By Joy in Crimes Against Dogs and Cats, Dog News, Dogs and Medicine, Dogs and Science
Well, doesn’t this just blow the top off that old lie from greyhound racers that they care about their dogs!
So let’s talk about greyhound racing. Isn’t it time civilized countries (like Britain and the US) get over it? Yes, greyhounds are gorgeous when they run but as any greyhound rescuer can tell you, the dogs have much more fun racing off track in weekend events where the track is a field and no money rides on their backs.
What’s the difference between puppy mills and these greyhound breeders that sell their dogs for any purpose whatsoever? Nothing?
Notice that this race miller used to be a pig breeder? With his level of concern for dogs I wouldn’t be surprized if he sold dogs for food to Asian countries that still allow that horrendous culinary practice.
Scott Gibson is the owner of Gibdog Pet Supplies, who sells bully sticks, cow ears, pig ears, and other dog treats.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Identifying Better Products
Identifying better products - Dog Food or Treats
The process is not always simple and often you will have to make up your mind whether something is still acceptable for you or not. If your dog doesn't show sensitivities to things like for example wheat, corn, beef, or brewer's yeast and they are of good quality (e.g. USDA inspected or antibiotic and steroid free etc.), they are not "bad" and you have absolutely no reason to feel guilty if a food contains them! I could go on with countless examples for ingredients that have been vilified due to people's half-knowledge that finds the internet as a prolific breeding environment.
It is my goal to provide you with all the tools that you need in order to make an informed decision whether a particular food is acceptable for you or not.
The recommendations below are based on the official AAFCO definitions of food ingredients, my independent research of those ingredients and also advice from other sources. Except for very few more widely available brands I have not taken special needs formulations for allergies or other health concerns into consideration, since they are formulated under completely different aspects.
Step One - Determine the main ingredients of the food
Contrary to popular belief, it's not always the "first five" or "first seven" ingredients listed that make up the major portion of a product. The number of main ingredients actually depends on the specific formulation of a food and the degree of variety included, so one brand may have only three or four main ingredients, while another could have eight or ten.
What you need to look for is the first source of fat or oil that appears in the ingredient list. This can either be from an animal or vegetable source, there are good and bad ones of both, but more details on that later. Anything listed before that first source of fat, and including it, are the main ingredients of the food. Any other items are present in much smaller amounts to add flavor, function as preservatives, help with the manufacturing process or provide dietary benefits (e.g. probiotics, vitamins and minerals).
Step Two - Evaluate the quality of the ingredients and the amounts used
Sadly, this is easier said than done, due to the ambiguous names of many ingredients. As a consumer you have no way of knowing how much of an ingredient is really in a food, or whether a manufacturer uses a good or poor quality ingredient that is available in different grades - AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials - the regularing body for the feed industry) does not permit statements in regards to quality on ingredient labels. You will have to do your homework and determine which manufacturers you trust. We will take a look at the different ingredient groups in chapter 2.
Step Three - Required reading
Manufacturer's websites, brochures, pamphlets - read it all and if you have questions, don't be afraid to contact them and ask. Does the provided information include facts you can verify by consulting independent sources?
Talk to company representatives at dog shows or other venues. How well prepared and how willing are they to answer specific questions?
Does the company make outrageous claims without backing them up? Compare how the quality of the ingredients used in their products matches up with any statement they make about proper nutrition.
If a manufacturer boasts about "awards" and "winning taste test results", do they reference the exact criteria products had to meet and who conducted the evaluations?
If a manufacturer compares a product to those of competitors, are the comparisons truthful or is the main tactic making the competitor look bad without explaining why their own product is of superior quality? Of course everyone is trying to present their own food in the best light, but if pointing out weaknesses in other products or employing scare tactics is all they can do, their own can't be that much better. Make the effort to examine all products in a comparison table provided by a given manufacturer, often they do not represent competitor products truthfully. Consider the use of catchphrases and marketing gimmicks in TV commercials and advertising campaigns.
How difficult is it to locate relevant product information like ingredients, guaranteed analysis, caloric content etc. (on the manufacturer's website or otherwise)? Is it readily available or buried in various articles that do not directly relate to the product(s)?
