What Is Meat Meal?
Posted by Rae and Mark on Oct 16, 2009
If you’ve ever looked at the label on the dog food you buy for your pet and wondered what on earth meat meal is, then this article will reveal all (and probably more than you wanted to know):
What is meat meal and what is it doing in my dog’s kibble and shouldn’t I be looking for a dry dog food that uses meat instead?
Even if you aced calculus and breezed through inorganic chemistry, figuring out the ingredient list on the back of the dog food will likely be a frustrating experience. Often, it’s an arcane list that bears little resemblance to known food sources.
“Meat meal” is a source of befuddlement to most dog owners, and the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officers) isn’t terribly helpful:
“Meat meal is the rendered product from mammal tissues, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. It shall not contain added extraneous materials not provided for by this definition. . . . If the product bears a name descriptive of its kind, composition or origin, it must correspond thereto.”
“Poultry meal is the dry rendered product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts of whole carcasses of poultry or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears a name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.”
“Fish meal is the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil. If it contains more than 3% salt (NaCl), the amount of salt must constitute a part of the product name, provided that in no case must the salt content of this product exceed 7%. . . . If it bears a name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.”
Here’s where things get confusing.
Rendering meat sources into meal facilitates their use in the manufacture of kibble, allowing the manufacturer to use a higher concentration of meat protein in the product, since “meat” has a high moisture content, and must be reduced in some way before being utilized in the production of dry food. You can end up with a product with significantly less meat protein, resulting in either a lower overall protein content, or one that has to be augmented by plant proteins, a less usable source for your dog. So “meat meal” is a good thing, right?
You know it’s not that easy.
Generic “meat meal” can contain pretty nearly anything mammalian that found it’s way into the processing bin, whether 4-D (animals declared unfit for human consumption, Dead, Diseased, Disabled or Dying), or a load of carcasses from an animal shelter after euthanasia day, or road kill picked up by whomever’s in charge of cleaning up the roadside, or even parts of carcasses that have been treated with chemicals like carbolic acid or fuel oil for denaturing. All of that can — and does — go into generic “meat meal” in any given batch.
What you want to look for in kibble is specific meals. Beef meal has to be beef. Lamb, must be made from lamb, poultry . . . you get the idea.
It’s not as simple as just picking out one or two ingredients you want to see, though. You must look at the overall balance of nutrition and then consider the sources of those nutrients, for example, if a kibble has a high protein level and lists sources like “beef,” “poultry” or other specific flesh sources, look farther to see if there appears to be a suspiciously high level of protein sources other than flesh. If you see plant proteins, like corn gluten meal added, then it’s a good idea to rethink your purchase and look around some more.
Ideally, you find a manufacturer you can trust to use high quality ingredients, even if they are labeled in the same fashion as those on lesser foods, since AAFCO adamantly resists efforts to require — or even allow — pet food manufacturers to be more specific in labeling. “Byproducts” by one manufacturer’s standards are not necessarily the same thing as byproducts by another’s, and each company should be able to make that differentiation in order to help you — the pet owner — more easily make an educated decision.
This article is brought to you by Kyle Hampton of www.pet-super-store.com: your one stop shop for dog bark collars and dog car seats.
The fact that Drs. Foster & Smith Dry Dog Food does not contain meat meal is just one of the reasons why we believe it to be the best dry dog food and why we have chosen it for our own dogs for several years now.
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What Ingredients To Watch For In Your Dog’s Food
Posted by Rae and Mark on Oct 2, 2009
As the saying goes, “you wouldn’t feed that to your dog” … or would you?
The following article reveals just some of the scary ingredients you’ll find in many commercial dog foods (but not in our recommended dog food):
Once you’ve cracked the cipher of the ingredients on the label of your pet’s food, you might find the reading material on the label that started as a mystery has taken on some aspects of a tale of horror: some of the ingredients you’ll find in many mainstream, commercial pet foods are scary, and some downright macabre.
Propylene glycol is used to absorb and maintain moisture in some medicines, cosmetics and food products, and also as a solvent for flavors and food colorings. It is found in some semi-moist and moist dog foods as well. The FDA has approved it as a substance “generally recognized as safe.” Propylene glycol, like its cousin, ethylene glycol, is used in antifreeze - the ethylene in the “safe” formulations. Both compounds also share the characteristic of increasing the amount of acid in body chemistry.
In reported cases, toxic signs appeared only after repeated doses of propylene glycol, used as a solvent in medicines, were ingested in small amounts or repeatedly applied to the skin.
