Thinking sojos might not be that great of an idea

 I would certainly quit feeding it. I was shocked, when I hired a nutritionist, by how many foods are NOT balanced (not kibbles, but premade raws and such), and not even close. My dog was tearing her skin off, and I couldn't figure it out. One of the premades I was feeding was 12% protein, and 23% fat. That'll throw you off! They have GAs on their site, but you have to email them for the actual analysis.

Tried sojo's for 3 weeks. Won't feed it again.

One dog itches HORRIBLY, one dog's not digesting it, and overall just wasn't comfortable with it.

Thing is though, how are we truly supposed to know, even with kibbles, which one's are truly balanced and which ones are not??

I'm sure this issue is not limited to just pre-made raw diets or pre-mixes, I'm sure there are a ton of dry and can foods not really balanced as well.

'we don't worry about that because that's not how dogs eat in nature worrying about calcium."

Yeah, and in nature it's not too much of a worry if the dog dies before it's two from one thing or another - by then it's lived long enough to pass on its genes and that's all nature is "worried" about.

Only custom diets can be close to optimum ranges of nutrition for your dog, and sometimes it's a compromise even then if you have restrictions. One reason is that in bigger dogs, that have to eat more food, the suggested levels of nutrients don't go up 1:1 with the amount of food needed to supply the energy the dog needs. In nature the dog would eat a carcass over the course of time, starting with the more nutritious parts and ending with the "junk" like skin with hair, and feet/tail. When we feed a custom diet, we calculate what is needed for basic energy and then add what's needed for nutrient needs. Sometimes we use supplements to get it just "right."
 

jennie_c_d

 I would certainly quit feeding it. I was shocked, when I hired a nutritionist, by how many foods are NOT balanced (not kibbles, but premade raws and such), and not even close. My dog was tearing her skin off, and I couldn't figure it out. One of the premades I was feeding was 12% protein, and 23% fat. That'll throw you off! They have GAs on their site, but you have to email them for the actual analysis.

Jennie, what premade raw were you feeding that was not balanced?

'we don't worry about that because that's not how dogs eat in nature worrying about calcium."

Yeah, and in nature it's not too much of a worry if the dog dies before it's two from one thing or another - by then it's lived long enough to pass on its genes and that's all nature is "worried" about.

 I don't see humans "worrying" about, and calculating,  specific nutrient percentages and most of us seem to be doing more than ok.

Folks you'd get a broader range of responses if you spoke "real words" speak instead of half words glued together like texting.  *sigh*

WHAT ARE SOJOS????

I can't be the only one to wonder, but maybe I'm the only one with chutzpah to ask.  Or maybe I should ask JaLo, or LoRo or Brangalina??

Sorry -- pet peeve of mine that's getting worse.  But I've seen this thread for two days and I STILL can't figure it out.

Callie:

Sojos are a brand of pre-mixed dog food. The formulas have things like herbs, fruit, flaxseed, etc and you can add your own meat or feed it plain if it already has meat in it. I think its dehydrated, so you add water to it. 

Ahhhhhhhhhhh -- am I too much the product of the cell phone generation or what??  Here I'm ranting away and it's not even a "texting word" LOL  Thanks!! I haven't seen that one at all.

Sojo's makes another pre-mix that has no grains. But rather a mix of vegetables and a few fruits; I do like this one, but it appeared that the dogs were not digesting it....i..e vegetable chunks were still hole in their stools.

 I've had Ena on Precise Foundation, for 3 bags, now, and I'm extremely please. It's another one of the simple foods. It's 24/14, and I haven't had any issues with staining, anal glands, skin has gotten BETTER (than fresh food, seriously...).

Emma eats nasty prescription food. Meh.

jenns

 I don't see humans "worrying" about, and calculating,  specific nutrient percentages and most of us seem to be doing more than ok.

IMO, if you eat pretty much the same thing every mealtime, you SHOULD be concerned.... you should either eat a varied diet and get the balance over time, or you eat the same thing all the time, but taht "thing" is properly nutritionally balanced for your needs.

JMTC

I don't see humans "worrying" about, and calculating,  specific nutrient percentages and most of us seem to be doing more than ok.

Plus, we are not weirdly genetically manipulated far outside the range of our naturally adapted form. And, the majority of us are not expected to perform far beyond the basics of survival (food gathering, shelter, sex, raising one generation of young). 

Most dogs do just fine with a sort of serendipitous approach to nutrition, either because they are closer to their natural forms or their performance expectations are low, or both. But it's my feeling that I'd rather do my best to bring what I offer within ideal ranges, rather than leaving it to chance.