Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016


@jaxs mom wrote:

The only thing surprising about Science Diet being on the list is that it's a consumer rated list and the vast majority of consumers are ignorant of what's appropriate food. The ingredients in Science Diet are not biologically appropriate for cats or dogs. The AAFCO doesn't care about the source of ingredients in the foods they certify IMO anyway.  Face it, the pet food industry as a whole came to being and still exists to be an income stream for agriculture, it's a dumping ground for "food" that would otherwise be thrown away. 


@jaxs mom-

I appreciate reading your views on this. Do you know any good wet cat food with low protein without grains for senior cats?

The only one I have been giving my 17 year old cat is Science Diet because it is the only one that she does not throw-up with. She's actually done so well on it.

I have read the poor ratings on this but I am going on her results right now for the past year.

I had learned thru vets and a cat specialist at petco that senior cats esp with urinary tract problems need less protein and also should not have dry food. Check and check, and these 2 things have helped her so much.

I've looked up so many of the recommended foods and they have high percentages of protein.

 It is so surprising how little cat foods are out there that have low protein. Some for seniors advertise how much protein they have!

I know this was a list for dogs, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them!

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,892
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016


@AmericanBulldogMom wrote:

@CrazyDaisy wrote:

@AmericanBulldogMom wrote:

None of this is shocking. I did (and continue to do) tons of research and it all pointed to foregoing any kibble.  I feed raw and could never go back to kibble knowing what I know. 

 

To each his own of course. I don't recommend raw unless someone is willing to put the time and effort into learning about it and is sure to feed a balanced raw diet. Otherwise, stick with the highest quality kibble available. 


There are a couple comercial raw diets available that are complete and balanced.  I was feeding Primal for awhile and still use their raw goat milk for my dogs.


@CrazyDaisy Yes, agree, there are good balanced premade raw diets available.  And I do think that they are a good way for someone to start a transition to raw, this takes away any of the guesswork while you are learning, yet still are making sure your dog is getting a balanced diet. However,  my dog is 90 pounds and premade raw is very expensive. For me feeding him a do it yourself raw diet is much cheaper, even cheaper than what is considered the highest quality kibble. 


I agree that it is cheaper to do it yourself however you need to have freezer space to buy in bulk.  I live in an apartment and have limited freezer space.  The commercial diets were available so I could buy for a week or two at a time.  Yet it did become to expensive to continue and with the addition of a second dog I had to consider kibble.  

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,143
Registered: ‎04-18-2012

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

[ Edited ]

@on the bay I don't see how a cat food can be low protien and be low carb at the same time. You could check on catinfo.org the vet that runs that site has lots of info on cat illnesses and foods. She also does consults. 

 

My route to a raw diet started with my dog that had liver issues and was supposed to be on rx food that was low protein for life and I switched him to raw from the Science Diet rx food and he lived another 10+ years without any medical problems.

 

One of my cats was also supposed to be on rx urinary food for life after a UTI and crystals ( lots of info on catinfo.org on this) I switched all my cats to a combo of Fancy Feast classic canned food and raw twice a day. It's been about 5 years and no recurrences nor have any of my other cats developed UTI ( I have 7). 

 

 

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,143
Registered: ‎04-18-2012

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

[ Edited ]

@CrazyDaisy wrote:

@AmericanBulldogMom wrote:

@CrazyDaisy wrote:

@AmericanBulldogMom wrote:

None of this is shocking. I did (and continue to do) tons of research and it all pointed to foregoing any kibble.  I feed raw and could never go back to kibble knowing what I know. 

 

To each his own of course. I don't recommend raw unless someone is willing to put the time and effort into learning about it and is sure to feed a balanced raw diet. Otherwise, stick with the highest quality kibble available. 


There are a couple comercial raw diets available that are complete and balanced.  I was feeding Primal for awhile and still use their raw goat milk for my dogs.


@CrazyDaisy Yes, agree, there are good balanced premade raw diets available.  And I do think that they are a good way for someone to start a transition to raw, this takes away any of the guesswork while you are learning, yet still are making sure your dog is getting a balanced diet. However,  my dog is 90 pounds and premade raw is very expensive. For me feeding him a do it yourself raw diet is much cheaper, even cheaper than what is considered the highest quality kibble. 


