if all dog food is made by the same company, whats the difference?

Question

in light of the recent dog food scare, it was brought to my attention that the expensive nutro dog food i feed my dog is made and packaged by the same company that is making the cheap brands as well. so are the claims that one dog food is better real and how could it be if they are all getting there food from another company? and lastly, what SHOULD i be feeding my dog

Answer 1

Yeah, I didn't realize how many brands were made by the same company, either. Seems a little ridiculous, doesn't it?



I feed my dog Canidae. I did a lot of research (and asked a lot of people on here about the best dog food), and Canidae kept coming up as the best. So far, my dog loves it and is healthy on it. I suggest trying that.



Another one that I've heard is good, but haven't tried, is Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.



Here are a couple of links to help you decide what's best:



http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/dog-food/index.html

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/sample/food.html



These links offer tips on how to choose the best dog food. For example, meat should be the number one ingredient (or one of the main ingredients).



I hope that helps!

Answer 2

I asked my vet the same question here the answer I got. They are made by just a few companies but the formulas used for each company differ. Each company has their own lets say recipe for their own brand of foods. I too fed my dogs the Nutro brand canned dog foods and lucky for me they are fine (I did blood work on both) but I also feed the Nutro dry. so my dogs were not exposed to a high enough level of the canned, I only gave them a 1/2 can of the wet food each. I have no reason at this time to change from the dry Nutro dog food and am still feeding it to them. Until I find out differently I will continue to feed them this.

Some companies have their own processing plants and do not out source their product. If you can afford these other brands then change your dogs food. I found them very expensive and I did try a few brands but my dogs didn't like them so I have been cooking chicken to mix into my dogs dry food. It works for them and me.

Answer 3

Not all pet foods are alike, neither are the companies who make them. I feed my guys Eagle Pack and Wellness foods, which are manufactured in the United States, have very high meat protein content (read the label) and have been in business a long time.



Dogs and cats do not need grains in their foods - they are carnivores. Look on the label for meat content - if the first three or four ingredients are not meat (beef, chicken, turkey or a type of fish) but rather a meat by-product or a grain, the quality is lower and you should pass on it.



Also, check the internet and read about the company that makes the dog food (will you ever be surprised!). It makes sense that companies that make products other than pet food (Menu Foods, Effem Foods, Quaker, etc.) are not in the pet food business and consequently, their standards are not the same.



Like people, the better quality of food you eat, the healthier your dog will be. Both Wellness and Eagle Pack Pet foods use only human grade meats and ingredients, and that means alot to me, since I don't want my babies eating the animal equivalent of McDonalds every day. I've attached a link to their websites in the sources.



When it comes to your dog, it really does make a difference if you pay a little more attention to the ingredients list on the type of food and treats you buy. Take the time, weigh the cost and you and your dog will be the better for it.

Answer 4

They are not the same - there are 3 really big canning firms that do almost 100% of all canned pet food in North America. Each company makes its own formula and then contracts with the cannery to produce and can it. The common thread between Nutro and all the others is a common ingredient. Just for the record, Menu produces other top shelf brands that were not affected because they don't use wheat gluten which is an inexpensive filler. Nutro is certainly not a bad food but there are others of far higher quality. With respect to food for cats and dogs, corn wheat and soy should be avoided entirely. There are many foods available that don't contain these ingredients but you'll have to step out of the supermarket and petsmart to find most of them.



I feed three of my dogs Natures Variety and one of them Canidae.

Answer 5

Look at the nutritional info on the side of the bag. Just because theyre made by the same people doesnt mean theyre the same thing.



I use Nutro also and think it is great. We switched from Science Diet (which is about 2x the price of Nutro). Due to a slight shortage our puppy was on puppy chow for about a week though-it is definately not as good as the Nutro; he pooped about twice as much while on it meaning he is getting less nutrients for the same amount of food. Also the moisture content is 2% higher.



Hopefully someone will post one of those great dog food sites so you can look into it more in depth.

Answer 6

Most dog food companies outsource their wet food production to a standard facility -- the foods are made to the dog food company's specifications, using the type/grade of ingredients they require...so even though one factory is putting out several different kinds of food, it doesn't mean they're all the same exact food with a different label.



I think ginbail used the best analogy. I make both rice krispie treats and grilled salmon in my kitchen -- does that mean that the grilled salmon is only as healthy as the rice krispie treats?



I still believe that Nutro is a very good food. If you want to look at other alternatives, Canidae and Blue Buffalo are good choices. There is an excellent discussion/breakdown of dog foods at The Whole Dog Journal's website -- unfortunately you have to subscribe!



Here are some other links that might help:

http://www.doberdogs.com/foodcht1.html

http://www.feedmypet.com/dog-food-comparison.html

http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com/comparison.htm



Good luck!

Answer 7

Well, just because they're made in the same factory does not mean that they are using the same ingredients other than the wheat gluten which is used in many foods.

They can still be using whole ingredients in their foods for the more expensive brands.

