DOG FOODS - Page 2

I prefer Wellness. its a Holistic Natural food with no junk in it. There is Chicken, lamb, Fish for allergies and Senior and puppy. here are ingredients for chicken Deboned Chicken, Ground Barley, Oatmeal, Rye Flour, Menhaden Fish Meal, Whitefish, Ground Brown Rice, Ground Millet, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Flaxseed, Amaranth, Peas, Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Whole Apples, Whole Blueberries, Whole Clove Garlic, Alfalfa Leaf, Yucca Schidigera, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Inulin, Fructose, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Beta-Carotene, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate (a chelated source of Zinc), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate (a chelated source of Copper), Copper Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate ( a chelated source of Manganese), Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid.

then here is the ingredient index: alfalfa leaf: Alfalfa meal is used as a source of nutritional fiber, micro-nutrients, iron and chlorophyll. It also acts as a digestive aid. Alfalfa aids in healing allergies, stomach ailments & bad breath. It also cleanses kidneys and removes poisons from the body. It improves appetite and aids in assimilation of protein and calcium. amaranth: An excellent source of carbohydrates and linoleic acid. It also has great flavor that complements the flavor of barley, oats and rye. apples: Fresh apples are an excellent source of pectin, which is a natural fiber responsible for removing toxins, reduces risk of heart disease and is beneficial for diabetic animals. beta carotene Beta Carotene is antioxidant. Research has shown that death cell occurs due to the process of oxidation, which is caused by what are called "free radicals". Antioxidants such as Beta Carotene neutralize these free radicals and the oxidation process is stopped. Now, the process of healing begins. Beta Carotene may also protect against certain cancers, cataracts and heart disease. Carrots and sweet potatoes are good source of Beta Carotene. blueberries: Blueberries are rich in Vitamin A & C, Potassium and Fiber. Fresh blueberries provide flavor, taste and color of fresh fruits. canola oil: Cold pressed Canola oil does not contain Hexane, which is used to extract many other vegetable oils. It is high in Linoleic acid, Omega-3 fatty acid, necessary for a healthy coat. carrots: A natural source of Beta Carotene. An antioxidant, essential for interacting with free radicals caused by environmental pollution. It is believed to minimize hypersensitivity, allergies and cancer. chelated minerals: Organic and in-organic minerals are very hard to absorb Amino Acid (protein) bound Chelated Minerals are digestible forms of minerals which are easily absorbed by the body three to ten times greater than common minerals. Therefore, they are more effective in providing adequate nutrient balance. chicken - human grade/deboned: Edible portion of deboned chicken meat, certified by USDA as fit for human consumption, is used in Wellness dog food. Deboned chicken is highly digestible, excellent source of amino acids and a source of good quality protein. It is also very palatable to dogs. filtered water: We use the water that has been filtered through Culligan fine sand and activated charcoal filters to remove impurities such as asbestos, chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals such as lead and a variety of chemicals that are known carcinogens. fish meal: Fish meal is highly palatable and a good source of protein, fish oils and Omega 3 fatty acids which are all critical for healthy skin and coat, normal reproduction, proper body function and improved growth rate of young puppies.

