Dog food?

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Can someone explain what makes Kirkland so good compared to the other brands?

 

[smackababy]

You have to be trolling at this point and you clearly do not understand WTF you are talking about at the same time.

The FDA does in fact do research into 'claims' http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/products/AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/default.htm

What I said was poorly worded. The FDA investigates certain claims (such as containing ingredients and such), but many of the claims, such as "human-grade meat" are nothing but marketing. The fact that you can put a product on the market before FDA approval should be enough to understand just how important the FDA feels pet food is.

This is actually a vet's post: http://avetsguidetolife.blogspot.com/2013/04/corn-in-foodno-its-not-bad.html

Appeal to authority with zero sources. Not a study, simply a vet claiming facts with nothing to back it up except, at best, anecdotal evidence. Again, there are no real studies showing any benefit of any type of pet food. The only people who would be willing to pay for said studies, won't risk it.

 

[artemicion]

Can someone explain what makes Kirkland so good compared to the other brands?

Check out dogfoodadvisor.com and read their review of Kirkland's (4-stars) versus other 1-star foods. They also have articles explaining their methodology.

Kirland's:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/kirkland-signature-dog-food/

1-Star Review (Purina):
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-dog-chow/

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Check out dogfoodadvisor.com and read their review of Kirkland's (4-stars) versus other 1-star foods. They also have articles explaining their methodology.

Kirland's:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/kirkland-signature-dog-food/

1-Star Review (Purina):
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-dog-chow/

Wow on that purina review. I feed my dog Kirkland's. I figured it was good just because everything else I buy at costco is quality stuff. Now it feels good to know it is quality stuff. Thanks.

 

[pontifex]

Wow on that purina review. I feed my dog Kirkland's. I figured it was good just because everything else I buy at costco is quality stuff. Now it feels good to know it is quality stuff. Thanks.

not to derail the thread, but there's a lot of chinese made stuff at costco, like in the tool sections. I know that doesn't automatically make it junk but you have to wonder.

 

[Capt Caveman]

So, basically, what you'e saying is "despite anecdotal evidence contrary to my beliefs, I choose to believe this because of <insert some witty term for absolutely zero research on the subject> and <quip about how there is literally zero requirements for pet food makers to prove claims made on their products>."

If you do have some research proving that the expensive food makes dogs (or cats) healthier, please do provide it. Otherwise, nobody cares about your flawed McDonalds analogy. Dog food, no matter how expensive, is made from scraps from human food production (no matter what they say on the bag or commercials). Your dog isn't getting fresh from the butcher beef because you pay 5x the amount I do. The only difference is generally in the amount of corn (or grain).

Also, the majority of health issues in humans is caused by obesity. The nutritional value of McDondald's food doesn't contribute nearly as much as how calorie dense it is and the amount consumed by someone. You could be just as unhealthy eating 5000 calories of broccoli a day, although, I'd imagine it would be pretty hard.

Completely false and you are seriously ignorant. A number of brands do you use higher quality/human grade meats and ingredients.

My ex is a veterinary nutrionist who works in the pet food industry. A little research on your own would prove yourself incorrect.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/07/human-quality-pet-food.aspx

http://www.orijen.ca/why-orijen/

http://www.orijen.ca/why-orijen/about-orijen/meet-our-farmers/

You should tell those competitive sled dog owners/racers that making their own dog food using quality meat and foods is stupid and that they dogs would compete just fine on the the cheapest dog food with corn as the main ingredient. I'm guessing you think the same for human athletes.

Also, plenty of people that are not obese still have health issues like high cholesterol which can lead to heart disease and it's due to the quality of their diet, not the quantity of the food they ate.

 

[pontifex]

hmm....it appears that Kirkland Signature and Nature's Domain are different dog foods?

I'm a bit confused...so there's Kirkland Signature and Kirkland Signature Nature's Domain? According to that dogfood advisor site anyway...
https://www.google.com/search?q=kir...TJsASFzYC4CQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1536&bih=709

the Nature's Domain only gets 3.5 stars while the other gets 4 stars.

 

[alkemyst]

Wow on that purina review. I feed my dog Kirkland's. I figured it was good just because everything else I buy at costco is quality stuff. Now it feels good to know it is quality stuff. Thanks.

There is a tremendous value that the bulk stores (WalMart especially) can actually push to manufacturers. They basically tell them we want your expensive stuff labelled as our brand in return for selling your Private Label. We will sell ours below you cost. Take it or leave it.

It's a gross simplification of the process, but that's the premise.

Costco (and BJ's and probably others) went a different sort of route. They offered to put a premium brand's stuff on their shelves and not even offer that brand inside.

 

[alkemyst]

hmm....it appears that Kirkland Signature and Nature's Domain are different dog foods?

I'm a bit confused...so there's Kirkland Signature and Kirkland Signature Nature's Domain? According to that dogfood advisor site anyway...
https://www.google.com/search?q=kir...TJsASFzYC4CQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1536&bih=709

the Nature's Domain only gets 3.5 stars while the other gets 4 stars.

