Dog food ratings leading you to buy a certain food?

Well, I've been back and forth with dog foods. I fed Purina One for awhile but Harley would eat it and throw it up right away. I was then guided toward Diamond. I tried a few different formulas over almost 2 years, ending with Performance then Hi-Energy. This food Harley could keep down, but either made him constipated or have loose stools depending on the day. Sasha developed allergies, and they were getting worse recently.

A friend and I were discussing the benefits of RAW food. Of course in theory that is great, but not everyone has the time and resources to feed RAW. So what is the next best thing? If you think about it in respect of our food, for example veggies. Raw veggies are more healthy because once you cook them the nutrients start cooking out. So if you put that same thinking toward your dogs food wouldn't you look for dog food that tries to use a process that keeps the food fresh and the nutrients packed in it?

So the food my friend found with this process is Bil-Jac. I'll attach some info for anyone that does't know much about the food.

~ From there, we protect the meat's nutrients by using the industry's only low temperature vacuum process. This means the heat sensitive Amino Acids are protected from heat damage that occurs in most "expanded" dog foods. And we add just the right amount of vitamins and minerals to make a complete and balanced diet.

~ Because of our unique processing, no fat is added to Bil-Jac Premium Dog Food. Fat occurs naturally with the use of fresh meat ingredients. Most other foods list fat as an added ingredient. At the rendering plant (where our competitors purchase most of their protein sources in powdered meal form-not fresh) the fat is separated from the meal in a high temperature/high pressure process. Not only are the Amino Acids subjected to high heat and pressure, but our competitors also have to spray fat on the food at the very end of their process. The quality of Bil-Jac Premium Dog Food’s fat is superior because of its absolute freshness, because it has not been repeatedly subjected to high heat and pressure, and because it was never separated from the meat in processing.

~ And my friends correspondance with a representitive of the company....
.. Hi,

I have currently switched to feeding Bil-Jac select dry dog feed, and that’s b/c I’m trying to find the best feed available for my dogs. I’ve been doing research on different dog food company’s and the products used, I was wondering is there a guarantee behind your product that the ingredients used are fresh, wholesome, not decayed or cancerous animals, I guess what I’m asking is are the ingredients in this dog food really that much more superior as to ingredients used in any other premium dry dog food? Thanks in advance for taking the time to look over my email

RESPONSE:

Dear _-

We go to the chicken processing plants our selves to collect the fresh chicken ingredients we're using. These are processing plants of "brand name" producers who make food for your dinner table,. That chicken is chilled and transported to our plant and made into dog food within hours. Bil-Jac is more in control of our ingredients than ANY other pet food company we know of because no one goes to the lengths we do to source our ingredients.

You can feed Bil-Jac with confidence and know that we use no decayed or cancerous or otherwise "deficient" ingredients.

Please feel free to call us toll free with additional questions or concerns.

Here are the ingredients to their select food:
Chicken By Products (Organs Only, Including Chicken Liver), Chicken, Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cane Molasses, Egg Product, Salt, Sodium Propionate, (a preservative), DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Inositol, BHA (a preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Cobalt Carbonate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite.


So, I've taken the Bil-Jac challange so to say.. lol. Since starting this food Sasha's allergies have gone away. Her fur has grown back around her mouth and the sores under her chin are healing. She has stopped chewing in between her paws, and is gaining weight nicely. For once she is enjoying her kibble without needing to add can food to entice her to eat. Harley has had no stomach issues at all. Both of my dogs fur is like touching velvet now, it's no longer course. I also can feed less amount of food so 35lbs of this food is lasting longer than 50lbs of Diamond.

So I wonder how many people use food ratings alone to decide the food they are going to feed their dog. And if a food such as this has low stars ratings, but a lot of good reveiws. Would that still deter you from feeding it?

It is always interesting to see where particular feeds fall on teh grading chart but personally I dont use it to determine what to feed. I usually look at the ingredient list and try to find the best value for my buck. If the dog does well on it and I can afford it...I feed it.

That's true I agree dogs are like ppl and diff dogs do better on different diets. I've recently started feeding Bil-Jac and this is honestly the first time I've saw true results. In the past I've fed, IAMS, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Blue Buffalo, Nutro, and this is the first time every dog I has actually enjoyed eating the same feed, and this is the first time all of them have responded well to the same feed, so with that alone I'm very well pleased the stool volume has reduced by half, coats are shiny, and surprisingly the 35lb bag is lasting equal time as the large 50lb bags of other feed. It's definately working for me at this point.