flaxseed: Also known as linseeds, flaxseed is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds are high in fiber that adds bulk to the diet. Omega 3 fats in Flaxseed also improve shine of the dog and cat's coat. It also aids in movement of food through digestive system. peas - garden fresh: Dogs and cats love the flavor and taste of garden peas. Peas are high in Magnesium and soluble fiber. They are a great representative of the "Green" vegetable group. garlic: Fights parasites in intestinal tract, repeals fleas and ticks and boosts immune system. It is also palatability enhancer. It also helps lower blood cholesterol and promote digestion of food. lamb - free of artificial hormones: Normally, hormones are added to the feed for animals to speed up growth. Hormones in human diets have resulted in lower sperm count in men and early maturity (as early as 8 years) of girls. Also, breast cancer is linked to hormones in diet. No study has been done to see the effects of hormones in dogs. We can only speculate. Therefore, we use only certified "Hormone-Free Lamb" in our Wellness Lamb formula. oatmeal: Oatmeal is highly digestible source of carbohydrates, protein and nutritional fiber. It also provides balanced amino acids, essential for re-building healthy muscle tissues. ocean whitefish: A good source of essential Omega 3 fatty acid in abundance, to counteract the excess Omega 6, for dog and cat's healthy skin and coat. omega 3: It is believed that Omega 3 fatty acid plays critical role in therapy of immunosuppression. It has been reported to decrease arthritic stiffness. Fresh fish and flaxseeds are the primary sources of Omega 3. Furthermore, it works in conjunction with Omega 6, therefore, a 4 to 1 ratio must be maintained with respect to Omega 6. omega 6: Omega 6 fatty acids, which are abundant in corn, cotton, sunflower and soybean oil, generally give rise to pro-inflammatory chemical messengers. Dietary Omega 3 fats which are abundant in Flaxseed counteract the inflammatory action of Omega 6. Vegetable oils are rich with Omega 6 fatty acids. Linoleic acid is a very important part of Omega 6. It helps develop healthy and shiny skin and coat. peas - garden fresh pre-biotics: Made of primary sugars such as Glucose and Sucrose. These are food for pro-biotics (see above). Enzymes thrive on sugars, thus do better job in the digestive tract. pro-biotics: Natural micro-flora such as enzymes and friendly bacteria that help digestion process, thus providing more efficient utilization of food and eliminates some gas problems and bloating after meals. Since bacteria and enzymes are heat-sensitive, they are sprinkled on the Wellness products after the product is cooled to room temperature. sweet potatoes: Sweet Potatoes are excellent source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and Beta Carotene. The starch in sweet potatoes converts to sugar easily and provides quick energy. Sweet potatoes are not part of the "Night Shade" family. whole grain barley: A human grade grain, used by major corporations to make oatmeal for breakfast. A highly digestible natural whole grain, providing excellent quality protein, carbohydrates and fiber. It is an excellent source of B vitamins and Lysine, an essential amino acid lacking in many dog food ingredients. whole grain brown rice: A natural whole grain rice that contains all of the natural vitamins and minerals found in the bran layers and germ of grains of rice. A source of complex carbohydrate, provides quick energy, and is loaded with B vitamins and minerals. It is higher in protein than milled white rice. yucca schidigera: Yucca is a desert plant, it is a natural source of digestive aid. It is also known to reduce fecal odor. It has been used for treatment of arthritis for centuries. It is rich in minerals due to it's anti-inflammatory properties.

flaxseed: Also known as linseeds, flaxseed is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds are high in fiber that adds bulk to the diet. Omega 3 fats in Flaxseed also improve shine of the dog and cat's coat. It also aids in movement of food through digestive system. peas - garden fresh: Dogs and cats love the flavor and taste of garden peas. Peas are high in Magnesium and soluble fiber. They are a great representative of the "Green" vegetable group. garlic: Fights parasites in intestinal tract, repeals fleas and ticks and boosts immune system. It is also palatability enhancer. It also helps lower blood cholesterol and promote digestion of food. lamb - free of artificial hormones: Normally, hormones are added to the feed for animals to speed up growth. Hormones in human diets have resulted in lower sperm count in men and early maturity (as early as 8 years) of girls. Also, breast cancer is linked to hormones in diet. No study has been done to see the effects of hormones in dogs. We can only speculate. Therefore, we use only certified "Hormone-Free Lamb" in our Wellness Lamb formula. oatmeal: Oatmeal is highly digestible source of carbohydrates, protein and nutritional fiber. It also provides balanced amino acids, essential for re-building healthy muscle tissues. ocean whitefish: A good source of essential Omega 3 fatty acid in abundance, to counteract the excess Omega 6, for dog and cat's healthy skin and coat. omega 3: It is believed that Omega 3 fatty acid plays critical role in therapy of immunosuppression. It has been reported to decrease arthritic stiffness. Fresh fish and flaxseeds are the primary sources of Omega 3. Furthermore, it works in conjunction with Omega 6, therefore, a 4 to 1 ratio must be maintained with respect to Omega 6. omega 6: Omega 6 fatty acids, which are abundant in corn, cotton, sunflower and soybean oil, generally give rise to pro-inflammatory chemical messengers. Dietary Omega 3 fats which are abundant in Flaxseed counteract the inflammatory action of Omega 6. Vegetable oils are rich with Omega 6 fatty acids. Linoleic acid is a very important part of Omega 6. It helps develop healthy and shiny skin and coat. peas - garden fresh pre-biotics: Made of primary sugars such as Glucose and Sucrose. These are food for pro-biotics (see above). Enzymes thrive on sugars, thus do better job in the digestive tract. pro-biotics: Natural micro-flora such as enzymes and friendly bacteria that help digestion process, thus providing more efficient utilization of food and eliminates some gas problems and bloating after meals. Since bacteria and enzymes are heat-sensitive, they are sprinkled on the Wellness products after the product is cooled to room temperature. sweet potatoes: Sweet Potatoes are excellent source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and Beta Carotene. The starch in sweet potatoes converts to sugar easily and provides quick energy. Sweet potatoes are not part of the "Night Shade" family. whole grain barley: A human grade grain, used by major corporations to make oatmeal for breakfast. A highly digestible natural whole grain, providing excellent quality protein, carbohydrates and fiber. It is an excellent source of B vitamins and Lysine, an essential amino acid lacking in many dog food ingredients. whole grain brown rice: A natural whole grain rice that contains all of the natural vitamins and minerals found in the bran layers and germ of grains of rice. A source of complex carbohydrate, provides quick energy, and is loaded with B vitamins and minerals. It is higher in protein than milled white rice. yucca schidigera: Yucca is a desert plant, it is a natural source of digestive aid. It is also known to reduce fecal odor. It has been used for treatment of arthritis for centuries. It is rich in minerals due to it's anti-inflammatory properties.

