Recommended Brands Discussion -Archived

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

 Please, note we have a new Recommended Brands list posted , here's a link:

RECOMMENDED BRANDS DEC 2011

 

I'm closing this one to replies, to avoid confusion.  

 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO FG ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON, (BETTER KNOWN AS TAQUITO AND PERI'S MOM) FOR PROVIDING THE FORMULA & WEBSITE INFO ON ALL OF THESE BRANDS. ALLY, YOU ROCK!!!!

This list is a work in progress and will be updated as products/evaluations change.

 

THANKS AGAIN, ALLYSON, YOU ARE THE BEST!

 

 

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Earthborn Holistic  Discussion

 

Primitve is the same company as Earthborn.

http://www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/us/dog_formulas/primitive_n...

 

DD in hospital (just got back) so will have to research Timberwolf later, lol.

[Lauria Orr]

Oh no!  What is happening? I hope everything is okay, Karen.  Obviously no hurry on the Timberwolf question.  Thanks Karen...all the best for you!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

I spoke to a Nutrisource (Pure Vita) rep today and she gave me some samples.  I rushed home to look at the Whole Dog Food Journal and it is one of the recommended foods on that list but I don't see it here on DK.   Any input?   I have the grain free samples.   I didn't see the "pure vita" line on the dogfoodanalysis website either.    The company has been around many years (40, I think she said) without any recalls.   Its relatively new here on the West Coast (company is a Midwest company) so its not quite as popular out here (yet) but the stores I shop are now carrying it.  TIA!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's okay. The website gives a lot of false and misleading info, especially regarding the antioxidants and fatty acid information. I am very disappointed with the nutritional analysis. All of the formulas are very low in protein, and the grain-free formulas are no higher in protein than the formulas containing grains, which is weird. The Omega 6:3 ratio in the grain-free formulas is really unacceptable at 10:1. (optimum would be 2:1, but it shouldn't be greater than 7:1 in any food. It's actually better in the Nutrisource formulas that contain grains then in the grain-free, one of them has a ratio of 5:1.

Here's the nutritional analysis from the Nutrisource Pure Vita Grain-free Salmon formula:

Crude Protein (Min.) 24.0% 240 g/kg
Crude Fat (Min.) 16.0% 160 g/kg
Crude Fiber (Max.) 6.0% 60 g/kg Moisture (Max.) 10.0% 100 g/kg
*Omega - 6 Fatty Acids (Min.)
4.0% 40 g/kg
*Omega - 3 Fatty Acids (Min.)
.4% 4 g/kg
*Glucosamine (Min)
550 mg/kg *

Chondroitin Sulfate (Min)
150 mg/kg
*Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (Min.) 70 mg/kg 70 mg/kg
*L-carnitine (Min.) 100 mg/kg 100 mg/kg

Compare that to Orijen's 6 Fresh Fish:

Protein 44.0%
Fat 18.0%
Carbohydrate 18.0%
Moisture 10.0%
Fiber 2.5%
Calcium (min.) 1.4%
Calcium (max.) 1.6%
Phosphorus (min.) 1.1%
Phosphorus (max.) 1.4%
Omega-6 2.4%
Omega-3 1.3%
Glucosamine 700 mg/kg
Chondroitin 250 mg/kg

44% protein VS 24% protein, and an Omega 6:3 ratio of less than 2:1 VS 10:1, no contest. Also, notice the amounts of Glucosamine/Chondrotin, especially in light of the fact that Nutrisource makes a point of highlighting their G/C complex as one of the benefits of this food.
I hope it's a lot cheaper than Orijen, but for me, 24% protein is too low, even for a food that contains grains, and the Omega fatty acid ratio (another point they emphasize) would be unacceptable to me.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Thank you.   I'm sticking with Acana but did compare prices today.   I bought a 29lb bag and the largest Nutrisource was 25lbs and $10 cheaper.   Goes to show you that you can't believe everything you hear (particularly from the distributor)   :-) 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Just wondering if anyone has heard whether Proctor and Gamble have changed the formula for EVO or the quality of its ingredients. I am so missing EVO for my doggies.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can be sure the source of the ingredients has changed. I don't know what the old formula was, so it wouldn't help for me to check the current ones.

But I can try to do some digging around.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, the buzz on the web in Dec 2010 was that some changes had occurred in the formula...exactly one year after the company takeover. Nothing alarming so far, pea protein being added is the main change I can find so far.

[Lindsey]

Karen- This could be a super dumb question...but do you have the recommended food listed in a particular order as far as "favorites" or "most recommended"....I see that Orijen is listed number one and I know thats your fav...but after that, do you have them listed in order as far as better to best, or something like that?
I'm just curious b/c Molly is eating, and doing okay on Wellness, but I see it's farther down the list ... could mean nothing, but I wanted to ask anyhow :-)

Thanks!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nope, they're not in any particular order.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

There is really no particular order Lindsay.  Any that are up at the top are foods we feel comfortable with right now. The ones at the bottom "other.." have high-quality ingredients too, but they would be a second choice to the categories up top since they have been sold to some of the big dogfood companies.

 

I will say that I probably listed them in the order of popularity (which ones came to mind for us first - those are the ones that more Food Groupers might be feeding, for ex.).

 

Wellness is fine, don't worry.

[Lindsey]

Thanks!!!
I assumed Welness was still okay, since regardless, it was on the list...but just curious if it was farther down the list b/c maybe it wasn't "as recommended" LOL.
I really appreciate this list you put together Allyson, you have no idea how helpful it is...or maybe you do, lol...either way THANKS!!