I got into an interesting discussion with my friend who used to work in a local vets office. I think that I have just become defensive about dog diets but she told me some interesting things.

She let me know that HER vet did not get any kick backs from selling the prescription science diet, yes they got kick backs from the meds they sold but not the food.

She also (I know it's weird, note my sarcasm!) but started to rationalize the filler/carb issue in foods. She likened it to people in that if they eat food without enough carbs that their bowels are not solid :confused: too many carbs and not enough bowel movements. I didn't want explain that dogs are not people. But it got me thinking how important the ratios are... How important are carbs to a dogs diet?

Another point that I have a questions about is fiber. In a human fiber pushes food through you system and too much, well we know how that ends...

Being that dogs are not humans what percentage of fiber should I look for in a food?

Dogs natural diet is a prey. They get fiber and carbs from fruits and veggies and grains that their little rabbit ate. So I can't imagine that they require too much fiber and carbs in their diet.

Mine eat a no grain diet (raw diet) with no issues to their digestive tract. It's actually a lot "nicer and cleaner" on a raw diet than it ever was with grains/carbs. When you pick up your dogs poop, the majority of that is the filler/carbs in the dog food. The only grains mine get are in homemade treats.

I got into an interesting discussion with my friend who used to work in a local vets office. I think that I have just become defensive about dog diets but she told me some interesting things.

She let me know that HER vet did not get any kick backs from selling the prescription science diet, yes they got kick backs from the meds they sold but not the food.

She also (I know it's weird, note my sarcasm!) but started to rationalize the filler/carb issue in foods. She likened it to people in that if they eat food without enough carbs that their bowels are not solid :confused: too many carbs and not enough bowel movements. I didn't want explain that dogs are not people. But it got me thinking how important the ratios are... How important are carbs to a dogs diet?

Another point that I have a questions about is fiber. In a human fiber pushes food through you system and too much, well we know how that ends...

Being that dogs are not humans what percentage of fiber should I look for in a food?

Others can answer about fiber, etc but I can't let this one go. While the vet may not get "kickbacks" he is certainly making a profit. There is no way he's selling the food at the wholesale price.

While the vet may not get "kickbacks" he is certainly making a profit. There is no way he's selling the food at the wholesale price.

Oh man do I agree but I wasn't going to argue too much with her. She also told me to stay away from too much protein :eek:

Oh man do I agree but I wasn't going to argue too much with her. She also told me to stay away from too much protein :eek:

Yes, it's much better to feed filler - er, I mean fiber! :rolleyes:

Others can answer about fiber, etc but I can't let this one go. While the vet may not get "kickbacks" he is certainly making a profit. There is no way he's selling the food at the wholesale price.

Kick-backs from the manufacturer? This is possibly correct.
My daughter is involved in the Vet field. Her comments are, "not from the manufacturer, but from the distributer." Meaning there are discounts that vary according to amounts purchased. Sometimes it includes fee shipping & handling over X amount of purchase price or a higher amount of "free trial samples," etc. It's all "one hand washing the other" buisness. (like anything else lately)

Kick-backs from the manufacturer? This is possibly correct.
My daughter is involved in the Vet field. Her comments are, "not from the manufacturer, but from the distributer." Meaning there are discounts that vary according to amounts purchased. Sometimes it includes fee shipping & handling over X amount of purchase price or a higher amount of "free trial samples," etc. It's all "one hand washing the other" buisness. (like anything else lately)

The vets, feed stores and so on, do not have to get any type of kick-back from the manufacturer or the distributor to make a profit. I'm sure either or offers vets some type of discount, whether it be whole sale price, free shipping or extra bags. Their major profit, would come from them marking the food up:)

Jen