Which ingredance looks better A or B for dog food?

(A) All Natural Ingredients


Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flax Seed, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Lecithin, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Linoleic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (source of B2), Beta Carotene, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, D-Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Dried Papaya, Vitamin B12 Supplement.





(B) Alfalfa





Alfalfa is one of the most nutritionally complete foods, providing nutrients needed by dogs to sustain wellbeing. The green leaves of the alfalfa plant are an excellent source of digestible soluble fiber and chlorophyll. Alfalfa has also been shown to be a source of protein and rich source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. It also contains the entire spectrum of known vitamins including Vitamin A (Beta Carotene), Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Niacin, Biotin, Choline, Pantothenic acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Tocopherols), and Vitamin K.





Antioxidants


Antioxidants are a necessity to every diet, including your dogs. Antioxidants are powerful compounds that neutralize free radicals – natural substances produced by the body as it ages – to help your dog maintain a healthy, active life. Dogs naturally produce their own antioxidant Vitamin C, but other antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, and the trace mineral Selenium must be consumed in their daily diets. The best food sources of antioxidant nutrients are fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – all foods most dogs like but don’t regularly get to eat.





This is why we included lots of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables in Life’s Abundance®, something most pet food manufacturers don’t do. It’s also why we made the healthy decision to enhance our food with a patented grapeseed extract. The all-natural, red grape seed extract used in our food is rich in powerful plant-based antioxidants called proanthocyanidins. Some of these proanthocyanidins, most notably oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), are very powerful antioxidants – many times more potent than Vitamins E, C and Beta-Carotene.





Apples


Apples provide a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Folate which help protect cells and keep them healthy. Apples are also loaded with Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may be a major reason why the old saying about eating "an apple a day" has been associated with good health.





Bacteria Cultures:


Life’s Abundance® contains a source of live (viable) naturally occurring microorganisms. Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Bifidobacterium Thermophilum and Enterococcus Faecium are specially selected active cultures provided by Life’s Abundance® to help maintain a healthy immune and digestive function. They are specially processed to remain active even after cooking and are guaranteed to be in every serving of Life’s Abundance® your dog enjoys!





Brewer’s Dried Yeast


Brewer’s dried yeast is loaded with highly digestible protein with an exceptional amino acid balance and contains an abundance of natural minerals and vitamins, especially B Complex Vitamins (except B12). Brewer’s dried yeast helps the digestive system work at peak efficiency, allowing your pet to get even more nutrition from our wholesome foods.





Carrots


Carrots are bursting with beta-carotene (or Vitamin A), a powerful antioxidant that helps to keep your dog’s skin and eyesight healthy. Carrots also contain Vitamins C, D, E, and K, Riboflavin, Niacin, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sodium, and Iron.





Catfish Meal


Our top quality fish meal is made by drying the freshest catfish at a low temperature, creating a concentrated, highly-digestible protein source. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, catfish meal provides natural DHA and EPA, the most important of all the Omega-3 fatty acids. Vital for a strong healthy heart and central nervous system, DHA and EPA can also help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.





Celery


Celery is packed with beneficial fiber, Potassium and Vitamin C to help your dog maintain good health. It also contains some Vitamin A, Calcium, and the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin.





Chicken Fat


Chicken fat is a high quality fat source rich in Omega-6 fatty acids for outstanding skin and coat condition. In addition to providing essential fatty acids, it is more digestible than most fats and provides a superior long term energy source. The chicken fat used in Life’s Abundance® foods is naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols (a source of natural Vitamin E) to maintain freshness.





Chicken Meal, the FIRST ingredient in Life’s Abundance®.


Meat is the most natural source of protein for dogs and contains the amino acids most important to pet health. With chicken meal as our first ingredient, you can be assured that not only does your dog get a generous portion of real chicken, but also a superior balance of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for muscle development, energy and healthy organs. We use only naturally grown chicken for our chicken meal - every batch is made using a slow roasting method that allows the fat and water to be released as the chicken cooks, creating a concentrated, highly-digestible protein and fat source.





Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed)


Beet Pulp is the vegetable matter that remains after sugar is extracted from sliced grey sugar beets. It is an excellent source of soluble fiber and helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract and promote normal stools.





