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Comment by Sylvia & Timmy on June 28, 2008 at 12:53am

Becky,

Since you asked for a suggestion!!
Here’s the Ingredients listed for Hills Prescription Z/D

Starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, vegetable oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), powdered cellulose, hydrolyzed chicken, glyceryl monostearate, DL-methionine, taurine, ethoxyquin (a preservative), minerals (dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, salt, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement).
As you can see the number one ingredient is “starch”, doesn’t say what, but I believe it is potato. Also, protein is only at 14% guaranteed, as fed 17% and fat 10%. That protein is very low for an adult canine diet.

There are three ingredients that concern me, in this food. #1 is BHA. It is a preservative that the NIH (National Institute of Health) has stated “can be reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”.

#2 (Ethoxyquin), another preservative http://www.fda.gov/cvm/september97.htm#2728
To date, the US FDA has only found a verifiable connection between ethoxyquin and buildup of protoporphyrin IX in the liver, as well as elevations in liver-related enzymes in some animals. It has been shown to cause mortality in fish.

#3 Powdered cellulose. This one really bothers me, makes me think of wallboard or insulation. I have no idea what that is.

I really think you could find a good alternative food, nutritionally superior to what you’re feeding now and best of all, cheaper!!!!! Without knowing the specific allergen/s (testing costs approximately $200.00 in this neck of the woods) it’s hard to give a specific recommendation, but I would try California Naturals, they have one protein and one carbohydrate source, pretty simple. A hypoallergenic food made by Natura. They have, lamb and rice, herring and sweet potato, and chicken and rice as the protein and carb sources. Here’s the ingredient label for the chicken and rice adult food.

Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Taurine, Flaxseed, Vitamins and Minerals. Rosemary extract

Protein is at 21% (still low, but better), and fat at 14%. Best of all it has a higher Kcal value, meaning that you would feed considerably less (in quantity) than the Hills. And I know what every ingredient is.

This is just my opinion, but you might check with a nutrition specialist (not a dog food rep). All my research has shown that vets really don’t receive a lot of training in nutrition and what they do receive is sponsored by Hills, Purina and IVD (other prescription pet food companies). My vet sells and recommends Hills products, but will let you know that he respects other choices. He only wants to make sure that the special dietary needs are met in regards to illnesses or diseases.

Now aren’t you sorry you asked!! Have a blast tomorrow and give the kids a hug and an ear scritch from me.

Comment by Sylvia & Timmy on June 27, 2008 at 4:23pm

Becky,
Have you had Dash tested for specific allergens? If so what are they? The #1 allergen for dogs is soy, #2 wheat, and #3 corn. but many dogs have allergies to specific proteins. That's one of the reasons that lamb and rice foods became popular, cause dogs here in the US started developing allergies to chicken. If you can believe it, in Australia, where lamb reigns supreme, dogs started to develop allergies to lamb and dog foods started offering beef and chicken proteins!! Knowing the allergen is step one. Then begin to look for foods that contain the most natural ingredients (without the allergen, of course) and within your price range. There are so many. Sometimes, too many!!

Comment by FuzzyButt on June 27, 2008 at 1:15pm

Trust me. I recently found this out thanks to Aloha. Pretty much any dog food you find in supermarkets isn't worth the low price they offer. These foods are filled with by-products, and chemicals. They will shorten the life you have with your dog.

Do as I did and shop around. It really is the best thing you can do. Don't go with what you see on TV. Look at the ingredients list. Normally your big wig brands like Iams, Eukanuba, and Purina either have chemicals and by-products in them that are unhealthy, or they won't list the ingredients at all. A cup of these foods may have more negative things in them then a cup of a good quality food.