Pristine By Castor And Pollux
Ingredients:;This delicious, potent, and high-quality grass-fed beef and sweet potato recipe is perfect for dogs of all sizes and breeds. Youll notice a difference in your dog as soon as they start regularly eating this hand-crafted blend from Castor and Pollux. Each bag contains only the finest ingredients, with grass-fed beef for a higher quality that speaks volumes.;;
Price/Where;To;Buy:;Pristine By Castor and Pollux is available on Chewy.com with free shipping if you order $50. An 18-lb.;bag of this delicious, potent dog food is about $71.;;
The Difference:;Castor and Pollux is a brand youll want to look twice at. With a commitment to quality and service, the brand has been serving pet lovers for years with delicious, premium ingredients that you and your dog will love.;;
What Does This All Mean
A relationship between grain-free diets and the development of DCM hasnt been fully proven. However, there are numerous reports of dogs with DCM whose condition improved or completely resolved after they were taken off a BEG diet and started on a special amino acid supplementation . The short answer is, we still dont know why this is happening, but it appears that DCM is more likely to occur in dogs who are only eating BEG diets.
How Raw Dog Food Is Different
Raw dog food is naturally grain-free rather than modified to exclude grains. As Dr. Patton notes, raw food isnt grain-free in the sense that grain-free traditional kibble is. Its grain-free because the only ingredients are what nature intendedmeat, vital organs, and bones, which means more protein and fewer soluble carbohydrates.
Raw dog food products like those from Vital Essentials arent just grain-free, but theyre also free of any of the other ingredients that could potentially cause problems. Grain-free is a non-issue to begin with in Vital Essentials foods, Dr. Patton says. Vital Essentials doesnt have to use special recipes to exclude grains because the grains arent there in the first place.
And thats how nature intended it, says Dr. Patton.
So, should you choose grain-free?
It all comes down to what grain-free means in terms of the food and, of course, whats best for your pet. A raw dog food diet is a good way to reap the benefits of a truly grain-free diet without having to worry about risks that come from fillers or ingredients used to replace grains.
Learn more about Vital Essentials ingredients here or locate a store near you if you want to start giving your dog the benefits of a raw food diet.
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Before You Switch To A Grain
If you do decide to go grain-free, transition gradually between old food and new food. Start out with 90 percent old food / 10 percent new food and slowly alter the proportions until youre serving only new food. This will help your dogs digestive system adjust properly. Keep an eye on your dogs bathroom excursions during the transition and keep an eye out for diarrhea or constipation.
As always, its a good idea to consult your vet before making changes to your dogs diet, and be sure to check for the AAFCO-verified nutritional value on the label. AAFCO, or the Association of American Feed Control Officials, regulates pet foods in the United States an provides health guidelines for manufacturers and pet owners.
What Did The Fda Find
The;FDA;received 515 reports of DCM in dogs between January 1, 2014, and April 30, 2019. When they looked into what these dogs were eating, they found that 90% were on a grain-free food and 93% were on diets that contained peas and/or lentils. The foods were tested for minerals, metals and amino acids and no significant abnormalities were found.
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Ol Roy Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken & Rice
Ol Roys is a Walmart brand that has been in production since 1981. This specific recipe from the brand is crafted for adult canines of all sizes with essential nutrients to provide a balanced diet.
Its billed as an inexpensive pet food due to lack of advertising and promotion, but if you look closely at the ingredients, youll see another reason why.
Well list the first six ingredients here: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Rice Bran, Animal Fat , and Poultry By-Product Meal. And most of these are problematic.
We dont have anything against corn. Grains are okay too. In fact, these are healthy ingredients to have in dog food. But within reasonable quantities and never as the most significant part of a diet. In this recipe, the corn and grains make up the most volume and overwhelm the meat.
Second thing, the meats are all unspecified. Theyre labelled as meat and bone meal and poultry byproduct meal. The labels dont indicate exactly what animal the meat comes from and which parts were used.;
Lastly, the food contains artificial colors and artificial preservatives .;
Recall Info: There has been no recall yet for this formulation, although the Ol Roy brand has been involved in several recalls since 1998. The most recent one was in 2018 where samples of its Gravy Train line were found to contain traces of sodium pentobarbital.
Groundbreaking Study Clears Grain
An ongoing theory touted by academic researchers and investigated by the FDA involving a potential link between canine heart disease, also known as dilated cardiomyopathy , and certain grain-free pet foods have been debunked, according to a far-reaching study recently released by a working group of veterinary professionals and animal nutritionists.