Eggs


Eggs are one of nature's most nutrient dense foods and play an important part of a balanced diet. They are considered a complete protein source providing essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals (Vitamins A, B, E, K, Biotin, and Sulfur) that can make a significant contribution to healthy growth and muscle development. Eggs also provide healthy fats such as Omega-6 for healthy skin and coat.





Flax Seed Meal


Flax seed meal is the richest plant source of antioxidant lignans and Omega-3 fatty acids that both help support an active immune system. The high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in flax seed meal also help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Flax seed meal also has a very high level of highly digestible protein and essential amino acids needed to keep dogs fit and healthy. In addition, flax seed meal contains high amounts of fiber (aids in digestion), Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6 and is extremely high in the minerals Potassium, Calcium and Phosphorus.





Ground Brown Rice


Brown rice is natural whole grain rice that provides fiber as well as valuable quantities of minerals and essential B vitamins. It is highly digestible and an excellent high quality complex carbohydrate source for energy and fiber for colon health.





Potatoes


Potatoes are a real energy provider for your dog as they provide an excellent source of highly digestible complex carbohydrates. They contain an abundance of potassium and magnesium, minerals required for healthy muscles and a strong heart. Potatoes are also a good source of Vitamin C.





Proteinated Mineral Package:


(Copper Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, and Zinc Proteinate)


Proteinated minerals are organic minerals complexed with natural protein amino acids. By acting like a protein they offer better absorption, resulting in more efficient use of the regular trace minerals.





Spinach


Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals, particularly Folate, Vitamin K, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese. It is exceptionally rich in Beta Carotene and Lutein which keep your dog’s eyesight healthy and also Quercetin, a ‘phytochemical’ with antioxidant properties.

Which ingredance looks better A or B for dog food?
All of the ingredients that are not food, like the bacteria, the proteinated stuff, and the yeast, are very good for your dogs immune system, much like humans when exposed to a cold or the measles, we build our immune systems to become stronger, these aid in their digestive system too, by forcing out all the other ingredients left behind, after the vitamins were digested out, like the grains, the greens, the fruits, and the meats. A good brand of Dog Food, keeps all of these ingredients in the dog longer, like squeezing a sponge, it gets out more of the good stuff from the food, and a Cheaper brand, store brands, and discount brands, are more likely to make your dog go more often, due to the high fat and high grains, and less of the vitamin stuff. Hope this helps!
Reply:A. Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Chicken Fat


B. Chicken Meal, etc. (catfish is not a big deal. Salmon would be)





The major difference that I see is really marketing. By law, ingredients are listed by amounts. However, I bet that the marketed version (B) costs twice what (A) costs.





Dog food, especially dry dog food, has to fit a certain level of quality, otherwise people will stop buying it. In addition, dogfood has to maintain quality, because dogs have sensitive stomachs and if you change quality of ingredients, then the dog will get diarrhea for a week as it gets used to the change.





I feed my dog plain Purina dog food for 17 years (!) with no problems. I feed my current dog Purina Pro, because I think it may reduce potential for arthritis. But my point is to get the cheapest, brand name food that your dog will eat and will stay healthy.





Don't feed too many treats, Never feed people food, and follow the directions on the package for amounts.





Also, don't worry about dogs liking the taste... they will eat dirt or worse. They eat to live and gulp in a few moments. They don't savor every bite, like a cat might.





If the dog has problem, like skin issues, allergies, or arthritis, then you might change to more expensive brands.... These brands are not more expensive, necessarily, because the the quality of the chicken is better. They are more expensive because they include more ingredients, like Omega-3 oils (fish oil from salmon, etc. is MUCH better than Omega-3 from Flax seed alone.)





So my advice is go inexpensive - not cheapest - and get more expensive, if needed. So I like A.
Reply:Actually I wouldn't feed my great danes either of those. Dogs aren't vegetarians. They don't raid corn and rice fields. They are relatives of wolves which eat all meat products. They raid chicken coops and go after sheep...don't you watch cartoons...hehe.


