Ingredients in some foods- truth or not

and they have skimped on packaging and distributed packaging with incorrect ingredients on it. It doesn't matter if they have the best ingredient lists if you can't be confident that those are the ingredients in the food.

 
If you go through a number of threads on this forum you'll see where there are a bunch of companies who have changed their formulas and NOT changed their bags and have specifically responded that they were also USING UP BAGS THEY HAD ON HAND and until those were gone the new product formulas would still be packaged in the old bags. So TO is NOT the only one who did this and it seems to be COMMON PRACTICE in this industry. Bags cost $$ and a company is not going to just toss away thousands of dollars in packaging just because they change a formulation.   I have gotten this response from a number of companies including Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance  and others as a result of them removing the menadione from their products. Something, by the way, that TO never had in any of its products.
I've also learned that there is no specific time period in which any company has to complete the switch over. 

Do you have to be so flat out mean and rude to each other?

 
First of all my response is about Linda Arndt. It is NOT about Dyan or TO Dyan. It is my opinion about Linda and her 'list'.  It cracks me up how people take comments that are directed at NO ONE and try to direct them towards someone and then make such a comment about bashing someone else. I see nowhere in that post where I have directed my statement towards Dyan just because I commented on something in her post that has nothing to do with her personally.

ORIGINAL: Asthefurflies

I have gotten this response from a number of companies including Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance  and others

And the fact that all those companies responded to you says something - at least you are able to find out exactly what you're getting.

I and many others have never received any response from TO, despite numerous attempts on many different subjects.

Sharon,
 I've been watching and waiting for you to show your colors..thanks for playing!
 
You've violated a forum rule-creating a second account
 
Bye!
 
 
 

ORIGINAL: Asthefurflies


First of all my response is about Linda Arndt. It is NOT about Dyan or TO Dyan. I see nowhere in that post where I have directed my statement towards Dyan just because I commented on something in her post that has nothing to do with her personally.

 
That's the way I saw it too, frankly.  It is a tactic I see used often on forums that forbid personal attacks, but is used when one wants to stop just short of violating the rules.  IMO, you executed it quite well.

ORIGINAL: amstaffy

Sharon,
I've been watching and waiting for you to show your colors..thanks for playing!

You've violated a forum rule-creating a second account

Bye!

 
Holy cow, that was Sharon?  I thought it was someone who had been banned, but I didn't think it was Sharon.

Lets keep this thread on topic....

Oh dear, I was just asking. However, I do agree with Asthefurflies, I literally have tried every dog food out there over the years, exept grocery store, and I have to say TO is about the best for my 3 dogs. especially Dusty.
I also agree with those of you who are concerned about it being made in a Diamond plant, I'm still not 100% sure on that one yet, but am open to listening. Also yes they have awful customer service. years ago, when it first came out, I spoke with them after spending a day hitting redial, they were fair and the owner was rude at one point, but honestly if a company makes a good product , then we have to go with what works. 
I've called all these companies, I get nothing but those who read from a paper word by word, can't answer questions and really don't care or want to be bothered, they think their food is great.. That's it. Most, not all. Natura being so popular, even wasn't much help about a return I had to make to a store that wouldn't take an unopened bag back with reciept.
I thank you all, I read your opinions and advice and you all are helpful. Timberwolf Organics  has even recieved good reviews on Rate It All.
I just wanted your thoughts on those ingredients from Life's Abundance dog food.[]

Just for anyone who is still reading,,,I do believe that Linda Arndt knows a lot about feeding your dog and their health in general. I refer to her website all the time for different things.  No, you might not be as concerned as I am about what she says, she raised generations of Great Danes...I have a Great Dane.  Her website if filled with lots of good information and not just about dog food.      The fact that she has her personal favorite (Eagle) but has a list of many others,,,,and gives a reason WHY she likes the food is good.     I do believe I would try any one of the foods on her list first, if I were looking for a new food for my dog.

I have never read anything by her.What I do know is there will NEVER be a 100% agreement on any dog food or way of feeding.  I also believe no one food is 100% perfect, human or dog food.  One dog can eat TO and do great, the next can get as "sick as a dog" so to pun. One dog can eat Eagle Pack with no problem, but the next may have chronic runny poop.  So as far as I am concerned, read what all the nutritionists say, but go the way you velieve best for you dog, what works best for you dog be it top of the line, middle of the line or bottom of the line.

