ORIGINAL: jenns
ORIGINAL: UrbanBeagles
I had the same problem as you. Not only did the "premium" foods not work for my dogs, they caused a great deal of problems.
I think the problem here goes beyond "premium" versus "non-premium" foods. It seems to me like an unidentified allergy.
Also, why must all "premium" foods be lumped into one big category as if they are all the same.
I seriously doubt the problems my dogs were experiencing on the higher end foods were related to food allergies. In fact, I am of the humble opinion that true food allergies are actually quite rare. Instead, we must take into account that different foods have unique ratios of omega fatty acids, vitamin premixes - whcih would include levels of certain essential vitamins and types - proteinated/cheleated vs. non, etc. Some brands contain hidden chemical preservatives added by the supplier and not listed by the manufacturer. Some brands have MUCH better quality control, superior/fresher ingredient sources ... the list can go on.
Personally, I've tried several foods with many faceted ingredient lists from lamb, to chicken to turkey to buffalo & venison! I've been in the situation where two brands with close to identical ingredients and animal protein sources are used in the same order - one food will cause a total mess, the other may be the best food the dogs have been on. They may both have the same meats and grains listed.
Lets not call them premium vs. non premium, as you're correct, there are so many classifications of premium foods, its not specific enough. Rather, I'll say that in regards to holistic diets, they have almost all been complete disasters and wastes of money. For instance, one holistic puppy food diet I was recently feeding contained a high level of grain and the manufacturers were severly guilty of ingredient splitting. It was touted as being better and more wholesome because it was "natural". The levels of Omega 6 were 1.5% min & Omega 3 was 0.3% min.
rotein levels were 25% while fat was 12%. Obviously, most of my dogs had very dry, excessively shedding, itchy coats. A few were incessantly biting and licking paws, and most would consider this to be symptoms of a food allergy. Wrong!
Compare the afformentioned food with the puppy food I normally feed. Its not holistic by any stretch, and is usually frowned upon on nutrition lists. First off, the vitamin list is somewhat longer than that of the first food, and B vitamins essential for coat health are higher up on the list. The guaranteed level of Omega 6 is not less than 3.35% and Omega 3 is listed as being no less than 0.45%! Quite a bit higher than the first food. Protein level is 32% and fat is 21%. Also contains DHA, which is essential in puppy foods - which the holistic food does not contain.
In fact, most holistic puppy foods do not do what I refer to as giving just the facts, lol. They tell me how womderful and wholesome their foods are, how this ingredient is organic, that they throw in a stick of this herb or stalk of that veggie in ... their ingredient lists read like a grocery store list ... "fresh deboned chicken", which is not even an recognized AAFCO definition. Or they advertise the food as being grain free, when the grain substitutes such as tapioca contain twice the amount of refined sugar [
:@] They are not always paying attention to proper ratios of vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, feeding trials, and are adding too much meat and sending the phosporous ratio through the sky.
I don't care for most holistic foods - NOT ALL - because instead of perfecting their diets, they knock that of the competition. Most of them are guilt y of scare tactics to attract loyal customers of older, "mediocre" diets. Don't feed a diet with beet pulp - it will make your dog bloat! (Utter nonsense, btw) Dog food with corn is cheap garbage and dogs are allergic to corn anyway! By products are dead dogs and cats or roadkill! Etc .....
Cut the crap and give me the facts! What research or feeding trials has been placed behind the product to PROVE it works - or are my dogs to be the guinea pigs? Are performance dogs eating and thriving on the foods? Are breeders consistantly standing behind and recommending the product? Can this food be fed long term without causing nutritional gaps and deficiencies? Why are the levels of vitamins, faty acids, protein, fat, calories, calcium, phosporous, or any other "extras" chosen - willy nilly to save $ or is there are specific reason? Can this food work for more dogs than not? What are the scientifically proven benefits of feeding this food? You get the picture [
] Ingredients have very little to do with the success of a food.
Will get off my soap box now, lol.