[fuzzworth]

Originally Posted by Amelioratione

Alright, these are the ingredients in the royal canin dog food that I buy for my dachshund. How does it stand up you think?

Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, rice, oatmeal, wheat gluten, corn gluten, chicken fat, chicken, natural chicken flavor, dried beet pulp (sugar removed), rice hulls, salt, anchovy oil (source of EPA/DHA), soya oil, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, cellulose, fructo-oligosaccharides, choline chloride, hydrolyzed vegetable oil (CLA), sodium tripolyphosphate, taurine, Vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), inositol, niacin supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), D-calcium pantothenate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin A acetate, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], borage oil, Trace Minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, calcium iodate], glucosamine hydrochloride, L-carnitine, tea (green tea extract), chondroitin sulfate, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (source of Vitamin E) and citric acid, rosemary extract.

According to the website, it also contains the following products especially for dachshunds. Do you think those extra products actually matter? or you think it's more-so a load of bull?

-Reduces Tartar
Sodium tripolyphosphate and specialized kibbles help to reduce dental plaque and limit tartar formation.
Healthy Joints
Supplemental levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin may enhance joint mobility.
-Antioxidant Supplement
Optimal levels of Vitamins E and C and green tea extracts help inhibit cellular deterioration. Because Dachshunds are so long-lived, you may gradually notice some signs of aging: loss of energy, a dull coat or even the appearance of white hairs.
-L-Carnitine - Burns Fat
Helps burn fat and promotes a lean muscle mass. His popularity owes much to his characteristic body shape and very short legs. However the shorter an animal's legs, the less ability they have to absorb shock. An optimal bodyweight can reduce strain on the vertebrae.

EDIT: okay, I just did some more research and I found out this dog food SUCKS. As far as the quality of dog food. I cannot believe I spending my money on this junk! I'm so disappointed. I kind of feel like the extra additive they put in for joint etc. I not worth it. But I could be wrong. Some input would be great.

OK let me pick this apart somewhat for you. There is only 1 ingredient that is a meat source in the first 3. You have 5 sources of grain, 2 of the sources aren’t even a whole grain it’s a grain by-products. Corn is strictly a cheap filler. Wheat and corn are very common allergens for cats and dogs. This can cause loose stools, itching, and loss of fur, ear infections, and gas.

Beet pulp is a stool stiffener, this is the reason they have firm poos on food like this. What alarms me about beet pulp is that traditionally when fed to horses and such it needs to be soaked to make it edible and prevent choke ( choke is where the esophagus is blocked and a horse can breathe but cant swallow). I attribute it to the fact that beet pulp swells up so much and in dogs like mine which are prone to bloat I am not going to risk my dogs health and life by feeding something that expands in their digestive system. Take a good kibble and a crap food kibble and soak them in water. Premium foods swell little to none at all while the cheaper foods packed with fillers will double or triple their size with water. If your dog needs fiber like my dog does for his medical issues, give pumpkin, its easy to add dogs typically love it and more healthy fiber alternative. Rice hulls are also a cheap filler and fiber additive…does this make you think why they need so many ingredients to ensure a firm poo?

Salt is a big no no and it is pretty high up in the list. Dogs do not need salt additives in their food at all in fact they don’t process salt well if at all so can cause kidney issues in their senior years or if they were prone to kidney issues all ready can just exacerbate the problem. Soya oil is from soybean plants also another allergen. fructo-oligosaccharides refers to a short chain of sugar molecules found mostly in fruits and vegetables. hydrolyzed vegetable oil is a trans fat, this dog food has trans fats not good in humans why would it be acceptable for dogs?

As for the join supplements, the FDA limits the amount of glucosamine and chondroitin allowed in pet foods, the dog would have to eat something like a pound in a single sitting to get a correct dose of joint supplement from the food. If your dog needs it or you want to offer it you are better off with a human grade supplement (wal-mart usually has a decent deal) taken in the correct dosage for your dogs weight. Cosequin is also a great pet join supplement.