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Subject: Does anyone have any info on this food?
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cherylwordweaver


Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
07/19/2008 11:09 PM  

 

I was reading an article on AOL about petfoods and several folks in the comments section listed this site and their food Lifes Abundance Health Food as the best food they have ever used. Has anyone heard of this, seen any reports on it, etc. ?

With Canidae changing their formula, I'm worried that Aka and Taffy may not do as well on Canidae and am doing some research on foods. All help would be appreciated.

http://www.thepetwellnessstore.com/


Aloha,
Cheryl Wordweaver mom to Aka & Taffy

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness.
Think of your three best friends

-- if they're okay, then it's you.


Smiles4life


Ratastic
Ratastic
07/20/2008 1:27 PM  

Hey Cheryl,

I haven't heard of that food, but here is a scoring system you can use as well as food examples.  Hope this helps.

High Quality Dog Foods

Whole Dog Journal published a system for judging the quality of commercial dog foods, and then graded over 60 popular brands. The results were quite shocking for some people. How do you tell if you are feeding your dogs a good quality food? Here is how it works:

 

Start with a grade of 100.

1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points.

2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or “poultry" meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points.

3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points.

4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points.

5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (e.g. "ground brown rice," brewer's rice," and "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points.

6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are fewer than two meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points.

7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points.

8) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points.

9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points.

10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points.

11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points.

12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points.

13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points.

14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point.

15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point.

 

Add any Extra Credit points:

1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points.

2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points.

3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points.

4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points.

5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points.

6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains) add 3 points.

7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free add 2 points.

8) If the food contains barley, add 2 points.

9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds) add 2 points.

10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point.

11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point.

12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources) add 1 point.

13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point.

14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide free, add 1 point.

 

DOG FOOD GRADES (based on the scoring system)

Alpo Prime Cuts - Score 81 — C

Artemis Large/Medium Breed Puppy - Score 114 — A+

Authority Harvest Baked - Score 116 — A+

Authority Harvest Baked Less Active - Score 93 — A

Beowulf Back to Basics - Score 101 — A+

Bil-Jac Select - Score 68 — D

Blackwood 3000 Lamb and Rice - Score 83 — C

Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice - Score 106 — A+

Burns Chicken and Brown Rice - Score 107 — A+

Canidae - Score 112 — A+

Chicken Soup Senior - Score 115 — A+

Diamond Maintenance - Score 64 — F

Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice - Score 92 — A

Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula - Score 99 — A

Diamond Performance - Score 85 — B

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium - Score 122 — A+

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice - Score 106 — A+

Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato - Score 106 — A+

EaglePack Holistic - Score 102 — A+

Eukanuba Adult - Score 81 — C

Eukanuba Puppy - Score 79 — C

Flint River Senior - Score 101 — A+

Foundations - Score 106 — A+

Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold - Score 93 — A

Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium - Score 73 — D

Innova Dog - Score 114 — A+

Innova Evo - Score 114 — A+

Innova Large Breed Puppy - Score 122 — A+

Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, & Vegetables - Score 110 — A+

Member's Mark Chicken and Rice - Score 84 — B

Merrick Wilderness Blend - Score 127 — A+

Nature's Recipe - Score 100 — A

Nature's Recipe Healthy Skin Venison & Rice - Score 116 — A+

Nature's Variety Raw Instinct - Score 122 — A+

Nutra Nuggets Super Premium Lamb Meal and Rice - Score 81 — C

Nutrience Junior Medium Breed Puppy - Score 101 — A+

Nutrisource Lamb and Rice - Score 87 — B

Nutro Max Adult - Score 93 — A

Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice - Score 98 — A

Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy - Score 87 — B

Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Wheat Free - Score 86 — B

Nutro Natural Choice Senior - Score 95 — A

Nutro Ultra Adult - Score 104 — A+

Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice - Score 23 — F

Premium Edge Chicken, Rice & Vegetables Adult dry - Score 109 — A+

Pro Nature Puppy - Score 80 — C

Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach - Score 94 — A

Purina Beneful - Score 17 — F

Purina Dog - Score 62 — F

Purina Come-n-Get It - Score 16 — F

Purina One Large Breed Puppy - Score 62 — F

Royal Canin Boxer - Score 103 — A+

Royal Canin Bulldog - Score 100 — A+

Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult - Score 106 — A+

Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ - Score 63 — F

Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies - Score 69 — D

Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice - Score 97 — A

Solid Gold - Score 99 — A

Summit - Score 99 — A

Timberwolf Organics Wild & Natural Dry - Score 120 — A+

Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken - Score 110 — A+

Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold - Score 97 — A


Paula Nowak
Foster Mom, GA State Coordinator & More
Adoptables: www.imageevent.com/smiles4life/maywest
www.newrattitude.org, www.ratbonerescues.com
kp_in_scott


Bratty Ratty
Bratty Ratty
07/20/2008 1:40 PM  
Paula, thanks for posting this! It helps take a lot of work out of figuring out which dog food to use. At least now, I have a list of good dog foods that will help if I can't find the Canidae.