However, that being said, there are foods out there that are a whole lot better. Most dog food companies take leftovers from the human food industry - food that is not acceptable or is too spoiled for use or is a byproduct (like wheat gluten) and uses it to make food for your dog. Obviously, leftovers, byproducts and rancid garbage mean the food is cheap but not made for the well being of the dog.

Try companies that use whole, real, identified ingredients in their foods with few fillers. Dog foods like blue buffalo, solid gold, wellness, merrick, nature's variety prairie brand, newman's own, etc. These products use a higher level of ingredients than you'll find in most other foods. To learn more about what goes in to your dog's food and how to pick a good one i recommend the whole dog journal www.whole-dog-journal.com and i recommend www.petfooddirect.com as a place to compare ingredient labels and find foods that have better ingredients.

Answer 8

The basics of the food is the same. It is the meats and vegetables that you get a better quality of. What is the same in the wet dog food is the binding, the stuff that holds the food together. So when you buy the more expensive/better food you really are getting better, because it is better meat.



This site has a lot of information of the pet food scare. I suggest watching some of the videos. The vets tell you a lot of what to do with your dog food. Like as of right now it might be safer to switch over to hard food until this scare is over with. The second video on the right called "Pet food tainted by Rat Poison" has a vet at the end that tells you how to make the food soft.



http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=pet%20food&type=feature



Also, here is the recall site for dog food just in case you don't have it.



http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html



I suggest calling your vet and discussiong it with your vet. I still think even though you are buying more expensive food you are still getting better food for your pet.

Answer 9

Store company puppy meals would possibly not always kill your puppy, however it is not quite well for them. Think of it such as you consuming a Big Mac with plenty of fries for each and every meal. Store manufacturers and such are most of the time nearly all filler - particularly grains which puppies have a difficult time digesting. And one more factor is that the majority puppies are allergic to grains to a few measure. And, of direction, the firms understand this, however its less expensive to place in grains and different fillers than to honestly furnish respectable meals. Most shoppers have no idea any greater anyhow. To uncover a well meals, begin with plenty of study on-line. I'm certain any one will publish a hyperlink right here in a couple of mins to the website that compares the entire puppy meals, however I can not take into account it correct now xD Look on the components even though - attempt to uncover one wherein the predominant aspect is a few type of meat, adopted by means of components which can be traditional, like anything you might have honestly heard of. I'd advise canidae ^^ That's what I've been feeding my puppy, besides for not too long ago considering I could not come up with the money for it as a result of layoffs. I purchased him 2 baggage of meals from Walmart and I can see fairly a change in him. His eyes are runny, he is itchy, his coat is stupid, his nostril is runny, and he turns out always hungry considering the fact that there is not any truly nutrients in what he is consuming. But, fortunately I'm shopping him Canidae quickly =three It makes a tremendous change. Good good fortune ^^ Edit - additionally, Walmart's Ol' Roy is likely one of the worst matters you'll purchase, like any one else stated. I used to be speakme to a Walmart employee as soon as and plenty of humans ***** that it makes their puppies have bloody stool. So keep some distance some distance clear of that crap o.o

Answer 10

Do some research, buy from smaller independent brands or make your own.



There are recipes online that are easy to make and digs love them.



Or look into the more expensive independent brands.

Mother Hubbards is a company that packages their food in Lowell Mass.

Dick Van Patten's food - Natural Balance is what I feed my dogs, when I am too lazy to make it (ok most of the time).



Good luck, it's nice to know that people are worried for their dogs.

Answer 11

A typical restaurant offers many different meals on their menu, yet they're all prepared by the same chef in the same kitchen.

To answer your question, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the dog food labels and you'll see a world of difference. Then you have to determine which products you believe would be best for your dog(s).

Answer 12

For the average owner dry dog food and plenty of water is all that's needed, if you want to you can get recipes that you can cook for the dog so the balance of nutrients will be correct.

It came as a shock that all those foods were out of the same factory, but not all of them get their nutrients from the same parts of animals. Still, they are aimed more at the human purchaser than the animal taste.

It was only one type of food, cuts and gravy, and cats were far more susceptible than dogs.

Answer 13

I recently got blessed with a new Australian Shepher puppy and, just a month ago, the breeder gave me Nutro and said that it was the food she fed and recommended. Itold her my other dogs were on Purina Pro Plan Select and she said to me "if you did the research, you would never feed Purina"



Bottom line, guess what isn't on the list?!?!?!

Answer 14

Hi,

They are many dangerous dog foods today , at a look at http://www.dogfood.co.nr , commercial dog food might be killing your dog , this site has a great guide for what food is health and right for your dog

Answer 15

Feed you dog Innova EVO red meat. That is not made by the same people who make IAMS and Ol Roy and all that other crap.

Answer 16

I feed my dogs Canidae and California Naturals.

Answer 17

Glad someone is paying attention. ;)



Now,,, reaserch what dog food brands ARE NOT on the recall list.