Do you think someone is a bad owner based on food brand?

Question

I am simply interested in opinions regarding dog food. Many of the regulars around here feed very high quality kibble, or feed raw. What is your opinion regarding dog owners that feed Eukanuba, Science Diet, Beneful, Kibbles and Bits, etc? Does feeding these brands make them irresponsible owners in your opinion?

Most of the high quality brands are much more expensive than the ones mentioned above, which I'm assuming is the reason for feeding other brands. Dogs do in fact eat less of the holistic foods, but that does take time to take effect so some owners cannot afford to wait. So what do you think?

Answer 1

No I would not make a snap judgement & label somone a bad owner based on the brand of food they feed their dog.



If an owner is providing their dog with the best food they can reasonably afford, it is far better off being in a home where its basic needs are being met, than being placed in a rescue. After all, rescues have finite resources so have to be pragmatic when deciding which food to purchase & cannot afford premium kibbles & are supplemented by donations from the public.



If however the owner is feeding the dog a low quality food but could afford a brand with a superior nutritional content, that is when it becomes a problem. After all a human could live on a junk food diet, but that does not mean it would be a healthy option for them.

Answer 2

Well, here's my two cents worth. We live on a hobby farm, and we grow corn for our own use, not commercially. We have fed several different brands, from purina to a natural brand (can't remember the name), and are currently feeding Eagle-pack. Personal experience is what I'm basing this off of.



My dogs love to go out in the field and eat corn. They also love the sweet feed (grain) we feed to our farm critters. I have asked several vet about this over the years, and the answer is alwaysthe same(ish). Some dogs like some people are aallergicto grain. Most are not. AAllergiesare the exception, not the rule. Dogs would not poses grinding teeth if they were supposed to eat only meat (see the inside of your cats mouth). While dogs food should consist of mainly high quality meat, grain will not hurt (most) dogs, and can actually assist in digestion.

Furthermore, I looked into a new food the other day Naturally Wild Holistic (I think it was called). The filler in it was potatoes, and sweet potatoes, not any more nutritious than corn as far as I can see.



The point is, no matter what you feed, there's filler of some sort, make sure it is the most nutritious thing that you can afford to feed, and forget about people who think they're better than you for throwing money away on a fancy brand name that probably has some type of junk in it to make the dog feel fuller.

Answer 3

at least the dogs are being fed.. Not everyone knows about the better brands tho.. there was a time when I thought Eukanuba and Iams were good foods.. when I started joining internet forums, then I started hearing about brands I had never seen in the grocery store.



but honestly if you've been given information, you know there's better brands, and they are available in your area.. then why not feed better? Eukanuba and Science diet are pretty pricey.. for the same price you can get better.



Not everyone has the better brands readily available.. where I live, there is ONE store that carries the good brands, and they are only open during certain hours (they close at 5 on weekdays, earlier on weekends!) So whatever is available at wal-mart or giant eagle is whats more available. I'd have to drive at least a half an hour to find the next store that carries something better.



I wish people would do more research, rather than listen to what commercials on tv tell them, and make a more informed decision on what to feed their dogs.

Answer 4

I don't think they are bad owners at all. I learned about nutrition gradually, and when I was younger I was guilty of feeding Iams and Science Diet. My dogs lived, and we gave them proper vet care and training, so I don't think I was a bad owner, either.

I do find it frustrating when people will not open their minds to other avenues that may be better for their dogs, however. The longer we live, the more we are supposed to learn. When you hear comments like "My dog lived a long life on Pedigree", it can be a little difficult to get the point across. My dad drank all his life. He lived a long time, but I bet his liver looked like he**.



I had a lady come in my store the other day, and stand in the Beneful aisle staring. When I asked her what I could help her with, she told me she couldn't afford to feed anything better than Beneful to her dog, but was worried about its low quality. We discussed her dog's escessive shedding issues and then turned to how much she feeds.

I got out my trusty calculator and showed her the difference between feeding 6 cups of Beneful each day, and 4 cups of Nutro Natural Choice each day. It ended up being less money, not more. She bought a bag of each, and is doing a slow transition, very happy that she was able to help her dog and stay in budget.



Now granted, Nutro Natural Choice is not the best stuff out there, but without the corn gluten as the primary protein source, and with the supplements that the Nutro adds to their foods, I think it was a win. In this economy, where everyone seems to be downgrading their dog foods to save money, we have to do what we can.



Who knows, next time she asks me I may be able to move her up to Blue!



