Pulsar by Horizen

[Leslie J]

I picked up a sample of Horizen's new product Pulsar at the pet store and Cocoa just loved it.  We have been feeding her Orijen which is highly nutritious, but she doesn't really  like the taste and never has.  Of course she may grow tired of this one, but it was the first time she has ever gobbled up a kibble plain.

So, is this dog food any good?

http://pulsarpetfood.com/horizon-pet-food.php

Thanks!

[Donna P.]

I'm not familiar with Horizen, but my trainer just put me onto a website that has tested, analyzed and rated all major dog foods.

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

According to the site (Pulsar is not on it), the other foods by Horizen are rated 4 and 5 stars.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

One of the things I hope people will get from this group is the knowledge to analyze foods themselves rather than relying on these ratings websites. The Dog Food Advisor is the best site of it's kind currently operating, but there are many factors that aren't taken into account. The site itself has this article posted: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/dog-food-reviews-pr...

Every dog also has different needs, so the number of stars a food is given on a ratings website doesn't always translate when it comes to any particular dog's nutritional needs.

The Dog Food Advisor does not test the products, to my knowledge.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We do recommend Horizon, and this particular formula is fine. However, the fish formula is far superior to the chicken formula, because in the chicken formula, the only source of Omega 3 fatty acids is flaxseed, and dogs cannot convert or utilize plant forms of Omega 3 very well.

In that respect, and in the protein content, Orijen is a much better food. The Pulsar formulas are carb heavy, even though they are grain free. So there's nothing wrong with it, but i wouldn't give up Orijen in favor or Pulsar.

Don't forget, there are three different Orijen formulas for adult dogs, which you can rotate for variety.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Seems to me a lot of the protein comes from plant sources , which are the second through fourth ingredients, though. Should that be an issue?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think so. A lot of the plant proteins are not usable. Any time you see a crude protein content, some portion of that is not going to be utilized because it's plant protein that doesn't contain all of the essential amino acids, so a certain amount of it ends up as waste or filler. Even in foods like Orijen. That's why I like to start out with a higher protein percentage.

Plant proteins can be combined to make complete proteins, but that usually involves combining a grain with a legume, and in a grain free food, the aminos aren't going to balance out.

[Leslie J]

So, I gather that the Horizen company is a good one, but Pulsar in particular is too high in plant protein. When I was in college I was a vegetarian and I remember at the time (long ago in the 1980's...) we were mixing beans and grains to make a complete protein or having dairy with the legumes to help balance amino acids.  I'm guessing this is the theory behind the pulses being in the dog food.  Not so sure if this would be effective for a carnivore.  I wish Cocoa liked Orijen better- it is so healthy.  I guess I'll just keep luring her with toppings.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Horizen's Legacy line is a much better food. Why don't you see if you can get a sample of that one?

[Leslie J]

Thanks, Karen. I'll ask for a Legacy sample the next time I'm in the pet store.