I got this question from Joanne with one of the D-litter pups:
I was thinking of switching Dixie to the puppy formula for Blue Buffalo Wilderness which is grain free but didn’t want to do so without checking with you. Should I be keeping her on the German Shepherd puppy formula instead for a while longer? If I did switch I would do it gradually. I plan on keeping her on the Honest Kitchen as well (she loves that stuff)!
So of course I ran it by food guru Karen Murry. Here is what Karen said:
Blue Buffalo is better than most, since theirs doesn’t have as many questionable things like some do. It’s got some “stuff” (ha-ha) in it but I would choose Blue Buffalo over Royal Canin for content.
Interesting thing about Blue Buffalo is that they will not disclose who they use to manufacturer their products now! Hmmmm Baffles me that some companies keep this from customers declaring “proprietary information”!!! WHY???? Since probably 100 other dog food companies use the same manufacturer! Why is it such a secret? They use to be manufactured by Ainsworth a division of Dads Dog Food.
They say that their small cans of wet food do not contain BPA lining but according to Susan when questioned they say they don’t know if the large cans contain BPA lining. Seriously? How could you NOT know what your own cans are made of?????
But again, better than a lot of them.
I did a comparison for you:
1st 10 INGREDIENTS: I chose a large breed kibble to compare
| BLUE BUFFALO – Wilderness Chicken Large Breed Adult Kibble | ROYAL CANIN – Maxi Large Breed Adult Kibble |
| Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Potato Starch (modest nutritional value), Peas,Tomato Pomace (source of Lycopene), Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg (rejects from human line, processed with NaOH =lye), Natural Chicken Flavor, Alfalfa Meal, | Ingredients: Chicken meal, rice, brown rice, corn gluten meal (Used to boost protein % on the label. Not nutritionally complete. Over 85% of corn grown today is GM ), oatmeal,chicken fat, natural chicken flavor, dried beet pulp (sugar removed), anchovy oil (source of EPA/DHA), rice hulls-This is the shell taken off of the rice. No nutritional valuePlant based instead of meat based. |
| BLUE BUFFALO – Canned Chicken Dinner with Veg & Rice | ROYAL CANIN – All Canned products contain BY PRODUCTS |
| Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas,Sweet Potatoes, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Barley, Oatmeal, Guar Gum, | Water sufficient for processing, chicken, pork by-products (can contain cancerous or diseased tissue), chicken liver, rice flour, gelatin by-products, vegetable oil, powdered cellulose (usually pine tree pulp=lowest food value of any of the fibers), natural flavors, casein, |
Hope this helps!
I know it seems like everything you ask me about is negative but please know I’m just presenting the ingredient info I’ve research.
Karen :]
I feed the Royal Canine German Shepherd Formula. During the winter I feed everyone the puppy formula for the extra calories. I like how the dogs do on it. I also feed, Honest kitchen and Raw.
Karen,
Here is a non-food question:
What do you recommend as preventive MSM/Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement?
I used to give the dogs Joint Max HA Hypo-Allergenic granules. I saw some great comments about Dasequin & Cosequin.
Since I am ready to buy some more, I thought I’d ask your opinion.
I truly believe that these supplments strengthen the dogs’ bones and work against old-age arthritis.
Thanks in advance, Orly
Hi Orly!
Happy to help!
You are right about supplementing for this!
Here are some products I would recommend. It’s always good to rotate supplements to get the benefit of each one as they all contain a different combination of ingredients
Human Joint supplements: BTW these are good for you too!
Human supplements have more checks and balances in place for testing than “animal products” do.
http://www.wellnessresources.com/products/chondroitin_plus.php
http://www.pureformulas.com/chondrosamine-plus-90-capsules-by-biotics-research.html
*Human supplements are based on a person approx. 125 pounds. The following are 3 different ways to figure the dosage for your Fur Baby.
Give half the human dosage to a 50-lb dog, and one-quarter the human dosage to a 25-lb dog. Very small dogs need products made for them to get the dosage right.
OR
• 100 pounds or more gets the full human dose
• 90 to 100 pounds get 90% of the human dose
• 80 to 90 pounds get 80% of the human dose
• 70 to 80 pounds get 70% of the human dose
• 60 to 70 pounds get 60% of the human dose
• 50 to 60 pounds get 50% of the human dose
• 40 to 50 pounds get 40% of the human dose
• 30 to 40 pounds get 30% of the human dose
• 20 to 30 pounds get 20% of the human dose
• 10 to 20 pounds get 10% of the human dose
OR
Another way to convert the dosage for your dog is to take your dog’s weight, consider it a percent, and multiply the recommended dosage by that percent. For example, if your dog weighs 20 pounds then you would give your dog 20 percent of the recommended human dosage. If your dog weighs 75 pounds they would receive 75 percent of the dosage.
