If it's made in China, beware!!!

CorkyMax · 11-01-2011

Hey Lange--Wish you were in my neck of the woods this week! Piggly Wiggly has their 15 oz. can of store brand (Food Club) pumpkin as a big sale item--and I am mad at myself because I must of 'lost' about $10.00 or more by stocking up. The $1.00 can is now on sale for 69 cents a can. I have never seen this on sale ever!

lange · 11-02-2011

That's a great sale! Why couldn't they have had it when you were first checking. That was why I originally asked about canned pumpkin, the price can fluctuate so much. Even the $3 I first found wasn't bad because it can go so high...

dogs rule · 11-03-2011

Without going through tons of posts, or searching old threads, maybe CorkyMax or Lange could tell me benefits of feeding pure canned pumpkin to your dogs. And how much? Is it per lb. of dog, or just put some on their food?

There must be something great about it, to go to all the sales? I like sales too, and if this is something great for the dogs, then I'm on board with you.

CorkyMax · 11-03-2011

Well, I did find a couple threads in this forum so will give you the links: Pumpkin Note that this is a link that was posted last year.

Here is the 2nd link-->

please help gsdx with collitis

If using to regulate bowels--diarrhea or constipation--I am guessing here as I give my dogs also/mainly as part of the cooked morning meal with their oatmeal---I just add a couple big tablespoons for that. It has a lot of nutritional value (You can click on the link in one of the above links to find out how 'healthy' it is. But if you just want to use it for bowel issues---a little dog--maybe a couple teaspoons and bigger dogs- a little more. Lol, mine are considered med. size dogs and I would prob. still give 1-2 tablespoons for the bowel issues.

dogs rule · 11-03-2011

Thank you CorkyMax for your time.
Neither of my dogs have bowel problems, at least not now. So just for a nutritional benefit say "a treat", giving them 2-3 tablespoons per day would be good??
If this something they like, then I could put this into the Kongs and freeze this as well.
Thanks again.

CorkyMax · 11-03-2011

I would only try a little for them to see if they like it--Dogs usually like the taste but, lol, not sure mine would eat it by itself as they have always had it mixed in with the oatmeal and I sometimes put a dash of cinnamon with it. I don't know if you cook or raw feed or use commercial dog food. I would start out with very little anyhow and same goes for cinnamon because--(I am going to paste here what I already commented on in this thread to tell you why)--- Now I had a Boxer many years ago who was allergic to cinnamon--Would get hives and had to get a shot for it. Dogs are like people---Not every dog is allergic to specific things--same as people---So this was just something he couldn't have but I know of no other dog that is allergic to cinnamon and it is good for them to have. So just as a precaution---Who knows what any dog might be allergic to! Two to three tablespoons of pumpkin might be more then enough if your dogs are use to only commercial dog food. Mine are use to vegetables in their meals all the time and even then only a couple tablespoons is plenty.

dogs rule · 11-04-2011

Good point.
I will try giving them just a bit at first, I'll freeze it like I did with the homemade baby food that I made, into ice cube trays. One cube holds about 1 tbps. They are both big dogs, but I wouldn't want to over do it. Nothing so far has upset their stomachs, but why chance it, right?
And I do feed them dry dog food called Nutrience. When I was on the posts you sent, I started reading about the BARF diet. My sister feeds raw/cooked for her two GSDs. Maybe this is something I will research some more, as I stated before, I made all my kids baby food, with the veggies coming straight from the my garden. And I certainly want whats best for my fur babies.

One question though. Do you find your way of feeding more expensive?
The extra time, I certainly don't mind, but how much more $$ is it?
Maybe this should be a new thread?