If anyone needs a more compelling reason to want to see named protein sources on the pet food they buy, here’s a slightly sickening one, straight from the epa.gov website:
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9.5.3.1 General Meat rendering plants process animal by-product materials for the production of tallow, grease, and high-protein meat and bone meal. Plants that operate in conjunction with animal slaughterhouses or poultry processing plants are called integrated rendering plants. Plants that collect their raw materials from a variety of offsite sources are called independent rendering plants. Independent plants obtain animal by-product materials, including grease, blood, feathers, offal, and entire animal carcasses, from the following sources: butcher shops, supermarkets, restaurants, fast-food chains, poultry processors, slaughterhouses, farms, ranches, feedlots, and animal shelters. |
Several years ago, it came out that sodium pentobarbital, the drug commonly used for euthanization, was found in many commercial pet foods.
Dyes. Now why are there synthetic dyes in pet foods? Has anyone ever encountered a dog who turned up his nose at food because it wasn’t a dark, rich brown color? Or didn’t have bright orange bits? No little round artificially colored pea shaped pieces? Those appetizing colors are for our benefit, not our animals’, and if we’d stop and look at the risks inherent in some of those dyes, most of us would be happy to scoop out a cup or two of not-so-attractively colored kibble on a daily basis.
Tests on Blue #2, while “inconclusive”, suggested an increase in brain tumors among laboratory mice. Red #40 also had flawed tests, but is “assumed” safe. Yellow #6 caused adrenal and kidney tumors in lab animals. It’s assumed to be safe for humans, but we’re animals too, and besides, if it caused tumors in lab animals, it’s a pretty safe bet it just might cause them in our animals as well.
We can live without the pretty colored kibble, and so can our pets … a lot better than they can live with it.
Animal and poultry fats - undefined or specified. Scary stuff. Not only do the regulations not require a list of what species of animals or poultry contributed to the rendering, they also make no attempt to ensure a minimum standard for the condition of those animals. Nowhere does it require them to be “slaughtered”, and it is completely acceptable to include 4D animals (dead, diseased, disabled or dying prior to slaughter), as well as whatever’s on the truck, whether it’s from a slaughterhouse, farm, restaurant refuse, animal shelter. There is also no control over what parts of an animal can be included or what part of the world it may come from. Say there’s a batch of cow heads rendered down and shipped from overseas … somewhere there’s an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy …
Vitamins are a good thing, right? Theoretically, but when we start using some of the synthetics that perspective can change drastically.
Menadione, or Vitamin K3, is an example. Not only is it not as effective as its natural form, it poses certain risks and has been banned for use in human foods in Europe after being strongly implicated in serious side-effects and even death. The FDA has banned the sale of synthetic Vitamin K over the counter because of its high toxicity levels and the fact that, unlike natural Vitamin K, it builds up in the body. It seems to have mutagenic effects as well as other toxic reactions and is a widely reactive allergen.
But, it’s cheap and it sure looks good to have another vitamin on the ingredient list!
This article was written by Brittney Anderson of www.pet-super-store.com: where you can find great deals on dog stairs and dog kennels.
Do you still feel like feeding your beloved doggie commercial dog food?
We certainly don’t, and haven’t for several years, and the more we read about what they can get away with, the more we’re glad that we swapped over to using the chemical-free Drs. Foster & Smith brand when we did.
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Vitamins For Dogs
Posted by Rae and Mark on Feb 23, 2009
Many people may not know that you can give your dog vitamin supplements, just like we humans take them, but it’s also important to know that not all canine supplements are created equal:
All About Vitamins & Minerals For Your Dog
Vitamins can improve the quality of your pet’s life. They help regulate body processes, protect the body from environmental toxins, and break down nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats so the body can utilize them.
Here are noteworthy points about vitamins for dogs:
1) Vitamins work with minerals and enzymes for digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth, and maintenance of healthy skin and hair coat.
2) All multi-vitamins for pets are not created equal.
3) Vitamins are necessary for literally tens of thousands of different chemical reactions in the body.
4) They often work in conjunction with minerals and enzymes to ensure normal digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth and function, healthy skin and hair, clotting of blood, and the use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates by the body.
5) Their unique set of nutritional requirements has been passed on from generation to generation just like the breed’s unique coat, body size and temperament.
We have found that we cannot change the genetic makeup of the animals we are feeding just by exposing them to a different diet for a small amount of time. Therefore, I suggest that Burmese mountain dog owners try to feed their present companion pets with foods that contain what this breed requires. The food should contain: nutrient sources that are similar to those found in the native environment of the breed’s ancestors (sources which are not foreign to the digestive and glandular systems of today’s Burmese Mountain Dog and which are easy for them to assimilate) and the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that match the breed specific nutritional requirements - those which have been passed on by their ancestors.
