Iams--ingredients

I wonder if Iams is going from bad to worse so they can increase their profits?? Nowadays, there are so many good foods that foods like Iams is just getting bumped further down the "yuck" ladder..... So instead of trying to improve thier product....they go backwards in their only hopes of making a few more $$$?  [:@] Blah.

which in my opinion arent that interchangeable

 
I think you meant to say "aren't that different." And be careful who you confront. Some will tell you where to put your opinions. Some won't bother saying a word. Those are the ones you got to watch out for. Me, I think you have something interesting to say and I admire your chutzpah  and you've certainly got that "firebrand" thing going on. Just use a little judgement. If the guy looks to be 7 feet tall and wheres a patch that says "The Banditos" or "Outlaws", let him go , accept the fact that you can't win them all, and live another day. Or, shoot, give that a try.

I wouldn't be telling others what to do personally,,,unless they said something like.."gee I wonder which of these I should get!" or something to that nature.    I honestly don't think "being mistreated and feeding Beneful" are in the same sentence either.   We all just THINK we are doing so much better for our dogs by feeding premium food.  I would and do take the the oppertunity to explain my beliefs on feeding to others if the it comes up though. always.  Honestly, many people think I'm nuts for doing what I do.   
I must say though that a few years ago I was walking out of a drug store chain with Scooby Doo Snacks (which Ollie just loved) and a lady there said "did you even read the ingredients on that box?"   I didn't get mad,,,,and I did buy it and brought it home and then read it and have to say, I never bought another box of Scooby Doo Snacks again.

 
 
It's too bad that some people choose to feed, Iams, Beneful or Ol Roy. But think about it this way.... at least these people are actually feeding their dogs. Even if the food is total crap, at least the dogs are not starving. There are many people in this world, who get dogs, but don't go for that next step and provide basic care. Feeding dogs crummy food is not abuse, when you look at the big picture. NOT feeding the dog at all is abuse.
 
I have no problem discussing nutrition or any other aspect of dog care with someone who has questions or comes to a forum seeking advice. I think that it's unsafe to approach strangers, who clearly are not looking for advice.....

ORIGINAL: Edie

I then went on abut how bad the ingredients in the food was and that his dog would probably get more nutrtition out of eating the bag!

I finished with if he truly cares about his dog then he would stop feeding that crap,and start buying something that resembled actual food....or somethin' like that

Well that sounds like a darn good approach if you are looking to alienate the person you're trying to educate.

they are probably just following Purina's example with that horrible Beneful. Which sells like hotcakes due to their slick packaging and ad campaign.

Yep. My mother-in-law's dog is on Canidae, because I buy it for her. My sister-in-law lives there for the time being, and they have a Yorkie who they INSIST must be fed Beneful. They ran out of Beneful last week, and had a FIT over my MIL feeding her Canidae - said she HAD to have Beneful. Even though they've read the ingredients. My guess would be they've never read the Beneful ingreds.

*shudders*

I find that the best approach is to mutter under my breath "oh, that poor, poor dog".  Now and then someone will actually HEAR and ask what I meant by that.  THEN I can explain the fillers, grain fragments, yada yada yada...and how long term the costlier foods are cheaper because they eat less, have fewer problems that need vet attention and the icing on the cake is THEY POOP SOOOOO MUCH LESS.  THAT one, usually gets peoples ears to perk up.
 
I've been known to go into the Super Walmart on the weekends and stick a stack of Innova brochures with the bags of crap.  On the weekends the staff is generally too busy to notice.

hmm. That's an interesting approach. Maybe I'll try it. Some educational pamphlets here and there.
What's so sad about the whole Beneful thing is I'm certain most of these people are actually trying to feed their dogs healthy food.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

I find that the best approach is to mutter under my breath "oh, that poor, poor dog".  Now and then someone will actually HEAR and ask what I meant by that.

Seriously?

Sorry but that is no better than Edie's and would probably earn you a big fat mind your own business from me. If you insist on approaching total strangers in the store why not just walk up and ask them if they mind talking for a minute about what they're buying? Automatically putting what is probably a caring yet uneducated owner on the defensive is not a good way to get your point across.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

I find that the best approach is to mutter under my breath "oh, that poor, poor dog".  Now and then someone will actually HEAR and ask what I meant by that. 

I think that's really rude. What you have to say after that is good, I think the points about the dog needing to eat less, going to the bathroom less and fewer vet bills are ones that people will actually listen to.

BUT how would you feel if (let's say you had kids for example) and you were putting Ravioli in your cart and a person said under their breath "oh those poor poor kids". It sounds like you're mistreating them or something..... I know I would be very offended.

edited for typos

Oh well.  If they actually hear me, and I did say that I mutter under my breath and they choose to respond to me, then I will gently offer them some facts.  I actually find myself shushing my DH more often than not because HE will say right out loud "I can't believe people feed that kind of sh*t to their poor dogs".  My way is perhaps passive agressive, but his way is downright confrontational.  You should hear him when he sees people on the beach, hats, sunglasses, etc and a tiny infant without a hat....YIKES.
 
I don't buy canned ravioli.  I make my own.  Always have.  And I cringe at what I see people putting in their shopping carts to supposedly nourish their children who WADDLE along side demanding yet more crap.  I was in the pasta aisle one day and a woman was throwing a FIT because they only had ONE box of tuna helper.  I asked her what was IN the box that made it so wonderful and together we looked at the label and she figured out that gee, she could do that herself for less money and far fewer "junk" additives.
 
Sorry, but nutrition is a hot button for me, and TIME isn't a good reason to serve garbage to your dog or your kids. I always worked when my kids were growing up.  I worked in a high pressure, demanding field where 40 hours a week was just the tip of the iceberg.  But, I still put a nourishing homecooked meal on the table each and every nite.  I got up early on Saturday mornings, did my shopping for the week EARLY  and cooked and froze a weeks worth of food that morning.  I was finished by the time the kids were done watching cartoons.
 
But, all that said, I MUCH prefer to just leave brochures in the dog food aisles.

I don't buy canned ravioli. I make my own. Always have. And I cringe at what I see people putting in their shopping carts to supposedly nourish their children who WADDLE along side demanding yet more crap.

Ahhhh! lol It was just an example.You'd be horrified at the processed frozen dinner I just ate. Must learn how to cook... immediately. []
 
I do think leaving the brochures is a really good idea, I never would have thought of it and I'm going to see what brochures I can get my little paws on...

I'm actually thinking that people just flat don't cook these days. I'm amazed at the number of my younger friends who do not have a clue how to make a meal from scratch.  One gal asked for cooking lessons and was amazed at how easy it was to make stuff fresh............

I am SO glad Petco started selling Solid Gold. I had to feed my baby Iams() until we could find a good food out there. Iams gave her horrible gas and mushy stools. 

Actually, DH, is terrible about making under his breath comments about what dog food people are buying.  Or, we'll be in the dog food aisle with others shoppers, and he'll make comments about the "Kibbles'n Crap."
 
The only time I will mention something to someone about what they're buying their dog is when it comes to cooked bones.  Sally had a very close call because I was stupid and gave her a cooked bone when I first got her--cost us $300 at the emergancy vet.  I will tell people that if I see them buying cooked bones--but I try to strike up a conversation first--lol.
 
I have also been known to warn a potential Halti/GL buyer that they cannot use leash corrections with a head halter.