Taste of the Wild dog food - Page 3

From Susan and the K9's:
(I still haven't figured out why corn is supposed to be evil but potatoes are a gift from God.)

Susan,
Potatoes are used, mostly, in pet food as a source of easily digested carbohydrates. They are also a good source of fiber.
Corn itself isn't evil. It's how it is used in the food.
For a dog (or cat) corn must be properly processed because their digestive systems do not produce enzymes that break down plant cell walls. The proper processing of corn, or other grains robs it of much of its nutritional value. With a lower nutritional value you have to use more of it to achieve the desired results.
If corn is used primarily as a source of carbohydrates in pet food it is much better for the animal. Unfortunately, it is used as a cheap (and incomplete) source of protein. Dogs, and especially cats, are carnivores and thus require protein derived from animal/fish sources. I find it ironic that vegans claim to be "natural", but, do the most unnatural  by feeding their cats and dogs food that nature never intended for them.
When you are feeding a food that has a high content of grain used to provide necessary protein (corn, wheat, barley, etc. and their by-products) you are also burdening your pet's digestive system with a high content of carbs. Carbs are stored in the body in the form of glycogen and used when the body needs them. The excess carbs end up being metabolized and stored as fat and this leads to an overweight pet population. The metabolism of dogs (and cats) does an excellent job of extracting glycogen from protein. Large amounts of grain (carbs) in their diets only serves to make them obese.


My personal opinion is that, as a human, we can make choices about what we eat, good or bad. Our pets only get to eat what we feed them. Why not give them the best possible chance to thrive. As a person that co-founded a rescue I have seen many, many dogs and cats go through my door. A little preventative care (meaning better quality food) goes a long way towards long term health and greatly reduced vet bills.

5 dogs all ages on totw no problems at all doing great

Actually, potatoes are mainly used b/c they are starch, and they make kibble "stick" together when it otherwise could not. This is why grain-free kibble almost always had potatoes. Instinct has tapioca instead to provide that stickiness. 

All great replies and great reading too.  I went ahead and bought the Bison TOTW.  Going to try the Corgi on a different source of protein.

I wanted to add that I'm feeding my adults 25% LESS food since I switched to TOTW and no one has so much as lost a pound.

I feed my GSD's TOTW. I rotate through all flavors w/o any problems. I was a die hard TWO feeder for years. Just got to where I couldn't keep up with all the price increases. Switched to TOTW soon after it was available & haven't looked back since. I do agree with those that said every dog is different. It doesn't matter what you feed. For every dog that does well on a food, there will be one that gets sick on it.

Actually the Omega 6 in corn is somewhat "evil."  For people and dogs. 

See The Ominivore's Dilemma.  It's bad for our health, the health of animals, and the health of the planet.  Plus overuse of corn in the developed economies causes corn and maize prices to increase needlessly in Africa where, despite its health issues, maize is better than the alternatives.

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I agree that people and animals vary and there is no perfect diet for everyone.

Like Crazee, I switched from EVO to Salmon based TOTW, but like some of the other folks here, my dogs did become flatulent.  I never use only one food source for safety, so I don't know if TOTW is to blame.

I am fortunate enough to have a good friend who is a biochemist and something of an expert on diet.  He reminds me that dog people often make the mistake of offering far too narrow a palate to their dogs.  Mix it up for health.  Two or three sources of kibble plus other food sources are essential.  Yogurt, meat, even chopped vegetables in moderation.

Just bought some TOTW - prairie blend - buffalo and venison a couple of days ago.  Just 'cause it was on sale.... mixed it into the other food....  ohhhhh yeaaahhh.....   there is some gas... peee-ewww.  The dogs have their bowel movements in the woods, generally, and I haven't gone to inspect them for consistency, but holy cow, the wind blew my way and I smelled it from wherever it was depositied!

Oddly, the young one's ear came up again in the last few days - don't know if it's causation, but there's a correlation in terms of timing. 

That being said - just found out there's a "100 mile" blend available.  A local manufacturer that has gathered the ingredients all within a 100 miles of the factory - I'm going to look into that.  It has a philosophy that I might be able to support, if the quality is there and the dogs like the food. 

does take less food  I agree