Step Four - Do your own feeding trial
The "best" food will not do if your dog either can't tolerate it or won't eat it. Don't be afraid to select more than one brand and see how they work out for your dog. Give it enough time though, it takes 4-6 weeks at the very least to see results. Unless symptoms of intolerance surface, 3-4 months are a more reasonable time frame.
The manufacturers of most high quality foods and treats will be happy to send you free samples of their products so you can find out if your dog even likes the taste of a particular food before you buy.
The process is not always simple and often you will have to make up your mind whether something is still acceptable for you or not. If your dog doesn't show sensitivities to things like for example wheat, corn, beef, or brewer's yeast and they are of good quality (e.g. USDA inspected or antibiotic and steroid free etc.), they are not "bad" and you have absolutely no reason to feel guilty if a food contains them! I could go on with countless examples for ingredients that have been vilified due to people's half-knowledge that finds the internet as a prolific breeding environment.
It is my goal to provide you with all the tools that you need in order to make an informed decision whether a particular food is acceptable for you or not.
The recommendations below are based on the official AAFCO definitions of food ingredients, my independent research of those ingredients and also advice from other sources. Except for very few more widely available brands I have not taken special needs formulations for allergies or other health concerns into consideration, since they are formulated under completely different aspects.
Step One - Determine the main ingredients of the food
Contrary to popular belief, it's not always the "first five" or "first seven" ingredients listed that make up the major portion of a product. The number of main ingredients actually depends on the specific formulation of a food and the degree of variety included, so one brand may have only three or four main ingredients, while another could have eight or ten.
What you need to look for is the first source of fat or oil that appears in the ingredient list. This can either be from an animal or vegetable source, there are good and bad ones of both, but more details on that later. Anything listed before that first source of fat, and including it, are the main ingredients of the food. Any other items are present in much smaller amounts to add flavor, function as preservatives, help with the manufacturing process or provide dietary benefits (e.g. probiotics, vitamins and minerals).
Step Two - Evaluate the quality of the ingredients and the amounts used
Sadly, this is easier said than done, due to the ambiguous names of many ingredients. As a consumer you have no way of knowing how much of an ingredient is really in a food, or whether a manufacturer uses a good or poor quality ingredient that is available in different grades - AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials - the regularing body for the feed industry) does not permit statements in regards to quality on ingredient labels. You will have to do your homework and determine which manufacturers you trust. We will take a look at the different ingredient groups in chapter 2.
Step Three - Required reading
Manufacturer's websites, brochures, pamphlets - read it all and if you have questions, don't be afraid to contact them and ask. Does the provided information include facts you can verify by consulting independent sources?
Talk to company representatives at dog shows or other venues. How well prepared and how willing are they to answer specific questions?
Does the company make outrageous claims without backing them up? Compare how the quality of the ingredients used in their products matches up with any statement they make about proper nutrition.
If a manufacturer boasts about "awards" and "winning taste test results", do they reference the exact criteria products had to meet and who conducted the evaluations?
If a manufacturer compares a product to those of competitors, are the comparisons truthful or is the main tactic making the competitor look bad without explaining why their own product is of superior quality? Of course everyone is trying to present their own food in the best light, but if pointing out weaknesses in other products or employing scare tactics is all they can do, their own can't be that much better. Make the effort to examine all products in a comparison table provided by a given manufacturer, often they do not represent competitor products truthfully. Consider the use of catchphrases and marketing gimmicks in TV commercials and advertising campaigns.
How difficult is it to locate relevant product information like ingredients, guaranteed analysis, caloric content etc. (on the manufacturer's website or otherwise)? Is it readily available or buried in various articles that do not directly relate to the product(s)?
Step Four - Do your own feeding trial
The "best" food will not do if your dog either can't tolerate it or won't eat it. Don't be afraid to select more than one brand and see how they work out for your dog. Give it enough time though, it takes 4-6 weeks at the very least to see results. Unless symptoms of intolerance surface, 3-4 months are a more reasonable time frame.
