[Snowy]

Sorry, but I disagree with your assessment of Science Diet. My kitten has been eating Science Diet since she went on solid food, upon recommendation by four different veternarians at three different clinics. Since none of these clinics sell Science Diet, I can't visualize any conflict of interest on their part to make such a recommendation.

Well, to each his own. Science diet has "Corn Meal" and "Chicken Byproduct Meal" which is not found in the better foods. Corn is a very high allergen to many pets. If your animal has a skin problem, ear problems, etc, look at the ingredients in their food. "Corn" is probably one of the top three ingredients. You want to look for 'human' grade food for your animals so they aren't eating beaks, toenails, etc. Of course, you are free to feed your animals what you see fit. I am only passing on what I have learned through hours of research and discussions. Vets don't know much about food, just like doctors don't know much about people food.

[oldoverholt]

I have to disagree with you also. My cat thrives on IAMS and my vet highly recommends it. I hav alot of faith in my vet.

[two23]

Iams Chunk (dry) Dog food: Adult Dogs (from their web site)

Ingredients Chicken, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E, and Citric Acid), Fish Meal (source of fish oil), Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Flax Meal, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, DL-Methionine, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Rosemary Extract, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate

Corn meal is listed as the 3rd ingrediant even in the Lamb and Rice Meal

http://www.iams.com

[schmelvin]

Science diet has "Corn Meal" and "Chicken Byproduct Meal" which is not found in the better foods.

Hmmm. I'll have to check that out. I've always fed my dogs Science Diet, and according to the vet my dogs are so healthy, they're physically two years younger than their actual age.

But, then again, I do supplement their diets with a lot of meat (cooked very rare); raw carrots, cod liver oil (which makes their coats shine like a showdog's), scrambled eggs (sprinkled with garlic powder, kelp, spirulina, and brewer's yeast), etc. They get a couple of soup bones a week to chew on as well.

Several years ago I got my hands on a recipe book for dogs that was written by veterinarians. The premise of the book was that no living creature can thrive while eating nothing but the same dried up kibble daily. That made sense to me. They recommended feeding animals nothing but a real foods diet and forgoing dog food completely. But, then I heard other vets say to never feed your dogs table food, but to only give them dog food.

I decided to opt for a solution in the middle. 50% of my dogs' diets are commercial dog food and the other 50% of their diets are real food prepared according to vet recommended recipes. It's worked out very well. My two geriatric dogs are as spry as puppies. Their eyes sparkle, their coats glisten, they are trim and muscular, and the vet says they will very likely live a few years longer than their peers.

I'd always thought that Science Diet was the best brand, but if it isn't, I want to know. I'll most definitely be checking into it. I love my dogs, and they depend on me to take good care of them.

[SJackson]

My dogs swear by

Hundenflocken Solid Gold

Product Description

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Dry food formula made with Lamb, Millet, Amaranth, Barley and Brown Rice. Ideal for moderately active adult dogs, to maintain total health.

Protein, Min 22%
Fat, Min 8%
Fiber, Max 5%
Moisture, Max 10%
Calories per cup, 417

Ingredients

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Lamb Meal | Ground Millet | Ground Brown Rice | Ground Barley | Menhaden Fish Meal | Canola Oil | Flaxseed Oil | Rice Bran | Garlic | Amaranth | Blueberries | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Taurine | Carotene | Choline Chloride | Calcium Carbonate | Vitamin E Supplement | Iron Proteinate | Vitamin A Supplement | Zinc Proteinate | Niacin Supplement | Folic Acid | Thiamine | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Manganese Proteinate | Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex | Copper Proteinate | Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide | BTW, nothing wrong with nails in moderation, hooves are their favorite part of deer leg.

[who knows what evil?]

Vets don't know much about food, just like doctors don't know much about people food.

That's an EXCELLENT point!