then there are the vitamins and uses biotin: It is a part of enzyme system. It prevents dermatitis. It is essential for normal metabolism of fat and protein. calcium: It is utilized to grown and maintain bones and teeth. It also helps maintain blood, cells and tissue. calcium pantothenate: Converts fat in to energy. choline: Helps adequate utilization of fat. Helps transmit nerve impulses. choline chloride: Regulates body acid balance. It helps the liver clean waste from body. cobalt: Maintain red blood cells, with assistance from Vitamin B-12. copper proteinate: A trace mineral found in all body tissues. It works in respiration, synthesis of hemoglobin and production of collagen. It is also an antioxidant and helps prevent oxidation of fatsty acids. folic acid: Helps form red blood cells. Helps break down amino acids. iodine: Works in thyroid gland to control metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. iron proteinate: It provides oxygen to blood and helps digestion of fatty acids. magnesium: Helps digest food and utilize nutrients. Helps maintain healthy bone structure. manganese proteinate: It is also an anti-oxidant. It slows down process of aging. It activates many enzymes and helps utilize fatty acids. niacin: Helps process Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat. Promotes healthy nervous and brain function. phosphorus: It works with Calcium to promote healthy teeth and bones. pyridoxine (b-6): It is important for red blood cell formation. It also helps metabolize nitrogen. riboflavin (b-2): Promotes growth and helps assimilation of carbohydrates and amino acids. selenium: Works with Vitamin E as an anti-oxidant to prevent hardening of tissues. sodium: Regulates body's water balance. vitamin a: Commonly referred to as Beta Carotene, it protects mucous membranes, nose, throat and lungs. It is also necessary for vision, bone growth and reproduction. It maintains tissues such as skin, respiratory and digestive tract. Vitamin A helps absorb fats and minerals. vitamin b-12: An enzyme necessary for normal DNA synthesis. vitamin c: Fights bacterial infections and reduces effects of allergy causing substances. vitamin e: It protects lungs from pollutants and counteracts the effects of free radicals that attack the body cells. vitamin d: It is essential in aiding a dog and cat's ability to use Calcium and Phosphorus. vitamin k: Helps blood coagulate and clot. thiamin (b-1): Promotes a good appetite and growth. Aids in digestion of carbohydrates. Keeps muscles from degenerating and promotes skin healing. zinc proteinate: It is important for proper maintenance of hair, skin, bones, muscles and blood. It also helps digestion and reproduction.

