doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com (ot) Dog food

Hi Chuck,
My reply was to the original post, I didn't read yours post till now.
As for nutrition, good carbohydrates are important for maximum power output, especially when a dog is performing over several days, its specialy effective if this nourishment is replenished immediately followed the workout. However, adequate protein is just as crucial in a high-quality performance diet. Dogs have no real stores of protein, if a diet does not contain enough protein, muscle mass will be depleted, increasing the risk of injuries and immune system function can also be impaired. I an sold on protein should comprise 24 to 40 percent of total kilocalories and should come from a highly digestible/ palatable source. Aside helping to speedy recovery, I also find a high protein diet helps bring a dog back up to a good mental state. I have no doubt a good diet, such as Proplan has helped my dogs reach their best genetic potential.

BB,
I agree with what you're saying about the proteins and carbs. In looking at all the options within the ProPlan line of dry and wet foods, according to their specs, I find that my current dry Lamb & rice formula has all the protein and carbs that the wet canned foods offer. I was going to get some canned food for supplementing her dry during hunting season, but it doesn't appear that will be adding anything. Unless I can find a good reason to give a food that will supplement more energy than the dry ProPlan, I'll just stick with it and adjust quantity and frequency as needed.

I did note that I'm not getting her the glucosamine that I thought I was there. I'll add a glucosamine supplement for her since I want to keep her on the "Adult lamb & rice" (she had a skin flakeyness problem that went away when the vet recommended I take her off chicken based food. too many hormones or something for her in chicken.).

BTW, good lookin hairballs.

I use the Pro Plan during the season. However, since we live in a small town it is 100 miles to buy the stuff. This is my first experience with it and I was dule impressed.

Chuck, Purina PRO PLAN adult chicken and rice 13 oz. I had to drive to Portland< OR to get it- at least try it.
John

Chuck,
Now I guess chicken is out due to hormones. We eat range fed chicken and "sometimes" it seems better. However, sometimes I do not think the labeling was right. I have one can of Lamb left.
John

We feed raw pasture chicken (and beef and fish and deer etc etc). Beats any premium commercial food of any type.

Brent

I certainly do not neglect my dogs by feeding them cheap food.I also do not wish to cause them medical problems by feeding them expensive brands of dog food saturated with protein when it is not necessary.The true answer to a healthy dog is a balanced diet, allied to exercise and hygene.My dogs are fed dried food supplemented with vegetables and tripe.

It's hard to argue that the ingredients in processed dog foods are as good as fresh. However, more than one vet has told me, maybe on this bbs, that the large makers like Purina have conducted many years (maybe many decades) of testing for the nutritional values of their foods. They know what balance of various constituents will give a correct diet for longterm health and performance.

I know more than one person that feeds all cooked people foods; meats, veggies, etc. What I don't know is whether or not this is better or worse than feeding a high quality dog food in the long run since not knowing what is the right balance is the issue. As such, I'll keep feeding ProPlan.

If you do your homework, you will find that a fresh, raw diet is pretty hard to beat. Having tried them all, I would have to agree.

Brent

My vet was a neat fellow who had field trial labs. He also sold the Science Diet and Ekunuba [sp?] brands. His dogs were fed Nutra Nuggest sold in Costco. It is made by Diamond. He said the food was about the same as he sold, but each sack he used he saved about $10. I've followed his advice for years and had fine results.

Try this website which compares the ingredients of kibble dog foods. You may be surprised by what it says about most of the major brands.
Gordon
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/