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On the flipside...WORST DOG FOODS....

15K views 61 replies 23 participants last post by  RCTRIPLEFRESH5 
#1 ·
not really in any particular order...

1. Ole Roy
2. Pedigree
3. Dad's
4. Alpo
5. Purina
 
#7 ·
I have to add this to the list, Purina Moist and Meaty (it smells like rubber)

Beef, high fructose corn syrup, soybean grits, soybean flour, water, wheat flour, corn syrup, calcium carbonate, brewers condensed solubles, phosphoric acid, salt, sorbic acid (added to prevent spoilage), calcium propionate (added to prevent spoilage), DL-Methionine, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), ethoxyquin (a preservative), added color (Red 40), riboflavin supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Nature’s Recipe Vegetarian Recipe

Ground rice, soybean meal, cracked pearled barley, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, dehydrated carrots, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), inositol, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, beta-carotene, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), garlic oil, minerals (zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), onion extract, garlic powder, rosemary extract

Kibbles 'n Bits

Corn, soybean meal, beef and bone meal, ground wheat flour, animal fat (bha used as preservative), corn syrup, wheat middlings, water sufficient for processing, animal digest (source of chicken flavor), propylene glycol, salt, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, caramel color, sorbic acid (used as a preservative), sodium carbonate, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), calcium sulfate, titanium dioxide, yellow 5, yellow 6, red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), dl methionine

Purina Fit and Trim

Whole grain corn, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal, corn germ meal, soybean germ meal, chicken, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), animal digest, turkey by-product meal, salt, calcium carbonate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2), choline chloride, potassium chloride, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, calcium pantothenate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite

Chef Michael's Rotisserie Chicken Flavor

Chicken, soybean meal, soy flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), brewers rice, soy protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, glycerin, ground wheat, poultry by-product meal, animal digest, salt, oat meal, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, natural rotisserie chicken flavor, dried peas, dried carrots, sulfur, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, manganese sulfate, added color (Yellow 5, Blue 2, Yellow 6, Red 40), Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, Vitamin D-3 supplement, folic acid, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), biotin, sodium selenite

Chef Michael's Filet Mignon Flavor

Beef, soybean meal, soy flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), brewers rice, soy protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, glycerin, poultry by-product meal, ground wheat, animal digest, salt, pearled barley, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, natural filet mignon flavor, dried potatoes, dried green beans, added color (Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and other color), sulfur, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, Vitamin D-3 supplement, folic acid, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), biotin, sodium selenite
 
#9 ·
wow, I'm pretty surprised at some of the answers here...

I don't disagree that Science Diet and Iams are bad...but wow, up there with Old Roy!!!???

Hey, I won't defend them though!!:redface::wink:
 
#10 · (Edited)
Have you seen the ingredient list for the SD Perscription foods?????

K/D
Brewers Rice, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soy Fiber, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Citrate, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Tryptophan, Magnesium Oxide, Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Beta-Carotene.

C/D
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Mill Run, Chicken Liver Flavor, Calcium Sulfate, Soybean Oil, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), preserved with BHT and BHA, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Beta-Carotene.

R/D
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Powdered Cellulose 15% (source of fiber), Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Peanut Hulls 11% (source of fiber), Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Mill Run, Dried Egg Product, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Oil, Iron Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, preserved with BHT, BHA and Ethoxyquin, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, Beta-carotene.

Yup, you bet. I'd put them down with Old Roy in a heart beat.
 
#12 ·
Here's the first 5 ingredients in Ol Roy:

Ground yellow corn
soybean meal
ground whole wheat
corn syrup
poultry fat

I guess I really don't see the difference????:confused:
 
#14 ·
Possibly no difference Sara....as I said, I don't really care(which beats the other in terms of "awfulness") and wouldn't tell anyone to feed either food. My instinct tells me that Iams/SD are probably a bit better...but I could be wrong.
 
#13 ·
Old Yeller by Disney (Kroger brand)

Ground Yellow Corn, Meat & Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Wheat Middlings, Animal Fat, Animal Digest, Brewers Rice, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Brewers Dried Grains, Dried Whey, Propionic Acid, Choline Chloride, Calcium CZarbonate, Rice Mill By-Product, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, and lots of other crap... (don't feel like typing it all in and can't find it online to copy and paste)
 
#16 · (Edited)
I agree that SD/Iams/Eukanuba/RC RX diets are not as bad as things like Ol Roy, Ol Yeller, K&B, etc but only marginally better. I don't recommend them to anyone anyways.

Another funny thing is that Hill's makes RX diets for every ailment out there. They tell their customers to buy their maintenance diets and feed those until their dogs/cats get something like kidney or liver disease or IBD. Its like Hill's knows exactly how to set up these poor animals to get the diseases that their magical RX diets can make better. Seems pretty darn fishy to me or at best a PROFITABLE business and nothing more. Granted every case of kidney and liver disease and IBD is NOT food related (ie genetics) but a large percentage of those cases are from inadequate nutrition for so long.

