Commercial Foods-The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Tell us what commercial foods have worked for you and which have caused problems; information, questions, warnings and advice on dog food companies, ingredients, brands, and switching foods.
(Recall information now in it's own discussion here in The Food Group)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lia, choline is an essential nutrient, and is not dangerous. Choline chloride is the form that is used in most animal feeds because provides stability for the choline...much like calcium is made available in different "delivery" forms, such as calcium citrate or calcium carbonate. I am not aware of any problems with choline in the form of choline chloride. It is definitely NOT what is used to execute prisoners. Is it possible the person who told you this got it confused with potassium chloride, which IS used in lethal injections?
Can you tell me where you heard this, or give me a reference source?

[Lia]

My first post and I'm already making a fool of myself!
Yeah, it was potassium chloride not choline chloride. sorry!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL! Don't worry...happens to us all.

[Adina P]

Isn't potassium chloride what is used in some salt substitutes? (For those who need to consume less sodium? since sodium chloride is table salt?)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was not implying that proper amounts of potassium chloride as used in food or nutritional supplements is dangerous. I had never read or heard any cautions against it until I looked up the wiki article below. But it made more sense that that was what Lia was referring to, as potassium chloride IS dangerous at high levels, and I couldn't find any cautions at all on choline chloride.

[Adina P]

Sorry Kar! Didn't mean to suggest any implications on your part...was thinking outloud and THEN looked it up to be sure. :-D

I'm guessing the danger is in potassium's ability (in excess) to cause heart failure?
I am so bad at taking dog food discussions off on tangents :-O

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Potassium chloride is a much more potent form than potassium gluconate, or the natural forms of potassium.
We did end up on a tangent, but the original question was about a particular ingredient in dog food that Lia had been told was harmful. So I'm still wondering where that came from.

[Adina P]

I'm curious too! Lia, if you find out why this ingredient might be harmful, please let us know =)

[Adina P]

yup: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_chloride

I can't imagine it is dangerous... the reference to it being a part of lethal injections reminds me of this (true) story of a common chemical:

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.
Dihydrogen monoxide:
* is also known as hydroxyl acid, and is the major component of acid rain.
* contributes to the "greenhouse effect."
* may cause severe burns.
* contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
* accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
* may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
* has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.
Contamination Is Reaching Epidemic Proportions!
Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage in the US.
Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
* as an industrial solvent and coolant.
* in nuclear power plants.
* in the production of styrofoam.
* as a fire retardant.
* in many forms of cruel animal research.
* in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
* as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.
Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!
The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its "importance to the economic health of this nation." In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.

Know what DHMO is? Water (H2O) =)

[Marcy and Cocoa]

Help! My 5 month old Cocoa has had a very dry skin condition since she came to me at 10 weeks. It appears to be some sort of allergic condition - not mites, not a yeast problem, no excessive itching - she is just very "flakey." The vet has given me 3V caps, a moisturizing spray, and a special shampoo - all to no effect. I have tried a salmon oil supplement (couldn't stand the smell - even in the supposedly 'unscented" version) and the California Natural supplement. Nothing seems to work. I have been feeding her Innova large breed puppy kibble. Her stools are also rather soft and she is quite gassy. She is otherwise fine, full of energy and growing every day. I took her back to the vet today and she apparently has an ear infection. The vet thinks the food may be the culprit in all of this - perhaps the protein source is disagreeing with her - and recommended Hills Prescription DD Salmon. I bought some and them came home and looked it up and it gets just terrible reviews. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what I should do?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

You could try a homecooked bland diet of maybe boiled chicken, rice and some peas and carrots and see if things clear up. Add a little olive oil into it for the dry skin. Do this for about 2 weeks and very slowly (a week or two in between) add back various things. If Cocoa starts getting flaky again, you might know the culprit. Personally, IMO, I would do this before I used the SD. It's a place to start. Keep us posted.

[Marcy and Cocoa]

Thanks. I wish I could do that, but unfortunately home cooking for her really just isn't realistic right now. The vet actually thinks that although unusual, chicken might be the problem since it (with turkey in the Innova) is the primary protein in everything I have tried. I did try olive oil for a few weeks with no results. I am wondering if I should try another brand that has the composition of the DD but with better quality ingredients. It is interesting - i did feed her a meal of the DD this afternoon and she gobbled it up - she is generally not a voracious eater. She tends to do this when she is around other dogs' food bowls and the food is low quality supermarket brands. I am guessing it is the the filler junk that is appealing (dog version of junk food!) - and it is probably in this DD too.