[Patricia A]

My limited understanding is that certain proteins in dog kibble have naturally low Taurine such as lamb, rabbit and even beef has lower then chicken. Add in all the legumes which displaces the protein coming from meat and the high processing of kibble which lowers the taurine level even more? . Consumers believed that a food touted as high protein is what to look for in a feeding a quality kibble. But really it’s the meat, meat and more meat they need for adequate Taurine levels for heart health.
Now I WAS feeding as a base to freeze dried Stella’s Chewy’s after my dogs stopped eating Fromm. I was going by the Advisors reviews at the time from a few years ago when this kibble came out . It was before the FDA statement regarding grain free and dCM. At the time I was just looking for a 5 star food with an ABUNDANCE OF MEAT. Well it seems now that the advisor has changed his reviews of the exact same recipe/protein for Stella’s raw coated kibble to MODERATE AMOUND OF MEAT? So this tells me in his breakdown that yes those peas/legumes so high up on their list of ingredients IS displacing meat protein. So what caused him to change his review? He didn’t break it down right to begin with?
I can’t bring myself to give the WSAVA big three. What do you think of Wellness core small breed? I stopped ALL kibble but at times I give a little mixed in when I feed home cooked for them?

• This topic was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Patricia A.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Patricia A.

[haleycookie]

I like natures variety raw boost, Merrick Backcountry, orijen, canidae ancestry, wellness core raw boosted food, and only natural dog food. These are all going to have more meat. You could even rotate if you think your dog is up for it. I don’t think any kibble is perfect. Add meat based toppers, freeze dried raw bits, bone broths, etc and you’ll be just fine.

[crazy4cats]

Patricia A-
The latest research has shown that not all dogs that are being diagnosed with DCM are taurine deficient and it’s not only grain free foods that are causing it.

Check out this article:

It’s Not Just Grain-Free: An Update on Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Why can’t you bring yourself to feed a food that meets all the WSAVA guidelines?

[Patricia A]

Just really want an explanation from Dr . Mike how he determined originally with his breakdown that Stella’s kibble contained an ABUNDANCE of meat and then review same exact protein (small breed chicken kibble) and now his breeakdown reviews shows MODERATE meat???
I’ll just stick to my home cooked and freeze dried with different brands and proteins in rotation . Maybe I just miss their crushing some kibble and they don’t. lol
So I’m just curious . When I found this forum I really relied on Dr. Mike reviews to give me starting point in choosing food. I’m just questioning now if I can even trust his reviews.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by Patricia A.

[crazy4cats]

You should probably contact him and ask if he has changed his ratings criteria.

I personally do not believe you can successfully rate a food by its ingredient label. There is no way to tell the quality of the ingredients . It’s best to choose a manufacturer that employs experts in the field and test their products with feeding trials.

[Patricia A]

Thank’s . I contacted him with my question.

[Susan]

Hi Patrica,
Wellness is a really good brand, I feed the Wellness Core Large Breed Adult cause it has lower fat & lower Kcals then the Wellness Core Small Breed…
I also Feed Wellness Complete Health Grain Free, Canidae Pure Wild, Canidae Pure Meadow Senior is really good aswell… also Wellness has been around nilly 100yrs so they’d know what they’re doing.

These brands are the only brands Patch doesn’t react too with his IBD when he stays on these brands longer then 3 months, maybe they use better quality ingredients + he’s eating the proper ingredients listed on ingredient list, when I feed other brands he starts to react after 2months?? 🙁
If you scroll down you can click on “Contact Us” you can talk with Dog Food Advisor – Mike Sagman
address your post to him & ask him why was the Stella & Chewy freeze dry Review changed??
it mighten have anything to do with DCM??

[Patricia A]

Thank you Susan.. I did contact him with question. No reply as of yet. Also posted question on Dog Food Advisor f/b page. . I stopped using the Stella’s even though mine being Chihuahuas’ are not dogs prone to the DCM. But wanted a kibble with protein coming from meat and NOT peas.
Anyway I give the other two freeze dried but when I feed home cooked I always gave a little kibble also. Figuring between varied brands of freeze dried with change of proteins AND the home cooked AND some kibble I’m doing all I can for their nutrition. Will be getting a bag of the Wellness . I wish the small breed was lower in kcals. My eight year old tends to get chubby. But need the little size kibble for them. Now that weather is nicer they’ll get more walks though.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by Patricia A.

[joanne l]

Can you feed a grain in food? If so then do that. I think Wellness is a good option, Wellness also makes Holistic Select that is a good food as well. They have a nice variety.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[Patricia A]

Thank’s Joanne for suggestions. I would do grain inclusive. I had them on Wellness after I switched from Fromm and they liked it. I really need the reassurance and not to hear “oh no don’t use Wellness.” Didn’t you hear the latest that they’re using road kill squirrels in their food.” lol

[anonymous]

Quote “Didn’t you hear the latest that they’re using road kill squirrels in their food.” lol

It has nothing to do with dead squirrels, some of Wellness formulas are heavily laden with potatoes.

No thanks.

[Patricia A]

Anon I feel you really can’t win with kibble. It will either be the carbs/potatoes or peas. It will always be in kibble as a binder to hold it together. Pet owners should really say no thank’s to ALL kibble. However because of convenience most won’t ever consider an alternative way of feeding.
That being said it’s the amount of the starches that are necessary to make a kibble vs the extra they put in to displace a meat protein vs pea protein. I don’t believe potatoes displaces the protein but I don’t want a food full of potatoes either. I prefer a low carb food. My husband sneaks pieces of potatoes and pasta to them already. So they don’t need any more carbs for weight gain.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by Patricia A.

[haleycookie]

Dr elseys makes a cat food that uses gelatin as a binder. It costs an arm and a leg but is virtually carb free for a kibble. I wish more dog foods would come this way. But it would be expensive and I doubt it would sell. 6 lbs of dr elseys cat food is almost 40-50$

[Patricia A]

Instict ultimate Protein I believe contains no legumes or potatoes. Tapicoa is used for a binder. BUT…..theres ALWAYS a but unfortunately …
Tapioca, like Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes, is a drastically different source of carbohydrates when compared to both grains and legumes, which can allow it to be an excellent option in specialist diets. However, one downside of Tapioca is that it has a very high glycaemic index value, similar to that of White Rice or Potatoes. A high glycaemic index means it raises a dog or humans insulin levels at a fast rate and so must not be given to dogs that are diabetic or overweight as it could have a detrimental effect on their health. While the importance of the glycemic index of ingredients is often misunderstood or exaggerated, this is worth noting.

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