Seriously, I feed my dogs a kibble that has meat for the first 4 ingredients. If I had the money I would feed them raw. Lots of people do that these days.
Reply:As someone who has studied dog foods and kibble making processes, I can tell you that while the ingredients sound good to humans.. Its a pack of lies that ANY of that (original nutrional value that they are boasting about ) is left by the time it reaches the dogs bowl. Secondly, these ingredients are very expensive and I can guarantee you that they are ot the same ingredients that you would feed to your family. The ingredients are rotton, decaying, rejected for human use and sold to dog food companies because they are where America dumps it's waste.


All you have to do to realize that is some math. 35 or 40 bucks for a 33 pound bag. The ingredients are paid for. (pennies because it is rotton, decaying and rejected for human use...) The manufacturer is paid, Workers, utilities, etc. the retailer is paid, the trucking companies are paid, the shiny bags it comes in are paid for, Advertising is paid for. Everyone takes their cut... Exactly how much goodness do you think is really in there?


Not to mention that the temperatures the food is cooked at takes ALL the nutrition out. It is added back in, in synthetic form. See the list at the bottom of recognizable foods in the ingredients.. The vitamins and minerals are added back in because f they were not, no nutrition would exist. These are the facts!


So they can put any dam thing they want in there and market it to sound good to PEOPLE so they can sell it. but the end result and fact is that it doesn't matter.


That said, these ingredients are better then what you would get from Ol Roy.


Speaking of 'All Natural'.. These are words used as selling tactics because these things are most certainly NOT all natural. No such thing as 'Organic' dogfood either. All you have to do to figure out these are lies and sales tactics is go buy your own family a couple of meals of All natural or organic meals and let me know what you food bill was. The laws regulating the use of these words is non exisitant practically and most certainly it is non existant for dog food!


Choose either. It simply does not matter.
Reply:Neither sounds good to me... Too many of the things dogs can't digest. Dogs are carnivores. They need meat, meat, more meat, a slight bit organ, slight bit of bone, and more meat.





Dogs lack the enzymes to break down cellular walls of plant matter to enable them to utilize the nutrients inside. Even if the cellular walls are broken down... dogs can't efficiently utilize the nutrition because they are meant to get all their nutrition from prey... the meat, bones, and organs of prey.





for true dog nutrition information please see some of these sites:





www.rawfed.com


www.rawmeatybones.com


www.rawfeddogs.com





Research wolves (dogs are only slightly (very slightly) removed from wolves)... D. L. Mech- wrote good books about Wolves, their diets, how they hunt, what they eat, etc.





Good luck.
Reply:I really think this is a silly question hands down option B.


For more comparisons go to www.naturapet.com


All scientific evidence points towards the fact that dogs, while not true carnivores, are opportunistic, carnivorous scavengers. Cats on the other hand are true, obligate carnivores, requiring animal protein to survive. There is a difference between a carnivorous scavenger and an omnivore though - dogs lack the dental characteristics, longer digestive tract and specific enzymes of true omnivores like humans. That is the reason why they can not digest grains and vegetables unless they are "predigested" by processing, mincing/grinding, breakdown by enzymes, or fermentation through bacteria. Once converted, they are fully available to the dog.





This does, however, not mean that your dog will thrive on a diet mainly made up of poor quality grains or grain fragments, which is what most cheap foods are. Whole grains, including their entire complement of nutrients are much more valuable - and this does not only apply for a dog's diet, but for humans as well!





Protein is the second most important substance the body is made up of, right next to water - accounting for about 50% of the dry body mass. Dietary protein contains the 10 essential amino acids required for building and maintaining muscle, hair, bone and organs and supporting other vital functions. Essential means that these substances must be supplied in the diet and can not be synthesized by the body.





The blend of protein sources is very important. Different ingredients contain different amounts of amino acids, both essential and non-essential. A product that relies on only a single source of meat (for example strictly lamb based diets) must be balanced by supplying other sources of protein, like whey, alfalfa, potatoes, or grains. The grain ingredients should not be the main protein source though, but only balance the overall profile of amino acids if necessary.





Lastly, I quote the Purina Rep "The animals fed Purina dog, cat, puppy and kitten Chow will exist on it." Personally, I don't want my animal to exist on anything! I want my pets to THRIVE!!!