There are over 170 different molecular forms of the mineral "calcium." The source of the mineral calcium that a Burmese Mountain Dog can easily assimilate can be hard for a different breed to assimilate and thus that other breed can develop kidney stones on the best source of calcium for a Burmese Mountain Dog. The reverse of this is also true. Below you will find a list of the best sources of vitamins and minerals for the dietary requirements of a Burmese Mountain Dog.
The balance or amounts are not listed because each individual animal can have different requirements depending on: the sex of the animal; the age (a puppy will have different needs than an adolescent, who even though it may be the same size as an adult will have different requirements than an adult); the activity level (if a dog is very active the dog will need more of the B complex than a couch potato of the same breed); stress levels; medical conditions; and other dietary factors (i.e. does the water supply contain high amounts of minerals). There are many factors come into play when considering the proper amount of each nutrient in an individual dog’s diet.
To learn more about your dog and the best dietary needs for it, you can visit your local pet store for books on health topics and see what type of clinics are available for your enrichment. Also check with your local Humane Society chapter similarly. They often host workshops all around your area and can mail or email you a calendar of upcoming events.
| By Kelly Marshall Published: 5/8/2008 |
Well, we hope you can see that puppy vitamins may not be the same as vitamins for senior dogs, and that different breeds will also need different canine vitamins to supplement the natural dog diet that we hope you are feeding them.
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Maximum Nutrition Dog Food
Posted by Rae and Mark on Feb 11, 2009
Healthy Ingredients = Healthy Pets, plain and simple. You’ve heard of GIGO or Garbage In Garbage Out? This definitely holds true for your pet’s food. The typical grocery-store foods may be convenient but they are loaded with toxic chemicals and it is no wonder why so many pets are chronically ill, as they desperately try to expel all of those chemicals they are ingesting each day.
Your pets deserve to be healthy, strong, and live a long life. You can give this to them by feeding them the Drs. Foster & Smith pet foods. They have not been a part of recall on dog food campaigns that so many other brands have been subjected to - because they only manufacture fresh dog food with the best ingredients that makes for an exclusive dog food that is delivered to your door by FedEx for less than $20!
Drs. Foster And Smith Pet Food: Optimum Nutrition For Optimal Health
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Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff |
As veterinarians, we firmly believe that your pet’s good health starts from the inside out. That’s why we formulated our own healthy dog and cat foods with the wholesome, delicious ingredients you can rely on for optimal nutrition in every meal.
Healthy Ingredients Promote Healthy Pets
Our foods contain absolutely no artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors, flavors, or by-products. They contain only specially selected, natural ingredients that meet or exceed AAFCO* standards and offer important health benefits. Real chickens lamb, ocean whitefish, or herring - the primary sources of protein in our formulas - provide essential amino acids to promote healthy tissues. Whole grains provide rich, natural sources of essential vitamins and carbohydrates to help maintain an active, healthy life. Fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, promote a strong immune system and healthy cell growth. And natural Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids help keep skin healthy and promote a soft, lustrous coat.
Flavor To Satisfy Even The Pickiest Eater
While optimal nutrition was our number one goal in formulating our pet foods, we also kept in mind your pet’s number one desire - irresistible flavor. By blending delectable ingredients - real meat, carrots, apples, cranberries, blueberries, brown rice, and more - we’ve formulated foods that even the pickiest eaters cannot resist.
Better Overall Health … One Meal At A Time
We’re proud to deliver these healthy, delicious foods direct to your door. Our healthy pet foods offer the ultimate in nutrition, freshness, and taste while providing your pet with optimal health benefits - increased energy, healthier skin and coat, improved muscle tone, and better disease resistance - benefits that only excellent nutrition can provide.
Learn more about ingredients in individual Drs. Foster & Smith pet food formulas.
A Customer Favorite!
Already a customer favorite, our award-winning adult dry formulas - Chicken & Brown Rice and Lamb & Brown Rice - are helping thousands of dogs stay healthy, active, and happy. And dog owners are thanking us for developing foods that taste great, pack ultimate nutrition into a smaller serving, cost less, and generate less waste to pick up.
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Dachshund Food
Posted by Rae and Mark on Feb 2, 2009
Dachshund health is to a large part dependent on the kibble dog food that you feed them, as this article demonstrates:
Foods That Matter To Dachshunds
Understand what your dog must get to keep him healthy and happy…
So what keeps your Dachshund energize daily? Are you sure you are giving him the right foods? As we all know, foods are important for every creature’s growth, to keep us energize and enable us to do our tasks well daily.
