Ol Roy Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken & Rice
Ol Roys is a Walmart brand that has been in production since 1981. This specific recipe from the brand is crafted for adult canines of all sizes with essential nutrients to provide a balanced diet.
Its billed as an inexpensive pet food due to lack of advertising and promotion, but if you look closely at the ingredients, youll see another reason why.
Well list the first six ingredients here: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Rice Bran, Animal Fat , and Poultry By-Product Meal. And most of these are problematic.
We dont have anything against corn. Grains are okay too. In fact, these are healthy ingredients to have in dog food. But within reasonable quantities and never as the most significant part of a diet. In this recipe, the corn and grains make up the most volume and overwhelm the meat.
Second thing, the meats are all unspecified. Theyre labelled as meat and bone meal and poultry byproduct meal. The labels dont indicate exactly what animal the meat comes from and which parts were used.
Lastly, the food contains artificial colors and artificial preservatives .
Recall Info: There has been no recall yet for this formulation, although the Ol Roy brand has been involved in several recalls since 1998. The most recent one was in 2018 where samples of its Gravy Train line were found to contain traces of sodium pentobarbital.
When Fresh Herbs Are Not An Option
This easy to make custom spice blend combines dried parsley, basil, dill, rosemary, and oregano. I sprinkle on a little of the seasoning blend at every feeding for added nutrition. I know I’m contributing to fresh breath, happy tummies, and better long term health benefits for both of our dogs!
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarians careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human grade food diet for your pup. POST UPDATE 9/25/20 to add more information on ingredients. The original recipe is still the same***
Wegmans Bruiser Kibble Variety Mix
This brand of dry dog food has ingredients that have been considered dangerous for dogs to eat, including BHA, xantham gum, BHT, corn gluten, and food coloring.
Wegmans Bruiser Kibble Variety Mix demonstrates the motto that you typically get what you pay for.
It is affordable dog food, but if youre looking to give your dog stable nourishment, you should look for an alternative option.
Also Check: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
How To Make Canned Dog Food Into Treats
Update: I wrote this when Quijote was on a restricted diet and having a treats he could eat was a game changer! We are now introducing his regular foods back into his diet and will see how he does.
Since we adopted Quijote, hes had stomach issues on and off that vets couldnt quite pinpoint the cause of.
After a recent bout, a different vet scanned his history with fresh eyes. She had a theory about acid reflux and pancreatitis and Im a little fuzzy on the details, but, for the first time, we had a plan.
Thats the good news.
The bad news is that said plan involves at least a few months of exclusively feeding him that expensive vet-prescribed food theres a kibble and canned food .
And it means all of his treats are currently off the menu. Which is kind of a big deal for him, as well as us. Because, before this, I think our treat game was on point. We had treats for training, for nightly teeth cleaning , for hiding pills, for stuffing into a Kong to keep him distracted when we went out for coffee or over to my parents house for dinner you get the idea.
A week or two into what he must think of as The Great Treat Famine of 2019, I asked the vet for suggestions. She said theres a way you can actually bake the canned food to give it a more solid, treat-like texture! She was a little fuzzy on the details of how to do it, but I was like dont worry. This is definitely a thing the internet has the answer to.
Other Factors To Consider
Of course, digestion isnt everything. According to an article from Petfoodindustry.com, Drying petfood at high temperatures may decrease nutrients, researchers find, researchers at one university in the Netherlands studied drying temperatures and the amount of time spend drying on the foods nutrition.
Their experiments tested extruded foods. Researchers said that drying pet foods at high temperatures of 320-360 F can significantly reduce nutrients or nutrient reactivity.
You might surmise from this study that the nutrients in oven-baked foods could be affected by temperatures and the length of time the food was cooked. Some oven-baked foods do note that their foods are cooked at lower temperatures, so this might be something to look for if you are interested in an oven-baked dog food.
Otherwise, we think its impossible to say that all oven-baked foods are better than extruded foods or vice versa. Factors such as ingredients and their sources, the dry matter basis of protein, fat, and the percentage of carbohydrates in the food, the manufacturer and their reputation all play a role in determining how good the dog food turns out to be.
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Common Health Issues That Can Cause Dogs To Not Eat
Checking to see if theyre uncomfortable, pawing at their mouth, or perhaps have gone through recent trauma is the best way to start evaluating your dog.
Here are a few considerations for you to begin understanding why a dog isnt eating.
Food Intolerances and Digestive Issues
Sometimes dogs develop food sensitivities or allergies to foods that they used to love. If you just switched their usual food to a new brand, you might also have unintentionally provided them with a recipe theyre unable to digest well. Your Veterinarian might recommend trying a food elimination diet for your dog to get a better understanding of exactly what theyre allergic to.
