Caution⚠️ Grain Free Dog Foods

[shirleysjc]

Hello Everyone😊 Recently I had to take my Yorkie, Bailey(12), to a Cardiologist. He’s just fine but needs to lose weight. He’s 7.4lbs.. she wants him down to 6lbs.. She recommended, Hills Prescription Dog Food. Sold only at Veterinarians Offices.

The Caution⚠️
I Have for Everyone;

The Cardiologist said to Stay Away from Grain Free Dog Foods! She said they’re Bad for Yorkies Hearts ♥️

This is Not to be Confused with Hills science diet. Don’t know anything about that, this is a Prescription Dog Food! Sold Only at a Veterinarians Office. It’s for Weight loss and Bones. Bailey Lives it ♥️

This concerned me! I Hope this helps everyone. Ty♥️

[chattiesmom]

Thank you for sharing the information from your vet. Good to hear that your Bailey got a good report from his cardiologist and good luck in your weight-loss efforts with him. My Lollie is a bit pudgy and we have been working on weight loss for the past year. It is a slow work in progress, but with a strict diet (simply a few less kibbles with each meal), fewer treats and a bit more exercise the ounces are falling off at a snails pace. .

[_Chrissy_]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/u...sease-fda.html

[maxdog]

Thanks for the info.

[Mike_and_Me]

Originally Posted by _Chrissy_

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/u...sease-fda.html

I was just about to post the same link Came across it this morning.
It's not conclusive and the study mentioned as I understood does not have a lot of dogs in it, but still its good the topic is getting traction with the government and media so it can be deeper researched.

"The Food and Drug Administration identified 16 brands of dog food that had been linked to heart disease in dogs, according to a report the agency published on Thursday.

In the report, the F.D.A. named for the first time the pet food brands most frequently associated with adverse events. In descending order of most incidents of heart disease, the brands are Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Earthborn Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Nature’s Domain, Fromm, Merrick, California Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Nature’s Variety, NutriSource, Nutro and Rachael Ray Nutrish".

Also, I found this quote interesting as I have come across the "dogs don't eat grains in the wild" many times, but never thought about it this way:

“If they look at the dogs’ relatives in the wild, like coyotes, wolves and hyenas, they live on their prey. Those animals they prey on are typically herbivores, so they are ingesting grains anyway.”

[Mike_and_Me]

Originally Posted by shirleysjc

He’s just fine but needs to lose weight. He’s 7.4lbs.. she wants him down to 6lbs..

Glad your boy is okay and good luck with the weight loss

Thank you for sharing the information.

[maxdog]

Food is a very sensitive matter. Talk to 15 different YT members and you'll probably get 10 different recommendations. IMO, there is more than one correct answer as to what we should feed our babies. There are definitely things to avoid (anything made in China, etc) but there are multiple good choices. But the cynical side of me will always question a vet who recommends a food that you have to buy from him. I would hope that it is a good food but does he have an ulterior motive to recommend it ($$$$) ? If your baby likes it and it is helping him lose weight then keep buying it, but I have to believe there are other options that may not cost as much.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by maxdog

Food is a very sensitive matter. Talk to 15 different YT members and you'll probably get 10 different recommendations. IMO, there is more than one correct answer as to what we should feed our babies. There are definitely things to avoid (anything made in China, etc) but there are multiple good choices. But the cynical side of me will always question a vet who recommends a food that you have to buy from him. I would hope that it is a good food but does he have an ulterior motive to recommend it ($$$$) ? If your baby likes it and it is helping him lose weight then keep buying it, but I have to believe there are other options that may not cost as much.

The vet will give you a prescription to get the food else where if you want and the very much shows the vet makes no kick backs on it. Many prescription foods save many many dogs lives including mine. I'm saddened that you lean more toward the side of believing that they get kick backs because it is 100% a myth. Does that mean there are not bad vets out there that do stuff for money no but the majority don't. Vets trust this food because it goes through more tests and more science then the majority of other food out there and it also just works. If you can trust a vet to take care of medical issues why would you not trust them in food that could fix or significant help a medical issue?