The same thing it goes for dogs. Give them foods with less or no nutritional value and expect anytime soon that you will be dealing with health issues because the body didn’t get the right nutrients it needs.
There are many arguments as well as options on what foods are to be given to Dachshunds. There are various types of foods to choose from ranging from dry to canned foods in addition to homemade ones. Arguments between commercial and homemade foods have been raised among dog experts and enthusiasts. Is there really difference between the two? What makes one better than the other? These are some of the questions oftentimes raised when talking about dog foods.
Commercial dog foods have been widely used nowadays because of the convenience it brings. With commercial dog foods, a busy dog owner can feed its beloved Dachshund in just a snap of the finger. It gives them the chance to skip the hustle of preparing dog meals and go on with their regular activity. However, commercial dog foods do not have equal quality. Some are loaded with calories and with few useful vitamins and minerals. Commercial foods also come in different types, dry and canned dog foods. On the other hand, with homemade dog foods, you can somehow be sure of its nutritional value since you are the one preparing and choosing the ingredients. However, if you are a busy person with little or no time to spare, then this one is not for you.
There is nothing wrong with using commercial dog food as long as it meets the nutritional values needed by your dog. Commercial dog foods vary not just in types but also in formulation. Some contains more protein, some with more carbohydrates. Different dogs need different formulation so it is important for you to find out what your dog really needs.
Dachshunds are small dogs with increased energy levels. They have smaller digestive systems so they need more concentrated food with higher protein and fat levels. Protein can be derived by eating foods such as chicken, fish and egg. If you are giving commercial foods to your dog, just make sure that the food you chose has protein and minerals. Read its label to be sure. There are also foods that help reduce tartar build up and maintain good oral hygiene so it helps if you’ll include these foods in your dog’s diet.
Dog foods doesn’t have to be very expensive or with great advertisement and attractive packaging. Whether it’s a homemade or commercial food, as long as it contains all the necessary elements your dog needs, its enough reason why you should get one and feed it to your adorable Dachshund.
Richard Cussons is a writer and a dog expert. Learn more about Dachshund dogs at this site dedicated to Dachshunds.
| By Richard Cussons Published: 12/12/2007 |
Although this post contains some good information about dachshunds, we would suggest that you are always gong to be better off going for a high-quality dog food instead of the regular commercial brands, mainly because the premium dog foods don’t contain fillers or toxic chemicals.
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How Dog Food Is Made
Posted by Rae and Mark on Jan 30, 2009
When you need to buy dog food, you need a dog food that has all of the nutrients that your pet needs to grow healthy and strong. You should also expect a dog food brand to be produced in such a way that there won’t be food recalls.
Good news: Drs. Foster and Smith tested and re-tests their food regularly to ensure that it passes the most rigorous set of standards so your pet will only get high-quality food with no surprise ingredients. When we had all of those recalls from food produced in places like China, Drs. Foster & Smith brand pet foods passed all inspections and did not have any foreign elements and therefore NO RECALLS!
Drs. Foster And Smith Pet Food: How It’s Made
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Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff |
To ensure that our foods met the quality standards you’ve come to expect from products carrying the Drs. Foster & Smith name, our veterinarians were intimately involved at every step in the production process - from formula development through production to quality control.
Research & Development
The research and planning for Drs. Foster & Smith foods started long before our first bag was produced. Because of the importance of proper nutrition for pets, Dr. Foster and Dr. Smith analyzed available pet food formulas, talked with breeders, trainers, and pet owners, and consulted with leading nutritionists in order to develop formulas that met the doctors’ high standards.
After careful consideration, testing, and analysis, the doctors selected the best formulas for each life stage, using only the ingredients that would benefit your pet most: real meat (as the first - or one of the first three - ingredients), wholesome whole grains, whole fresh fruits and vegetables, quality fat sources, and much more. You’ll find our formulas are much more nutrient-dense than most other foods, allowing you to feed less while offering your pet exceptional nutrition that is highly digestible.
Manufacturing
Dr. Foster and Dr. Smith explored manufacturing facilities nationwide and chose the one they felt would best be able to produce the formulas we developed. We also set very high quality control measures to ensure every batch consistently met our expectations. Not only did we choose the most capable manufacturer, we reviewed every step in the production process to ensure that our ingredients were processed to ensure maximum nutritional potency. At times, some of our suppliers seemed a little surprised at our level of involvement, but we wanted to ensure that even the smallest steps and the smallest decisions had our stamp of approval.
Committed to the Health of Your Pets
As the overall pet food industry continues to research pet food nutrition, introduce healthier pet foods and foods targeted to individual life stages and/or diets (such as puppy, senior, kitten, lite, and maintenance formulas), we will strive to incorporate all relevant innovations in our Healthy pet foods.