Kim, owned by one sweet Rattie and a house full of parrots
Smiles4life


Ratastic
Ratastic
07/20/2008 1:46 PM  
To be honest before I got into rescue I had no clue about dog food quality. I used to feed ours Beneful until I learned it wasn't as good for them. Now I feed Nature's Recipe to my personal dogs and Nutro - green bag to the fosters (we get free food for them.) I have to puchase 40lb bags at a time so I get the best I can on a budget and the kids gobble it up.

You can always add vitamins, certain fruits and veggies to mix up their diet as well.

Glad to be of assistance!

Paula Nowak
Foster Mom, GA State Coordinator & More
Adoptables: www.imageevent.com/smiles4life/maywest
www.newrattitude.org, www.ratbonerescues.com
bratt


Firehouse Big Dog
Firehouse Big Dog
07/20/2008 1:56 PM  

Haven't heard of this food. (doesn't mean it's not good, just can't find much info on it) I still feed Nutro Natural Choice. I feel it is the best for my girls. JMO. I  Do Not want to stir the food controversy again. We all do what we think is the best for our dogs. So...That said, Cheryl. If ou feel this food is what you are looking for, for the health of your pets. Go for it. It didn't seem bad from the web-site you posted. Let us know!!


Debra~KSSM Queen II
Savanna~Princess Easy Street
RatThat


Newbie
Newbie
07/21/2008 10:29 AM  
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showcat.php?cat=all&stype=1&si=Lifes+Abundance+

That is a link to the Dog Food Analysis website. Is that the food you are looking for?
Mitzy's Mom


Alpha Feist
Alpha Feist
07/21/2008 11:05 AM  
Great list Paula - thanks for posting!

Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids

Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org
swatson6


Attention Starved
Attention Starved
07/21/2008 11:46 AM  
I have never heard of it either Cheryl. Here's what dogfoodanalysis.com says: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=1301&cat=all

Sarah



RatsRule!


Ratastic
Ratastic
07/21/2008 12:00 PM  
Sorry, never heard of it either.

Hmm, on another note: I think I'll do some calculating when I have time on the Canidai. For weeks I've been trying to figure out why some praise it so highly. for the life of me I can't figure it out because based on the ingredients it's full of meal and other stuff not even good for dogs. Also lacking many things good for dogs. What't the attraction and how did it get a score of 112??? Guess I'll have to do the math and see if I come up with the same score.

Mine get Innovo Evo or Timberwolf Organics (I mix them fro variety on occasion) then I add a lot of real foods from home to the kibble so they get more real food than kibble. Soon they'll be off kibble completely.

~~ Life is awesome when you share it with a couple of Ratties! ~~
Terri, proud mom of Chloe & Bonnie!
````````````````````````````````````````````
Ratbone Rescues Application Coordinator
swatson6


Attention Starved
Attention Starved
07/21/2008 12:09 PM  
Terri, it is not "meal" that is bad. Meal is basically the ingredient minus the water content. So when it is stated as chicken meal or beef meal etc, then that is great. A lot of foods list meat products as the first ingredient, but if it is not listed as a meal, then the water is still included in that and once the water is removed it essentially would not weigh in as the first ingredient anymore..... which is why some foods don;t list it as a meal so it appears to be the first ingredient when most likely it is not. It is things like fish meal or meat meal you should watch out for, they do not list WHAT kind of fish or meal and that could be anything or anypart.

Sarah



maggiew607


Terrier Terror
Terrier Terror
07/21/2008 12:24 PM  
I'm really glad that you posted that list Paula. I feed the Wellness Super 5 mix with Chicken, and although I have done alot of research on it, it is good to hear once again that it gets a great rating.

**Maggie**Owned by COCO and new guy ANGUS**
"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland
swatson6


Attention Starved
Attention Starved
07/21/2008 12:30 PM  
I am confused now. That analysis says Royal Canin is a good food, A+. But in looking at the ingredients of the boxer formula, it is FULL of fillers, wheat, soy, overloaded with grains, chicken fat, etc. I don't get how it would ever be considered a good food.

Sarah



maggiew607


Terrier Terror
Terrier Terror
07/21/2008 12:36 PM  
I looked at Royal Canin and I was wondering that as well. I was under the impression Royal Cannin wasn't the best.

**Maggie**Owned by COCO and new guy ANGUS**
"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland
bratt


Firehouse Big Dog
Firehouse Big Dog
07/21/2008 12:40 PM  

Grains are not a bad thing. Glutens are an issue. JMO! As I have said before, feed what you feel is best for your dog. We (all of us) will never agree on this.  Even some of the  'best' foods reccommended here have had changes in the formula,(maybe a problem, maybe not..) soooo......I'm still  feeding Nutro. We are all happy here.


Debra~KSSM Queen II
Savanna~Princess Easy Street
RatsRule!


Ratastic
Ratastic
07/21/2008 12:55 PM  
I guess it depends on how one views meals. For me, meals of any kind aren't good at all because of how they're produced for commercial pet foods. Then again, commercial pet foods aren't good either (even the "high quality" stuff) which is why I'm working on getting away from them altogether.

~~ Life is awesome when you share it with a couple of Ratties! ~~
Terri, proud mom of Chloe & Bonnie!
````````````````````````````````````````````
Ratbone Rescues Application Coordinator
cherylwordweaver


Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
07/21/2008 4:05 PM  
Thanks everyone for your various inputs, all are appreciated. Also Paula, thanks for the "scoring system" I will be using that as well.

I totally agree with Debra that we all do what we think is best and I appreciate everyone respecting that while still offering their reasons and opinions on what they feed and why. So far, Aka and Taffy have preferred the Canidae and so far we have not gotten a bag of the "changed ingredients" so time will tell if they still like it and do well on it.

I do not think they have gluten alleriges since I have a friend that brings the occasional store treat that is high in everything, but then again they don't get those treats very often. Just on the very odd occasion.

Since I am not a very good cook (I just don't enjoy the act of cooking) I am not a canidate for home cooking for my dogs. Mom can attest to my challenges of working out regular meals for us! (and she is diabetic so I do follow those guidelines!) We are not close to anyone who is a distributor of a good raw diet so I use a mix of the Canidae dry and wet.

Of course if Taffy and Aka could choose, I'm afraid they would be choosing anything that isn't healthy for a steady diet like fastfood! LOL
However, they do seem to enjoy the Canidae and Aka has always been a picky eater. The fact that Taffy will eat anything she can get in her mouth has helped him to step up and be a better eater! If he doesn't, he is out of luck as Taffy would eat both bowls of food if I let her.

Both dogs have nice coats, healthy teeth (now for TAffy, always for Aka) and get excellent reports on check ups so that makes me happy. However, I do want to have some research under my belt in case the changed formula does cause any problems.

Once again, I appreciate the willingness of folks to respond and the respect shown for one anothers' opinions and thoughts!

Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much)

Aloha,
Cheryl Wordweaver mom to Aka & Taffy

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness.
Think of your three best friends

-- if they're okay, then it's you.


cherylwordweaver


Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
07/21/2008 4:11 PM  
Needed to add a PS, thanks for the link to the food via the food analysis site, much appreciated and it reflected some of the concerns I had regarding the ingredients as well.

Aloha,
Cheryl Wordweaver mom to Aka & Taffy

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness.
Think of your three best friends

-- if they're okay, then it's you.


Ski


Ratastic
Ratastic
07/21/2008 4:32 PM  

I don't put much stock in the kibble grading system.  The system was graded by the dogfoodproject and she gives her opinion at this link.

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grading_kibble

 

Torboar


Ratterific
Ratterific
07/21/2008 5:16 PM  
Cesar dry is made by the Company WALTHAM "The world's leading authority on pet care and nutrition." The score I got for Cesar dry is 87. but if it is different let me know, here are the ingredients for Cesar Dry Adult:

Chicken, Chicken meal, Chicken by-product meal, Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, ground corn, ground barley, oat groats, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E), dried beet pulp, rice flour, natural flavour, flax seed, Brewers dried yeast, dried egg powder, vegetable oil (Source of linoleic acid), vitamins (choline, chloride, dl-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE [source of vitamin E], L-ASCORBYL-2-POLYPHOSPHATE [source of vitamin C], VITAMIN A ACETATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [vitamin B1], BIOTIN, d-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT [vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement), CALCIUM CARBONATE, CHICORY EXTRACT, SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, TAURINE*, TRACE MINERALS (ZINC SULFATE, COPPER SULFATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE), L-CARNITINE, MARIGOLD MEAL (SOURCE OF LUTEIN*).
bratt