My list of foods that I think are the worst?

Any of these take the cake (I like that Abady is the first food on the list :wink: )

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showcat.php/cat/7

Next in line, not as bad as the above:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showcat.php/cat/6

These are decent, if someone is on a super tight budget:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showcat.php/cat/5
 
#18 ·
I picture Old Roy and companies like that....sitting in a room, conjuring up ways to make their food the absolute cheapest way possible while still being able to legally meet the requirements to put it on the shelf...their theme would be "how low can we go"...in terms of quality and price. Top off their Wal Mart affiliation and you have the perfect storm of garbage.

Again, I'm not defending Iams or SD or whatever....but its just my instinct that they are marginally better...but again, I could be wrong. Hell, they might be the exact same crap for all I know.
 
#23 ·
In no particular awful order....

1. Ol' Roy
2. Old Yeller
3. Alpo
4. Pedigree
5. Kibbles & Bits
6. Purina Dog Chow
7. Purina Moist & Meaty
8. Beneful
9. Hills (including RX formulas)
10. Atta Boy


I couldn't limit it to just five. Heck, limiting it to ten was hard enough, but I consider these to be the worst of the worst, and all about on the same level. I don't consider Hills to be any better than Pedigree or Ol' Roy.
 
#25 · (Edited)
i was gonna mae this thread too, i wanna see the worst of the worst. i disagree with nutro...that's not even close to the worst... its a bad food, but not even close to the worst. its been recalled many times, but the ingridient list is ''ok'' id give it atleast 2.5 stars..
 
#26 ·
i was gonna mae this thread too, i wanna see the worst of the worst. i disagree with nutro...that's not even close to the worst... its a decent food.
Bakers Complete Beef & Country Vegetables


Ingredients
Cereals, Meat and animal derivatives (minimum 4% chicken beef and minimum 4% fresh meat in the soft moist kernel), Vegetable protein extracts, Derivatives of vegetable origin (1.1% charcoal in the dark brown kernel), Oils and fats, Various sugars, Minerals, Yeasts, Vegetables (minimum 4% vegetables in the green kernel). Contains EC permitted colourants, antioxidants and preservatives.


Typical Analysis
Protein 23%
Fat 10%
Ash 6.5%
Fibre 3%
Calcium 1.3%
Vitamin A 12,000 I.U./kg
Vitamin D3 800 I.U./kg
Vitamin E 60mg/kg
Copper (as copper sulphate) 17mg/kg
Iron (as iron sulphate) 75mg/100g

i love how al l3 of the formulas loo exactly the same ingridient wise but claim to be different meat sources....and wtf???cereals?
 
#29 ·
wel l i revised my post, to make it more clear..its not a decent food but i dont consider it in the 1 star category..maybe 2 stars...

it didnt make your top ten worst..which i was going for also..

its not one of the worst..

i used to think it was the best lol!

i think that food i just posted is the worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 worse than ole roy.
 
#32 ·
I'd agree with RC from this standpoint...

From a pure ingredient listing perspective...Nutro is nowhere near some of the real crap foods.

BUT, I'd agree w/ Linsey and White. that there is more to a food than an ingredient listing....

It's the primary reason I get into battles w/ people recommending Diamond foods. Labels look fine and I suppose if we absolutely can't get them into Healthwise or something close, then Diamond may be ok.

Frankly, I'm surprised that more emphasis isn't given upon the trustworthiness of the companies when looking at foods. After what I battled with Canidae...never, ever again. In one quick swoop, that food launched me...literally LAUNCHED me into the arms of Acana, Evo, and Orijen.

Back to the WORST of the WORST. I like this topic. Kind of funny(though not to the poor dogs eating the stuff ;)
 
#33 ·
wow so many though I cant list just 5!

Kibbles 'n Bits
Ol' Roy
Pedigree
Bil Jac
Diamond (Plain, Regular Formula)
Good Life
Beneful
Eukanuba
Hills Science Diet
Science Diet
Purina One
Royal Canin
Abady
Alpo
ProPlan
Iams

I bet I missed alot also!:wink:
 
#34 ·
FWIW, I've fed 4 of the foods in the Wags' post with good results. But anyway....

I agree that Kibbles and Bits is not the greatest, however, I have seen one dog that looked great, had great energy and a fantastic coat on Kibbles and Bits. He became so adept at picking out the bits that his owner started buying him the Kibbles and Bits and More Bits that used to be available.

Joy Maintenance is not so great. I had a friend who fed it to his old hound for years. He switched to Black Gold High Energy Blend and his dog's coat condition, weight, and energy really improved.