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The Difference Between Grain Free And Gluten Free
Another common misconception surrounding grain free dog food is that it is also gluten free. However, this is not the case. Gluten can be found in certain types of grain, including wheat, rye, barley and oats, but there are other grains which are gluten-free, including rice and maize. If you are unsure about the ingredients in your dogs food, always read the label carefully or ask a vet for advice.
Fda Names 16 Brands Of Dog Food Linked To Canine Heart Disease
Sixteen brands of dog food may be associated with a heightened risk of heart failure in dogs, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA isn’t suggesting that pet owners stop feeding their dogs the particular brands yet, but some vets are already advising against “grain free” foods.
The FDA is currently investigating more than 500 reports that appear to link dog foods that are marketed as “grain free” to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. The FDA has been warning about the foods based on peas, lentils or potatoes since July 2018, but the statement released late last week is the first time the agency has identified the 16 brand names.
The brands are ordered by the number of cases linked to them, which ranged from a high of 67 to 10:
- Acana
- Nutro
- Rachael Ray Nutrish
Most of the reports were associated with dry dog food formulations, but raw food, semi-moist food and wet foods were included. The FDA has not suggested owners change their pets diets.
Were not saying dont use these brands, were just telling pet owners to work directly with their veterinarians because were still investigating, Lindsay Haake, a spokesperson for the FDA, said.
While the vast majority of cases have been in dogs, there have also been some in cats.
Veterinary cardiologists told NBC News that they arent waiting for the FDA investigation to conclude before advising owners to stop feeding the suspect pet foods.
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Reasons Not To Feed Your Dog Grains
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Grain means rice, wheat, corn, soy, barley, millet, rye, quinoa, oats, pasta, bread, and so on.
Wheat, corn, soybean, barley, rice, oats, sorghum…. why is there so much grain in dog food? Common sense says dogs aren’t livestock, right?
Ah, good questions. Follow the money.
Did you know that bagged and canned dog food didn’t even exist until the past hundred years or so? That’s when entrepreneurs with dollar signs in their eyes foresaw an industry in which pet owners would pay them for the convenience of ready-made bagged and canned diets for their pets.
All these entrepreneurs needed was…. ingredients.
Obviously dogs were meat-eaters, so meat needed to be in the recipe. But it couldn’t be too much meat. Too expensive.
Wait, what about all the crops being produced across the vast Midwest and Central Plains of the US? The farm belt was producing huge quantities of grains and cereals, some of which wasn’t fit for human consumption because of mold or other contaminants.
Could cheap grain unfit for human consumption be used to replace much of the meat in pet food? Would pet owners complain? Would they even notice?
The answers are yes, no, and no.
Related:
But recently….
Dog owners began noticing all the health problems.
On the plus side, there’s really only one thing: cost.
Why Some Dogs Need Grain Free
While rare in most dogs, grain allergies and other food sensitivities;do;exist, and thats why grain-free dog foods exist. Some people also prefer to feed their dogs meat-based diets under the assumption that dogs are obligate carnivores. This is actually untrue, as dogs are omnivores, and can eat both meat and plant-based foods. However, as weve already mentioned, it comes down to breed, personal choice, vet advice, and the needs of your doggo.;;
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What Your Dogs Pet Food Should Include
As long as your dog doesnt have any allergens, you should choose a dog food brand that meets your dogs nutritional needs. Dogs are omnivores, not carnivores, which means they need a diet that consists of a;combination of meat and plants.
The dog food brand should meet the nutritional content standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . It should contain a balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.
When looking at the ingredients for kibble or wet food, make sure you recognize the ingredients in it. For instance, they should include whole-food ingredients. Stay away from fillers as much as possible.
The food should also be low calorie, which means that it has less than 350 calories per cup. If your dog is eating a low-quality, high-calorie dog food, it could lead to obesity, which causes a range of health problems.
You can ask your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist how many calories your dog needs per day based on his body condition score as well as his lifestyle. Typically, if your dog lives in your house, has a light exercise schedule, and is spayed or neutered, you can use this easy formula to calculate his caloric intake:
30 x weight in kg + 70 = Daily number of calories he should intake.
Eliminate Many Dog Food Allergies
Some dogs are allergic to the proteins found in many common dog foods. When allergic dogs consume these proteins, their immune system overreacts, often leading to itchy skin. Beef, chicken, milk and dairy are the most common allergens, but many dogs are also allergic to corn, wheat or other grains. For these dogs, a grain-free diet can help put an end to their food allergy symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Some breeds are more likely to be afflicted by food allergies than others are. A few of those that most commonly exhibit food allergies include:
- German shepherd
- Dalmatian
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What Are The Benefits Of Switching To A Grain
You should know that wild dogs, in nature, eat 60-70% meat and 30-40% plants and berries. Cereals are not part of their diet. Since dogs have a short digestive tract, they dont have time to assimilate all the nutrients from grains and digest them well. In addition, cereal proteins do not provide the animal with all the amino acids necessary for its good health. It is therefore advisable to opt for a grain-free diet in order to avoid deficiencies.