CorkyMax · 11-04-2011

I would have a hard time answering which is more expensive. It would depend on quite a few things. Sometimes I get bargains on meat--although getting harder now. Back when I 1st started raw--about 11 or so years ago--it was much cheaper. I had stated I would never spend more then $1.00 a lb. for meat. Lol, I 'm lucky if I can get anything (except chicken) that doesn't cost around $2.50 a lb. now! Other things would be how much you would be willing to pay for good dog food---I would be buying the most expensive dog food--I don't like commercial dog food at all so it would have to be exceptional 'stuff.' And size of the dog would be another factor---I don't know if I could afford for two large dogs to buy all that meat.
I would love to stock up on venison which I think is one of the best meats to feed, that the hunters in my family get each year but I have 'bull heads' that don't believe in giving human meat to dogs--They all mostly get more deer then they can use but just sheer stupidity how they think. Can't see the point that I will have to buy meat anyhow and it is just costing me more money I can't spend on my own food--Idiots!! I was even willing to pay for a license if they would get me a deer! I don't know how it is in Canada--Do you have good old fashioned butcher shops, etc.---You may be able to get deals through them--even save meat scraps, bones, etc. And even the bones you don't want to give--you can boil them up with a little vinegar added (Vinegar helps leach the calcium out of the bones and provides more calcium for the dog. You can then cut off the bits of meat after cooking and the broth is good to add to their cooked or raw meal. But am guessing that you know not to feed any cooked bones--just toss the cooked bones in the garbage! I use chicken stock also as part of the liquid when I make their oatmeal in the mornings. There are a few tricks out there--You just have to get creative and figure out what you can do to make things a little cheaper. Never use onions or nutmeg for a couple things--I always like people who are going to cook or raw feed to read all the bad foods you shouldn't give your dog. You have prob. seen the hazardous list I did in here previously---Be right back--My computer is acting up all the time and afraid I might lose this post while going after the link so 'hang on!' Here is the link: Foods that are hazardous to a dog
Another big thing--I don't know about what the prices are in Canada as opposed to here in the states.--for human food or dog food! Maybe your sister can give you better answers then I can?--(She lives in Canada too?--the one feeding raw?)

Have a question for you---The brand of dog food you feed--Can you check the ingredients and see if it has taurine added to it--Prob. be near bottom of the list. If you ever decide to do raw or home cooking ---let me know---You know you should prob supplement with various supplements/vitamins--I use crushed/pulverized egg shells for the calcium.
And I use fish oil, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q 10 and multivitamin dog tablet. Also give them Solid Gold seameal. I imagine you have read what I posted in here about German Shepherds not getting the proper nutrition --a problem a lot of this breed has.

You know about that search box at the top right of the pages in here-right? You can check out a lot of subjects there. I just can't put all the detail of things that I do and believe. Maybe sometime we can talk on the phone--I have unlimited calling to a few limited places and Canada is one of them. If you have some questions or I can add to what I already have and keep in mind I am no expert--just leave me a note and phone # in a private message here ---- rather you didn't email me using the newer email address I had to use just for this forum--Long story, but bottom line is I don't use this address any more then I have to so don't really see the messages from it all the time as I don't look at that address too often--once a week maybe. At another time I can give you another email address that I usually check a few times a day. There may be a time coming soon where I will be without a computer for a while--I bought this Windows 7 new about 2 months ago and it is a very big lemon. I am lucky if I can get into it half the time--I have to call the company and will prob. have to send it to them to check it out --I have been putting it off as I have no idea how long I would be without a computer!

dogs rule · 11-06-2011

Taurine is in the list of ingredients-about half way through the list of vitamins and minerals.
My sister said that she really never stopped to add up their food costs, as she buys the family and the dogs food at the same time.
She did say that if I was buying the cheaper brands of dry food, then yes, it would be cheaper. A 40 lb. bag costs $75, for the brand I buy.

I just don't want to give them something they shouldn't have or them not to get what they need. Maybe I could add to their dry food, so they get both? I'll have to do some more reading, I guess.

Thanks again for all your time put into this for me!!

CorkyMax · 11-07-2011

I guess I forgot to tell you why to check for taurine--so here is a thread I did previously about it: Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Heart Disease) I am glad your brand has added it to their product! You might want to tell your sister about the importance of taurine!

How long does a 40# bag of your brand last? Like your sister--I don't keep good track of what I am buying just for my dogs as I also get it at same time as my food. I am very much aware though when I am opening a pkg. of meat for their supper of what it is costing me for that particular feeding--which fluctuates. Don't know the differences in Canada compared to USA on meat prices.

Doing some more studying is good. I know when you read about raw diets--a lot of the articles say it is simple enough to do it but I disagree with that--You do have to know what you are doing to get a nutritious balanced diet.----and of course like everything you check on on the 'net'--You will find controversy! How long has your sister been doing raw/home cooking?

dogs rule · 11-07-2011

A 40 lb. bag lasts about 4 maybe 5 weeks. But keep in mind, I'm buying 2 kinds. Brody gets the adult large breed and Keegan still gets the puppy large breed. Once they are both on the same food, a bag will last 2 1/2 weeks.

