This may sound like a dumb question, but after researching dog foods, I had the impression that Innova was holistic and made the choice to feed it to Bo.

Last night at Petsmart, a represtentative from another company (won't say the name) started talking to me. She asked what I was feeding, and I said "Innova Large Breed Puppy". She then said that if I wanted to switch him to a holistic food for better health, to try her brand.

Is Innova not holistic?

TIA!

That's a good question - I'm really curious about this too.

That's a good question - I'm really curious about this too.

Glad I'm not the only one!

Thier site says it is.

http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.asp

Thier site says it is.

http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.asp

Thank you! I read that on their site before but I got confused when the other lady acted like it wasn't.

Those darned sales people will tell you anything and the thing is you prolly know more than them....

Those darned sales people will tell you anything and the thing is you prolly know more than them....

Yup! I did notce that she spent more time with other people....she really didn't go thru the whole talk with me- just said "well if you want to switc to holisitic food". With others she wa dragging them to the food bags to look at labels. She actully looked like she had never heard of Innova before...I guess if Petsmart doesn't sell it, it's not worth checking into:p:

Innova is one of the most holistic foods out there... Don't know what that lady was talking about!

Innova is one of the most holistic foods out there... Don't know what that lady was talking about!

Thank you!

almost like the time i was in a Petsmart (no names) and the lady there told me Canidae was not the best food to feed my dog. And to try theirs (gave me samples)... no thank u. I rarely go into the pet food warehouses.

As far as terms used in food labeling go, the word "Holistic" is basically meaningless.

Any food can be called "Holistic" because there are no laws to define what "Holistic" means. It actually refers to "Wholistic" which is a term referring to a "whole being", as in Wholistic Medicine, which considers the entire body (including diet) rather than specific symptoms. The term "Natural" is also meaningless. The term "Organic" does carry some weight, as there are laws governing it's use (but there are categories of "Organic", too).

Labeling laws for Pet Food and also for cosmetics and things like supplements are very fluid, so manufacturers can say almost anything they think will help their product sell, without breaking any laws. The best way to ensure safety and quality is to ignore catchwords like "Holistic" and learn to read ingredient lists competently.

“Holistic” pet foods abound. It seems everyone is using this word either descriptively or as part of their brand name. The interesting thing about the word “Holistic” is that the AAFCO neither recognizes it nor do they address it. In feed and pet food circles, the term “Holistic,” due to its lack of definition and standardization, is meaningless and misuse, unenforceable.

“Human Grade” ingredients from USDA licensed plants. You hear it quite a lot but, like “Holistic,” “Human Grade” isn’t defined by the AAFCO and there is no standardization. Further, all slaughter houses must, by law, be USDA licensed as they are primarily servicing the human food industry. You will never see “Human Grade” on a pet food bag - this because once an ingredient leaves the USDA licensed slaughtering facility and travels to the pet food manufacturer, it is no longer considered fit for human consumption as there are no regulations in place as to shipping and handling.

“Organic” is probably the best defined term used in pet food as it’s definition by-passes the AAFCO and has it’s roots in human industry. It encompasses not only ingredient, but the agricultural methods and husbandry used to produce those ingredients, the transport of those ingredients from farm to factory, and the techniques used in every thing from handling to processing. Each step is monitored before a third party certifying agency deems the process worthy of “Organic Certification” and allows its Seal of Certification to be displayed on the pet food bag. Organic Certification is an arduous but, when completed, provides the consumer with a food that is third party guaranteed to be “produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.” (USDA Publication “The National Organic Program” Printed April 2002, Updated January 2007). Perhaps needless to say, but of great significance, is the fact that the misuse of an Organic Seal carries significant civil penalties (The Organic Food Production Act of 1990).
http://www.dogfooddemogirl.com


“What does holistic mean?” “What is the difference between holistic, organic, and natural”? These questions are now being asked by pet owners who are diving headfirst into the waters of holistic pet food in the wake of the recent pet food recall. Frantic pet owners, who never questioned the ingredients in their food before, are now looking for safe alternatives to the tainted commercial food.

Let’s start with clarifying the definitions. Holistic, organic, and natural are NOT created
equal. Natural means absolutely nothing; there is no regulation of the term natural, but it is frequently used in product labeling by companies who are hopeful that consumers will assume (there’s that word again!) whatever that adjective is referring to is a good thing for them or their pets.