As veterinarians, our ultimate goal is to provide pet owners with the tools to help their pets live long, happy, healthy lives. Our new Healthy pet foods offer your pet optimal health benefits - better overall body condition, healthier skin, a softer and healthier coat, improved muscle tone, better disease resistance, and a higher activity level - benefits that only excellent nutrition can provide. We’re proud to bring you and your pets these new, Healthy foods, and we will continue to strive to offer the best nutritional products on the market.
Expect quality pet food from Drs. Foster and Smith. The wholesome ingredients have been formulated to be a performance dog food as well as a natural dog food that you will come to know and love as the best pet food online - as we have.
Try Drs. Foster & Smith pet food today, delivered for $20!
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Great Dane Food
Posted by Rae and Mark on Jan 27, 2009
Every dog has its own specific nutrition needs, and feeding Great Danes is no exception, as this article shows:
Nourish Your Great Dane
Feed your pet correctly to prevent nutritionally related problems as well as prevent huge vet bills…
One problem that could probably arise in the mind of a Great Dane owner is the food to feed the animal. This breed grows into a giant dog in a matter of year so owners must take into careful consideration the diet these animals should get.
Each breed is distinct from the other. As to a Great Dane, its giant size but gentle personality makes him different compared to other breeds. The long and narrow head with an accentuated frontal stop, the deep set eyes with lively expression, the cropped ears and the perfectly straight front legs complement the picture of a beautiful giant yet so gentle and friendly.
Their temperament and appearance are not their only distinction from the others. They have unique set of nutritional requirements too, that, just like the temperament and appearance have been passed on from generation to generation. The food should contain nutrient sources that are not foreign to the system of a Great Dane and which are easy to digest. It should contain the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that this breed requires.
There are two assumption regarding the correct amount of protein a Great Dane should receive. One group believes that a Great Dane puppy needs high protein diet important for the development of muscle and bone. Their idea is that, a puppy should be fed 30% protein or more. However, that idea is opposed by the other group for they believe that too much protein increases the risk of developmental disorders such as canine hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis dissecans and wobblers syndrome. They also believe that too much protein causes gas which may cause bloat and torsion of the stomach. For them, 20%-23% protein is what that is needed. But both group agree that growing dogs should be kept in a low protein diet. Fat should not be less than 12%. The vitamins and minerals requirement vary depending on the animal’s age, sex, size, activity level, stress level and medical condition.
To reduce the risk of bloat and torsion to occur, feeding multiple times a day is recommended. Puppies should be fed three to four times a day until around six months of age. Older dogs should be fed not less than twice daily. Free feeding may be used but may result to problems like soiling problems. Exercise and other vigorous activity should be avoided one hour before and one to two hours after meals. This will prevent the stomach from twisting. Drinking of water before and after meals should also be avoided.
Food is important for the growth and continued health of a Great Dane as well as other breeds of dog. Feed him with proper diet he needs and he will definitely guarantee you of his loyalty and love that could last for ten years or perhaps more.
Great Dane
Great Dane
| By Richard Cussons Published: 5/2/2008 |
Great Danes are wonderful dogs, so keep them healthy by giving them the best natural dog food you will find.
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Recommended feeding for the Great Dane is 4 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added or at least 5 cupfuls of a complete dry dog food. A Great Dane will eat eight to twelve cups of food a day.
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Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have fairly slow metabolism. Bloat is a common health problem of this breed and occasionally, some develop yeast infection.
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Lamb & Rice Dog Food
Posted by Rae and Mark on Jan 26, 2009
Drs. Foster and Smith are trusted dog food suppliers. They’ve been supplying high quality pet products for years. The Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food is one of the best dog food products for the dollar spent. Your dogs will get a very nutritious dog food that is cost-effective since your dogs will eat a lot less but still feel satisfied because they are getting all of the nutrients they need.
Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
Drs. Foster & Smith Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Adult Dog Food includes all-natural, healthy ingredients for optimal health - with no artificial preservatives, colors, or by-products.
Please note that these ingredients are listed alphabetically, and that their ranking (i.e. proportion of the overall ingredients) is shown in brackets.
Beta Carotene (28)
A powerful antioxidant, beta carotene is a "free-radical scavenger" which neutralizes "free radicals" that cause cell damage and cell death. Once these "free radicals" are neutralized, the oxidation process stops, and the affected cells can heal. Beta carotene is also thought to protect against certain cancers, heart disease, and cataracts.
Biotin (43)
Biotin, also known as Vitamin H, is active in the metabolism of fat, carbohydrates, and protein, as well as the formation of fatty acids. Biotin also promotes the health of sweat glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, blood cells, skin, and hair.