Joint Supplements made for pets:
http://liquidhealthpets.com/k9-level-5000 – K9 Level 5000 also contains a comprehensive blend of natural, cutting-edge support ingredients to further enhance its effectiveness. These ingredients include Aquamin® Algae mineral blend, enzyme support from Bromelain, antioxidant support from grape seed extract, and Boswellia.
8 ounces = $24: Keep refrigerated
Here is a review of ingredients contained in products that you mentioned:
DASUQUIN: contains
*ASU or Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables & Soy Protein Isolate
Most of you know I am not a fan of any soy products for animals for the following reasons:
Per Dr. Karen Becker: “Soy is estrogenic and can wreak havoc on your dog’s endocrine system.”
Soybeans and/or soy products are not clinically proven to be safe for pets to consume.
Soybeans also contain potent enzyme-inhibitors. These inhibitors block uptake of trypsin and other enzymes which the body needs for protein digestion.
Soy contains a natural chemical that mimics estrogen, the female hormone.
*ASU possible side effects: stomach problems, rash. Soy supplements are also known to interact with iron.
*Brewyers Yeast
While Brewyers Yeast contains B vitamins (Biotin) and trace minerals some dogs may be sensitive to it especially if they have any allergies. Several references mention bloating, gas or indigestion is possible.
That being said, it has had decent reviews so it boils down to a personal choice.
COSEQUIN:
-Cosequin DS Sprinkle formula contains:
*Yellow #5: From the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI): “Yellow #5: May be contaminated with such cancer-causing substances as benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl (or chemicals that the body converts to those substances).
*Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS: can cause hormone imbalance, protein denaturing and carcinogenicity.
The AJT report (American Journal of Toxicology) states that “Other studies have indicated that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain from skin contact. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate had an LD 50 (Lethal Dose for 50% of the animals tested) of 0.8 to 110 g/kg in rats. A formulation containing 15% caused depression, labored breathing, diarrhea and death in 4 out of 20 animals.
-Cosequin Sprinkle formula contains:
*Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (see above)
-Cosequin DS Tablet contains:
*Brewyers Yeast (see above)
-Joint Max Products: some of the varieties contain “Animal Liver Meal”: The liver needs to be named such as chicken liver, beef liver, pork liver etc. If the species cannot be identified, neither can the quality. “Animal” Ingredient determined by the FDA to be most likely to contain euthanized animals including euthanized cats and dogs from shelters. So I’d steer clear of anything “un-named” whether in vitamins or kibble.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Oh WOW Karen… you gave me so much good information.
You never dissapoint any of us when we need help.
Thanks so much! 🙂
My Pleasure! 😉
Hey Orly!
I forgot to mention these by The Holistic Pet. GREAT products, trust them completely!
http://www.thewholisticpet.com/products/canine-product-line/joint-support.html/
This one also has digestive enzymes in it: “Wholistic Canine Complete Joint Mobility™ is an organic animal health supplement that provides concentrated joint support for Total Body Health™. Made with only the highest quality of certified organic ingredients, Wholistic Canine Complete Joint Mobility™ is based on a unique blend of pure, premium ingredients including:
• Shark cartilage– unique angiogenesis-inhibiting properties.
• Glucosamine—a natural building block of cartilage that is used in the rebuilding process of cartilage
• MSM—helps maintain normal, healthy connective tissue in joints; helps control symptoms of joint discomfort
• Patented Ester C®—the most effective, Body–Ready™ form of Vitamin C; a powerful antioxidant.
• Digest All Plus™ enzyme complex—aids in maintaining normal, healthy joint function.”
This one has Calcium ascorbate (Ester-C®), Glucosamine, MSM, Organic, stabilized flaxseed, Shark Cartilage : “Wholistic Run Free™ exclusively targets joints and their supportive structures. It can be used in conjunction with Canine Complete Joint Mobility™ for dogs requiring more joint support, or used alone. Wholistic Run Free™ is a synergistic blend of proven nutraceuticals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that provides superior joint support. This powerful blend provides the most comprehensive line of support for existing joint injuries and may help to prevent further injuries resulting from prolonged or strenuous exercise.”
