Why do breeders feed ProPlan?

THANKS.  I GOTTA CHECK THOSE PRODUCTS OUT.  I AM SO TIRED OF MY LIMP FINE HAIR.

jessies_mom

I don't know about the other companies, but I know Nestle owns Purina. Have you heard of the Purina protein study; they proved senior dogs lived longer when fed a higher protein diet. Royal Canin did a similar study in which they proved that senior dogs needed more protein to maintain their muscles as they aged. As a result, both companies increased the amount of protein in their senior foods. Holistic companies like Eagle Pack benefit from this research in formulating their senior foods.

All I know is I could have told them that.

Having a study and research to prove something is always great of course.

I'm not knocking Purina, if some breeders wish to feed Pro Plan that choice is there. 

Spicy_Bulldog

All I know is I could have told them that.

  Maybe, but the point is that they undertook the study and it took years to complete; that takes time and money and adding more protein to their food means it costs more to produce it. And, if it hadn't been done, how likely is it that the holistic companies would have increased the protein in their senior foods? As a result of their research Hill's is adding more selenium to their puppy food; doesn't that show concern for feeding puppies a better diet? I know most everyone here judges food by the ingredients and I must agree that based on that, Purina, Hill's, and other brands fall short of the holistic companies. I home cook Jessie's food, but before that, the commercial foods she did best on were not holistic, and I had tried many of them. She did best on Sensible Choice by Royal Canin, Natural Choice Lamb by Nutro, and Sensitive Skin SS 21 by Royal Canin because these foods had what she needed; high amounts of zinc and linoleic acid snd in the case of SS21, extra b vitamins.  It's not just about ingredients; the nutritional analysis was more important for her.  A puppy's system is less forgiving than an adult dog's if not given the correct amount of nutrients which is why I feel it's important to use a puppy food that has at least undergone feeding trials.

jessies_mom

Spicy_Bulldog

All I know is I could have told them that.

 

  Maybe, but the point is that they undertook the study and it took years to complete; that takes time and money and adding more protein to their food means it costs more to produce it. And, if it hadn't been done, how likely is it that the holistic companies would have increased the protein in their senior foods?

 Oh I understand, that is why I said its good a study was done. I didn't know of this study, but at least now it is something to back up the fact. I've never switched my dogs to a senior/low protein food. I guess to me it isn't a concern what the holistic companies do or don't do. I feed my dog what I feel is right for them. Others should do the same, or they can if they want I don't tell them what to feed. Just because it says senior doesn't mean you have to switch your senior dog to it. Holistic also doesn't mean much to me. 

As a result of their research Hill's is adding more selenium to their puppy food; doesn't that show concern for feeding puppies a better diet? I know most everyone here judges food by the ingredients and I must agree that based on that, Purina, Hill's, and other brands fall short of the holistic companies.

I also use ingredients as a basis to judge what quality the food is. I do know that nutrients in the food is another part. These companies might be concerned with that part of proper nutrition but they need to step it up and get with better ingredients. That is all I think. Why not have both?

I home cook Jessie's food, but before that, the commercial foods she did best on were not holistic, and I had tried many of them. She did best on Sensible Choice by Royal Canin, Natural Choice Lamb by Nutro, and Sensitive Skin SS 21 by Royal Canin because these foods had what she needed; high amounts of zinc and linoleic acid snd in the case of SS21, extra b vitamins.  It's not just about ingredients; the nutritional analysis was more important for her.  A puppy's system is less forgiving than an adult dog's if not given the correct amount of nutrients which is why I feel it's important to use a puppy food that has at least undergone feeding trials.

 My dogs did great on Nutro Natural Choice High Energy (including senior dogs its a 30/20). It isn't a holistic food and probably has quite a bit of grains, also poultry fat. To me it is still better then some of the purina or hills foods. The first ingredient isn't corn, it isn't made with meat by products, among other things (like the dyes and sugar in the dog chow stuff, including their purina senior). I stopped feeding it when quality control seemed to go out the window and the Ultra made a couple sick, one was extremely ill. The Ultra is their holistic line, I don't feel holistic is anything special. I did also feed Ultra to seniors and I never used the senior formula, which doesn't have meat as first ingredient and 22% protein. I used the adult 26% protein and large breed adult 28% protein, both of which have chicken meal 1st ingredient and then lamb meal in there.

What else will I give seniors some would include Fromm Puppy Gold 27/18 (the senior is a 23/11 same as 4star whitefish and potato), Evo 42/22, Nutrisource Super Performance 32/21, Fromm Salmon 25/16, Innova is only 24/14 I like the higher kcals on this, Pure Vita 24/13 and they have to eat more of that to keep their weight and to me the muscle isn't as defined.

I get coupons for foods sometimes in the mail, I got one $7 off for science diet mature active adult, specially formulated for my 7yr+ dogs, or so they say. I wouldn't feed that to my dogs. Not only are the ingredients not something that I want to put into them but the protein and fat levels were around 20/16. Its better then some other foods out there, especially seniors foods. Besides senior foods having lower protein I've also noticed some have incredibly low fat like purina, innova and merrick.

 I agree with nutritonal analysis being important. Why can't we have both quality ingredients and good nutrition. I don't want a food where its made of poor quality ingredients but hey we added this and more of that so its balanced and complete. I look into different foods and try different ones to see what fits which dog best.  

I really wasn't disagreeing with you. A study always helps to actually prove something. I've never thought lower protein was better for seniors, but I guess some people would or they buy senior food just because it says senior even with that low pro/fat analysis. I know not all foods are created equal even when they have a similar analysis and ingredients. Sometimes you try a couple that don't work as well.