******bump******

well, since the change of process with the Canidae and the dogs not only not doing well with it (stools too loose and too much gas), i went as close to natural as i could find, and when i read the ingredients in Innova Evo, i figured i'd give it a try based on what was actuaaly IN the food, as opposed to what the 'ratings' were.

Turkey
Turkey is the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey or a combination of thereof - exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.

Turkey is an excellent source of highly digestible protein. Natura uses high-quality turkey in many of our formulations.

The turkey Natura uses is tested to be free of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, as well as chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. This is an important distinction because manufacturers are not required to list substances that are present in the ingredients when they go into the pet food.

Chicken
Chicken is the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken - exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.

Chicken is an excellent source of protein.

The chicken Natura uses is tested to be free of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, as well as chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Natura does not add these harmful ingredients, and they are not present in the ingredients we use. This is an important distinction, because manufacturers are not required to list substances that are present in the ingredients when they go into the pet food.

Turkey Meal
Turkey meal is the dry rendered (cooked down) product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone derived from the parts of whole carcasses of turkey--exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, or entrails.

Turkey meal is an excellent source of protein in commercial pet foods. This ingredient is very digestible and very palatable. Natura uses this ingredient in combination with fresh chicken, fresh turkey and chicken meal in some of our dog food formulas.

Chicken Meal
Chicken meal is the dry rendered (cooked down) product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts of whole carcasses of chicken -- exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, or entrails.

Chicken meal is considered to be the single best source of protein in commercial pet foods. Natura uses high-quality, low ash chicken meal extensively. This ingredient is very digestible, very palatable, and very expensive.

Potatoes
Potatoes are whole, freshly cooked, Idaho russet potatoes, that include the skins.

Natura uses only whole, freshly steam cooked potatoes. They are not pre-processed, so they retain all of their important nutrients (including 'protector' antioxidants).

Potatoes provide B vitamins, carbohydrates, zinc, vitamin C, copper, iron, magnesium, niacin and potassium. Natura uses only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, just like you would buy at the grocery store.

Herring Meal
Herring meal is the clean, rendered (cooked down), dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole herring or herring cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil.

Herring meal is a good source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Natura uses the whole herring including the oil from this excellent food fish in our cat and dog food products.

Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is obtained from the tissues of chickens in the commercial process of rendering or extracting.

Chicken fat is the highest of all animal sources in linoleic acid (over 23%), an important element for skin and coat health. Because Natura uses such high-quality chicken, this is a high-quality source of fat.

Natural Flavors
Natural flavors are minimally processed flavor ingredients that do not contain synthetic or artificial components.

In the Natura products that include "natural flavor" in the formula, the exact composition is proprietary. However, it is always made from the same animal species on which the formula is based. For example, the "natural flavor" used in the original EVO formula contains a reduction of chicken meat - much the same process as is employed to create a chicken stock in your home kitchen.

Egg
Egg is the part or whole of the reproductive body produced by hens.

Eggs are an excellent source of protein, with naturally occurring complex combinations of amino acids. Natura uses only whole eggs in our products.

Apples
A member of the rose family, the apple has a compartmented core and is thus classified as a pome fruit.

Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber. About 81% of the fiber is soluble; most of it is of a type called pectin. Apples provide both soluble and insoluble fiber, some vitamin C and beta carotene, and potassium and boron.

Natura uses this nutritious fruit in its whole form to obtain all of its wholesome nutrients.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the edible berry of the tomato plant of the nightshade family.

Aside from their high Vitamin C content, recent research suggests that cooked tomatoes contain nutritional factors that are necessary for prostate health in human males. Like other recent health discoveries, these benefits may also apply to cats and dogs.

Natura uses only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables such as you would find in the supermarket produce section. Fresh ingredients are mixed together in small batches and cooked by a special process to ensure the natural flavors and nutritional values are preserved.

Potassium Chloride
A chemical compound, KCl, a colorless or white, cubic, crystalline compound that closely resembles common salt (sodium chloride). It is soluble in water, alcohol, and alkalies.