Mash or kibbles that contain gluten often cause stomach aches in dogs. Switching to a grain-free diet helps prevent digestive problems. If your dog suffers from diarrhea or vomiting a lot, now is the time to switch to gluten-free meals!
Is It Ok To Only Feed Your Dog Human Food
Yes use fresh whole food ingredients in combination with a vitamin mineral supplement formulated for dogs.
If you follow one of the Azestfor Homemade Dog food Recipes the dog food will be nutritionally complete and balanced for your dog and the homemade dog food will meet AFFCOs minimum feed requirements.
The benefits of feeding your dog DIY dog food recipe include seeing an increase in your dogs energy and mobility, they will reach their ideal weight, saving money as you will reduce the likelihood of having to visit the vet for diet related medical conditions such as obesity, and a smaller quantity of poop to pick up with less odor.
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Main Health Benefits Of Grain Free Dog Food
Lets talk about some of the most known and proven health benefits of consuming grain free dog food.
- Grain free dog food does a good job keeping your dog feel full for longer due to the protein and grain free mix.
- Reduces food allergies and speeds up digestion
- More active energy due to eating well
- Healthier skin
- Better breath due to digestive system being more smooth
- Reduced flatulence
Tip: Save Time With Petplate
Want to make life a little easier? PetPlates here to help. Our vet nutritionist, Dr. Renee Streeter, has been with us since day one, crafting each of our recipes to ensure theyre both highly palatable and perfectly balanced.;
With four recipes to choose fromall made with; high-quality, human-grade, and whole-food ingredientsyoure bound to find one that your dog loves. Plus, meals are delivered right to your door and on your schedule. Youll have more time to spend with your furry family members, backed with the peace of mind that youre serving them the best.;
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Should You Feed Your Dog A Grain
If you think your dog would fare better on a grain free or novel grain diet, talk to your vet. He or she might take the same stance as the doctors we spoke to, who agreed: if it aint broke, dont fix it.
If your dogs doing really well on his current diet, I wouldnt change it, says Dr. Adolphe. My motto is all foods fit, its just figuring out which works best for your individual pet.
Why Grain Free Dog Food
Grain-free diets are the hype with many dog owners, and many of them will go to any lengths to ensure that their four-legged friends stay happy, healthy, and active at all times. The question though is whether grain free dog foods are the ideal formulas for dogs or if they are just marketing hypes to lure dog owners into buying pet food.
Some of the ways to keep the pets happy include ensuring that they take regular exercises for mental stimulation and flexibility, they eat balanced healthy diets, and they stay clean and much more. Of all these, food plays a massive role in ensuring the dog gets all the nutritional needs needed for proper growth. Ingredients in any diet you feed a dog with, make a lot of difference in how your pet grows and adapts to the surroundings.
One of the most popular diets for dogs is grain-free dog food. Many dog owners choose grain-free food because it comes with many benefits irrespective of the dogs breed or stage of life. In this article, we look at the things that make grain-free food tick, and why many pet owners prefer it to grain-rich formulas.
See also:
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Should You Switch To A Grain
Pet parents may want to know if they should put their dogs on a grain-free diet. You should only switch your dogs good to a grain-free diet if you have permission from your veterinarian. Above all else, your dog needs to eat pet food that does not trigger any allergies and also provides all their nutritional needs.
Aside from ensuring that your dogs food has the right ingredients, it should also be suitable for your pets age . For instance, puppies need puppy food, adults need adult food, and seniors need senior food.
As long as you do your research and talk to your vet, youll know whether or not your dog needs to go on a grain-free diet.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain
Rating:
Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck is one of 14 dry recipes included in our review of the Instinct Raw Boost product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product, turkey meal
- Other recipes: Adult, weight loss, puppy, skin and coat, large breed puppy, small breed, senior
- Price: $$$
- See all 14 available recipes
This Instinct recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh duck and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 23% fat and 31% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
A protein-rich recipe. Confidently recommended.
Sample buyer reviewThis was a first for me in ordering this product, but WOW, I am glad that I did. My Chow Chow is a picky eater, so I was a bit skeptical about whether or not she would eat it; but it turns out that she LOVES the stuff, and she loves taking out the small raw pieces, and eating them as if they were a treat! I am pleased with this purchase, because it is nutritious for my pet, and she loves it!
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