The Nature's Domain food is probably something Costco allowed due to being paid to do it. They are more than likely hoping to cash in off the Kirkland name.

However, 3+ foods are not terrible. I never priced the Nature's Domain brand. If it's significantly cheaper it could be a good deal. I doubt it. I don't have a Costco membership anymore.

 

[alkemyst]

Also, plenty of people that are not obese still have health issues like high cholesterol which can led to heart disease and it's due to the quality of their diet, not the quantity of the food they ate.

I agree with this, I don't suffer much bad gene things my whole Adonis DNA thing.

However; I have been at even single digit body fat and my triglycerides and shit is still way out of whack despite everything else being perfect.

There is a danger in that. I have followed all the diet recommendations and my numbers don't really move to safe levels. It hasn't really affected me yet. It's been an issue since I was just a young teenager 30 years ago.

 

[pontifex]

The Nature's Domain food is probably something Costco allowed due to being paid to do it. They are more than likely hoping to cash in off the Kirkland name.

However, 3+ foods are not terrible. I never priced the Nature's Domain brand. If it's significantly cheaper it could be a good deal. I doubt it. I don't have a Costco membership anymore.

nature's domain is about $33 a bag. I think it's either a 40 or 50 lb bg.
I was wrong, its 35 lbs.

 

[Mutilator]

I'm not going to really go too much into the whole why is one food better than another thing because I think everyone should do their own research. I did a lot when I got my GSD and what I found out surprised me. There is a lot more that goes in to choosing a good food for your dog other than price. And for those that are worried about price keep this in mind... look at the amount of food you're supposed to feed your dog each day. A good example is Orijen 6 Fish. You look at that and might go OMG! $24-88/bag?! Yeah, that's expensive at first glance but guess what? You might end up feeding your dog half as much food per day so the bag lasts twice as long so it really doesn't cost any or much more per month.

In the case of my GSD I actually went from Purina Pro Plan Focus Large Breed Puppy because it was locally available at Tractor Supply and decent enough and then when he got to 6 months I decided it was time to switch him to a normal adult food. After researching a lot of different brands I decided to give Orijen a try. His energy level went up (not so sure that's a good thing with a GSD puppy lol), his coat got much shinier, and his poop firmed up. I also will occasionally throw some Pet Select on top of his dinner. Every dog will be different though. GSDs for example are notorious for having sensitive stomachs. Some just can't handle the protein in the Orijen and have constant "pudding butt" or diarrhea so people will use Acana instead (same manufacturer, lower protein content), others are fine with it.

Basically you want to think about several things:
Type of food - Dry kibble, canned food, raw (or "BARF") diet, or some combination of the above.
Price - obviously everyone is going to take this into consideration - what are you willing to spend on your dog?
Availability - do you have to get your food from your grocery store? Pet store? Specialty pet store? Online? I will say if you decide to buy online make sure you have enough food on hand or have a local backup plan just in case something goes wrong, like an ice storm while your food is in route. *cough*
Your dog - Ultimately they make the decision for you, you just have to know what to look for. Will the dog eat it? Does he scarf it down, nibble at it slowly, look at you like you're a moron and tell you to eat it yourself? In the case of my dog I actually feed him in a Kong Wobbler most of the time just to slow him down and give him something to do, otherwise he inhales the food in 20 seconds.
Do you notice things like itching, lack of energy, upset stomach? Pay attention to the poop, it can actually tell you a lot.
Reviews from people that actually use the food you're looking at - be it at Dogfoodadvisor.com, Chewy.com, online forums, etc. You can also find out about recalls and stuff that may be common to a certain manufacturer, you'd be surprised what may end up in your dogs' food.

I could go on and on but you get the idea. Not all food is created equal. Not all dogs (or their stomachs) are the same. And just like everything else in life everyone has their opinion. You have to form your own.

 

[soulcougher73]

Weve been giving our dog Taste of the Wild. She loves it.

 

[virtuamike]

Been feeding our GSD Orijen ever since we got her. Started her on Puppy, now she goes through 2 cups of Adult a day. Also gets a couple pumps of salmon oil along with the occasional unseasoned hamburger patty. Other than being expensive, got no complaints.

 

[zhuks]

See if you can find this near you (grain free): http://www.victordogfood.com/

I have been using it for over 6 months now. It is even better than Orijen in my experience. A lot of the local border collie owners who compete in agility and show use this food as well.

 

[thedarkwolf]

See if you can find this near you (grain free): http://www.victordogfood.com/

I have been using it for over 6 months now. It is even better than Orijen in my experience. A lot of the local border collie owners who compete in agility and show use this food as well.

Thanks I think I'll give them a shot on my next order. I usually go with Taste of the Wild but their price keeps creeping up and per pound Victor is now cheaper on amazon.

 

[Mayne]

your guy's dogs eat better than me it seems.