Food For Thought

I just now joined this and this is the first thing I read, but I guess I don't know what is so bad about Pedigree. I don't feed it, but I feed the cheapest thing I can buy at the feed store (I think it's called Good Dog). I have 10 dogs and live very far out in the country, so my dogs run free and hunt and eat whatever. It worries me a little, but I have never had a problem. They are all fat and shiny and I have a lab that can run with me all day and he is 12. I keep them wormed and current on shots of course. One vet told me that they were in a pretty ideal situation. They don't even have bad breath. (they're all strays, I'm a self funded resue, I guess)

 It's an ideal situation to run free?

Good Dog (or maybe Good Boy?) is what they feed at the shelter, here. For the price, you can't do much better.  

2manyanimals

I just now joined this and this is the first thing I read, but I guess I don't know what is so bad about Pedigree. I don't feed it, but I feed the cheapest thing I can buy at the feed store (I think it's called Good Dog). I have 10 dogs and live very far out in the country, so my dogs run free and hunt and eat whatever. It worries me a little, but I have never had a problem. They are all fat and shiny and I have a lab that can run with me all day and he is 12. I keep them wormed and current on shots of course. One vet told me that they were in a pretty ideal situation. They don't even have bad breath. (they're all strays, I'm a self funded resue, I guess)

I wouldn't say that being fat is healthy if they really are overweight. What's so bad about Pedigree are some of the ingredients- animal fat, wheat mill run, corn gluten meal and the fact that the food is mostly corn and by-products when dogs are designed to eat meat based diets. The cheapest feed store foods almost certainly contain some of the ingredients above and other bad ones. It isn't necessarily going to affect your dog in the short term, or even the long term because genetics does play a large role. But the main issue is the iffy ingredients and low quality meat sources affecting a dog's health over a lifetime. Also, if your dogs hunt and eat what they kill then they are supplementing their own diets with fresh meat.

If you're interested in learning more about the ingredients I mentioned the check out the link below:

 I hope i'm wrong but i think the sudden influx of pedigree and good ol boy feeders are the same person,so all of our advice is probably falling upon deaf ears

2manyanimals????? If you genuinely are interested in your dogs health it would be in your dogs best interest to listen to the good people of this board...

Edie

 I hope i'm wrong but i think the sudden influx of pedigree and good ol boy feeders are the same person...

PieDane, From what I have researched, Protein does not contribute to excessive growth.  Can you send me a link to where you got that info from?  If I'm wrong I'd like to be corrected.

From what I understand, excess calcium and calories are the culprits- and many of Pedigree's dry formulas contain excessive levels of calcium due to meat and bone meal being the primary source of protein.

I agree with the person who suggested Eagle Pack!

My vet told me that pedigree or purina one for large breed is the best for my puppy they are the ones with the most protien in it for a growing puppy and growing adult  dog. 

I can't speak for other people and their experiences with Pedigree but I can tell you that my husband and I have been breeders of collies, both rough and smooth for over 25 years.  We have exclusively fed Pedigree Puppy to all our litters, upon weaning, and continued on through adulthood. We have always given a bag of Pedigree Puppy to each of the new owners of our pups upon leaving our home.  Through the years, we have raised 9 of those collies as our family pets, and all have lived 12+ years, and one sweet girl, lived to 15.  None of my dogs ever had skin problems, cancer, ear infections or any of the other problems I have seen referred to in this blog.  My husband and I are not only breeders, but trainers and handlers of all breeds, putting us in contact with several hundred people over the years in both the conformation and obedience show circuits.  Not once, in the breeds we have worked with, have I ever heard anything negative about Pedigree. You may not be aware, but in the recent global recall of tainted dog foods, Pedigree was one of the very few that were not on the recall list, a credit to the processing and ingredients contained in it.  You have to make a personal choice on what is good for you and your pet but I will endorse Pedigree dry food as a healthy, complete, and affordable dog food.  Oh, for the record, we have also raised a White German Shephard, from a pup to her present age of 10 years, solely on Pedigree.  She has never had any skin, ear, joint or other disorders and, like the man in Walmart, is going strong and keeping up with our 11 month collie pup, Skye.  Good luck with your pet!