Firehouse Big Dog
Firehouse Big Dog
07/21/2008 5:51 PM  
Posted By Torboar on 07/21/2008 5:16 PM
Cesar dry is made by the Company WALTHAM "The world's leading authority on pet care and nutrition." The score I got for Cesar dry is 87. but if it is different let me know, here are the ingredients for Cesar Dry Adult:

Chicken, Chicken meal, Chicken by-product meal, Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, ground corn, ground barley, oat groats, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E), dried beet pulp, rice flour, natural flavour, flax seed, Brewers dried yeast, dried egg powder, vegetable oil (Source of linoleic acid), vitamins (choline, chloride, dl-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE [source of vitamin E], L-ASCORBYL-2-POLYPHOSPHATE [source of vitamin C], VITAMIN A ACETATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [vitamin B1], BIOTIN, d-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT [vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement), CALCIUM CARBONATE, CHICORY EXTRACT, SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, TAURINE*, TRACE MINERALS (ZINC SULFATE, COPPER SULFATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE), L-CARNITINE, MARIGOLD MEAL (SOURCE OF LUTEIN*).



Nope, I wouldn't feed this. Corn, in any form is just filler, and a waste for your pet. JMO.


Debra~KSSM Queen II
Savanna~Princess Easy Street
farmergurlyo


Ratastic
Ratastic
07/21/2008 6:00 PM  
Posted By bratt on 07/21/2008 5:51 PM
Posted By Torboar on 07/21/2008 5:16 PM
Cesar dry is made by the Company WALTHAM "The world's leading authority on pet care and nutrition." The score I got for Cesar dry is 87. but if it is different let me know, here are the ingredients for Cesar Dry Adult:

Chicken, Chicken meal, Chicken by-product meal, Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, ground corn, ground barley, oat groats, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E), dried beet pulp, rice flour, natural flavour, flax seed, Brewers dried yeast, dried egg powder, vegetable oil (Source of linoleic acid), vitamins (choline, chloride, dl-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE [source of vitamin E], L-ASCORBYL-2-POLYPHOSPHATE [source of vitamin C], VITAMIN A ACETATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [vitamin B1], BIOTIN, d-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT [vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement), CALCIUM CARBONATE, CHICORY EXTRACT, SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, TAURINE*, TRACE MINERALS (ZINC SULFATE, COPPER SULFATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE), L-CARNITINE, MARIGOLD MEAL (SOURCE OF LUTEIN*).



Nope, I wouldn't feed this. Corn, in any form is just filler, and a waste for your pet. JMO.

 

chicken by-product meal could be feathers and beaks and stuff -icky!-
corn and grains -some dogs are allergic to-
and i THINK dried beet pulp is just a filler too...
i'm sure there's others that know more than me though

 


Ashley~ soon to be ratty mommy
bratt


Firehouse Big Dog
Firehouse Big Dog
07/21/2008 6:10 PM  
Posted By farmergurlyo on 07/21/2008 6:00 PM
Posted By bratt on 07/21/2008 5:51 PM
Posted By Torboar on 07/21/2008 5:16 PM
Cesar dry is made by the Company WALTHAM "The world's leading authority on pet care and nutrition." The score I got for Cesar dry is 87. but if it is different let me know, here are the ingredients for Cesar Dry Adult:

Chicken, Chicken meal, Chicken by-product meal, Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, ground corn, ground barley, oat groats, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E), dried beet pulp, rice flour, natural flavour, flax seed, Brewers dried yeast, dried egg powder, vegetable oil (Source of linoleic acid), vitamins (choline, chloride, dl-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE [source of vitamin E], L-ASCORBYL-2-POLYPHOSPHATE [source of vitamin C], VITAMIN A ACETATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [vitamin B1], BIOTIN, d-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT [vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement), CALCIUM CARBONATE, CHICORY EXTRACT, SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, TAURINE*, TRACE MINERALS (ZINC SULFATE, COPPER SULFATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE), L-CARNITINE, MARIGOLD MEAL (SOURCE OF LUTEIN*).



Nope, I wouldn't feed this. Corn, in any form is just filler, and a waste for your pet. JMO.

 

chicken by-product meal could be feathers and beaks and stuff -icky!-
corn and grains -some dogs are allergic to-
and i THINK dried beet pulp is just a filler too...
i'm sure there's others that know more than me though

 


Yep! You are right!

Debra~KSSM Queen II
Savanna~Princess Easy Street
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