"All About Dog Food" article

[CityPug]

Hi all,

I am curious who wrote the "All About Dog Food" article on the Pug Village homepage. It's under the Pug Health tab. I have to be honest, I feel that this article expresses a VERY different opinion from what is expressed by the majority of forum users.

For example, if I were to be a first time user signing up for Pug Village to ask the simple question, "Hi everyone, I'm new here. I was wondering if I should feed my dog Purina or Iams?" You know the replies would be a well-meaning but forceful push to get this person to use something other than than these brands. (Try a search for "Purina" on this forum to see some outright bashing of the brand.)

However, a person who visits Pug Village, reads the "All About Dog Food" article, and never makes it over to the forum will leave with a totally different opinion of the philosophies on this site.

I realize I may be opening a bigger can of worms than I intended. But I am curious how some of you feel about the "All About Dog Food" article? I personally like the philosophy it suggests. But is it representative of all the long-term community members here? I'm not so sure...


A side note to all this: I'll admit, I've been afraid to talk about food here because of the very strong opinions that exist on this forum. Instead, I've been doing a lot of personal research at my library looking for the most scientific, research-based information about pet food (which in my opinion does NOT include websites like DogFoodAdvisor.) I've found information that supports some of the personal beliefs that are expressed on this forum. I've also found information that supports theories that would be seen as sacrilegious by some of you. This is such a controversial subject.

[Estrella_Luna]

When I was first thining of adopting a pug I stopped here and read that article. However, I searched online all over for the best food advice. When I did finally adopt Phoebe the rescue was feeding her Pedigree. I swithced her to Holsitic Selects dry which she really liked and worked wonders for her itchy skin and made her coat even softer. However, after becoming a villager I have since switched to RAW and she seems to be even happier with that. I think there are benefits to both dry and RAW.

I definitely understand what you are saying though. I guess it's just up to the individual. I'm glad you pointed this out. Please don't be afraid to talk about it. There will always be strong feelings about something.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

LOL....I've never seen or read the article, I've always gone straight to the forum...

Alison, first let me applaud you for researching the topic and not just accepting what someone (or even a lrge group) on a forum said. Canine nutrition IS a controversial subject...made more complex by the fact that for every rule there will inevitably be exceptions. Even vets, canine nutritionists, breeders, and those who raise show and performance dogs don't agree and often have radically different views.

Other things must play into the picture as well: cost, availability of ingredients, processability, convenience, storage and shelf life, etc.

Have you read the White Paper Orijen put out? It has some really groundbreaking research on canine nutrition I feel, especially considering it was done by a kibble manufacturer.

http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/ORIJEN_White_paper.pdf

I think nutritional needs can vary from dog to dog and from breed to breed as well. When I was a kid and a young, married woman with small children, I fed my (mostly mixed breed) dogs the cheapest food I could find and table scraps...and they did fine. However, on that diet most pugs would be obese, itchy, yeasty balls of misery. I think the selective breeding required to attain the various breeds has caused certain genetically carried subtle differences in enzymes, motility, sensitivities and body chemistry which when mixed together and diluted in a broad (mutt) gene pool cause no problems, but concentrated after hundreds of years of selective, line and inbreeding to attain the characteristics of certain breeds has caused a proliferation of breed specific nutritional issues. I have 12 dogs in the house right now. 5 are getting raw fed, 7 get Orijen (I used to feed, and love, Ziwipeak, but couldn't afford it any longer), different dogs get different amounts, supplements, medications, etc. Only two (littermate brothers) get exactly the same food, supplements and amounts.

So bottom line, I think you are doing well to read all of the research, listen to the opinions and testimonials, do your own experimentation....and do what works for your dog, your budget, your lifestyle and the health of your dog.

Take care,
Lisa

[CityPug]

Thanks for your thoughts, ladies! It is pretty frustrating. There are people out there (not on this forum) that will tell you that you're feeding your dog to death if you give them the wrong food!

Regarding the Orijen white paper, I think it is a fantastic, scientific argument for high protein diets. However, I wish it were published by an independent company. Orijen knows their market--people who go the extra mile to research the best foods for their pets. The white paper is a marketing technique. They've collected the scientific information that exists for the high protein argument. A white paper could be produced that as effectively argues the opposite position. Right?

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Absolutely. The point being to examine the source and the footnotes. What I found remarkable about the Orijen paper, is it really seemed to point to ward raw feeding and away from processed kibble...which is what they sell. Although admittedly they produce one of the highest protein kibbles on the market (orijen) they also produce Acana, which is lower protein.

I've sent Orijen an email asking for a date on this paper as it doesn't seem to be on it, although it cites work from 2008 and 2009 in the footnotes if I remember right.

Take care,
Lisa

[evfc]

I totally agree with your point that everyone needs to do their own research. I think that's true with any advice you get on any topic. I always ask questions and get people's opinions then I do lots of research and make my own decision. My sense from the research I have done on this topic is that there is no one right answer and there are lots of different opinions. I originally decided to go with Orijen because high protein makes sense to me for a dog. Since then I have decided to go with a food with somewhat less protein as I am not completely comfortable with the really high protein levels in Orijen. For me, grain-free makes sense as I don't think this is a typical food in a dog's diet. We'll see how Buddy does with it and go from there. It's definitely a personal choice.

[CountryPug]

Here are my thoughts and I know there are lots of different opinions.....if your pug does well on one of the cheaper brands, then great!!! but if you have a pug with allergies or some other problem, then switching to one of the super premium brands, experimenting with different protein sources, eliminating certain foods or going raw may make a huge difference. I've heard story after story here on PV about pugs with allergies and yeast and also seen first hand how a dog can improve with the right food. Each dog is different and you have to find what is right your your dog.

I've never read the article until now, but it is food for thought and gave me something to keep in mind. I have no idea who the writer is, but would be interested to know. Maybe an article about the benefits of high quality food and feeding raw should be added to that page too, for those curious about that.

[Pat's Crew]

I am all about the orijen...the paper was great to read too
see a huge different in the dogs since I started to use it a couple of months ago
great food and happy with it

dogfood is choice we all make...

I had a boston that lived for 19 and half years on Kennel-Ration...crap dogfood....all she would eat....I believe the lifespan of the dog is more related to genetics to be honest...although a good dog is must as well if the dog will eat it