My sister only started this type of feeding because the breeder that they got Taz and Teo from was feeding this way. She has had them for about 3 years now, I think. She and her husband have had dogs before, but always bought dry food.

lange · 11-07-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogs rule

Without going through tons of posts, or searching old threads, maybe CorkyMax or Lange could tell me benefits of feeding pure canned pumpkin to your dogs. And how much? Is it per lb. of dog, or just put some on their food?

There must be something great about it, to go to all the sales? I like sales too, and if this is something great for the dogs, then I'm on board with you.

The biggest positive is it helps keep the digestive system healthy. Or if your dog ever gets sick it'll regulate (ironically) both constipation and diarrhea, it works both ways. It's a fiber source so if you don't have anything else thrown in for that, you have that covered. it's also supposed to help with skin & coat. Not to mention it's another quality food for kongs or treats, like I seen you mention.

We both love the kongs as much as our dogs I think. lol

I can't find such low prices, like C/M has so it's just better to stock up when you see good bargains because the price fluctuates. I checked Walmart again today and it's at $2.75 for the bigger 29 oz. No fair...

I'm giving between 1-2 tbsp a day to Kuma who is probably closer to your dogs weight? I'm guessing she's probably like 90lbs or a few over.

dogs rule · 11-09-2011

Thanks Lange for the reply.
Do you mix the pumpkin in with dry food, or do you feed homemade like CorkyMax?
Kuma is close to Brody and Keegans weight, so 1-2 tbsps per day sounds right for my guys too. But I've started off with abit less at first, as C/M stated would be best.
I had a can of pure pumpkin (didn't get made into a pie this Thanksgiving),
but I'll soon have to check out the prices. Wal-mart sounds like the best bet.
Thanks again to both.

lange · 11-10-2011

You're welcome! I mix it with their kibble. Kuma loves it! It's a relief to me because she's been on a food trial & I'm always hesitant to add things for fear that she'll get sick.

lange · 03-15-2012

Talked to the vet yesterday and she mentioned CHINA JERKY has been making dogs sick again like they'd seen a few years ago!

I know us regulars know to stay away from these products but it's obviousl that a lot of people still don't know and the FDA is sleeping like always.

CHECK specifically for the words "MADE IN" on all packaging please - for your dogs sake!! Ignore the distribution or company info...that doesn't tell you anything..and many companies are trying to trick the public by makng the MADE IN part difficult to find.

dogma1066 · 03-15-2012

Yeah, I saw that about the jerky treats a couple of months ago. I wasn't feeding Waggin Tails but the brand I was buying from Petco was made in China so I stopped. The local Petco does occasionally carry jerky treats made in Colorado but I bought a dehydrator instead and have been making my own jerky.

I haven't tried drying sweet potatoes, I'll bet the boys would love them!

Lunareclipse · 03-15-2012

I read an artical yesterday that chinese dog owners won't even buy dog treats or food made in China. They are buying American made food and treats for their dogs. Pretty bad if they won't even buy their own crap.

CorkyMax · 03-15-2012

My dogs love the dehydrated sweet potato/yam slices. I sprinkle cinnamon on the raw slices when I put them on the trays. A hint--Best not to slice too thick--They are very hard and dry and I think my dogs digest them better as when thick--it takes more of their 'juices' to soften them up in the 'tummy!' Lol, they expect a slice or two after their oatmeal-based breakfast!

Instead of buying crappy dog treats ----Make your own. Here is a link to many recipes to pick from: Homemade Treats --including sweet potato treats. Also check this list of no no foods, etc before making your own treats. Some things not to use in your baking/making treats--nutmeg--raisins--baby food---onions--> more:Foods that are hazardous to a dog

I just saw this link in here that I have not checked out---but I will--to see if anything in these recipes might be bad for the dog! This is a list of recipes to click on that this forum has provided: Dog Food Recipes - I-Love-Dogs.com Will let you know if I see something 'not good!' Just checked out about the 1st half of these recipes. I personally wouldn't use most of them. A couple even had raisins in them!! Raisins have killed dogs--kidney failure!!. Most had too much grains--mainly corn and wheat. I don't like the idea of powdered milk which is used a lot and too much in some recipes--also too much milk period--Dogs are lactose-intolerant!!. (Some yogurt and cottage cheese is okay if not over done!) Too much sugar in some of them---sugar shouldn't be used at all! Ham and bacon and bacon grease in one recipe--Way too much salt and preservatives! And at least one that I looked at--too much fat! I should just eliminate this link and do you all a favor--But I have warned you of the bad stuff---So be aware!!
And oh yeah---Some had too much garlic powder which is more potent then fresh garlic to start with!