Organic is a little easier to define, because there are requirements that must be met before a
product can be certified as organic. But, again, buyer beware; just because the word organic is part of the product name or on the label does not mean the product is, in fact, fully organic. The ploy of putting the word organic in the product name when the product is not organic is commonly used. Read the ingredients and check for organic certification by a bona fide certifying organization.

Finally, Holistic has a huge range of meanings, but the good news is that it is rarely used in deceptive product labeling or advertising. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Holistic as follows: 1. Of or relating to holism. 2.a. Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts. 2.b. Concerned with wholes rather than analysis or separation into parts: holistic medicine; holistic ecology.

Simply put, the best way to think of Holistic is to think of it as Wholistic, i.e., taking into consideration the whole being.
http://www.holisticforpets.com/pdf/HolisticEqualsWholistic.pdf

More info:
What is the difference between the natural and organic pet foods?
As part of the USDA's Natural Organic Program, there are very specific federal regulations pertaining to the use of the word "organic." These regulations are enforced by the USDA and their accredited certifying agencies. The important point for pet owners to understand is the significance of this process. To be certified organic as a "made with" organic ingredients pet food (70% organic ingredients) or organic pet food (95% organic ingredients), ALL ingredients must be reviewed and approved by the certifying agency for inclusion in the formula. This approval process is very rigorous and detailed. A third-party review and approval process is NOT required for pet foods that are labeled "natural" or "holistic." Pet owners should look for the organic certifying agency's information on the product as confirmation that their pet food has undergone this process.

What does it mean that a pet food is "holistic"?
There is no official AAFCO definition for "holistic." In pet food, "holistic" is interpreted as referring to "whole health" and the interdependence of the ingredients in a diet to create a formula that promotes overall wellness.
http://www.petco.com/Content/Content.aspx?PC=ultramixfaqs&Nav=1&cm_sp=merch-_-ultramixfaqs-_-cat

Please tell us what company that rep. worked for...
It was in a public place so it's no big deal. BLUE BUFF I bet.

Usually Pet food to be considered Holistic contains berries, veggies, Probiotics, Pre Biotics, as well as whole grains.

Innova Pet is perhaps more so than others because it contains all 5 food groups.

If it was Blue Buff a major drawback for their company is it's a concept company. They don't manufacture their own food. They leave it up to others to make it.

Innova has a brand new manufacturing plant which they own and control. They put the investment into this knowing how important it is. They are now putting together plans to buy or build their own canning plant. They put back into their company to make it better.

The majority of Pet Food Makers today outsource their manufacturing... some to China even.

The Pet Food business is getting more transparent due to the recalls. But you need to be careful who you entrust your dogs health. As much as Blue Buff seems to be an ok company they got recalled because their Vendor added an ingredient into their food that was not even on their ingredient panel..... This is why it is so important to manufacture your own product.More so in the food industry because of the health issues.

there was a huge recall last year in Massechusettes on any foods with wheat in it. Dogs were dying of kidney failure from it. Just thought i'd let you all know that.. I don't get any of this anymore. Maybe give them steak and chicken everynite with some vegetables and fruit for dessert!!!

I am curious what food the rep was pushing too....

It was Blue Buffalo. Strange you would know that, lol.

I normally buy all my food and animal stuff from our local feed store (only place that sells Innova, anyway) but Bo goes to training at Petsmart.

I didn't have the slightest urge to change his food. I feel like he is doing well on Innova. I was just curious as to what kind of propoganda is out there.

Thanks Zencat, for the info!

I usually end up in a "discussion" with the pet food reps on the rare occassions I go to Petsmart. I also feed Innova and I almost enjoy pointing out why I won't feed thier products. Usually the reps have no idea that x ingredient did what it does.

Reps are frequently totally clueless about their products and the products of others. I was corraled yesterday by the Avoderm lady... :rolleyes:

If my puppy could handle any food, I would stick him on the innova large puppy breed. You could eat yourself. Stay one it it looks like a great food.

there was a huge recall last year in Massechusettes on any foods with wheat in it. Dogs were dying of kidney failure from it. Just thought i'd let you all know that.. I don't get any of this anymore. Maybe give them steak and chicken everynite with some vegetables and fruit for dessert!!!
Actually the recall was not localized to just Massachusetts. It was widespread.