Potassium plays various roles in metabolism and body functions. It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance and water balance in the blood and the body tissue. It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.

Carrots
Carrots are the roots of the carrot plant, and a member of the parsley family.

Innova dog and cat foods contain whole steamed, carrots which are free of pesticides.

When ingredients are fresh and not pre-processed, they retain all their flavors and important nutrients (including 'protector' antioxidants). Natura uses only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables in our foods.

Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that function as parts of enzyme systems essential for the transmission of energy and the regulation of metabolisms of the body.

AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of vitamins in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with vitamins. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements, all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive, not just survive.



Garlic
Garlic is the whole clove of the garlic plant.

Garlic is valued for its anti-oxidant properties, as well as its enjoyable flavor.

Natura selects only fresh, whole fruits and vegetables for our pet foods. They are not pre-processed, so they retain flavors and important nutrients (including 'protector' antioxidants).

When comparing ingredients in pet foods, it pays to ask about the source of the ingredients. Are they fresh, dried, powdered, or otherwise processed? These characteristics affect both the flavor and nutritional value of the final product.

Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is the result of separating milk or cream into curds and whey. The curds are drained and pressed to form the soft, white, spoonable cheese.

Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, protein and vitamins. Natura uses high-quality cottage cheese, straight from its retail container. The cottage cheese has only trace amounts of lactose and because of its limited inclusion in the formula, the ultimate amount of lactose in the finished product is insignificant and would not be in sufficient supply to cause an intolerance problem.

Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances essential for a host of vital processes within the body.

AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of minerals in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with minerals. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements, all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive, not just survive. The minerals Natura uses are chelated, providing three to ten times greater assimilation than common minerals.

Included in our foods are some of the following vitamins and minerals: Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Dicalcium Pantothenate, dl-Methionine, Folic Acid, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol), Zinc Proteinate

Natura adds these important vitamins and minerals, in proper balance to its foods to ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.

Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts are a member of the pea family.

Alfalfa sprouts are rich sources of antioxidants, anti-carcinogens, phytochemicals, enzymes, trace minerals and numerous other living nutrients which work against toxins, resist cell mutation and invigorate the body's immune system. One of the phytochemicals contained in alfalfa sprouts is 'saponins'. Saponins lower the "bad" cholesterol and fat but not the "good" HDL fats. Sprouts are good sources of vitamin C, folate, beta carotene and niacin.

Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid is a white, crystalline, water-soluble vitamin, occurring naturally in citrus fruits, green vegetables, etc.

Ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant good for normal metabolism.

Natura uses the sodium ascorbate form of vitamin C for a natural preservative too.

Dried Chicory Root
Dried Chicory Root is the dried, non-roasted root Cichorium intybus L., used as a source of inulin, as soluble, fermentable fiber. It shall contain no less than 50% inulin and no more than 13% moisture. Chicory Root is a thick-rooted blue-flowered European perennial composite herb widely grown for its roots and as a salad plant.

Commonly known as a "prebiotic," the inulin derived from the Chicory Root is a fructooligosaccharide added to accomplish the same purpose as supplementing probiotics. The prebiotic feeds the "good bacteria" and hinders the growth of bad bacteria in the pet's digestive tract.

Direct-Fed Microbials
Vitamin E Supplement
Lecithin
Lecithin is a specific phospholipid and the principal constituent of crude phosphatides derived from oil-bearing seeds.

Lecithin is essential for normal fatty acid transport within cells. It is obtained chiefly from soybeans, corn and egg yolk. Natura uses whole grains, fresh fruits and natural protein sources which provide all the essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals necessary for the life and health of our pets.

Rosemary Extract

anyhow, after reading, literally for DAYS about what to feed, i tried this, and the dogs are doing well, and their bowls are finally being emptiedied again!!! nice to see a food co. that doesn NOT throw in ANY grains, either! so far, so good and just made the switch this week=stools firm already.

fish heads fish heads rolly polly fish heads fish heads fish heads eat them up yummm

I guess the bottom line truth is that no company is using select cuts of meat in dog food, otherwise these meats would find there way on our dinner plates, so to assume we can pay $50 for a bag of ground sirloin is nieve at the least. At the end of the day no matter how we feel dogs are scavengers just like their cousins the wolf and coyote, so if your dog does well on the feed their using stick with it