Brown Rice (3)
The unpolished rice remaining once the kernels have been removed, brown rice contains carbohydrates and fiber. The bran portion of brown rice also contains B vitamins.
Calcium Pantothenate (35)
A high-potency Vitamin B5 supplement, calcium pantothenate is also called Pantothenic. It helps convert amino acids in your dog’s body and is important for healthy skin. It promotes normal growth and development and aids in the release of energy from foods.
Choline Chloride (23)
Choline chloride is a supplement added to your dog’s food to provide adequate levels of choline, a B vitamin found in eggs, liver, and soy. Choline chloride helps maintain the health of your dog’s liver and thymus; boosts cell health by maintaining cell membrane integrity; and promotes healthy brain and nervous system function.
Cobalt Proteinate (34)
Cobalt proteinate provides your dog with an extremely usable source of cobalt. Cobalt, a trace element and essential mineral, is a component of Vitamin B12. Cobalt proteinate provides your dog with a good source of Vitamin B12. Also known as cyanocobalamin, Vitamin B12 aids in normal DNA synthesis; promotes normal nervous system function; promotes normal fat and carbohydrate metabolism; helps in protein synthesis; and promotes growth, cell development, and manufacture of nerve cell covering.
Copper Proteinate (37)
Copper proteinate provides your dog with an extremely usable source of copper through the process of chelation, which slightly alters the chemical structure of the metal, making it more available and useful in the body. Copper is essential for prevention of anemia in dogs. In addition to being active in the regeneration of hemoglobin, copper assists in the production of several enzymes involved in respiration, promotes connective-tissue formation, and maintains proper central-nervous-system function. Copper also has antioxidant properties which help prevent cell damage.
Copper Sulfate (39)
Copper sulfate provides a very useful source of copper, a mineral essential for the prevention of anemia in dogs. Copper is active in hemoglobin regeneration, assists in the production of several enzymes involved in respiration, promotes connective-tissue formation and central-nervous-system function.
Dehydrated Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product (19)
Bacteria naturally present in your dog’s digestive system which aids in digestion - the same type of bacteria used in yogurt with active cultures. These helpful microorganisms are grown in a broth culture, then freeze-dried to maintain their viability. The freeze-dried product containing the inactive microorganisms is applied to the outside of the kibble during the enrobing process-the final step of manufacturing. The microorganisms are activated when they are hydrated in the digestive tract.
Dehydrated Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product (21)
Bacteria naturally present in your dog’s digestive system which aids in digestion - the same type of bacteria used in yogurt with active cultures. These helpful microorganisms are grown in a broth culture, then freeze-dried to maintain their viability. The freeze-dried product containing the inactive microorganisms is applied to the outside of the kibble during the enrobing process-the final step of manufacturing. The microorganisms are activated when they are hydrated in the digestive tract.
Dehydrated Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product (20)
Bacteria naturally present in your dog’s digestive system which aids in digestion - the same type of bacteria used in yogurt with active cultures. These helpful microorganisms are grown in a broth culture, then freeze-dried to maintain their viability. The freeze-dried product containing the inactive microorganisms is applied to the outside of the kibble during the enrobing process-the final step of manufacturing. The microorganisms are activated when they are hydrated in the digestive tract.
Dehydrated Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product (22)
Bacteria naturally present in your dog’s digestive system which aids in digestion - the same type of bacteria used in yogurt with active cultures. These helpful microorganisms are grown in a broth culture, then freeze-dried to maintain their viability. The freeze-dried product containing the inactive microorganisms is applied to the outside of the kibble during the enrobing process-the final step of manufacturing. The microorganisms are activated when they are hydrated in the digestive tract.
Dehydrated Lactobacillus Acidolphilus Fermentation Product (18)
Bacteria naturally present in your dog’s digestive system which aids in digestion - the same bacteria used in yogurt with active cultures. These helpful microorganisms are grown in a broth culture, then freeze-dried to maintain their viability. The freeze-dried product containing the inactive microorganisms is applied to the outside of the kibble during the enrobing process-the final step of manufacturing. The microorganisms are activated when they are hydrated in the digestive tract.
Ethylene Diamine Dihydriodide (41)
Ethylene diamine dihydriodide is a source of iodine, which is essential for a healthy thyroid and normal cell function. Iodine is also important in the formation of bones, teeth, muscles, and blood.
Folic Acid (44)
Folic acid, a B vitamin, is important for growth, as well as healthy blood and skin. It also helps maintain the nervous system, intestinal tract, sex organs, and white blood cells.
