| The pet food recall last year was scary for all of us | | | | Wellness by Old Mother Hubbard |
| pet owners. Afterward, I educated myself on pet | | | | Criteria for the list: |
| nutrition and what should and should not be in our | | | | * First ingredient must be a specified meat such as |
| pet's food. My dog Abby suffered from severe skin | | | | "chicken" (not "chicken meal"-it's fine if "chicken meal" |
| allergies at the time, and was requiring more and | | | | (example) is the 2nd or 3rd ingredient. |
| more Prednisone to keep her itching under control. | | | | * No by-products |
| Ear infections were also a recurrent problem for her, | | | | * No corn as it's hard to digest and one of the prime |
| and antibiotics were no longer giving her relief. From | | | | causes of allergies in pets |
| all that I read about a pet's nutritional needs, I | | | | * Fat should be specified, such as "chicken fat," not |
| suspected the problem was with her food, a well | | | | just "animal fat" |
| known expensive commercial pet food which I found | | | | * Preservatives should be natural and not chemical, |
| contained suspect ingredients such as chemicals, | | | | for instance Vitamin E |
| preservatives, and by-products. | | | | On the subject of "chicken meal," according to |
| I decided to change her diet to an all natural kibble, | | | | Wikipedia, the quality of the protein from "chicken |
| supplemented with raw food and the results were | | | | meal" as an example depends on the type and |
| amazing. It has now been over a year since I made | | | | amount of meat in the mixture, and although it's |
| the change, and she has not needed her allergy | | | | better than "chicken by-products," it's generally a |
| medication or antibiotics for her ears since July of | | | | lesser quality protein source than "chicken meat." |
| 2007. I was so disgusted with the commercial pet | | | | Chicken meal is only the meat from the chicken, |
| food industry, and impressed with what a change in | | | | whereas chicken by-products can be all parts of the |
| diet can do that I started a blog last year to share | | | | bird, including beaks, feathers, feet, intestines, etc. |
| what I had experienced with Abby. | | | | On the subject of "fat," if the product doesn't |
| I have now compiled a list of my recommended pet | | | | specify the animal from which the fat was taken, |
| foods which will be permanently maintained on my | | | | and is labeled simply "animal fat," the contributing |
| blog "The Cat/Dog Log," for all pet owners to | | | | animal is not known, and the resulting oil is very low |
| reference. There are many great pet foods on the | | | | in linoleic acid which is essential for skin and coat |
| market, so I need your help to make the list as | | | | health. |
| complete as possible. If you use a pet food that fits | | | | The pet foods that list meat as the first ingredient |
| the criteria below and you don't see it listed, please | | | | tend to be the most expensive, and I know that we |
| leave a comment on my blog at with the product | | | | can't all afford the top of the line pet foods. There |
| name so I can add it. Some companies make several | | | | are many other good pet foods out there where the |
| products; for example their canned product may fit | | | | first ingredient is for example "chicken meal," but my |
| the criteria while their dry kibble may not. So please | | | | goal here was to list the very best pet foods. One |
| be specific when listing your pet food. | | | | trick I use is to mix a top brand with a less |
| Recommended Natural Pet Foods: | | | | expensive yet all natural brand to help keep the cost |
| Barf World Raw patties; | | | | down and make it go further, yet my pets still get |
| Blue Buffalo Co; | | | | the benefit of the high-end food. I also feed raw |
| Evangers; | | | | food for one meal a day to assure they are getting |
| From Family; | | | | the best quality high protein diet I can give them. For |
| Halo Purely for Pets; | | | | premium content and convenience, nothing beats |
| Holistic Blend; | | | | BARF World frozen raw food patties. For less |
| Merrick; | | | | expense but very convenient, try The Honest |
| Natura: Evo, Innova and Karma; | | | | Kitchen's dehydrated raw mix and just add water. |
| Natura: California Natural canned only: Lamb/Chicken | | | | You might also consider making your own raw food |
| & Br.Rice/Herring & Sw.Potato; | | | | mixture, and I have detailed information on my blog |
| Nature's Variety - Instinct - canned; | | | | on how to do this. I know it takes a bit more time, |
| Newmans Own Organics Premium; | | | | but it can be done cheaply and raw food is the best |
| Solid Gold: Hund-N-Flocken, Katz-N-Flocken, Millenia, | | | | food by far for your dog or cat. |
| Wolf King; | | | | Thank you everyone for any brands you contribute |
| The Honest Kitchen -dehydrated raw; | | | | to the list. |