Opinion On This Food Please

[BoogiemanBlood]

could i get everybody's opinion on this food ingredient list. THANKS!

Venison Meal, Millet, Oatmeal, Barley, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Pumpkinseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Natural Lamb Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Folic Acid), Sea Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Chicken Liver, Inulin, Amaranth, Quinoa, Blueberries, Cranberries, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Freeze Dried Venison, Pineapple, Rosemary Extract, Sage, Freeze Dried Lamb Hearts, Freeze Dried Lamb Liver, Apples, Carrots, Ground Lamb Bone, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseeds, Chicken Eggs, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Kelp, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Alfalfa Sprouts, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Persimmons, Olive Oil, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Sage, Clove

[Lethalpits]

That looks great IMO. What is that? I've never seen anything like that with all the eggs, vegetables, sea salt?? Pumpkin seeds?

Sounds very healthy, but man is someone ever tried to feed me something with all that stuff in it..!!@@!!

[concreterose]

I rotate feeding that food with raw. It's Nature's Variety. My dogs both do great on it. I also feed the salmon and brown rice formula, and the lamb. Have been feeding it in the colder months for a few years now. The kibble is coated with freeze dried raw meat. I soak it in warm water for about 5-10 minutes and it makes a really nice gravey. Dogs love it.

[STPFAN]

Been feeding the yard the Raw Frozen for almost 2 months now......very good, just switched over from Canidae.
The changes are amazing.....all though a little pricey to feed a big yard....I feel my dogs are worth every cent!

YIS

[concreterose]

Been feeding the yard the Raw Frozen for almost 2 months now......very good, just switched over from Canidae.
The changes are amazing.....all though a little pricey to feed a big yard....I feel my dogs are worth every cent!

YISYou are feeding nature's variety raw to how many dogs? Shoot, you must be rolling in $.
I can't even afford to feed it to two dogs LOL
It's a great premix if you can afford it though. I found a butcher at the meat market near me that gives me wholesale prices, and have to hunt around for good sources of organs.

[BoogiemanBlood]

could i get everybody's opinion on this food ingredient list. THANKS!

Venison Meal, Millet, Oatmeal, Barley, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Pumpkinseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Natural Lamb Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Folic Acid), Sea Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Chicken Liver, Inulin, Amaranth, Quinoa, Blueberries, Cranberries, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Freeze Dried Venison, Pineapple, Rosemary Extract, Sage, Freeze Dried Lamb Hearts, Freeze Dried Lamb Liver, Apples, Carrots, Ground Lamb Bone, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseeds, Chicken Eggs, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Kelp, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Alfalfa Sprouts, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Persimmons, Olive Oil, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Sage, Clovebump bump bump

[pennsooner]

Its ok. I'd like to see another protein source in the first few ingredients though.

[14rock]

Its ok. I'd like to see another protein source in the first few ingredients though.My thoughts as well, not enough meat.

[BoogiemanBlood]

My thoughts as well, not enough meat.if given 1 cup raw venison with 1 cup of this kibble do you think that is a good diet?

[14rock]

if given 1 cup raw venison with 1 cup of this kibble do you think that is a good diet?No need for Venison, thats the only major meat source in the food. Too much of any one thing, is always a bad thing. Try chicken 1/4's ;)

[maximusflys]

if given 1 cup raw venison with 1 cup of this kibble do you think that is a good diet?
If you do this you throw the balance of cacium/phosporous off. 14rock recommendation is good, different protein that contains bone which will balance out the food.

[BoogiemanBlood]

No need for Venison, thats the only major meat source in the food. Too much of any one thing, is always a bad thing. Try chicken 1/4's ;)thanks alot! do you give them chicken 1/4's raw? and leave the bone in em?

thanks again for the help!

[maximusflys]

thanks alot! do you give them chicken 1/4's raw? and leave the bone in em?

thanks again for the help!
Yes, Bone and all!!!

[Chef-Kergin]

it seems more fun for the dog if they get to chase the chicken down...makes the reward/treat more fun! you gotta clean it of course, but my jrt loves fresh chicken pieces, and the rest go on the grill ;) i'm sure aubrey will enjoy it after a few more months; want her immune system all nice and healthy before she goes eating chickens and my sisters

as for the food, it seems healthy enough, maybe add in more protien like already recommended.

[concreterose]

This company's nutritional design is based on rotational feeding. All of their formulas contain only one major protein source (with the exception of the beef and barley blend, which contains chicken fat in the top five ingredients) because their philosophy is that protein sources should be rotated...they don't expect for you to feed one formula long term. If you look further down on the ingredient list, there are small amounts of protein derived from other sources...in the case of the venison formula, the freeze dried raw coating contains protein sources from lamb, chicken, and duck.
Also, the feed contains 26% protein, which is higher than typical feed and grocery store brands, which many dogs thrive off of.

I feed kibble in the AM, and then in the evenings they will get another protein source from raw meat, or fish.

Kergin, my dream and goal is to have enough land to where I can have some chickens and turkeys so that my dogs can have fresh meat, raised by me regularly:)

[Chef-Kergin]

my sis and her hubby have the fowl for eggs and food. if they get too old, and won't be tasty for us or aren't yielding enough eggs anymore, the dogs get em. They got a 3 yr old JRT from my parents, too (a half sis to my 5 yr old male) who loves to climb out of her kennel and dig in the chicken pen. they got a *real* nice plot of land with 30 acres wooded, 15 cleared, 3 ponds, and a 2.5 mile dirt trail. I'm working on convincing her to let me get a few more dogs and letting me raise them out there ;) lucky bastards are 40 miles or so from the nearest town/interstate access.

