"Too Rich?"

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can never be too thin or too rich, or so the old saying goes.

However, when it comes to food, "rich" has a different meaning, and one that is increasingly being used incorrectly when it comes to dog food.

In culinary terms, "rich" refers to fat content. Whole milk is "richer" than 2% milk, and 2% is "richer" than skim. You often hear people say that traditional French haute cuisine is "too rich", and this makes sense, because that kind of food is based on lots and lots of high-fat cream and butter.

In recent years, I have noticed the term "rich" being applied to premium dog foods, especially those that are nutrient dense, like Orijen. This happens almost exclusively in breeders' forums, and we have had a few people here tell us that their breeders have told them that a particular food may be "too rich" for their puppies. One person became offended when I told her that her breeder probably said that because these foods are more expensive, and the breeder may have been using that as an excuse to feed a cheaper food. I really didn't mean to offend anyone, but was simply trying to explain that a food that is nutritionally dense is not the same thing as a food that is rich.

Since this topic has been brought up again today in the "comments" section of TFG, I thought a discussion about it might be helpful.

Foods like Orijen are nutritionally dense, meaning they pack a lot of punch per ounce in terms of nutrients. There are no fillers in them. This might mean that they are not the best choice for dogs who always seem to be hungry and looking for more food in their bowls.

These foods are also what I would call nutritionally complex, meaning that they contain a lot of different ingredients. This may not be the best choice for dogs who have food sensitivities; for those dogs, a limited ingredient food may be a better choice.

But they are not "too rich". Consider that Orijen Adult formula contains 14% fat, Kirkland Signature Adult formula contains 16% fat, and Purina Pro-plan Select (a favorite among some breeders who call Orijen "too rich") contains 17% fat.

Now you know what "too rich" means, and you know how to tell if one  food is indeed richer than another. All you have to do is compare the fat contents.

[Kim]

Allie is doing wonderful. She had one day of soft stools after our switch to Orijen, and after that they have been perfect! She is still interested in the food as well, and is eating (all of her food) twice a day!!!! She has never done that. I am going to try Regional Red this week, we are almost out of adult. It's so nice to not have to worry about the outcome (lol) during our walks!!!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad to hear it! I know just what you mean about the walks, since Jack only does his business on his twice daily walks, too!

[Leslie and Halas]

Same here. Who knows what kind of crap I'd be feeding to Halas if it weren't for Karen, Lynne, and TFG? I don't home cook, but Halas eats Orijen, and he gets good quality, healthy treats. Plus the homemade treats that his Grammy makes for him. And I've shared what I've learned with as many people as I can. I've gotten a few people to switch to Evo and Orijen. And if they don't switch, I've at least made them aware that they need to be cautious about ingredients and keep their eye out for recalls.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I remember when Halas turned up his nose at whatever I was feeding Jack at the time; he's always had great taste in kibble!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yup, in our house Karen is known as the "Food Group Goddess". I was talking to a neighbor a couple of days ago who asked what I was feeding Murph because she was admiring his coat. I told her, and then I asked what she was feeding her Yorkies. She said the dreaded Science Diet. Of course, I referred her to the dog food analysis website. Your guidance is finding its way well beyond the DK FG groupies.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A lifelong goal, finally achieved! I've always wanted to be a goddess!!!! LOL