I take on each customer one at a time. They are either going to do it or not, but at least I can try. My best consolation is that I have more Blue customers this year than my store has ever had, and that makes me feel successful, even if I still sell Pedigree and Beneful.



Edit: Chaos-I rather resent the suggestion that I am a bad owner because I happen to feed a kibble that is holistic. I DID do my research before I chose my food, as did many others, and we are not bad owners because we don't feed what YOU think we should feed.

Answer 5

I posted a very similar question myself a couple of days ago.



I am a student and simply cannot afford the best. But he is loved and well cared for and we supplement his diet with tinned/fresh meat/fish whenever we can. The vet told me she thought he was two years younger than he actually is so I must be doing something right. I have been told to take him back to the shelter just because I can't afford the best. Like he would be fed better quality brands there... I DON'T think so.



What angers me is when somebody races round in flash cars, goes on big expensive holidays, has all the latest gadgets and gizmos yet still refuses to buy the better brands. THAT annoys me. But if somebody on a modest budget such as myself is truly buying the best they can afford, well, I would think that the dog would rather be fed the crappier food than have to live the shelter life, don't you?



Ignore the "food police" who think nothing of buying the expensive brands. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford it and no expensive food can substitute the love you give you pet.

Answer 6

1. I feed all 11 dogs Orijen (6 Fresh Fish and Adult formula), I rotate with EVO and Innova and have used Nature's Variety Raw. 2. It is absolutely a high quality food, no doubt about it. 3. All of my dogs look amazing, everyone comments on how shiny and soft my Chihuahua's coats are, since most have dull hard coats. Everyone is a once a day pooper and are at perfect weight. 4. I would not switch, I'm very happy with Orijen, I think it is one of the best out there. I would only consider a few to be worth of switching to. One being Natures Variety Instinct. If I had time to feed all 11 complete raw, that is the way I would go. Right now they are only on 1/3 raw. 5. I have been feeding Orijen, EVO, Innova and raw for a long time. I started out with Canidae, and it is a decent food but I was not happy with the quality of it, it did not achieve the same results and my dogs craved better taste. When I first brought home the Orijen, Canidae was like cardboard and nobody would eat it. 6. Research, Research, Research. Dog forums, Rescues and trainers. *Griff takes a bow* "Thank you!"

Answer 7

I would only think an owner was a *bad* owner if they knew how bad the food they were feeding was and still chose to feed that food because they didn't care. I think that you should feed as high quality as you can afford. I just educated someone yesterday who was feeding their Shih Tzu O'l Roy because the byber they got the dog from said he has done research and it is the best food. Which in reality it is the worst food on the market. I wouldn't consider them bad owners because they just didn't know. I feed my two dogs Taste of the wild it is $25.00 for a 15 pound bag, Purina is $25.00 for an 18 pound bag and my TOTW bag will last me longer than the Purina will. So I am saving money.

Answer 8

No the food brand someone chooses to feed there dog does not make them a bad person if its not one of those over hyped up "holistic" food. I have fed purina pro plan another so called "bad" food, for over 7 years and have yet to have a problem. I have only one food allergic dog, and she comes from not the best breeding, but at the time we did not know that. She is on the appropriate food. None of my other dogs are allergic to food. All my dogs on purina are just as healthy as my one dog on TOTW if not healthier.



My grand parents fed there dog kibbles and bits and she lived to over 10, and she was a boston terrier.



Im not irresponsible in the least bit. I am well respected on here.



Dogs eat as much as you feed them. You feed them 2 cups they will eat 2 cups.



You can't say someone is a bad owner just cause they feed there dog a so called bad food.



What does make someone a bad owner is to refuse to feed a dog. Letting them starve to death.



Edit- Where did I say I think you are a bad owner for feeding a holistic food. Huh, cause I don't see where I said that. Cause I didn't and I don't think that. Don't put words where I did not say them.

Answer 9

No,I don't think they are bad owners. Their dogs are getting fed what they can afford. As long as the dogs are in good health and are given regular vet care,exercise and love,then whatever the owner can afford to feed is fine as long as the dog does well on it. If someone is feeding a really cheap generic food and they can afford better,then they are a bad pet owner ( I know a lot of people like this - they don't take their dogs to the vet or keep them on heartworm preventative,either,but they can afford vacations,fancy clothes,etc.). A lot of people have kids,everyone has bills,etc,and not all dog owners can afford super-premium foods.Dogs have eaten Purina,Pedigree or Dad's for years and they have thrived. I used to feed these myself and my dogs always looked great and lived long lives.

Answer 10

I know that not everyone (myself included) can afford top quality food, so I have no problem with people feeding the best they can afford. There are some less expensive brands that are still pretty good, like Kirkland or Natural Choice.