[Rocky H. Balboa]

I do not think it is a good feed for a normal dog and specially from the high price I am hearing from you guys. Here is why:

First, only one meat-based protein which is best fed to dogs allergic to common meats.

Second, Millet, Oatmeal, and Barley compose other sources of protein. If you compare proteins sources you will notice this feed is based on grain-protein source NOT meat as it leads you to believe. Yes, millet, oatmeal, and barley are not as bad as corn but they still remain grains.

[wheezie]

anyone here use calcium pills at all?

[concreterose]

I do not think it is a good feed for a normal dog and specially from the high price I am hearing from you guys. Here is why:

First, only one meat-based protein which is best fed to dogs allergic to common meats.

Second, Millet, Oatmeal, and Barley compose other sources of protein. If you compare proteins sources you will notice this feed is based on grain-protein source NOT meat as it leads you to believe. Yes, millet, oatmeal, and barley are not as bad as corn but they still remain grains.You are right, the grains you listed count as other protein sources. However, as grains go, they are grains that dogs have a MUCH lower incidence of becoming allergic to. My female has awful allergies (the main reason that I started feeding predominantly raw meat), and this is one of the few kibbles that she can tolerate without having an allergic episode.

In addition, the grains in this food have other nutritional benefits besides protein. For instance, millet is rich in iron, as well as vitamins and minerals. Barley is good for the intestinal tract and stomach.
Also, when different grain sources are combined, the effectiveness of the protein present is boosted greatly because the amino acids are balanced and more complete.

[Rocky H. Balboa]

anyone here use calcium pills at all?
(SHOUTING) DON'T USE THEM!!!!!!!!!

I am saying it for your dog's good. If you feel your dogs need added calcium, feed raw chicken bones or something. Certainly not some synthetic calcium which will ultimately repel other necessary nutrients from being absorbed.

In addition, NEVER give vitamin C supplement. Dogs produce their own vitamin C and supplemantion will only shut down this natural production.

You are right, the grains you listed count as other protein sources. However, as grains go, they are grains that dogs have a MUCH lower incidence of becoming allergic to. My female has awful allergies (the main reason that I started feeding predominantly raw meat), and this is one of the few kibbles that she can tolerate without having an allergic episode.

In addition, the grains in this food have other nutritional benefits besides protein. For instance, millet is rich in iron, as well as vitamins and minerals. Barley is good for the intestinal tract and stomach.
Also, when different grain sources are combined, the effectiveness of the protein present is boosted greatly because the amino acids are balanced and more complete.

Well, I am sure you can find less expensive options with higher amounts of meat protein. If you search, you will find other kibbles with multiple meat sources and with Barley and Millet. At the end of the day, you as the feeder choose if you want your carnivore dog to eat meat-based kibble or grain-base kibble. I called it how I saw it.

[BoogiemanBlood]

thanks everybody for your input! :)

[STPFAN]

95% Meat, 5% fruits & vegetables
Grain-free
Made with human grade ingredients
Antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken
USDA Certified Organic
Complete and balanced for all life stages

Fresh & Healthy Ingredients
Organic Chicken, Organic Ground Chicken Bone, Organic Chicken Liver, Organic Chicken Heart, Organic Chicken Gizzard, Organic Whole Eggs, Organic Bok Choy, Organic Carrots, Organic Apples, Organic Pears, Organic Persimmons, Organic Flaxseed Oil, Montmorillonite, Organic Yogurt, Organic Alfalfa Sprouts, Organic Parsley, Organic Blueberries.


Made in a USDA inspected processing plant, these natural diets are 95% meat and 5% fruits and vegetables.

Each diet is 95% meat, organs, and bones, from USDA inspected plants. Together, these quality meats, organs, and bones are rich in Vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, Biotin; Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, protein, fats, zinc, manganese, selenium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, copper, and the essential amino acids. Also, 5% of each Nature’s Variety Raw Diet contains human edible fruits, vegetables, and cold processed Norwegian Virgin Salmon Oil. All diets contain over 50 trace minerals from montmorillonite clay, which also sequesters toxins.


Why Is Raw Better?

Some Benefits of Raw Foods

Minerals better assimilated
Vitamins more bioavailable
Beneficial antioxidants present
Amino acids more bioavailable
Natural digestive enzymes still present
Probiotics spared
Amino acids such as taurine are not destroyed



Some Negative Effects of Heat Processing
Loss of up to 100% of certain vitamins
Loss of up to 60% of certain amino acids
Enzymes destroyed
Probiotics destroyed
Loss of up to 10% of certain fatty acids
Fats can become toxic or rancid
Oxidation of cholesterol

[STPFAN]

Here is an example of one on the raw feed for almost 2 months now!

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/public/printPedigree.php?dog_id=86897

YIS

[CominStrong]

do you guys thaw out your chicken quarters or give it to them still cold? Anybody else give whole raw eggs to there dogs as well?

[STPFAN]

I thaw all my meat out in the fridge in a ZIPLOCK tupperware!

YIS

[Lethalpits]

Where can you get nature's variety, just off the internet?