Additionally, other gastrointestinal and digestive disorders like colitis can cause dogs to suddenly stop eating. Colitis conditions can be anything from IBD, IBS, pancreatitis, parasites, and more.
Poor Dental Hygiene or Mouth-Related Pain
If your dog is experiencing tooth, gum, or any other mouth related soreness, he or she may also stop eating to avoid the pain.
This type of problem can result from an accident such as a dog chewing on a sharp object . It might also be something more serious related to poor dental hygiene and disease that will need further treatment.
Regular cleanings, dogs chews or toys, and low sugar foods are a good place to start improving your dogs overall mouth health.
Changes of Environment or Increased Stress
Original Line Of Diamond Dog Food
The Diamond Pet Food Company is owned and produced by Schell & Kampeter, and comprises three product lines.
The original Diamond line of dog food lacks the desired nutritional content you should be looking for in your dogs food.
A review of several Diamond dog food products reveals the use of corn, soy and wheat ingredients.
Many of the meat-based ingredients come from unnamed sources like fish meal or meat by-products of questionable quality.
They dont use many artificial flavors and colors like other bad dog food brands on this list, so thats a plus.
Still, it would be good to avoid any brand that makes heavy use of wheat, soy and corn.
Read Also: Is Natural Balance Dog Food Made In China
Sportsmans Pride Professional Formula 30/20
Sportsmans Pride is a dog food line geared towards canine athletes and is billed as supportive of the endurance and energy requirements of working dogs and active pups.
While that sounds good, we need to take a look at the recent recall of one of its products and the ingredients it contains.
On June 3, 2021, the FDA issued an alert regarding one lot of Professional Formula 30/20. Sunshine Mills, Inc., which manufactures Sportsmans Pride and the brands Sprout, Intimidator, and FRM Gold Select , issued a voluntary recall of this recipe for potential salmonella contamination.
But looking past the recall alert, wed have to say that this recipe doesnt meet our standards either. The main ingredient in this food is chicken byproduct meal, a rather dubious ingredient with regards to quality.
Chicken byproduct can mean any leftover part of the chicken, and not just its organs. With quality recipes, manufacturers generally state chicken liver, chicken heart, and so on.
When a manufacturer lists byproduct only, that means its probably a combination of a lot of unsavory things that wont sound as good when listed down and specified.
Lastly, this food uses more carbs than protein to supply the energy needs of dogs because there are three grain and corn ingredients within the first five slots.
The potential for contamination was noted after a sample of 5 lb. Sprout Sporting Dog Food product was collected and tested positive for salmonella during routine surveillance.
Offer Probiotics In The Form Of Yogurt
Yogurt is high in calcium, benefits your dogs digestive system, and encourages a dog to eat when its mixed in with kibble. Any yogurt that you offer your pet should be plain and free of any added sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are toxic for dogs and should be avoided.
Choose a yogurt that has live cultures. Plain Greek yogurt is the best option because it contains live probiotics and lower lactose levels.
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Shake It Pup Dog Food Seasoning
Shake it up pup makes yummy dog food seasoning in 4.5 oz bottles that are sure to turn ordinary food into a gourmet meal. The seasoning comes in seven delectable flavors: bacon & eggs, BBQ Chicken, Beef, Peanut Butter, Salmon, pizza fest, and turkey. Each bottle contains 60 servings and is backed by a manufacturers guarantee.
Shake it up is a class apart when it comes to quality and flavor. The ingredients are sourced and packaged in the USA, and the recipes are hand-made in small batches for unparalleled flavor. Moreover, the ingredients make up human-grade food topping, which basically means it contains no grains, gluten, added salts, chemicals, GMOs, or other fillers. Lastly, the meat used to make this seasoning is grass-fed, and hormone and antibiotic-free.
One minor snag some users have pointed out is the texture. This topping is has a flour-like texture, which some dogs dont like.
What About Pills Why Does My Dog Hate Them
The answer to this very common question really depends on the type of pill being presented, but smell and taste can play a factor in why your dog doesn’t like taking a supplement or medication in pill form.
Texture is an obvious issue, as the pill may feel funny in the mouth, and the experience of having it placed in your dog’s mouth may be enough to make him think it’s not good for him!
The bitter taste of some pills also plays a factor, as many pills are naturally bitter or coated with bitter substances.
Some owners can get away with adding pills to their dog’s food, especially with less discerning pets such as young dogs, however for most people this isn’t the case.
Pills can also be very smelly, or bitter, which can be very averse to dogs due to the fact that bitter is one of the key taste receptors they have.
