Healthy Pets

[DapperButch]

Me in bold black type.

Originally Posted by Inuus

Just curious about a few things:

What food do you feed your dog(s) and why did you choose that food?

I feed Gouda Taste Of The Wild Pacific Salmon. I feed it because its grain free and is what I feel si the best food for the price.

Until semi recently, I fed my dog, Innova. I changed from Innova because in June (July?) 2010 the company that makes Innova dog food (Natura Pet Products) were sold to Procter and Gamble. P & G were the ones who took over Eukanuba and changed their ingredients to what most in the "dog food world" would say are inferior ingredients to what they had prior to the sale. Since a dog food company has up to 6 months to change their ingredient label after changing the ingredients of the food that is actually in the bag, I was not waiting to find out my dog was eating crap for 6 months.

I spent A LOT of time researching the dog food I would chose, including looking at the 2011 Whole Dog Journal list of approved dog food.

I personally was looking for the standard quality ingredients that most dog owners are looking for. In addition, however, I was looking for fruits/veggies of the anti-oxidant variety and supplements that I am partial too.

It is ironic that you bring up cancer, Innus. The reason why I care about the anti-oxidants and certain supplements (Omega 3, for example), is because I am looking for a food that will help prevent my dog from getting cancer (you ever notice the high rate of cancer in dogs? higher than in humans). Since my own cancer, I am conscious of what veggies I eat for their anti-oxidant effect and what supplements I take. It makes sense to me that if I can get a dog food that has broccoli instead of cucumbers (a higher anti oxidant value) for example, all things being equal, I should choose that dog food.

After I stopped the Innova I was using Organix and was considering changing to Paul Newman's organic when I saw my vet for my dog's annual visit. My vet suggested Hills/Science Diet because she said that Hills and Purina (one of the Purina dog foods, specifically...can't remember which one) were the only two companies that did actual long term research with dogs on site for health. Vet told me all the vets at her clinic gave their dogs Hills/Science Diet. I didn't care as I wanted organic for my dog. Plus, I didn't need one of the Hills special diet ones and I didn't like the Science Diet's ingredients. (and the idea of Purina made me shudder...but that is my own issue).

A week later I had to take my dog to an emergency vet appointment (long story, but he is fine) at a different clinic. The vet there was this really bright, young, new vet. So, I figured hey, she would be good to ask...right out of school, so she is up to date on the latest information. What did she say? Hills/Science Diet. I told her that I really wanted to do organic with my dog and she made an excellent point. Organic dog food is not regulated the same way our organic food is. And we don't really have any way to know how old the food is. Some dog food sit on shelves for a while. How do I know if it is still fresh without preservatives. Plus, the whole issue of Hills/Science Diet and Purina being the only dog food out there to produce data on their products.

So, I figured I needed to look at Science Diet again. I went to Hills website and found that they now sell "nature's best". I was quite pleased with the ingredient list. It had the good stuff I would exepct from a quality food, PLUS the fruits/veggies/supplements I wanted my dog to have. So, I switched. (nature's best chicken and brown rice dinner, specifically).

One last comment. I am not anti-grain when it comes to do food, as long as it is brown rice. In fact, I prefer it in there.

Good topic. I was actually going to bring this one up when I was looking for dog food, but figured that no one would be interested enough to respond!



What supplements if any do you give your dog?

Gouda is in remission from Cancer and has lived longer then any of the Vets including her oncologist said she would.


None, but I would if I found his food to be lacking. Or, like you, if my dog had cancer in the past (I personally, take supplements!)

How many times a week do you buy something for your dog(food, treats, toys etc)

It seems I can not go to a store without buying her something!

I do pretty well with not buying stuff all the time. My issue is the amount of guilt I feel if I do not take him for a long walk every night and the guilt I feel if I go hiking/biking/anything outside, without him. THAT I cannot do!

Treats I give my dog are the treats from Wellness brand or Blue Buffalo.



Are you fanatical (like me) about making sure they get all their preventatives (heartworm fleas/tick etc) and do you make sure they get all their vaccinations and check ups?

Of course!

I took Gouda in 1 month earlier for her annual check up just because I couldnt wait to see if any signs of the cancer was present, which it wasnt! I'm weird I know!


Weirder - until this past year I took my dog in every 6 months...for no reason...just wanted an every 6 month check instead of a yearly check!

I am assuming I would be less insane if I had human children (well, less insane with my dog, is what I mean).

I'm impressed you waited 11 months! ha.

Also, I am very happy to hear that your pup is doing so well!