Walt...Can't argue with the Labeling of Pro Plan...but...for 15 + years I fed Pedigree and swore by it... Then I got the Free Sample Bags of Pro Plan Performance at some Hunt Tests...and fed my dogs the samples when I ran low of food on the road...The dogs Loved it and did great..their coats were shiny..less end product..and energy level way up... no indigestion issues at all...so that sold me....I switched...(aside from the price difference) My dogs do very well on it...but they're worth it!!!!

 

Although corn gluten meal is derived from corn, it is in no way corn. Corn is used as a filler, while corn gluten meal is the protein portion of the corn.

If picking hairs, yes, corn gluten meal is corn, but based on ingredients, corn is the whole kernel, while corn gluten meal is not even close to the ingredient corn.....

 

I believe that you have to experiment some to find what works best for your dogs. Personally, all I feed is Pro Plan Performance. That is what my dogs seem to do the best on. Tried Science Diet once, dog developed dandruff, dry coat, loose stools. I have a client dog that is feed Science Diet, he seems to go about 3 times as much as my dogs and they are all feed the same amount. But, you some times need to try different foods to see what is best for your individual dog. Just like humans, certain foods don't agree with everyone.

 

OK, I'm too lazy to research dog food for very long. Can someone tell me why corn gluten (or wheat gluten) is considered by many, to be an undesirable ingredient?

JS

 

Corn is just a inexpensive filler with little nutritional value. And wheat products are the source of many allergy problems in dogs. It all comes down to the $$ in dog food.

 

Pro Plan is overrated. Here is the definition straight from AAFCO:

Corn Gluten Meal - the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.

 

I think you have to enter into your dog food purchases knowing ALL brands are going to stretch the facts somewhat. Then, buy what your dog does the best on.

 

In my opinion, the problem with feeding a food with corn gluten meal is that corn gluten is boosting the protein content, and dogs are carnivores that should eat meat protein - not corn gluten protein. I want a food with plenty of meat, and there is no reason to use corn gluten meal except to replace meat. So, while the corn gluten meal is providing protein, I personally don't like the fact that is is replacing or augmenting meat protein.

 

Here is a good article on gluten. It doesn't seem to bad:

http://www.petfoodindustry.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=12808

This post wasn't to rip on the food but the marketing of Purina and other animal food companies. For what it is worth Purina is a very misleading company. This is just one of many examples. I even feed PPP but a large majority of the protein and calories come from corn. Chicken is a small ingredient though they advertise it as the #1. Another funny one is Tuna cat food. To call it tuna it only has to be 10%, and that is before cooking. So tuna cat food has 2% tuna in it (mostly striped bass, whitefish, shad...ect)

I just don't really trust them.

 

That was a good informitive article. It's used to save money. Common sense tells me that protein derived from corn cannot be as good as animal protein. It's all about the $$.

 

What I find funny about this thread's originator is they say you should not trust purina because of so-called misleading advertising, but they offer no alternative. This thread would have been more informative if the foods were compared and it was determined what type of food would be best for our dogs. Everyone wants to feed the best to their dogs. For what we ask of them it only makes sense to do this. But just saying that purina is misleading does not inform me of who is not misleading and what food would be best. I feed my adult dogs pro plan performance and my new puppy pro plan large breed puppy. I would put my dogs coat, health and energy level against any dog out there. Now after saying that, if someone can show me something better to feed my dogs, then I will listen and if true feed that alternative. Until then, I will stay with Pro Plan because it simply works.

 

There are a lot of alternatives, but you have to be willing to pay more. Not saying this is the case with you but it never ceases to amaze me how someone will not spend another say $15 a bag for a quality food after all these dogs do for us. But to answer your question. Two off the top of my head are Blue Buffalo and Wellness. Both available at Petco.

 

Truth in advertising in the USA? Pretty tall order. What about Canidae changing their formula and certainly didn't widely advertise the change. What about the Diamond coverup? We have fed Innova, Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Iams, Science Diet, etc. We try to feed the dog food for each specific dog that suits his or her needs the best and as we only have two, we can. Strangely enough, our young male has been through the more expensive brands with poor results and is doing great on ProPlan. His Mama does best on Chicken Soup, etc. Go figure!

 

I wonder what we would find if we polled the top professional trainers in HT and FT and asked what feed their dogs do best on. Of course, we would have to eliminate those that are sponsored by dog food companies. It might prove interesting.

 

I wonder what we would find if we polled the top professional trainers in HT and FT and asked what feed their dogs do best on. Of course, we would have to eliminate those that are sponsored by dog food companies.

Probably wouldn't leave many to poll.

 

The Astro is a great way to tell if you are getting the best bang for your buck. I find up here in the winter time they do much better on a different food than summer time.

 

When I had Labs I fed Pro Plan and my dogs looked great. Now that I have terriers I tried Pro Plan but haven't had the same result. The Pro Plan with the shredded doesn't have the same calorie value so had to feed more which meant more poop. Then someone suggested Purina One - Chicken and Rice. Hum

Well I tried the Purina One for cats on my cat first and I can really see a difference. Really shinny coat and great muscle tone and he's an inside cat. I've switched my terriers to the Purina One and am beginning to see a difference. It's been about two weeks now and my one bitch who would lick her feet has stopped and the rich black on my black and white bitch is back.

I can get it at Wal Mart or Target. The downside is the chicken and rice is only in an 18 pound bag but the price is $18.85. There is a lamb and rice and that does come in a bigger bag. If you're only feed one or two dogs it might be something to consider.

Also learned that if you want to add raw to your dogs diet the neck of the chicken, with the skin removed, is the most balances part of the chicken to feed as a treat. It has the proper balance of protein and calcium. The breast is mostly protein, the back mostly calcium and the legs and thighs again, mostly protein. My terriers get raw necks twice a week.

Cindy R.

 

When we had our Scottie he did good on most foods. His only complaint was his bowl was so much smaller than the labs bowel.

Reading labels will help you some. Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding, how does your dog do on the food. Major companies spend a lot researching marketing and will use whatever marketing tools will sell the most food. I think "we" tend to get hung up on the source of particular nutrients. When it comes to the digestive tract protein is protein, carbohydrates are carbohydrates, fat is fat. Unless certain essential amino acids are missing from a protein source or diet your dog won't know what the source is.

Tom