.com, the guaranteed analysis is as follows:
Protein, Min 26%
Fat, Min 12%
Fiber, Max 4%
Moisture, Max 10%
Calcium, Max 1.5%
Phosphorus, Max 1.2%

According to the label on the bag of kibble, Salmon Oil is the source of DHA. 

So, he likes it. He will be switched to raw once the grinder is up and running ;) 

Dry Matter Basis

I hear so many conflicting things about protein levels in kibble. The one that irks me is the argument that high protein kibbles are dangerous to dogs, because if fed raw the protein content is so much lower.

False.

You simply cannot compare kibble protein content to raw protein content without first converting the protein content in raw to a DRY MATTER BASIS.

FDA Dry Matter Basis Conversion

As stated on the above linked site:
"Canned foods typically contain 75-78% moisture, whereas dry foods contain only 10-12% water. To make meaningful comparisons of nutrient levels between a canned and dry product, they should be expressed on the same moisture basis."

"The percentage of dry matter of the product is equal to 100% minus the percentage of moisture guaranteed on the label."

"To convert a nutrient guarantee to a dry matter basis, the percent guarantee should be divided by the percentage of the dry matter, then multiplied by 100. For example, a canned food guarantees 8% crude protein and 75% moisture (or 25% dry matter), while a dry food contains 27% crude protein and 10% moisture (or 90% dry matter). Which has more protein, the dry or canned? Calculating the dry matter protein of both, the canned contains 32% crude protein on a dry matter basis (8/25 X 100 = 32), while the dry has only 30% on a dry matter basis (27/90 X 100 = 30). Thus, although it looks like the dry has a lot more protein, when the water is counted out, the canned actually has a little more."

Foods like EVO are actually the next best thing if for some reason you cannot feed raw, provided you compensate for the lost moisture.

My dogs are doing fantastic on their EVO fish formula trial.

Just as an example for the true comparison:
Take 1 oz (19g) of chicken leg (raw, bone in)
*Moisture: 11.48g (60.42%)
*Protein: 4.89g (25.75%)

According to the FDA, the DMB of this chicken leg would be
25.75% protein, divided by 39.58% dry matter, multiply by 100 = 65% protein in Dry Matter Basis. MUCH more than EVO's dry matter basis protein percentage.

EVO, Herring & Salmon
*Moisture (max): 10%
*Protein (min): 42%



Unless I'm understanding this wrong, I think higher protein diets from quality protein sources and no grains are the best possible kibble solution you can get for a healthy dog (with adequate daily water intake)

As an aside to the "high protein" debacle is the myth that higher quality meat protein diets can contribute to kidney failure. Protein has nothing to do with kidney failure. What is true is that kidneys that are already diseased or not functioning properly have trouble processing nitrogen. Nitrogen is a by-product of the digestion of poor quality proteins, like from plants. That is why, according to the holistic nutritionist I've been working with, canine kidney patients should avoid eating low quality protein and eat only high quality proteins from MEAT sources instead.

EVO | Herring & Salmon

We are trying a new kibble in our PM rotation!

EVO Herring & Salmon Formula

Analysis:

Protein	42.98 %
Fat	18.6 %

Moisture 10%
Carbohydrates 18%
Calcium 2.21% (not appropriate for growing dogs)
Phosphorus 1.41%
Calories 3,815 kcal/kg (1 cup=119 g)
456 kcal/cup (1 cup=4.20 oz)

Ingredients:
Herring, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Peas, Salmon, Eggs, Herring Oil, Pea Fiber, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Apples, Carrots, Cottage Cheese, Dried Chicory Root, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Minerals, Vitamins, Direct-Fed Microbials

Science Fiction

Science Diet is a food I frequently hear people discuss on a few varying levels.
Level one is DIE HARD - Like trekkies or ringers, except for Science Diet.
Level two is the misinformed do-gooder.
Level three is the holistic minded skeptic.
Level four is the raw feeder.