During almost 30 years of owning, breeding and exhibiting German Shepherd Dogs I have tried many diets and many commercial foods, giving each a worthy trial, usually on several males and females, and growing puppies. Of all the various foods I have tried, I have to say there is one which stands out at being OUTSTANDING: http://www.ardengrange.com/

So, a few folks actually recommended ABADY -- Whatdoyouknow ? But, the problem is - it's not readily available to everyone - and if you're not in the northeast - immediate vicinity of NY, CT, VT, the shipping adds up. So Wellness and Innova seem to have good reputations. I don't know when Iams ever was a very good food -- but I certainly agree it's worse now. Artificial Stool Hardners are not a plus -- If my dog was sick and had loose stools, I'd want to know about it - not have it masked by some crap in the dogfood. And we don't need to go back to the Ethoxiquin (sp?) files -- What wonderful manufacturer saw fit to put a rubber stabalizer in your dog food so that it would have the shelf life of over a year !! Other info that has been "proven" about Abady -- bitches consistantly missed heats or didn't "take" fed Abady for 6 months - both came into normal heats and both had 6/more pups. It takes a healthy dog to produce eggs, grow them into pups and deliver live healthy pups. You are what you eat !! Purina and friends should stop making foods that are attrative to marketing and the people who buy them -- can we spell anthropomorphize -- and make stuff that's better for the dogs -- Just because it says Chicken _- you gotta realize that the shady manufacturer is going to use the worst diseased and crappy chicken they can get because it's cheaper - and after all - it's only for a dog, right ?? Why do you think they can make 50 pounds of the crap and sell it for under $20.00 and still make a profit. My (old) vet treated a dog that was fed a generic dog food -- swell -- It said as the last ingredient - "non nutritive fillers" -- so what the heck -- The dog (small 40 pound mutt) was eating 9 cups of the crap a day and was dying of malnutrition -- the NON NUTRITIVE FILLER was SAWDUST !!!! so we don't only have to read the label, we have to UNDERSTAND what it all means. Chicken by-products can be beaks and feet -=- a lot different from kidneys and liver, eh ??

Doom, I know what you mean, It's likr trying to eat dirt, a little water mixed in helps but if they don't eat it right away it can get pretty funky pretty quick in the summertime.I went off it because it was a pain in the ass to get everybody to eat it.

I don't use anything with canola oil. Read alot about how toxic rape seed is.The best I have found that is kibble.... Timberwolf Organics Carnivore Specific Diet No gluten meals No BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin or dyes No added sugar No white rice or simple carbohydrates Will not contribute to pancreatic disease or diabetes Black Forest™ Canid Formula Low Ash Lamb Meal (New Zealand), Venison Meal (Australia), Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Millet, Whole Ground Barley, Whole Ground Flaxseed, Low Ash White Fish Meal, Carrot, Watercress, Spinach, Celery, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Wild Salmon Oil, Unrefined Walnut Oil, Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Amaranth, Blueberries, Glucosomine, Cranberries, Pears, Figs, Thyme, Anise Seed, Ground Cinnamon Bark, Fenugreek, Garlic Pieces, Lecithin, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Apples, Chicory Root, Taurine, Spirulina, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophillus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Lactis, Bacillus Bifdum, Streptococcus Dialecetilacttis, Bacillus Subtillus), Mixed Tocopherols (A source of vitamin E) Choline Chloride, Lysine, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin A supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Ribofavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Activated Animal Sterol (A source of Vitamin D3), Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (A source of vitamin B6), Biotin, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Papain. PROTEIN: 22% FAT: 12% FIBER: 5% MOISTURE: 9% ASH: 6% KCAL/CUP: 496 LINOLEIC ACID: 2.6% LINOLENIC ACID 1.2%

I tried the Eukanuba Large Breed for my GSD too. It was the worst year of our lives. We went through behavior issues (because he wasn't feeling well), hot spots, yeast in the ears, diarrhea, weight loss, and other issues related to food allergies. We did the food allergy route (Science Diet, Iams, Innova, and venison, duck, etc). Finally a orthopedic surgeon who is studying dog diets suggested Royal Canin Sensible Choice and it works but it was a slow process. We added lactobacilius, acidophilus, organic apple cider, and other holistic items to his diet. He is healthy and a pistol once again. I can only say, dog food isn't what it used to be. I appreciate those of you who have passed on your knowledge with your successful dog diets. I am writing it down in my dog book. I am new to the GSD world and want to do this right. Thank you.