 

The past 34 years as a professional breeder, I have devoted my efforts to research, feed trials, writing and lecturing on nutritionally caused bone diseases, and the effects of high calorie diets on the growth of large and giant breeds.

 
This is just a little about Linda. Her website [linkhttp://www.greatdanelady]www.greatdanelady[/link] is a wealth of knowledge.    When you have a second,,,go there and just start reading some of her articles---no matter whether you would be interested in the food she recommends or not.    Just a bunch of  health articles good for all breeds.
I

also believe no one food is 100% perfect,
 

Linda says the same thing.

You will get this B.S. and conflicting opinions from every dog food company in existence and it always goes like this:  If the ingredient is in their food, it is beneficial and functional.  Period.  Contact ANY company and ask them about a certain questionable ingredient in it.  I GUARANTEE you that if they get back to you, it will be in defense of that ingredient, along with an explanation of why that ingredient is not harmful/ is beneficial.
 
Just try it.  Try it with meat and bone meal- they will say it is a great source of animal protein.  Try it with ANY ingredient.
 
Then you'll finally realize that you just cannot trust the info you get from the companies- it is biased.  It will always be biased.  No company is going to tell you that an ingredient in their food is junk/ harmful.  That just won't happen....and they are so creative about finding ways to make trash look like treasure.
 
 

You will get this B.S. and conflicting opinions from every dog food company in existence and it always goes like this: If the ingredient is in their food, it is beneficial and functional. Period.

 
I agree with your statement. Now, let me play devil's advocate. Personally, I think whatever a person does that helps their dog live well is fine. With the some exceptions, you will get similar reasoning from proponents of raw. Along with what are admittedly some excellent results from raw, such as the longetivity enjoyed by some dogs, you will also get a vitriolic diatribe against anything made, the govt, the AAFCO, and the funny image of FiFi the Shih Tzu trying to eat like a 120 lb. gray wolf. All based on anecdotes. Good or bad, the commercial diets have some science behind them, lab results, etc. Not that every kibble is good and more accurately, not every dog will do great on the same food. A big factor of a dog's lifespan is our care and attention. We let them in the house, now, and we notice physical symptoms sooner. We get them to the vet sooner. The vet has better technology and procedures, etc. 50 years ago, a dog didn't get hip replacement, he or she got a short walk behind the barn. And the raw recipes are not exactly like a wild dog diet. I think what people like best about raw is that they know what the ingredients are, not that they are trying to feed their dog as a gray wolf would eat. And it should be known that there are bacteria in store bought meat. Some claim they've never had a problem with store bought meat. Are we then saying, in spite of what is considered the govt's ineptitude at controlling dog food, that they do a stellar job with meat inspection and control?
 
I also think the aim of dog food companies is changing, due to educated consumer demand.
 
 

Of course you are right Stacey,,that is true with any company on any product.  No doubt. That is also true with going to a doctor or vet in a way. We question why they do what they do,,,for instance vaccination. The veterinary schools are calling for 3 year vaccination protocols. Most vets are sticking with the 1 yr.  Ask the vet why they are not changing and they have reasons.  Of course they are not going to say anything bad about the 1 yr.   That is why we here feel it necessary to investigate what we are doing with our pet.    For pet food, I can't personally go to the hundreds of pet food makers, so  for me, that is why I like Linda Arndt (sorry to keep bringing her up) because she HAS investigated the companies.  She says if a dog food is not on her list, its for a reason. Of course she can't/won't tell what the reason is since she could get into legal trouble.  But I find confidence in the fact that she has studied this and compared it to her raising generations of Danes.
 

also think the aim of dog food companies is changing, due to educated consumer demand

Ron I sure agree with you!  The Purina company alone has proved that. While still making most of their old products they are releasing new products with less ingredients to cause problems and more wholesome ingredients.  ANd more and more companies are trying to put better ingredients into their food..

I've called all these companies, I get nothing but those who read from a paper word by word, can't answer questions and really don't care or want to be bothered, they think their food is great.. That's it.

 
A few years ago,,,I called a few companies and was able to talk for quite a while to some of the people.  I remember in the case of BilJac, the girl even called me back at work when I asked a question that she could not answer.  I suppose there are some that just don't employ customer service people.