Garlic (16)
Flavorful, fresh, whole garlic not only enhances the taste of your dog’s food, it also contains allicin - a valuable amino acid found in garlic oil - and exhibits some antioxidant characteristics which promote and maintain cell health.
Iron Proteinate (25)
Iron proteinate provides your dog with an extremely usable source of iron through the process of chelation, which slightly alters the chemical structure of the metal, making it more available and useful in the body. Iron stimulates bone-marrow production of hemoglobin (and is therefore essential for prevention of anemia). It also provides oxygen to blood, helps in the digestion of fatty acids, and forms part of several enzymes and protein.
Iron Sulfate (27)
Iron sulfate provides a very usable source of Iron, a mineral essential for the prevention of anemia. Iron stimulates bone-marrow production of hemoglobin and forms part of several enzymes and protein.
Kelp (14)
Kelp, dried seaweed of the families Laminaricae and Fucaeae, contains several essential vitamins, trace minerals, and amino acids for overall good health. Kelp also contains fiber, which promotes and maintains digestive health.
Lamb (2)
Real, hormone-free lamb meat is a delicious, highly digestible protein source with an excellent quantity and ratio of essential amino acids and essential fatty acids.
Lamb Meal (1)
Lamb meal - the first ingredient in the doctors’ formula - is dry rendered (cooked down) lamb tissues which are ground up into a meal. Lamb meal provides a delicious, highly digestible protein source with excellent essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, and minerals - without the allergens associated with poultry-based products. Lamb meal does not contain added blood, hair, hoof, manure, or entrails.
Manganese Proteinate (29)
Manganese proteinate provides your dog with an extremely usable source of manganese through the process of chelation, which slightly alters the chemical structure of the metal, making it more available and useful in the body. Manganese catalyzes several metabolic reactions, promotes nerve function, and aids in the formation of connective tissue.
Manganese Sulfate (31)
Manganese sulfate provides a very usable source of Manganese, a mineral that catalyzes several metabolic reactions, promotes nerve function, and aids in the formation of connective tissue.
Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (45)
A complex source of Vitamin K activity, menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (also known as phytonadione) is essential for blood coagulation. It also promotes bone health as well as normal growth and development.
Natural Flavor (9)
Natural flavors are created when a source such as spices, fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, seafood, poultry, eggs, or dairy products is roasted, heated, or broken down with enzymes. The remaining products (essential oils, essences, extracts, and so on) are then used to enhance palatability. Natural flavors do not have any significant nutritional value, and cannot be derived from any source that is chemically altered.
Niacin (32)
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid or nicotinamide, is a source of Vitamin B3 essential for healthy nerves, brain function, and skin. Niacin is also important in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and it reduces cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Potassium Chloride (13)
A high-potency potassium supplement essential for the growth of healthy nerves, muscles, and organs. Potassium chloride also helps maintain water balance in body tissues and cells, and promotes normal function of nerve cells, heart cells, skeletal-muscle cells, kidneys, and stomach secretions.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (42)
Pyridoxine hydrochloride provides your dog with a good source of Vitamin B6, which is essential for healthy tissue growth through the proper metabolism of proteins. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is also involved in the metabolism of the precursor of heme - a vital component of blood - and helps the brain function normally.
Riboflavin Supplement (36)
Riboflavin supplement provides your dog with a good source of Vitamin B2, an antioxidant. In addition to helping to prevent cell damage, Riboflavin promotes healthy ligaments, aids in the release of energy from food, maintains healthy mucous membranes (in conjunction with Vitamin A), activates Vitamin B6, and is essential for the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. Riboflavin also maintains the health of the nervous system, skin, and eyes.
Rice (5)
Rice provides another delicious, high-quality carbohydrate source in the doctors’ formula. Rice gives your dog much-needed energy for work and play.
Rice Bran (6)
The bran layer and germ of the rice, rice bran provides your dog with essential carbohydrates, protein, fiber, Vitamin B, and minerals.
Sodium Ascorbate (17)
Sodium Ascorbate, a source of Vitamin C, is essential for healthy capillaries, gums, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C also aids in iron absorption and contributes to the formation of hemoglobin. Therefore, Vitamin C can help prevent anemia. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant - a "free-radical scavenger" that helps prevent cell damage. It also reduces the development of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Vitamin C is also active in maintaining a healthy immune system, especially in preventing urinary infections. Vitamin C also helps form collagen in connective tissue, increases calcium absorption, and aids in adrenal gland function. Vitamin C is not included in the AAFCO canine nutrient profile.
Sodium Selenite (46)
Sodium selenite provides your dog with a good source of the essential mineral selenium, which is important for healthy muscles and nerves. Selenium also enhances the antioxidant characteristics of Vitamin E, and is important in fertility.