My vet also recommended Purina for my large breed pups.  They smelled like dogs, they left horse sized piles in my yard, had bad breath, dull and dry coats.......

She recommended Pedigree for my cocker with horrible hot spots.  Yeah.  That did a lot of good.....just made her WORSE.

My point here is that unless vets have done some serious nutritional study on their own, they are not neccessarily the best source for advice on foods.  Vets have to learn an awful lot about an awful lot of issues and conditions and nutrition isn't way high up on the heavily covered topics in vet school.

If you folks are sold on Pedigree, fine.  It is entirely up to you what you feed your own dogs.  However, I will NEVER be convinced that Pedigree is more than a cheap and unhealthy food.

Have to admit, my very spoiled dogs - 3 Siberian Huskies - eat a combination of Iams and Beneful dry food which is constantly available in their bowls, and every other day or so, they get a can of Pedigree or Science Diet. Two of the dogs are three years old, and the third, one of their pups, is about 1-1/2. so far, they seem to be doing well: no skin or ear problems, and definitely no lack of energy! Maybe, it's a combination of the dog foods, and all the people food - including green vegetables - they swipe from the table!

Moderator note...

Mainly to the folks actually posting on this thread due to real interest in foods etc. Notice there are a few trolls here at the moment...they are very obvious...I won't mention names tho. I am sure y'all can guess to whom I am referring to. IMO their responses are best completely and utterly ignored. The thread shouldn't become sidetracked so easily...

I think I even know who some of the trolls are, and that's disappointing to say the very least...but that's another topic. Just wanted to drop in a note to the members that actually care about the usefulness and content of this forum...to hold that first in your mind when posting and/or responding...

Ask yourself, does the post you're responding to, add value to the forum and/or merit a reply?

I have a Choc Lab just turned 12 lives on 3 acres w/a fish pond to swim in.  I fed her Pedigree dry only for 10 yrs of her life changing to sernior Ped when she was almost 7yrs.  She is very healthy w/good teeth and skin.  As far as I know Pedigree has never had problems w/recall issues and I don't think that thumming your nose at the product because it doesn't cost as much as other brands is a smart idea. I think that Pedigree is conscience of the well being of your pet and with that in mind keeps the product affordable.  Each dog & breed has it's own special needs that changes w/age That is what is inportant to remember.  I also use Innova for my Senior Great Dane a blue who is now 10, and for my 1 Year old IrishWolfhound Very expensive stuff.  Different dog Different needs.  Don't go by just Brand or price.  

"I can't speak for other people and their experiences with Pedigree but I can tell you that my husband and I have been breeders of collies, both rough and smooth for over 25 years. We have exclusively fed Pedigree Puppy to all our litters, upon weaning, and continued on through adulthood. We have always given a bag of Pedigree Puppy to each of the new owners of our pups upon leaving our home. Through the years, we have raised 9 of those collies as our family pets, and all have lived 12+ years, and one sweet girl, lived to 15. None of my dogs ever had skin problems, cancer, ear infections or any of the other problems I have seen referred to in this blog. My husband and I are not only breeders, but trainers and handlers of all breeds, putting us in contact with several hundred people over the years in both the conformation and obedience show circuits. Not once, in the breeds we have worked with, have I ever heard anything negative about Pedigree. You may not be aware, but in the recent global recall of tainted dog foods, Pedigree was one of the very few that were not on the recall list, a credit to the processing and ingredients contained in it. You have to make a personal choice on what is good for you and your pet but I will endorse Pedigree dry food as a healthy, complete, and affordable dog food. Oh, for the record, we have also raised a White German Shephard, from a pup to her present age of 10 years, solely on Pedigree. She has never had any skin, ear, joint or other disorders and, like the man in Walmart, is going strong and keeping up with our 11 month collie pup, Skye. Good luck with your pet!"

Shariandonn, I know many top breeders of Collie's if you show then you would know them as they show all through North America. What is the name of your kennel?  I'll be sure to ask my friends about your kennel, that would be pretty neat.  It's a small world :)  They know everyone who is in the "know" of the Collie world.

I noticed you included Purina, were you including Purina one?