Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
THE FOOD GROUP GUIDELINES
WELCOME TO THE FOOD GROUP- PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING A NEW DISCUSSION!
We started this group because of personal experiences with many of the issues that are commonly discussed on dog forums regarding food, and because these experiences have led us to do extensive research in an attempt to obtain FACT-BASED knowledge of these issues, rather than relying on anecdotes, myths, and junk-science, much of it put out there by people who are trying to sell something. The 2007 pet food recalls in which thousands of dogs and cats died or were permanently sickened by foods that contained melamine from China substituted for glutens had a profound effect on some of us, and this group was started as an attempt to educate and help others on manufacturing pratices and pet nutrition so that they can avoid losing beloved pets because of unacceptable foods made by "Big Dog Food" companies. There are also many issues we would like to explore. We thought it would be helpful to put all of these questions, information, and feedback into one place here on DK where everyone can find it, contribute to it, ask questions, and learn together.
You can start a new discussion if you have a question, or you can continue in an existing discussion if you prefer. Please do try to use the search feature before starting a new discussion, though, to help eliminate duplicate discussions on the same topics. You can search through past discussions for a topic by clicking "View All" at the bottom of the Food Group discussion forum, and then entering a word or phrase in the box. You will usually find lots of info and possibly the answer to your question. There is a wealth of information here from many good sources.
Membership in this group is voluntary. Everyone is free to feed their dog whatever they choose, but it is assumed that you are here because you want to learn about better nutritional and commercial food options. All questions are welcome. Proselytizing, however, is not welcome. If want to feed your dog Beneful or Ol' Roy, that's your right, and if you want to learn why those foods may be dangerous to your pet's health, we're happy to tell you. But recommendations for these, Iams, Purina, and other products that have killed other group members' dogs are not okay here. Similarly, if you would like to share your opinion that the only proper way to feed a dog is with a prey model raw diet, that all kibbles are harmful, and/or that raw food contains some magical properties that will cure diseases, this is not the right group for you.
Welcome, and thanks for reading!
PLEASE NOTE: WE ASK THAT YOU NOT POST ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRODUCTS FOR WHICH YOU RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF COMMISSION OR COMPENSATION, NOR ANY LINKS TO ADVERTISING. THANK YOU.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Leigh, Deuce, Chance on -
LOVE LOVE LOVE this Group!!!! Thanks sooooooooooo much for starting it. There is so much out there to feed our dogs but so little info about what we are buying and so much sales hype that it makes the concerned pet lover confused! Without the correct info, we could be literally "killing" our beloved 4 leggeds by trying to feed them the "best" foods!!! Always in the back of my mind is the food recall scare and all of the pets that "ate themselves to death" right in front of our eyes. Some commercial pet foods are still not safe to feed but are still being sold and we are not being informed by the media. Even through research, I'm still confused about what to feed. So here is my question.....
Is there any way someone who is in the know post a list of safe commercial pet foods that could be on the website here as a reference for all of us??? Also, as much as I want to cook for my 2, it's not feasible when trying to foster, especially in these poor economic times. And, would it be possibe to make it simple to understand? I think a comparison list of commercial, RAW, and Homecooked foods and left here on a regular basis would help those of us who are "out of the loop" when it comes to pet food. That way, we can all choose how we want to feed our pets. Maybe I missed a posting about what I'm asking about.... Just file this one in a "SUGGESTION BOX!" LOL
Thanks again for starting such a wonderful group! -
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Permalink Reply by Karen & Jackdoodle on -
Hi Leigh, thanks for the nice words!
I think for the time being, your best bet would be to read through all the posts in the Commercial & Homecooking discussions...much of the info you are looking for is there, albeit not in such an organized form as we might like. (I think we will have to wait for Lynne's summer vacation for that, LOL!) The RAW section so far has more questions and concerns than information, and this is an area we also hope to explore further. I think a question and answer section here might be a good idea, although the format of the website makes it a little difficult to keep any particular topic "up top" where everyone can see it...but at least it will be here! -
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Permalink Reply by Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles on -
I do not know that we could ever put together a 'list' of safe commercial pet foods in this ever changing market. SO much can change and I would never want someone to not realize they are viewing an out of date report ~ if it was safe today and 2 months from now their plant has an issue that is not widely publicized (it happens) it could be tragic. On commercial foods safety lies in the present, we always need to be aware - even about our current selection.