I agree that it is cheaper to do it yourself however you need to have freezer space to buy in bulk.  I live in an apartment and have limited freezer space.  The commercial diets were available so I could buy for a week or two at a time.  Yet it did become to expensive to continue and with the addition of a second dog I had to consider kibble.  


The first few years we fed raw, all we had was a regular fridge freezer and we managed. We just didn't buy in bulk and had to shop more. All I did was buy their raw meaty bones and organs at the grocery store while I did my weekly shopping. It wasn't an issue. We do have a chest freezer now, and I do buy about a months worth at a time but that's just so I can stock up on the sale prices when they they appear. 

 

I've always had two dogs and at one point we had three, all on raw. Considering the ingredients in every single kibble out there, it's cheaper to fed raw from the grocery store even if you can't stock up on sale prices. You feed less raw than kibble because there is no filler. 

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

hi @jaxs mom-

Thanks for your answer!

I did try Fancy Feast with her again a few months ago but she kept throwing up with it.

I used to use that all the time but I think they changed the formula because the pate seems so much harder now.

I guess each pet is going to do well with different things.

It does feel so good to find something that works for them. 

I will look at that website. Thanks again.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,036
Registered: ‎08-07-2013

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

Thanks for posting this O/P.. I have five rescues dogs and thank goodness our food we feed them is not on the list.Woman Happy

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,892
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

[ Edited ]

@jaxs mom wrote:

@CrazyDaisy wrote:

@AmericanBulldogMom wrote:

@CrazyDaisy wrote:

@AmericanBulldogMom wrote:

None of this is shocking. I did (and continue to do) tons of research and it all pointed to foregoing any kibble.  I feed raw and could never go back to kibble knowing what I know. 

 

To each his own of course. I don't recommend raw unless someone is willing to put the time and effort into learning about it and is sure to feed a balanced raw diet. Otherwise, stick with the highest quality kibble available. 


There are a couple comercial raw diets available that are complete and balanced.  I was feeding Primal for awhile and still use their raw goat milk for my dogs.


@CrazyDaisy Yes, agree, there are good balanced premade raw diets available.  And I do think that they are a good way for someone to start a transition to raw, this takes away any of the guesswork while you are learning, yet still are making sure your dog is getting a balanced diet. However,  my dog is 90 pounds and premade raw is very expensive. For me feeding him a do it yourself raw diet is much cheaper, even cheaper than what is considered the highest quality kibble. 


I agree that it is cheaper to do it yourself however you need to have freezer space to buy in bulk.  I live in an apartment and have limited freezer space.  The commercial diets were available so I could buy for a week or two at a time.  Yet it did become to expensive to continue and with the addition of a second dog I had to consider kibble.  


The first few years we fed raw, all we had was a regular fridge freezer and we managed. We just didn't buy in bulk and had to shop more. All I did was buy their raw meaty bones and organs at the grocery store while I did my weekly shopping. It wasn't an issue. We do have a chest freezer now, and I do buy about a months worth at a time but that's just so I can stock up on the sale prices when they they appear. 

 

I've always had two dogs and at one point we had three, all on raw. Considering the ingredients in every single kibble out there, it's cheaper to fed raw from the grocery store even if you can't stock up on sale prices. You feed less raw than kibble because there is no filler. 


I know wat you are saying, it just is not a good option for me.  Everyone does the best they can with what they have available.

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016


@apple1964 wrote:

Thanks for posting this O/P.. I have five rescues dogs and thank goodness our food we feed them is not on the list.Woman Happy


@apple1964-

What brand do you use?

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Contributor
Posts: 71
Registered: ‎10-06-2012

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

Same here.  My dog is almost 12 years old.  I recently put him on Honest Kitchen grain free and all his GI issues went straight away.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,036
Registered: ‎08-07-2013

Re: The 20 Worst Consumer Rated Dog Foods of 2016

[ Edited ]


@on the bay wrote:

@apple1964 wrote:

Thanks for posting this O/P.. I have five rescues dogs and thank goodness our food we feed them is not on the list.Woman Happy


@apple1964-

What brand do you use?



@on the bay wrote:

@apple1964 wrote:

Thanks for posting this O/P.. I have five rescues dogs and thank goodness our food we feed them is not on the list.Woman Happy


@apple1964-

What brand do you use?


Hello... I have 5  dogs and I use Rachel Ray's brand and they are doing well on it.