Hi, and welcome to a level four discussion.

Science Diet published a page on their lovely website entitled: Bones and Raw Food Flaws. One has to imagine that they are either threatened by consciously dedicated raw feeders, or feel that their food is truly superior than Nature's Science (aka the raw food diet).

Lets tackle their concerns, shall we?

Facts
* There is no scientific data to support beliefs commonly held by supporters.

The explanation is simple : FUNDING. Who funds nutrition based experiments/tests at prominent veterinary universities? Science Diet. Purina. Pedigree. Why on earth would they lend money to researches collecting scientific data on a raw food diet? You would find out that corn starch and hydrolyzed chicken matter do not stand up well next to pure enzymes and amino acids in the fight against skin allergies.
Look, Science Diet, we're only doing what nature instructed us to do for thousands of years, and nature accomplished this without funding, formed data and peer reviews.

* Published Bones and Raw Food (B.A.R.F.) recipes contain excessive levels of Key Nutritional Factors, for example: protein, calcium and phosphorus for an adult dog or cat.¹

For this, Science Diet sites: 1. BillinghurstI. Give Your Dog a Bone. Alexandria, Australia: Bridge Printery, 1993. SchulzteKR. The Ultimate Diet. Descanso, California: AffenbarInk, 1998. VolhardW, Brown K. The natural diet. The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog. New York: Howell Book House, 1995; 167-190

Perhaps they do appear excessive based on studies founded on dry dog food. Ignoring the importance of moisture vs. protein, and calcium:phosphorus ratio rather than amount.
Since we're on Dr. Ian Billinghurst, let's examine some of his 'recipes'. Hmm, looks pretty good to me considering the recommended daily amounts for adult maintenance.

* Food poisoning is an obvious safety concern for animals eating raw foods and owners feeding raw foods.²

You are right, Science Diet - food poisoning is indeed a concern which is why I don't rub the raw beef on my face before I feed it, just like your specialists probably don't before they cook it for themselves. Actually, our routine goes like this:
A. Retrieve labeled, packaged portions from freezer and thaw.
B. Place food before dog on a designated 'raw towel' and let dog eat.
C. Take up towel to be stored until tomorrow
D. Wash hands thoroughly

Over a year and I'm still not sick. And neither are my dogs, who have a shortened digestive tract and lysosomes on their side.

* Pets eating B.A.R.F. diets or other raw food diets are at increased risk for intestinal obstruction, fractured teeth and gastrointestinal perforation.³

True, though pets inhaling dry kibble also have high risk for chocking and intestinal obstruction.. same as when a dog chews up a tennis ball and swallows the pieces. More alarming is the reality of pets eating Science Diet that are at increased risk for suppressed immune system, allergies, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, smell, etc.

Wellness Core Ocean

 Wellness Core Ocean is a great kibble, if you can find it. Petco carries the original formula, not Ocean, in kibble form. Pet Supplies Plus sometimes carries Ocean.

The Wellness Core "NO" list: No Meat By-products, No Wheat or Wheat Gluten, No Soy, No Dairy, No Corn, No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives

My super sensitive allergy dog has never had issues on this food. Bonus for being grain free! 

I would recommend this food.

Ingredients:
Whitefish, Whitefish Meal, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potato, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Tomato Pomace, Natural Fish Flavor, Flaxseed, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Vitamins & Minerals, Choline Chloride, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Products, Rosemary Extract.

This is a naturally preserved product.


Protein - 34%
Fat - 14%
Moisture: 10%
Calcium: 2.1%
Phosphorus: 1.5%

Tightening the Belt

In today's economy, finding the best diet at the best price is no easy task. Especially if you are limited to dry dog foods (kibble).