Sunflower Oil (7)
Sunflower oil provides your dog with a good source of fat energy and essential fatty acids - especially gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an Omega 6 which promotes healthy skin and coat.
Thiamine Mononitrate (40)
Thiamine mononitrate provides your dog with a good source of Vitamin B1, which is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein. It also keeps mucous membranes healthy; maintains normal function of the nervous system, muscles, and heart; and promotes normal growth and development. Thiamine mononitrate also helps to maintain a healthy nervous system.
Whole Apples (12)
Crisp, fresh, whole apples provide essential carbohydrates and Vitamin C. Apples also contain pectin, a natural fiber that promotes digestive system health.
Whole Barley (4)
A highly digestible, natural, whole grain, whole barley is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. It is also an excellent source of B vitamins and Lysine, an essential amino acid.
Whole Carrots (11)
Whole, garden-fresh carrots give your dog vital carbohydrates, potassium, and beta carotene. Whole carrots also contain retinol, which works with Vitamin E to prevent oxidation (which results in food spoilage). After ingestion, retinol and Vitamin E act as an antioxidant, which prevents cell damage and cell death.
Whole Ground Flaxseed (8)
Whole flaxseed, also known as linseed, contains essential fatty acids - especially alpha-linoleic acid (an Omega 3 fatty acid) - which promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat. Flaxseed also contains vital carbohydrates, and fiber, which helps the food pass through your dog’s digestive system easily and efficiently.
Whole Sweet Potatoes (10)
Whole, delicious sweet potatoes provide your dog with an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, potassium, vitamins, minerals, and beta carotene. Sweet potatoes also supply retinol, which works with Vitamin E to prevent oxidation (which results in food spoilage). After ingestion, retinol and Vitamin E act as an antioxidant, which prevents cell damage and cell death. Sweet potatoes also contain starch, which easily converts to sugar to boost energy.
Vitamin A Supplement (33)
Vitamin A supplement helps boost the immune system; prevent respiratory infections; and promote healthy bones, teeth, hair, skin, eyes, digestive system, reproductive system, lungs, and mucous membranes. Vitamin A acetate is also a building block of rhodopsin, a compound in the retina responsible for sight in partial darkness.
Vitamin B12 Supplement (30)
Vitamin B12 aids in the metabolism of protein and the transport of methyl groups, particularly the two essential amino acids Methionine and Cyteine. This B vitamin also helps maintain healthy blood, hair, kidneys, and thyroid.
Vitamin D3 Supplement (38)
Vitamin D3 supplement provides your dog with an adequate supply of Vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium and phosphorus metabolism and bone calcification. Vitamin D3 is also important for maintaining a healthy immune system, nerve system, and muscle system.
Vitamin E Supplement (15)
Vitamin E is an antioxidant - a "free-radical scavenger" - which neutralizes "free radicals" that cause cell damage and cell death. Once these "free radicals" are neutralized, the oxidation process stops, and the affected cells can heal. Vitamin E also helps maintain normal, healthy cell function; promotes normal red-blood-cell formation; protects the tissues of the eyes, skin, liver, mouth, and lungs; improves immune system function; and works with Vitamin C to provide powerful antioxidant capabilities.
Zinc Proteinate (24)
Zinc proteinate provides your dog with an extremely usable source of zinc through the process of chelation, which slightly alters the chemical structure of the metal, making it more available and useful in the body. Zinc is important in maintaining healthy skin, hair, bones, muscles, blood, and mucous membranes. It also helps maintain normal taste and sense of smell, aids in healing, promotes a healthy immune system, and has antioxidant properties to prevent cell damage.
Zinc Sulfate (26)
Zinc sulfate provides a very usable source of Zinc, a mineral that helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. It also provides antioxidant properties, helps maintain normal taste and sense of smell, helps in the healing process, and promotes a healthy immune system.
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We’ve been using the Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food for some time and all of our dogs love it. We switched from their Chicken & Rice Adult Formula which is also very good, but the Lamb & Rice Formula has really small nuggets. This is perfect - since one of our dogs is a 10lb Chihuahua, the tiny size kibble works well for her small mouth. Even though the rest of our dogs are large (between 45 and 120lbs), they eat this food daily and have had no problems ever with it. We therefore have made this a recommended dog food for any adult dogs. |
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About Us
Posted by Rae and Mark on Jan 21, 2009
BestDryDogFood.com is dedicated to providing quality information on the subject of healthy dog food and in particular, on the brand Drs. Foster & Smith.
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Posted by Rae and Mark on Jan 21, 2009
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