To make it easier, finding a supplement that is palatable, or even one that doesn’t come in pill form works great. Pills that are gel-caps or coated in tablet form may be easier to swallow, and more bitter pills can have food items such as a meatball or cheese wrapped around it to mask the taste and smell.
Adding a supplement in liquid form directly to the food completely bypasses the need to encourage your dog to eat a pill and can work great for dogs that are great at separating the pill from the meatball.
Also Check: Can You Buy Dog Food With Food Stamps
Dog Food Toppers For The Home Cook
Dogs love organ meat, and they dont need a whole meal of it to enjoy it . Ask your local butcher or farmers market vendors if they offer pre-packaged organ meat, such as heart, liver and kidney. Cut the meat into tiny bites and scatter a few on top of your dogs meal the meat can be either raw or lightly braised.
Low-prep Topping Ideas:
Youll find a common method in many a canine cookbook, one you can freely adapt based on what you have at home. But you dont need a PhD in animal nutrition to boost your dogs meals. One more home cooking approach: simply buy a medley of vegetables in bulk and oven-roast as many as your dog might eat in four to five days, then store in refrigerator and add at mealtime. A healthy fast food your dog will love. You can even just stock up on frozen vegetablesdefrost and serve!
Why We Switched To Homemade Dog Food
Recently, I shared a blog post about our dog’s health issues and why we decided to make the switch to a diet that is made up of 100% human grade food.
In our experience, the switch was easy, cost effective, and so much healthier for our dogs than a traditional doggie diet of processed kibble! The homemade dog food recipe that I make for our dogs combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs. This healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food has given our 11 year old dog, Hooch, a new lease on life!
Since making the switch 8 months ago I have been so inspired by the improvements we have seen in Hooch! It’s pushed me to continue to research different ingredients that might help even more. I’m excited to share my first Homemade Dog Food Seasoning blend with you and your pup! I really hope you will benefit as much as we have.
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Tailor To Your Dog’s Needs
Every dog has his or her own taste and smell preferences, so finding a combination of things that work best for him is key. If your dog tends to dislike dry foods, offer a moist or semi-moist alternative, or even add in a gravy supplement for that extra flavor with a vitamin boost.
If your dog hates pills, try to find medications or supplements that can be given in liquid form safely, making it less of a hassle for both him and you during feeding times.
Mixing in additional things such as meatballs and oils can also provide a health benefit in addition to a flavor one, giving your dog a healthier coat, better skin, and an overall better life.
With the wide range of products available for pets these days, finding something that will make your dog’s tail wag is easier than ever.
If you’re looking for a quality liquid omega-3 supplement for your dog, check out our Wild Omega-3 for Dogs!
Top 10 List Of Bad Dog Foods
| Worst wet food | |
| Worst dry food for adults | IAMS Protective Health |
| IAMS Protective Health Smart Puppy | |
| Also Avoid | |
| One of the worst dog foods | Gravy Train |
| Not healthy for your pup | Pedigree |
We structured the following list of dog food brands to avoid this year in a way that will make it easy for you to make a more informed shopping decision.
You will have a better understanding of why it is critical to seek out the better option for your pup by first emphasizing the bad dog food and then reading about healthy dog food brands to choose from.
Read Also: Where To Buy Pedigree Dog Food
Can Dogs Taste And What Do They Like To Eat
The next two installments of Nutrition Nuggets will cover food preferences in dogs and cats. Then, in the third week, we will discuss reasons why your dog might not be eating and what you can do to try to encourage him. So stay tuned!
Have you ever heard that cats are finicky eaters? Cats do seem to be very discriminating creatures, but I dont think the same is often said about dogs. In my experience, most dogs will eat just about anything things that are edible and things that arent, like tennis balls, socks, hair ties, cow manure
Ever Wondered What Is Going On In Your Dog’s Head While He Eats His Dinner
It’s dinner time, and you’ve just sat down to eat a nice steak and potato dinner. While eating, something bumps your leg, and you look down to see Fido sitting and staring at you excitedly as if he hasn’t been fed in days! Yet, when you look over, you notice Fido’s own bowl of kibble left untouched.
Why is it that Fido is so eager to smell and taste your meal, while seemingly unimpressed by his own? Why is it that some dogs will eat anything, including inedible objects without discretion, however the sight of a pill or even regular dog kibble turns his stomach?
The canine senses of smell and taste play a large factor in what your dog perceives as tasty, and knowing how these two senses work together can help solve the puzzle about why Fido is such a picky eater sometimes, but a canine vacuum at other times.
Your dog’s anatomy can play a great part in how he determines what to eat, while the actual texture, taste and smell of food helps to play another. Combining knowledge of how both work can make dinner time, or even giving supplements or medications a much easier task, though it still may not save your socks.
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