Five Best & Five Worst Foods, Summer 2016

[LabMunsterBracco]

We don't need a degree in chemistry (although I know at least one chemist on board) to know how to read the labels.

Apparently you do. Unless you tie in a variety of other factors such as overall protein, protein content of major ingredients, mineral levels, ash levels, fiber levels and a few others, the standard presentation of the ingredients can be very misleading and purposely so in many cases.

Some companies are expert at misleading and use the rules to their advantage.

Studies show consumers are more likely to be influenced by marketing strategies of pet foods more than any other consumer product. This is one reason for the proliferation of snazzy titles for foods.

[voodoo]

Are you suggesting you tested most of the dog foods out there? what makes your top 5 so much better than worst 5? and what % is the difference? if #1 is 90% on your scale, what % is number 100?

[Berna]

Your mistake is that the only factor you take into consideration is animal based protein.

While I do agree it's important for carnivores that the components in the food come mainly from animal sources, there are other things as well that one should worry about.

For example, not all dogs need the same amount of proteins. It differs from dog to dog, breed to breed, age, activity level.

I've taken randomly the "Nature's Variety ultimate protein" food from you list. I literally cringed at the 47% protein. Then I looked at the ingredients. Are you sure it's 47% animal protein? I see tapiocas, flaxseed, tomatoes and... "natural flavors". Seriously, did you read the ingredients list?

And since you made a list of 5 best and 5 worst dog foods, how come you haven't included this one: Grasslands | ACANA Pet Foods

It's superior to the one I chose to look up randomly (Ultimate protein) and it has no chemicals and additives added. Your list is completely faulty IMO.

[Abulafia]

Seriously, who is this guy? I mean, the "I have a background in chemistry and engineering" (without specifying which particular areas of either or to what level of study—but the second is a non-sequitur at any rate; even if it's ChemEngr or BioEngy, neither field deal with canine nutrition) attempt at ...—what? Intimidation—was bad enough, but the patronizing lecture on "you don't know how to read labels... most people don't" is simply laughable. This is seriously even more ridiculous than the dentist who claims expertise with dog food brands.

We have a name for this sort of thing at my university—the naive extension of one area of expertise ("a background in chemistry and engineering") into claims of expertise well outside of one's range ("let me tell you about dog food. I added up percentages"), but it's not a very nice name, so I won't share.

But seriously, dude. It's really a good idea to know your audience—and their various specializations, levels of expertise, experience, and ability to read labels—before you jump in swinging various appendages and claiming to know things you quite frankly do not.

[Sandra]

Your response doesn't surprise me as most pet owners respond to marketing and a naive reading of the label.

The five worst brands have animal protein % reading of 50% and less (of GA protein) whereas the 5 Best have readings averaging 93%.

Perhaps someday you will learn how to read a label and not fall victim to marketing.

Do you know any Iditarod teams eating Fromm?

What food do the Iditarod teams eat? I think my Charlie should be on that one!

[Abulafia]

There is no standard food for Iditarod teams—and frankly, taking dogs who need ~10,000 - ~12,000 calories a day as any kind of standard for the best dog food for... well, for most other dogs on the planet is rather silly—but I did find one company that sponsored several teams in 2011.

Eagle Pack® Named the Official Dog Food of the 2011 Iditarod® Trail Sled Dog Race Eagle Pack

Their "Power Adult" formula has 30% protein (most, indeed, from animal sources, which I don't believe anyone here would contest).

[Abulafia]

For example, not all dogs need the same amount of proteins. It differs from dog to dog, breed to breed, age, activity level.

Bingo. For instance, in spite of all appearances to the contrary, Hoku is not actually an Iditarod dog. Say it isn't so.

I've taken randomly the "Nature's Variety ultimate protein" food from you list. I literally cringed at the 47% protein. Then I looked at the ingredients. Are you sure it's 47% animal protein? I see tapiocas, flaxseed, tomatoes and... "natural flavors". Seriously, did you read the ingredients list?

I think a lot of the protein comes from animal sources, but I also wondered if the OP had read the ingredient list.

And, apologies, but any dog food that is advertised as "gluten free" loses a few credibility points w/ me. Dogs can have gluten sensitivity, but it's fairly rare. On the topic of marketing spin, this is a red flag (not that the food isn't perfectly fine, but the protein / fat percentages seem a bit off to me; I was in the process of doing further calculations of dry weight, etc., but got bored, because this whole "best five / worst five" thing is silly).

Your list is completely faulty IMO.

It's just completely made up and unsupported as far as I can tell.

[Sandra]

There is no standard food for Iditarod teams—and frankly, taking dogs who need ~10,000 - ~12,000 calories a day as any kind of standard for the best dog food for... well, for most other dogs on the planet is rather silly—but I did find one company that sponsored several teams in 2011.

Eagle Pack® Named the Official Dog Food of the 2011 Iditarod® Trail Sled Dog Race Eagle Pack

Their "Power Adult" formula has 30% protein (most, indeed, from animal sources, which I don't believe anyone here would contest).

Thanks. I was having a little bit of fun asking that question. I will probably stick to Fromm for my high-performance athlete.

[Abulafia]

I have to chuckle, myself, thinking about Hoku as an Iditarod dog. Actually, a Lab Iditarod team, while clearly the best team ever​, is a pretty amusing thought.

[Bernie]

we like nutrisource gf in this house...we will ignore your list.

lol.