foods not on the list

[Maryann Morbeck Smith]

My breeder will be feeding my puppy Lif'e's Abundance.  Can anyone tell me about this food?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

There are several old discussions on this that might answer your question:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/lifes-a...

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/life-s-...

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/lifes-a...

 

[Maryann Morbeck Smith]

Thanks to all for your help.  I will have to take the vitamins as they are a part of the contract but I think i can get a basket with samples.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Maryann, I would seriously rethink this. There is no reason that any supposedly healthy puppy or dog needs to be taking vitamins. The breeder is being dishonest in that she is forcing her clients to waste their money (and thereby earn herself a commisson- Nu-Vet is sold by the same MLM company as Life's Abundance, and they are way overpriced.) Even for dogs who have chronic health problems and need to be taking extra vitamins, Nu-Vet is not recommended. My own dog has some serious health issues and is in the care of several veterinary specialists who at various times for various reasons have recommended human vitamin supplements, always saying that the human ones are safer, better quality, and cheaper than those made for dogs, and Nu-vet is about as expensive as dog supplements get.  It's basically blackmail. I would not be able to trust a breeder who did this. The health warranty is supposed to cover genetic defects or life altering illnesses, and there is no vitamin in the world that could have an effect on those things. There are a LOT of good breeders out there who do not require this in order to honor their warranties.  

[Maryann Morbeck Smith]

only intend to take a small bottle to get out the door.  My hubby and I are going to the various pet shops based on the sites suggested here to see which ones they carry and which ones we can afford from the approved list. 

Also will talk to our vet about what she thinks.

Thanks so much for the voluminous information and for caring.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Keep in mind when looking at food prices that the amount that you feed varies widely from one formula to another, so a food that looks more expenisve than another might actually cost less. For example, Food A may cost $40 for a 15 lb bag but will last you three weeks. Food B costs $30 for the same size bag, but your dog will go through it in two weeks. In a period of 6 weeks, you would spend $80 for Food A and $90 for Food B. So that "more expensive" Food A would actually cost you less.

As you read our articles here in the Food Group, you will learn that veterinarians receive no nutritional training in veterinary school, there is no required nutritional curriculum, and what education they do get in voluntary seminars is presented by the dog food companies, primarily Hill's along with Pruina. So general practice vets are not a good source of advice or information about what to feed your dog. This has been documented by Marion Nestle, PhD and professor of human nutrition in her book "Feed Your Pet Right". So I would not ask for the vet's advice about food. Most of them recommend the garbage they sell, Science Diet, which is a conflict of interest as well as a great example of not knowing anything about canine nutrition, lol.

How long does your health warranty require you to give the vitamins?

[Maryann Morbeck Smith]

thanks.  I am so glad I found doodle kisses-you are all so knowledgeable.

[Maryann Morbeck Smith]

Wow, you guys really care.  Thanks.  Do you have to get the foods listed as good from a mailing site or are there stores that carry them?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

All of our Recommended Brands are widely available in stores, although many of them are not sold at the "big box" stores like Petsmart (but many are) and none of them are sold at places like Target, Walmart, or the grocery store.

[Maryann Morbeck Smith]

My husband is on his computer checking out brands while I am thanking ll of you.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

certain foods seem easier to find in certain parts of the country too.  One of my dogs is on Fromm and I used to be able to find it a several stores back home near Chicago but out here I am having a harder time.  Sometimes the online places run specials and you can get it cheaper buying it online.  Plus it is nice not to have to go to the store all the time too.  Many of them even offer free shipping on orders over $50 which is really easy to do.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And Doodle Kisses has partnerships with PetFlow and Only Natural Pet, a couple of on-line pet supply companies, which often have specials for DK members, I think. Links to the websites here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/preferred-vendors

[Ginny Nightingale]

After you look at the links Amy provided, you will no doubt be unwilling to continue to use this food--the breeder is getting a commission, plain and simple. But you can SLOWLY transition your pup to a better food--maybe the breeder will give you a two week supply in order to do that---then get the recommendation of the food group about what to feed your pup.