The manufacturers of most high quality foods and treats will be happy to send you free samples of their products so you can find out if your dog even likes the taste of a particular food before you buy.
Bully Sticks - The New Age Dog Treat
Bully Sticks - The New Age Dog Treat
Benefit of Bully Sticks For Dogs
This article will highlight just a few benefits of the Bully Stick an ever popular, all-natural dog treat. Unlike most dog treats, Bully Sticks are 100% all natural. And since they contain no chemicals or preservatives, your dog is assured of receiving a "clean" and healthy pet treat. Besides being totally safe for your dog, they are also fully digestible and a great source of protein.The Bully Stick itself is a bull's penis, which is usually either dried or smoked. The most efficient way to prepare the Bully Stick is to hang it vertically, which allows all of the fluids contained in the penis to fully drain. Without these fluids, the finished Bully Stick remains odorless. Not all manufacturers prepare their Bully Stick in this fashion, but they certainly should - the less odor the better for you and your home!Compared to traditional pet treats, Bully Sticks, last an unusually long time. Of course it depends entirely on the size of your dog, but it usually takes my Whippet an entire week to get through one Bully Stick. For larger breeds, a Bully Stick could last anywhere between a few hours and a few days. Many dog trainers also use Bully Stick as positive reinforcement treats during training sessions and to hold the dog's attention over a long period of time.In my vast experience with pet treats, I have never seen a dog that did not enjoy a Bully Stick!
Benefit of Bully Sticks For Dogs
This article will highlight just a few benefits of the Bully Stick an ever popular, all-natural dog treat. Unlike most dog treats, Bully Sticks are 100% all natural. And since they contain no chemicals or preservatives, your dog is assured of receiving a "clean" and healthy pet treat. Besides being totally safe for your dog, they are also fully digestible and a great source of protein.The Bully Stick itself is a bull's penis, which is usually either dried or smoked. The most efficient way to prepare the Bully Stick is to hang it vertically, which allows all of the fluids contained in the penis to fully drain. Without these fluids, the finished Bully Stick remains odorless. Not all manufacturers prepare their Bully Stick in this fashion, but they certainly should - the less odor the better for you and your home!Compared to traditional pet treats, Bully Sticks, last an unusually long time. Of course it depends entirely on the size of your dog, but it usually takes my Whippet an entire week to get through one Bully Stick. For larger breeds, a Bully Stick could last anywhere between a few hours and a few days. Many dog trainers also use Bully Stick as positive reinforcement treats during training sessions and to hold the dog's attention over a long period of time.In my vast experience with pet treats, I have never seen a dog that did not enjoy a Bully Stick!
How does your Dog Food Brand compare?
Are you concerned about the dry food your dog is eating? Looking for detailed information about certain food ingredients? Confused about inconsistent information about dogfood from pet food manufacturers? Need help comparing dog food brands or dog treats and finding a better one?
Then you are exactly where I was when I first heard about the disgusting materials some pet food manufacturers put into their products. I picked up a bag of Science Diet and consciously looked at the ingredient list for the first time. Even without any previous knowledge I could see that it did not include any real meat and was preserved with the same chemicals I avoid in human food products. I never bought another bag of Science Diet and started researching and comparing products. One of the things I learned was that any commercial sources are best avoided if you want hard facts, not biased "infomercial" style sales pitches trying to sell you one product or another. Hopefully you will find this site helpful, make up your own mind about different food brands and their quality, choose a better dog food and dog treats, and who knows - maybe even save some money.
Then you are exactly where I was when I first heard about the disgusting materials some pet food manufacturers put into their products. I picked up a bag of Science Diet and consciously looked at the ingredient list for the first time. Even without any previous knowledge I could see that it did not include any real meat and was preserved with the same chemicals I avoid in human food products. I never bought another bag of Science Diet and started researching and comparing products. One of the things I learned was that any commercial sources are best avoided if you want hard facts, not biased "infomercial" style sales pitches trying to sell you one product or another. Hopefully you will find this site helpful, make up your own mind about different food brands and their quality, choose a better dog food and dog treats, and who knows - maybe even save some money.
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