By-Products

At the risk of getting attacked!  I have a comment.  During my Pro Plan training and in my book here, they stress....Pro Plan does not use Feet, Feathers, Hoofs, Beaks etc in the chicken by product in our food.  Just for the record.  We also have a few products that are by product free.  Turkey and Barley is one of them.  I won't bore you with my stuff.  Just wanted you to know that YES what that vet had said about different grades of by products is correct.  I don't believe either that Hills, grainy filled as it may be, is using Feet and Feathers etc in the products.  If we are told they don't, I believe them.  But then I am a trusting soul.  I don't think of the dog food industry as out to get us.  It is possible to love what you feed, recommend what you feed without making others feel badly for the choice they made.  Feeding Science Diet is still better than feeding grocery food.  There are better ones, but I don't think its the horror story its made out to be.  I do feel the company feels they make a good product.  As the world changes, your buying habits change and the companies will see it and follow suit.  Better foods are here from 10 years ago and the next 10 years will see more improvements. 

Willowchow, I know where you are coming from.  I have taken a ration for giving KayCee the Science Diet RD, but nothing else worked for her.  I tried everything except raw--and i can't make myself do that.  She dropped from 85 to 70 pounds and has maintained that weight.  I do feed her and Honey Purina Fit & Trim, but they also get the cooked fish or meat and veggies every night.  Buck has always been on Purina  dog chow and when I did try other with him, he either refused it or threw up.  So back to the dog chow with the cooked meat and veggies at night. Tonight they had canned mackeral with the canned unsalted carrot slices and green beans and a little kibble.

It is possible to love what you feed, recommend what you feed without making others feel badly for the choice they made.

 
Agree.  Or, sometimes, you just use what works whether it would be your first choice or not. 

I was just wondering, has there ever been a study or testing, done to find out if there is any food value in such thingns as hooves, beaks, feet, etc?  I have never seen anything about any testing or evaluation done on these things.

Sandra and Lori....I know that BOTH of you love your dogs and are doing what is best for them.  It's unfortunate that people are so close minded when it comes to some things.

Why is it that when someone ADMITS to feeding a food that isn't popular everyone has to jump on them like they don't love their dogs enough or aren't willing to spend a few more bucks, or are just a sub-standard human being??

Glenda WHY is it that whenever someone says something you dont agree with YOU have to jump on them?? People here who actually feed purina and other "unpopular" foods are more than capable of talking for themselves,i really dont see the need for you to come in acting all sweetness and light and speaking  for them.None of my comments were directed at you,so why the need to butt in?? Do you really need the validations of "thank-you glenda" that much?

Ouch.  Personal attacks yet again?

Yep silly me,i fell for it hook line and sinker [&:] Altho i dont feel there were any "personal attacks" in my post as you so enthusiastically tried to point out. I really must learn not to take the bait![&:]

You see,the difference between you and me is that you are very clever when you're having a dig,this i give you points for.You are able to say things without actually mentioning names,which is no better IMO.But when someone refers to something i said,i think i have every right to reply,dont you think?
Like i said i am well aware...and wont be biting your hooks anymore,it's really not worth it for me,you'll continue on your merry way and i'l be the one with the time out! You're going on my "block" list.Coz i just cant trust myself to bite my tongue with you any longer.

Hey Glenda!!  You are so on target girl!
I hardly come around here anymore and these posts (or should I say attacks on people regarding the food they feed) is the  main reason why.  It gets old after a while.  So, I see some things haven't changed .... so much for the kinder, gentler nutrition threads, huh!
 

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Why is it that when someone ADMITS to feeding a food that isn't popular everyone has to jump on them like they don't love their dogs enough or aren't willing to spend a few more bucks, or are just a sub-standard human being??

Glenda,

IMO it's a characteristic of fundamentalism.  All fundamentalist share the inability to conceive of the notion that any sane thinking person could possibly come to a different conclusion that he/she did.  I run into it in animal rights vs animal welfare discussions, prochoic vs pro life, gay marriage, republicans vs democrats, etc.   It is a common element shared.

I stand by my inital post. I am as much a kibble nazi as anyone else, however, I don't know whose purpose I serve by trying to convince a person away from a prescription diet for a dog with a specific condition that is stabilized by that prescription diet.  I may not like, even detest some of the ingredients in that food, but who am I? I am not willing to risk that person's dog's well being to prove some point. I find it reckless to imply that that person somehow loves his/her dog less because s/he is;

1. unwilling to take my word over that of his/her vet regarding food.
2. unwilling to go through an arduous trial and error process of finding a raw, homecooked or suitable-to-paula diet to do what his/er prescription diet is doing now. Frankly, that kind of search has to be a personal choice because it takes alot of time, alot of information and considerably more than one day of a sick dog's discomfort.

JMO
Paula

Jumping in to say a resounding thank you to Glenda, Sandra, And Willowchow. I had a hound for nearly 13 years who ate Science Diet light and I don't think it was such a bad thing.
 
I'll tell you what was bad--living in a farmland where pesticides were being dumped all the time.
 
There are so many neglected and abused dogs--I have two of them msyelf, and one of them especially--so however anyone does their best to care for their pet is a good thing. I would rather know somebody has a loved dog on SD than a homeless one on, well, nothing.
 
Thanks for at least stating the truth--this board can be very tough on differences. I've noticed that and I try really hard to bite my tongue but sometimes saying something means also standing for something. I appreciate the open-mindedness when/where I see it.

I'm glad RD worked for you, it didn't for my dogs.  I use Purina's OM and have gotten great results.  Also I had 2 dogs live over 15 years being fed SD.

There have been lots of times on this board that I have questioned what someone was doing in my mind.  But, I would never state that they didn't care. 
 
I think it takes a lot of gaul to come out with some of the things I see on these threads.  And, I've got to say, I've about had it. 
 

ORIGINAL: willowchow

There have been lots of times on this board that I have questioned what someone was doing in my mind.  But, I would never state that they didn't care. 

I think it takes a lot of gaul to come out with some of the things I see on these threads.  And, I've got to say, I've about had it. 

Well don't throw the baby out with the bath water.  There are alot of benefits from sticking around.  We're only human - keep that in mind.

Paula

Lori some people are extremely passionate about their beliefs,and when it comes to nutrition the owners feelings often come second,whereas the dogs health and well being are first! Some people think that feeding the low end foods will eventually kill the dogs eating it in one way or another through some kind of disease.

We all have one thing in common,we love our dogs and want the best for them,what one person thinks is the best another might think is crap and the latter will do anything to try and get that point across for the sake of the dog. IMHO you have to have a coat of armour and the patience of a saint(i am not blessed with the latter) to cruise on through on message boards such as this,things said just have to roll off your back,if it didnt it would drive you mad.Sure there will always be some people who delibrately set out to get under peoples skin,they are few and far between thank goodness,all you have to do is put them on your ignore list,then there's one less stress for you to have to deal with.

Some people think Sharon is rude,i think she is straightforward and to the point,you can always trust what she says doesnt have some underlying motive or asumption.We cant all be the same and not everyone will take someone elses view the same way.For example some people will think a person is sugar sweet whereas another might see it all as an act.
Dont go by my example and let certain people and the things they say get to you,no-body is worth getting all twisted up for! Like i said some people are 100% gungho passionate about nutrition and they can sometimes come across as pushy or rude,but in the end i'm sure their motives are NOT to upset people,they just care about this topic very much and want everyone to appreciate that!

As you can probably tell,i'm hopeless at putting my point across in writing,i cant really get what i want to say across!.I hope i didnt offend or upset anyone as this was not my intention and never has been!