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Permalink Reply by Karen & Jackdoodle on
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You are so right, Dianne; just a few days before you posted the article about the "6-month-period" that the PFI is allowed before having to advise us of changes in formulas, I received an e-mail from a relative who works for one of the major companies, advising me that her company had significantly changed a very popular formula of kibble, but was still putting it in the old bags with the old ingredient labels...and that they had 6 mos. to "use up" the old bags before correcting the labels! (This was also posted in the "Commercial foods" section in this group)
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Permalink Reply by Leigh, Deuce, Chance on
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Anyone know of reputable website that has listings of commercial foods that is kept up to date? Maybe it could be linked here.
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Permalink Reply by Lynne - Oodles of Doodles RSQ on -
Leigh, check out other discussions in this group's main page. Commercial Foods-The G, the B and the U, give websites where you can do your research. dogfoodproject.com and dogfoodnalysis.com are good places to start. But go read the discussions first.
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Permalink Reply by Leigh, Deuce, Chance on
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Okey Dokey. Thanks Lynne. I must have missed something in the discussions earlier.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Wayne-Springview Mini GD's on -
There is a terrific site called petsumerreports.com It is subscription based and not supported by any type of advertising. They go into great detail and do alot of research on all aspects of what is in food, what are red flag ingredients and rate them. I find it a wonderful resource. It is totally worth the $20 bucks or so a year, if it keeps my Doodles safe, I would pay much more. They also rate treats I believe.
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Permalink Reply by Karen & Jackdoodle on
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My only reservation about Petsumer Reports is that it is Susan Thixton's website. Susan Thixton means well, and she tries hard to educate people, but she has no formal training in nutrition or science, and often gets facts wrong. She's also something of an alarmist, and has caused people to get very upset and worried over harmless and even beneficial ingredients like vitamins and minerals due to her own confusion over chemical compounds and her misinterpretation of things she reads elsewhere.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Wayne-Springview Mini GD's on
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That may be true, and I agree that she is a little bit into drama sometimes, but the ingredients are the ingredients and she does the research and lists what the red flag ingredients are for us to see and make up our own mind about. I have not found that kind of information all together anywhere else. I don't read her site, but I do read this.
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Permalink Reply by Teresa on -
Just joined this group and will spend a lot of time reading through. Thank you for starting such an amazing group. I also want to share with you a website that I found several years ago when my Bouvier started having some very significant issues with allergies and immune system. www.monicasegal.com. This woman is an animal nutritionist - based on Guelph, Ontario - for those of you not from Canada, Guelph is our largest Vet college and has well known research facilities. Many specialists reside there and I am fortunate enough to live close enough that I have taken advantage of these specialists in the past. Anyway, Monica Segal's website and newsletters are extremely informative - she also does consulting. Thought I would share with you. I am extremely interested in the homemade foods and will spend some time reading through this part of the site.
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Permalink Reply by Karen & Jackdoodle on
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Hi Teresa, I am thrilled that you have joined our group and are enjoying it! There is indeed a lot to look through, and also a lot of questions that we hope to be able to answer by working together to share our knowledge and particular areas of experience & expertise. There is strength in numbers!
I did look through the website for which you provided the link above, and I did not see much information that was readily (and FREEly available). My problem with it is that the same person (however educated or knowledgable she may be) who is offering info & advice is also selling the products.In our discussion "Nutrition 101", which admittedly is not as interesting as some others here, lol, I said this:
When we want to buy a car or an appliance, we do some research to find out what brands and features will be our best option. We don't walk up to the car salesman and ask "Is this a good car?" (Find me one who will say 'no, the dealer across the street's cars are better.') We look to INDEPENDENT sources to find out if the dealer's claims are true. Why, then, when we see advertising for a diet book, a vitamin, a supplement, or even an entire method of feeding our beloved friends, do we believe what the person who stands to make a profit is telling us?
One of my tenets, and one which I know is shared by Lynne, is that we need to find fact-based, independent information on many of these issues in order to be effective advocates for our dogs, in every area of their lives.
As for homemade food, you will find a wealth of info right here from the Queen of Canine Cuisine (DK Division, anyway) Lynne NJ. Also check out the Tricks & Treats section where Leslie has posted lots of recipes for great healthy homemade treats! Enjoy yourself, and welcome to The Food Group! -
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