Is Science Diet good enough

[Dazey]

I own a 4 month old brindle boxer. I am currently feeding her science diet
lamb meal and riice formula for large breed puppy. After reading reviews
and wanting the best nurition for my puppy I am wondering if this is the
right food for her. The vet said that is important to make sure that any
of the food that I have her on has DHA in it. She takes well to the food
but I just want the best for my puppy. Any comments!

 

[gmacleod]

Mmm. I think it's fair to say that SD is one of the nastiest and lowest quality foods ever 'built'. Certainly one of the worst ever to masquerade as a premium quality food - there's little to choose between this stuff and supermarket brands (except in price). Heck, it's even had en entire series of a well-respected magazine devoted to how awful it is and, if you can believe it, turns up as an example in some marketing text books - how to get premium price from a junk product.

It would be a very easy matter to choose a higher quality product than that one.

I have to say, your vet's comment about DHA infuriates me somewhat. That is a naturally occuring omega acid (part of the omega 3 family) and yes, it is essential for canine nervous system function, visual development and for effective reproduction. But it's naturally occuring! Feed the animal proper food in the first place, and you don't need it added as a supplement. That just indicates that the food you're feeding didn't have adequate nutrition in the first place (that is, meat, organs and bone - the natural source since dogs can't metabolise DHA well from plants). LOL - my rant aside, any food with decent levels of meat and organs (SD is not one) will contain some level of DHA - and very likely advertise the fact. Many use fish or fish oil as a further source. But if in doubt, give your pup some real (as in natural form) meat and bone to consume That's far more effective than supplements.

 

[Draymia]

gmacleod says it all. Veterinarians push it, because they were convinced when in school, that it is a great food. And Science Diet gives them great breaks to buy and sell it. It is all in the money.

One other note, when you do switch to a quality food, you can go to adult and not worry about the "puppy" food.

 

[Dazey]

Very Helpful

Today I made the decision to switch to Canidae ALS. Dazey took well to her first feeding (loved it). It seems to be a much healthier food. Thanks!