🙂
Karen,
I greatly appreciate your information on food ingredients and labels. It has made me look at the food that I am currently feeding my dogs and think about changing their food, especially my male Papillon that licks his paws constantly. There is so much information to look through, but you have helped me to understand what it means. You talked to Orly about human glucosamines. Have you found information on bioavailability of the human form? I learned that the human glucosamines have a different pH and are not absorbed as well as the dog brands, such as Cosequin or Dasequin, but I can’t find studies regarding this. I currently use Phycox on all of my dogs. Any thoughts?
Hi Jennifer!
Thank you! It makes my heart sing when I hear that someone is questioning ingredients!
My hunch for your Pappy is that he has yeast and that is why he is licking his paws. I’d like to discuss a few issues but for now try this: make a 50/50 solution of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and water. Put the mix into a spray bottle. Hold the each foot over paper towel (to catch drips) spray, then dab dry. Or, if you dog doesn’t like sprays, make a small bowl full and dip his feet in. Do this 2 or 3 times per day. It’s ok if he licks it. You may even want to start adding it to his food! You may want to tell the groomer to not use oatmeal soap on him if they do. This is ok if to sooth the dogs skin if irritated but if a dog has yeast, it will make it worse. Look on my site (www.karensk9’s.com) on the tab called “Au Naturel” and there is a recipe there to make your own Doggie Shampoo. You can take this with you to the groomer and ask that they only use that kind. Also for a rinse, make a 50/50 solution of the ACV and water. Poor over body, massage into skin and leave it on, don’t rinse. He’ll smell like a salad but I just might help!;-) You may want to purchase organic apple cider vinegar from a health food store.
I have never heard of them not absorbing the human grade glucosamine’s well. But I have read a couple of articles that say that they feel that vitamin c in the mix will help with the uptake of the glucosamine……who knows??? But generally, products that contain human-grade Glucosamine and Chondroitin are more likely to be of a higher quality and in a purer form. I’ve found that supplements used by some companies for pets are of lesser quality just to improve their bottom line.
I had not heard of the Phycox before. Looks like a decent product, but people should be aware that the “hydrolyzed vegetable protein” they use in this is soy, just in case there are allergies.
The “Creatine Monohydrate” (in this product) is a synthetic creatine like body builder’s use to create muscle mass. A dog creates creatine from eating protein. Not sure why it is in this product but a Dr. Laskowski, from Mayo Clinc expresses “concern over the effects of long term usage of creatine. He suggests that the liver and kidneys are prime targets for risks and side effects of creatine usage in humans”, but I don’t know if there are possible dangers for dogs using this synthetic.
If you’d like to email me to discuss your baby: karen.karensk9s.com
Let me know, I’d love to help!
🙂
Thanks for the information, Karen! I will try the apple cider vinegar with Token. He HATES sprays, so I will try soaking his legs. I do not take him to a groomer, but do all of his grooming at home, so I can use what I want for shampoo. He has always had the “itchies”, even as a puppy, and I have always tried to deal with them in a more natural way so that I don’t put a lot of steroids in his body. I just learned that oatmeal shampoo can dry out the skin, so I will stop using that. Thanks, again!
U R very welcome!
If you are considering changing Tokens food, try The Honest Kitchen Brand Zeal – grain free, gluten free (fish suited for especially sensitive dogs – I’d start with this one) or Force – grain free (suited for especially sensitive dogs). Yeast dogs need a non-grain feed. Honest Kitchen products are Human Grade ingredients processed in a Human Grade facility and the ONLY pet food company that the FDA will legally allow the words “Human Grade” on their packages.
You may want to add Coconut Oil (Purchase USDA Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – raw/cold pressed and should also state Non GMO & without Hexane!) from a health food store. Coconut Oil promotes a good balance of organisms in the intestines, it has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties which is good for yeasty dogs! It’s easy to digest and assimilate, even for dogs’ with sensitive stomachs that may have IBD, Pancreatitis or Dysbiosis!
You can also add the ACV to his food! These are just a couple of easy additions.
You may even want to try an elimination diet, by using just the HK and discontinue any other supplements for about 4 weeks to see if there might be a change.
If you’d like the amounts to feed, just let me know how much he weighs. karen.karensk9s@gmail.com 🙂
Didn’t Blue Buffalo have some type of recall this past summer/fall?
Hey Girlfriend!
There was one in 2010 and 2011 but I don’t remember them being part of the big Diamond recall in 2012. They were manufactured by CJ and Ainsworth and several others (I think) then, but now, they won’t divulge who processes their products. 🙁