Yesterday, though, I saw a question from someone who wanted a cheaper alternative to Ol' Roy. The fact that that person could not or would not buy a halfway decent food made me wonder if they were adequately taking care of their dog.

Answer 11

Nope, of course not.



I used to feed my dog purina one, was I a worse owner than now? No. I'm exactly the same, but now I just make my own dog's food or buy a low protein-diet kibble - which main ingredient is STILL meat.

Answer 12

No, I don't, unless it's not a nutritionally complete food. There's no excuse for that when so many inexpensive, nutritionally complete foods are available.



The foods you are talking about are middle-of the road foods. If the dog is not allergic or intolerant of the ingredients, and is doing OK on them, it's not a problem. Thousands upon thousands of dogs do just fine on them, including champions and performance and working dogs.



Neglect, failure to train, lack of veterinary care, abuse--those things make a bad owner. Not feeding a particular kind of kibble.

Answer 13

I wouldn't call them irresponsible, unless they know better. I fed the crappy brands until I did some research. I then switched to a grain free kibble and then to raw. If someone does not know better, and lets face it, lots of people don't, then you cannot hold it against them. It is our job as educated pet owners to spread the word and help educate people. Now, if someone knows better, and can afford better, yet they continue to feed garbage, then yes, they are a bad owner.



ETA: I do believe that dog food companies should be forced to actually make dog foods species appropriate. These companies are making millions of dollars on garbage. It would not be that difficult to stop putting carcinogens in dog food.

Answer 14

No i don't think they are bad owners I just think either A this is what they truly believe is what is best for their dog or B they are just uninformed.



A lot of people believe Iam's is a great food b/c its well know and they have lots of advertising. But really its not a great food.



Everyone seems to have a different opinion on what they believe is best for their dog, I just like to give ppl information on food so they can makes their own choice on what is best.

Answer 15

It depends.



If they can afford to dish out $40 every 3 weeks for a high quality food, then they are definitely not irresponsible. They can afford it, and they have their dog's best interests at heart.



If they can't afford to pay $40 every 3 weeks for high quality food and choose to feed Beneful, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, etc, well, it again depends. If they acknowledge that the brand that they're feeding isn't the greatest or they plan to make the switch in the future, then no, they are responsible. If they insist that Ol'Roy is the best dog food in the entire world, then yes, they are irresponsible.



If they aren't educated, then that wouldn't make them irresponsible. That would simply make them... uneducated. I fed Science Diet until I did my research. Boomer's on a high quality food now, Innova, and I never considered myself irresponsible, simply uneducated.



And how did this question end up in Etiquette? Oh, Y!A, the mistakes you make are so random.

Answer 16

I feed a high quality brand of food and it is just as much as Eukanuba and Science diet.

I feed Wellness Whitefish and Sweet Potato.

I don't judge people by what they feed but, I educate them and tell them that there are better quality foods that aren't really really expensive.

Answer 17

I don't think it makes them bad owners, but probably not educated enough. Commercials are constantly on for IAMS or Beneful so you think it must be good. And most people don't know that there's a difference between Purina Dog Chow and Purina Premium. Our vet told us, you want the first ingredient to be meat, not meat by product :)

Answer 18

No, they aren't bad owners. Bad owners are the ones that don't feed them at all!



Look - I fed my dogs IAMs until I was educated. That is all that it took for me - a little bit of education. Honestly, I'm very fortunate that we can afford better quality dog food. Some people cannot.

Answer 19

No, because I fed my dogs science diet, not knowing it was bad. I switched to Innova, and feeding Science Diet is not healthy, I just didnt know, doesnt mean im a bad owner. I just didnt know :)

Answer 20

It really doesn't bother me a bit what others think, because regardless of what they feed their dogs, they still don't seem to be able to beat my Purina fed dogs in the show ring

Not even when mine is 10 years old.

2008 National Specialty

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp43/blunderpic/dogs/2003_0101Image0002.jpg



edit

Oh, and it has nothing to do with what food I can afford, it is all about on what food my dogs are in the best condition.

Answer 21

Other than the "feed nazis",who attempt to force their brainwashed foolishness on others?

Nope,folks can waste their money anyway they want.

If they *ask*,I tell them NOT to bother freaking out over advertising ;based on 40+years of experience.

Any decent brand of dry adult feed is fine.

Answer 22

I dont believe it makes someone an irresponsible owner, however, if someone cannot afford to feed their dog quality food, then maybe they shouldnt have a dog.