To find an economic solution, one needs to figure out how much food your dog should eat. There are many equations, this will give you a rough estimate (based on a moderately active adult dog)
Desired Weight/2.2 x 30 + 70 = calories per day

So, for instance Tsuki's ideal weight is approximately 18lbs:
18/2.2 = 8.182
8.182 x 30 = 245.455
245.455 + 70 = approx 316 calories per day

Now let’s break down the price of foods. I picked one of the most expensive foods, mid priced foods and one of the cheapest foods just to show how there isn’t that big of a difference in price once you break it down. The prices are regular prices at Petfooddirect.com

Orijen Adult 29.7 lb bag costs $60.49

Blue Buffalo Wilderness 26lb bag costs $50.99

Canidae All Life Stages 35lb bag costs $39.99

Iams Lamb and Rice 40lb bag costs $51.29

Beneful Orignal Adult 35.2 lb bag costs $37.99

Find the amount of calories per pound of the food.

Orijen has 1909 calories per pound.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness has 1702 calories per pound.

Canidae ALS has 1875 calories per pound.

Iams has 1614 calories per pound.

Beneful has 1674 calories per pound.

Okay, now break it down into price per calorie.

Orijen Adult: 1909 x 29.7 = 56697.3
60.49 / 56697.3 = 0.0010669.
Orijen costs $0.0010669 per calorie

BB Wilderness: 1702 x 26 = 44252
50.99/44252 = 0.0011523

Canidae ALS: 1875 x 35 = 65625
39.99/65625 = 0.00060937

Iams: 1614 x 40 = 64560
51.29/64560 = 0.0007945

Beneful Original: 1674 x 35.2 = 58960
37.99 / 58960 = 0.00064434

Okay, now take how many calories per day your dog needs.

Tsuki needs 316.

Orijen: 316 * 0.0010669 = $0.33701404 per day
0.7229944 * 365 (one year) = $123.06

Beneful: 316 * 0.00064434 = $0.20361144 per day
0.44517882 * 365 (one year) = $74.32

Orijen – Beneful
123.06 - 74.32 = $48.74 per year, or $4.06 per month.

To feed my dog one of the MOST EXPENSIVE FOODS it’ll only cost me an extra $4.06 per month. I understand that some people do not have an extra $4 bucks a month, but those people don’t have to feed one of the most expensive foods either. You can find a great food without ugly chemicals that you can afford!

Use the formula above to find the calorie cost per day/month/year for your dog using foods you currently feed and/or are considering to feed. If you need any help - leave a comment and I'll be glad to assist where I can!

Raw vs. Dry Protein

When I first discovered Orijen I was so excited about the ingredients and nutrients! It was the answer to many a food quandary up until that point. Going grain free really helped pushed me towards feeding a raw diet, as well.

I think it was their "Biologically Appropriate"-ness that had me.

Yet, something always bothered by about the sky high protein analysis of foods like Orijen and EVO, compared to raw foods in the pure form.

Kibble like EVO and Orijen are so high because if you look at the dry matter basis of raw food the protein content is much higher. Since kibble is severely lacking in water that's where you get the high protein numbers. Raw food is mostly water which brings those percentages down.

For comparison:
Orijen 6-Fresh Fish
44% protein (min)
10% moisture (max)

Acana Pacifica
33% protein (min)
10% moisture (max)

EVO Small Meat Red Bites:
42.42% protein (min)
7.50% moisture (max)

Wellness Core Ocean
34% protein (min)
10% moisture (max)

Canidae Grain Free ALS
34% protein (min)
10% moisture (max)

Raw proteins:
Green Tripe (per 1oz):
14.56% protein
81.43% water

Large Raw Egg (per gram):
12.58% protein
75.84% water

Beef Liver (per 1oz):
20% protein
68.99% water

Herring (per 100g):
17.96% protein
72.05% water

Beef Heart (per 1oz):
28.23% protein
65.15% water

Chicken, whole with bone and skin (per 1oz):
25% protein
59% water

Find other protein/water percentages through the USDA calculator