Science Diet... Good or Bad?

ORIGINAL: nGoldenm
ms_paws - I believe it was because it was so bland. It helped because he had such a sensitive stomach.

 
Thanx for telling me this []

If the dog does well on it, I see no need to change.  If you really feel the need to change, PetCo carries a few good ones.  Natrual Balance, Bil-Jac(I know, but I use it with success!), Sensible Choice.  Those are pretty good foods that aren't too pricey.  Some PetCos carry SolidGold, but not all.

Science Diet sponsors the RSPCA over here, so all their animals are fed on it. We recently got a kitten from there and she was in pretty poor shape. Skinny and her fur was dry, sparse and brittle. She was barely eating. We offered her some raw cat mince and she fell on it as if she'd been waiting for it all her short life. A month later, now, she's eating very well, and her coat has thickened and is much softer, and she's a much better shape.

Now, shelters generally don't leave animals in good condition, but the kitten didn't even like the SD. She only ever picked at it and as soon as raw food was offered, she refused to eat it at all.

[Well, I just looked at Hill's web page, and on the ingredient list for their adult original formula, it has chicken by-product listed. So as far as them not having any by-products, that's not entirely true. Some of their formula's may not have them.

Sorry, but THIS is what was said.  I have a hard time with these judgemental posts about brands of food and you guys aren't even paying attention to what is being discussed.   Nutrience/Hills, two different brands.[>:]

What do you guys think about Nutrience? My cousin said he chose that because their's no bi-products.

In general I do not like the Science Diet line of foods.  some of the RX ones are far better, but if you look at the ingredient list in what you are feeding and compare it to the ingredients in some of the other super premiums AND compare kcals per cup, you'll find you can feed a much higher quality food for less money.
 
Innova is around $40 for a 33 lb bag.  The kcals are 557 per cup I believe.  Canidae is about $30 for a 40 lb bag.  The kcals are lower, at 450 or somewhere around there, so I feed MORE Canidae to maintain the same calorie intake, but between the lower price and larger bag, it works out.  Cost has to be a concern for me since I feed six adult german shepherds.  But, I also homecook or feed raw for dinner.
 
I've tried some of the other recommended foods and not liked the results.  EP Holistic gave my dogs pudding poop and Timberwolf Organic resulted in dark soft stools.  Poop tells a big story to me in the digestibility of any food and how well its being used.  Some foods don't work as well for some dogs as others do.  Plus, there is the cleanup factor and with 6 large dogs, well, small and firm is important.
 
The suggestion to go to naturapet.com and do a comparison is a good one.  You can compare several foods to Innova.  While I personally don't like SD and wouldn't feed it if it was given to me, it works well for some dogs.  Just explore the options available to you.  Most Petcos carry Natural Balance and some even carry Innova.
 

Canidae is about $30 for a 40 lb bag

 
You are one lucky woman, I pay 38 bucks plus change for a 40 lb bag......

Yes, I am lucky and I've been getting $ off coupons in the bags.  I'd LOVE to get the free dogfood coupon, but that isn't likely to happen.
 
Even $38 isn't bad for a good quality food, and it IS a 40 lb bag.

I've tried some of the other recommended foods and not liked the results. EP Holistic gave my dogs pudding poop and Timberwolf Organic resulted in dark soft stools.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Since the formulas vary so much it would be more informative if you specify which variety/varieties of TWO you tried.  I only have one dog and I've only tried Timberwolf Ocean Blue (still on first bag) but I am quite pleased with the output.  I'm wondering why dark stools are an issue for you but OB has given the firmest stools of any food I've tried though Solid Gold Barking ATM is a close second.  Stools are also very low odor.
 
I haven't tried any Eagle Pack.
 

You are right, it is good food.
 
I have cashed in a couple of coupons, 1 dollar off the purchase price.....I would also like to get the "Free Dogfood" coupon......that would be nice.....meanwhile, I keep scratching.....[]

Yes, I am lucky and I've been getting $ off coupons in the bags. I'd LOVE to get the free dogfood coupon, but that isn't likely to happen.

 

I have cashed in a couple of coupons, 1 dollar off the purchase price.....I would also like to get the "Free Dogfood" coupon......that would be nice.....meanwhile, I keep scratching.....[]

 
Mind if I ask what you two are talking about, Glenda and Karyn?  Does Canidae have coupons in the bags now?  I feed Canidae but bought enough to last me 2-3 months last time so it's been a while since I had to pick up more.  And I paid about $38 for 40 lbs also.

I'm thinking SW Chicken and also Venison.  I just wasn't thrilled with the output. 
 
Canidae had a Halloween promotion with scratch cards in every bag.   I've been lucky enough to get several bags with those.

Mind if I ask what you two are talking about, Glenda and Karyn? Does Canidae have coupons in the bags now? I feed Canidae but bought enough to last me 2-3 months last time so it's been a while since I had to pick up more. And I paid about $38 for 40 lbs also.

 
The bags I have purchased have had scratch coupons inside the bag.
I think it started before Halloween, you can get free cans, or a dollar off, or the grand prize of "Free Dogfood for Life".
 
No coupons in your bags?

   It's not "Science Death" but for the price you can get foods with a lot less grain and more meat protein. Here's a good place to learn about dog food;    [linkhttp://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients]http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients[/link]; this site has good information and helps you to decide for yourself which ingredients are good and which aren't.

The bags I have purchased have had scratch coupons inside the bag.
I think it started before Halloween, you can get free cans, or a dollar off, or the grand prize of "Free Dogfood for Life".

No coupons in your bags?

 
No, no coupons in my bags, but I'm just finishing two 40 lb bags I probably bought before then.... a 40 lb bag lasts us about 8 weeks or so, but it's not convenient to get to the store that carries it so we buy a lot at once.  Probably bought it in Sept before we ran out of the previous bag.  Shucks, guess I missed out on that one. 
 
Sorry for being off-topic of the post!

Sorry, off topic again.
 
I even got a magnetic calender for 2007.
 
I am sorry you missed the boat, maybe next time[]