At my local feed store, they have an 18% Protein Dog Chunx. I would feed anything listed in previous posts over this food. But, I have seen people buying it.
 
#37 ·
I agree that Kibbles and Bits is not the greatest, however, I have seen one dog that looked great, had great energy and a fantastic coat on Kibbles and Bits. He became so adept at picking out the bits that his owner started buying him the Kibbles and Bits and More Bits that used to be available.
Well, I'll go back to the old analogy here. There are people who do all the wrong things healthwise -- they smoke, drink to excess, eat too many lousy foods and don't exercise -- and yet they live a relatively healthy life into their 90s.

And then there are the folks who do just about everything right and they die at 50 anyway. Jim Fixx ate well, exercised a lot and should have been the blueprint for a long and healthy life. But he was cut down early by a heart attack in his early 50s.

Doesn't seem fair. Sometimes it seems like random good luck. Sometimes it's just genetics.

Similarly, I'm sure there have been dogs that lived good lives well into their upper teens with Ol' Roy. And some dogs had the benefit of a good diet and died well short of 10 anyway.

Having said that, I don't think it's a coincidence that Jack La Lanne is still going pretty strong at what, 95 or 96 years old now? Some of it may be luck or genetics, but you don't do what that dude has done in his 70s, 80s and into his 90s without doing a lot of things right.

Proper nutrition is not a guarantee of anything. And bad nutrition is not a guarantee of a short life, either. But I prefer to play the odds, and the odds tell me that "good food" with high meat content and no clearly harmful ingredients are likely to provide the best "odds" to give our dog a longer and healthier life. I only hope the damage I may have done with the junk we fed her for four years wasn't serious and that it is largely reversible.
 
#35 ·
worst 5:

Orijen
Wellness Core
Acana Pacifica
Beneful
Pedigree

someone who feeds raw told me there is no difference between the grocery store brands and the more meat filled grainless foods, so this is my new list:rolleyes:

im dropping the orijen from Kimba's rotation and giving her pedigree starting tonight. im certain i wont notice any difference in the near future or even 8 years from now:tongue:
 
#39 ·
....the old argument that "I know so and so who smoked and ate butter and fat his whole life and he lived to be 85."

A couple points I would make...

a. He/she may have lived to 105 had they taken better care of themselves

b. what was their quality of life? coughing and having strokes and multiple heart attacks isn't much fun.

c. for every example of someone who DIDN'T eat and exercise who lived long...I would guess there are countless others who died early.

To say that it doesn't matter what we eat(or what Dogs eat) is crazy. I've had 2 Vets tell me that it doesn't matter. I just knew it sounded wrong.
 
#40 ·
put it this way..who cares if that person lives to 80 or 105? would you really like to live that long in the first place? does it really matter? i want to be dead by 70, anyways. that's a good long life. what am i going to miss in life if i live longer..nothing, basically.

i'm all for being healthy and i feed my dogs a quality kibble (and would feed raw if i could) but being overly healthy i think is..unhealthy because you miss actually living while being so health conscious. and with uncontrollable genes,environment..just do the best you can without going crazy and obsessing over it.
 
#41 ·
put it this way..who cares if that person lives to 80 or 105? would you really like to live that long in the first place?
Depends on the quality of life. If I were infirm and chronically ill and in pain since my 60s, no, I wouldn't want to live like that for another 30 years. But if I were healthy and enjoyed life, sure.

And this was just an analogy; the real question is about the longevity of dogs. Assuming they were happy and healthy to the end, would you rather they live to be 10 or 15?
 
#42 ·
I don't get your point Lola. Who CARES how long you live? If it doesn't matter, why don't we all put a gun to our head today?

That argument seems ludicrous. Life is beautiful and anything you gain by eating crap food, smoking, drinking, and thrashing your body won't gain you much happiness.

Trust me on this.
 
#43 ·
I definitely care how long I live. I think your 80's and 90's can be a great time in your life. And I totally disagree that being overly healthy is unhealthy. All it takes is not having food be the top priority/enjoyment in your life. So what if you can't have processed junk? First of all, fresh, well-cooked food tastes better anyways, and nowdays, even with snacks like chips and cookies you can get products that don't have artificial colors, ingredients, and preservatives - just go to Whole Foods or a similar store. And secondly, you eat to live, not the other way around. I would rather be healthy and see and experience things than eat junk. I think there is lot more enjoyment in that.
 
#46 ·
but then again..80's,90's does it really matter? you already lived a good long life. who cares if a few years gets cut short? i'd rather live my life care free than be so meticulous and waste it worrying about, "oh..but am i gonna make it to 80 if i eat this chocolate cake?"
and whole foods is expensive. again, i'd rather buy basic foods at the grocery and get my meat at the market then spend foolishly at that store and then spend my extra money on a trip. :D
 
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