Complete dog food dilemma

art_for_arts_sake

I've just read several postings on here and elsewhere critical of Purina Bakers Complete dog food both from an ethical and nutritional viewpoint, so apologies for resurrecting this subject.

I've fed my dog a mixture of lean meat, cereals and/or veg mixed with Bakers Complete for almost as long as we've had her, it might sound a bit slow off the mark but I've recently noticed "own brand" versions on the supermarket shelves which appear identical to Bakers Complete at a reduced cost.

So are Purina making these "own brand" versions for the supermarkets, and would you feed your own dog either the branded or unbranded versions?

I've seen them described as the doggie equivalent of Mcdonald's, is this accurate or am I worrying too much? I ran out of Bakers Complete the other day and had to buy some unbranded complete dog food from my local pet shop and she couldn't get enough of it, which made me question how nutritionally sound any complete dry dog food is. Sorry to bombard you with questions, but any insight would be welcome.

Fire_Fox

Lean meat will only supply protein, a dog needs that balanced with fat (skin) and minerals (bonemeal) - if you want to make up your own food as part or all of the diet please do some research into canine nutrition. You might consider partial raw feeding because you can safely feed raw bone (under supervision). If you are using a dry dog food you don't need to add any cereals in the part that you prepare.

Complete really means it supplies all the nutrients needed - vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids - but it may also supply nutrients or ingredients that your dog doesn't need. A human could get all the nutrients they need from a peanut butter sandwich, milk and a multivitamin but it still is not a healthy diet day in day out. The issue with many commercial dry foods is the very high percentage of cheap grains/ cereals which supply empty calories. These cause the blood sugar to peak and trough, feed plaque bacteria, can contribute to weight gain, diabetes and various other conditions. Some are also packed with artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and many are sprayed with meat digest to make what is effectively dry corn flakes palatable to a dog.

Dogs are carnivores but can live healthily as omnivores. When looking for a dry dog food look for one with a high meat or meat meal content on the ingredients list. You will find the portion size/ feed rate is much lower and poops get smaller - less waste - so the extra cost is not as much as it first seems. Many wet dog foods are higher in animal protein (animal derivatives in the cheaper brands) than many dry dog foods so are often better nutritionally. Chappie is well thought of by vets, not too expensive and dogs tend to enjoy it.

I don't have a dog but wouldn't feed my cat any of the supermarket dry foods, I don't even allow the cattery to. They are all effectively meat-flavoured corn flakes which IMO is a waste of money as well as unhealthy for an obligate carnivore.

rising_from_the_ashes

Personally I wouldn't feed B*akers - as you've said ....... junk food. The reason they like it, is that it's full of stuff to make it taste good - not stuff that's necessarily good for them (like us eating a burger & chips everyday).

It's totally feasible / likely that manufacturers will also make SM own brand foods.

Mrs_B

I think that Fire Fox has given an excellent summary of the principles of feeding dogs, and the things to consider when looking at dog food.

So, nothing to add there, but I thought I would post and say I would not feed B.kers to my dogs - one reason being, as you say, it is a continual menu of fast food, and I have certainly had personal experience of discussing this subject with people I know who have changed to a different complete dog food, and found a behaviour change for the better in all sorts of ways.

I also help at a training class, and not only do none of the trainers use it, but it is the one food which we stick our necks out and advise new puppy/dog owners not to feed to their dogs.

art_for_arts_sake

Firefox, thanks for emphasising the importance of balanced nutrition. I should add that fish is also occasionally part of my dog's diet as I'm aware of the need for EFAs but I've always been a bit wary of the sources of bonemeal, so I'd admit to be guilty of skimping on this, if anything.

My dog has actually never been that keen on Bakers Complete but the latest complete dog food we bought as a temporary stopgap got her attention immediately, which is what first aroused my suspicions. I can't give its name as it's sold unlabelled by my local pet shop, but I suspect it's even more "junky" than the Bakers.

chalkiesalem_2

I have had many dogs for many years and have always fed them dry dog food, quite often the non branded kind. Our dogs visit the vets every year for a health check & booster and are always given a full bill of health. It is always commented on how good their teeth and gums are which is down to using dry dog food rather than 'wet'

Fire_Fox

art_for_arts_sake wrote: »

Firefox, thanks for emphasising the importance of balanced nutrition. I should add that fish is also occasionally part of my dog's diet as I'm aware of the need for EFAs but I've always been a bit wary of the sources of bonemeal, so I'd admit to be guilty of skimping on this, if anything.

My dog has actually never been that keen on Bakers Complete but the latest complete dog food we bought as a temporary stopgap got her attention immediately, which is what first aroused my suspicions. I can't give its name as it's sold unlabelled by my local pet shop, but I suspect it's even more "junky" than the Bakers.

Not sure there is much junkier than Bakers TBH, perhaps the unbranded stuff has been sprayed with more irresistable meat digest? There is no evidence dry dog food cleans teeth, that is a myth probably started by dog food manufacturers.

If you feed canned oily fish such as pilchards in tomato sauce you can safely mash the bones into the meat before serving. Due to the high pressure of the canning process the bones are crumbly not splintery. Dogs don't just benefit from unsaturated fats from oily fish, they also need the saturated fats found in land animals.

Alternatively if you purchase meat on the bone and feed it raw you will know exactly where the bonemeal has come from. Chicken wings, turkey necks, frozen chicken drumsticks or meaty carcasses from the butcher. It could well be cheaper than the lean meat you are buying at present! :money:

lovesgshp

We feed ours here with de-boned cooked chicken wings plus a soaked dry food and a different solely dry type. In the morning, they have a dog vegetable pasta, which we used to soak, but they prefer it crunchy.