Told by petfood store owner that eukenuba is garbage?

[Mike&Heather]

we'd really hate to switch foods, but...

We also use Eukanuba but after following this thread... I guess after we look into the Innova a little more and it's availability we'll consider changing. Any more info or comparisons or experience will be greatly appreciated! Mike

 

[leenasmom]

I had no idea about what went into dog food before today. I want to thank you all for the Innova info.. I just went to their site and found a pet supply in my neighborhood that sells it. I will be picking up some bags of it on my way home today. I feel like a big dummy for buying cheap food, but I am going to stop that today. Again thanks.

 

[JulieM]

Just a note, when you're switching foods be sure to do it gradually (over 2 weeks or so), otherwise you'll likely end up with severe diarrhea :( Add a little of the new food for 2-3 days, then a little more for 2-3 days, gradually increasing the amounts until you're at 100% new food.

 

[Bumblebee]

Ok, I have a question. I have been meaning to ask this a while ago, but never had the chance. I can tell Innova is a very good dog food and would like to buy it, if I could (no place remotely close to me sells it and I am not sure I can afford it). I did notice, though, that it does not have Glucosamine or Chondroitin Sulfate, which I thought was pretty important for large breed dogs.
Maybe I am mistaken. Please let me know.

 

[JulieM]

Glucosamine/chondroitin are supplements for joint health; they are typically used in dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other joint problems. There are some breeders who include them in the daily food - primarily those with racing greyhounds (whose joints are subjected to quite a bit more pounding than your run-of-the-mill pet dog) - and it has been used in racehorse feeds for quite some time.

(Here's an interesting article on this: http://www.labradorwell.com/glucochon.html)

I wouldn't say these are essential to large breeds (and Boxers are not large breed dogs, anyway), but if you want to include these products in your dogs' diet (and you're feeding kibble), you're farther ahead purchasing a supplement and adding it yourself. G/c included in kibble is processed under high heats, which of course destroys most of the nutritional benefits of anything. It might be worth adding to the food of senior dogs, as a preventive measure.

B-Naturals has a g/c supplement called Berte's Flexile Plus, you can read about it here: http://www.b-naturals.com/joints.htm

 

[Bumblebee]

I guess I must have missunderstood. When I first joined the board, there was a long thread about picking the right dog food. I remember reading about how important Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate is. Thanks for the info Julie.

 

[wildchild]

Julie,
I have a two yr. old bulldog with an ailing hip, aside from what the vet has her on, would this benefit her?

 

[JulieM]

What does the vet have her on (please don't say Rimadyl!)?

There are no known contraindications for glucosamine or chondroitin (although there have not been a lot of studies done), and the worst side-effect is mild diarrhea, so from that information I'd say it can't hurt to give it and just might help.

If you're talking about Berte's Flexile Plus, it contains 1500 mg Glucosamine HCL 99%, 1200 mg Purified Chondroitin Sulfate 95%, 1200 mg Mixed Glucosaminoglycana, 240 mg Manganese Ascorbate, 100 mg Bromelain and 100 mg Boswellian. I'm not sure of the nature of the other additives, but Lew Olson (owner of B-Naturals) is very helpful and knowledgeable (she has a PhD in Nutrition) and will answer your questions, usually promptly (her e-mail is on the website).

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Originally posted by wildchild
Wow, I didnt know that about the Eukanuba, Ill definately have to switch.

Dan- is the Innova available at pet stores, I have never seen their products at our local stores.

Innova is not as widely available as one would hope. It is relatively new and not widely distributed. You can go to their site at http://www.naturapet.com and do a dealer search in your zip code and/or city to see if there is a dealer near you. There is only one here in Tulsa but luckily, it isn't too far.

Another good food, in my opinion, is Candadae. It seems to be more readily available (I've seen it in Petsmart) than Innova.

 

[Yellowsnow.]

You guys are confusing me. I know I will never find one answer on this issue. I have a 11 week old at ten weeks she was 14.5 lbs and 14" tall growing in leeps and bounds. I feed Petsmarts Oven Baked Premium (Puppy) 29 % Protein 19 % Fat??? No by products. Am I making a mistake is there something better.