[maxdog]

You work for a vet and trust him completely which is great. I also trust my vet completely and will follow her advice to the T. I never said the vet gets a kickback but if you think money is not involved in their decisions then I am also saddened. My point is that I am quite sure there are other options out there that would work just as well but that vets are influenced by the large companies. Spend 2 minutes of googling and you will find articles supporting both sides. But the one thing I just read makes this all very clear now.

– Veterinary diet manufacturers do not have to complete the FDA approval process when changing ingredients, unlike prescription drugs. So, the answer is no, you do NOT legally need a prescription to purchase a “veterinary prescription diet.”

The name “PRESCRIPTION DIET” is trademarked by Hills but is not a true prescription per the above definition. The only reason you MUST buy it from a vet is that Hills only sells it to Vets. They could legally sell it to any store they wanted to. A prescription is not required to buy their “Prescription” food. That is the perfect example of a joint business venture. All other food manufacturers must call their version of the food “Therapeutic diet” or they will get sued by Hills.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by maxdog

You work for a vet and trust him completely which is great. I also trust my vet completely and will follow her advice to the T. I never said the vet gets a kickback but if you think money is not involved in their decisions then I am also saddened. My point is that I am quite sure there are other options out there that would work just as well but that vets are influenced by the large companies. Spend 2 minutes of googling and you will find articles supporting both sides. But the one thing I just read makes this all very clear now.

– Veterinary diet manufacturers do not have to complete the FDA approval process when changing ingredients, unlike prescription drugs. So, the answer is no, you do NOT legally need a prescription to purchase a “veterinary prescription diet.”

The name “PRESCRIPTION DIET” is trademarked by Hills but is not a true prescription per the above definition. The only reason you MUST buy it from a vet is that Hills only sells it to Vets. They could legally sell it to any store they wanted to. A prescription is not required to buy their “Prescription” food. That is the perfect example of a joint business venture. All other food manufacturers must call their version of the food “Therapeutic diet” or they will get sued by Hills.

You are extremely misinformed. One I’m not working for any vet right now and I do trust my vet that has been taking care of Callie since she was one. There is no money or kick backs involved. Google is not a reliable source plus when reading an article you have to do research behind who did the article because they just might be someone who is profiting from you going their way. You just mentioned hills which my vet doesn’t even have. Royal Canin and Purina have them too. There are not alternative diets out there especially for dogs with true food allergies who any commercial food gets cross contaminated when prescription foods don’t. You also do have to have a prescription good luck buying one without.

[Starcols]

The grain free dog food is really something relatively new. I feed grain free, but 20 years ago my yorkies were healthy and beautiful eating regular dog .

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Starcols

The grain free dog food is really something relatively new. I feed grain free, but 20 years ago my yorkies were healthy and beautiful eating regular dog .

There really is nothing wrong with grains.

[maxdog]

My apologies. I thought you worked for a vet.

Yea I pretty much go through life completely misinformed.

You have a great day!

[shirleysjc]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Thank you for sharing the information from your vet. Good to hear that your Bailey got a good report from his cardiologist and good luck in your weight-loss efforts with him. My Lollie is a bit pudgy and we have been working on weight loss for the past year. It is a slow work in progress, but with a strict diet (simply a few less kibbles with each meal), fewer treats and a bit more exercise the ounces are falling off at a snails pace. .

Thank you, for you comment. Bailey has other concerns that came to light after our visit to the Cardiologist that are life threatening and he does need to thin down more quickly,
I’m sure Lollie isn’t as pudgy as you think. It sounds like mom has it all under control 😊 I wanted to share what was a Real Concern about Yorkies and Grain Free Foods.
Love to little Lollie♥️😊

[shirleysjc]

Originally Posted by _Chrissy_

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/u...sease-fda.html

Thanks for sharing the link. I was concerned myself because it seemed like Producers Of The Grain Free Food Have Been pushing out the commercials lately. I sure hope it’s not because they want to get there inventories down with this coming out.
Then when a Concerned Cardiologist tells me to stay clear of the Grain Free Food? I wanted to share.
Thanks again!😊