purina food question...

blackdirt beagles · Post by **blackdirt beagles** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:12 pm

i been feeding hi pro with "good" results. nothing bad to say and nothing great, just good. my question is, is PURINA ONE or PRO PLAN really that much better? if it is, i'll gladly pay the extra but if it isnt, naturally i dont want to throw money away. after all the DIAMOND troubles in the past couple years, i cant bring myself to use it anymore. im not looking for other brand recommendations here... ive used many brands in the past and am curious about these 3 only right now. thank you.

TOUCHSTONE · Post by **TOUCHSTONE** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:24 pm

Pro-plan Performance is much better than the others. High energy, stamina, ears heal up fast, etc. It is more money but if you are running a dog alot and especially if you add the stress of traveling it is worth it's weight in gold. Dont recomend it for less active dogs. Dan

Huntin54 · Post by **Huntin54** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 7:13 pm

I have been feeding Purina Lamb 26/16 formula to my dogs for the past 3 months they are doing good on it. Im thinking about getting the Pro Plan 30/20 since i run my dogs alot and the 26/16 isn't making it right now.

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:30 pm

Here is a comparison of the ingredients of the Purina One and the Pro Plan Chicken and Rice.

Pro Plan Chicken and Rice

Chicken, brewers rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), whole grain corn, corn bran, fish meal, natural flavors, egg product, dicalcium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), calcium carbonate, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ascorbic acid (source of Vitamin C), ferrous sulfate, riboflavin supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (Min) 26.0%
Crude Fat (Min) 16.0%
Crude Fiber (Max) 3.0%
Moisture (Max) 12.0%
Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.4%
Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1.0%
Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.8%
Selenium (Se) (Min) 0.30 mg/kg
Vitamin A (Min) 15,000 IU/kg
Vitamin E (Min) 460 IU/kg
Ascorbic Acid** (Min) 70 mg/kg

Purina One Chicken and Rice

Chicken (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), whole grain wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), non-fat yogurt, animal digest, dicalcium phosphate, salt, malted barley flour, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

CRUDE PROTEIN (MIN) 26.0%
CRUDE FAT (MIN) 16.0%
CRUDE FIBER (MAX) 3.0%
MOISTURE (MAX) 12.0%
LINOLEIC ACID (MIN) 1.4%
CALCIUM (Ca) (MIN) 1.0%
PHOSPHORUS (P) (MIN) 0.8%
SELENIUM (Se) (MIN) 0.30 mg/kg
VITAMIN A (MIN) 13,000 IU/kg
VITAMIN E (MIN) 100 IU/kg
GLUCOSAMINE* (MIN) 400 ppm

If I had to feed one of these foods, it would be the Pro Plan. It has somewhat less grain fragments and a bit more specific sources for some of it's ingredients.
It is always a good idea to know the sources (ie:Chicken meal and opposed to Poultry meal or chicken digest as opposed to animal digest). What kind of animal are they using for FAT in the Purina One? Actually, it could be any kind of animal, even pets that have been euthanized or animals killed on the side of the road. Rendering plants don't have to tell manufactures what kind of carcasses they are using if it's listed this way. Manufacturers by these products because they are cheaper, but it makes the food you are feeding your dog inconsistant. The ingredients are never the same from batch to batch.
When you say your dogs did well for a while then their coat dulled or they didnt' have enough energy or whatever, this could very well be the reason.

When reading the label, look for specific protein sources (ie: Chicken, lamb, beef, etc) and avoid foods that list generic sources (ie: poultry, animal, by-products, etc.).
Grains are broken down into their various counter parts like germ, gluten, brewers, flour, partly because of cost (it's cheaper) and partly to make it look like there is less grain in it. But it's listed by weight, so take all the "corn" stuff and add it all together and there is REALLY more corn than meat.

I'll stop now, lol.

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:33 pm

Guess I should mention the Menadione thing. Menadione is a chemical vit. K (synthetic). There is really no reason to add it to dog food, as dogs are able to synthesize vit k and don't really need it added to the diet.
If they want to add vit k, why don't they just add the natural version with good wholesome products? It's cheaper to add a synthetic!

Ky Scott · Post by **Ky Scott** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:51 pm

Brian ive fed Pro Plan for a bout 3 years now and I'm very satisfied with it you can feed them a little less or more depending on how much you run them. Feed normal 1 1/2 if you are out 3 or 4 times a week. if you are pushed for time and don't get them out but 1 or 2 times a week cut them back a little bit especially older dogs 3 years and up because they use and really digest Pro Plan. I guess what I'm trying to say is very little comes out the other end

and stools are very solid. I loe it. If you Join Pro Plan and get the checks back it helps out a lot also. My advice on the Performance Pro Plan is only feed it if youre really pounding you're dogs in the ground. Because they will be a wound tight for sure. I feed the Chicken and Rice and it does a fine Job. I also feed my pups Hi Pro instead of Puppy Chow and they seem to do better on it. I never realized it could be used for pups till about a year ago when I saw they had how much to feed pups on the back of the bag. Give it a try for a month and you will be able to tell the difference. Hope this Helps Take care and Merry Christmas

blackdirt beagles · Post by **blackdirt beagles** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:43 pm

i was thinking of trying the beef meal. just got into my last bag of hi pro so i am set for a couple weeks but i think i will try a couple bags of the beef pro plan. thanks for all the replies.

Jim Stinnett · Post by **Jim Stinnett** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:47 pm

I have been feeding Pro Plan for about 4 years. Chicken or Beef.

I have never fed anything better! Less stool & the dogs stay sharp!

I feed the performance to the dogs I am really running in the winter.

Pro Plan puppy for the pups.

I like it & I have fed everything...

wvduece · Post by **wvduece** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:55 pm

i fed purina hi pro fotr several years its hard to find close to where i live but it got to where my hounds stool wasnt always firm seem to be mushy n lots of it so i switched to JOY HIGH ENERGY ITS 26/18 for 13.99 a bag stool is firm n dont seem to be much of it a lot less cleaning i got my dogs in above ground kennel with wire floor so i get to see bout all of it i really like the joy feed jb

Alvin Liter · Post by **Alvin Liter** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 4:42 am

I have fed it for 2 years now very well pleased with it.[/quote]

Hilltop Kennels · Post by **Hilltop Kennels** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 7:06 am

I feed the dog chow and could not be happier. I do have some dogs on the higher fat dog food. But like I always say make sure your dog can handle the dog food you are feeding it and every dog is different. I know it might be a pain in the butt but some dogs need different kinds of dog food than others.

Adam M. O'Donnell · Post by **Adam M. O'Donnell** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 8:37 am

Brian,
Pro Plan is probably the best food on the market! Reading these post you'll gather that! However I fed it for 5 years while running the Coonhound competition hunts heavy, and I can say the only down side is, on those warm summer nights, it almost seemed to "burn the dogs up". I even notice several times, they would crap blood.
I was told it was the feed, maybe it wasn't? I know I switched to Pzazz, and didn't have anymore trouble. When Pzazz became hard to buy, I went to Diamond. Well with all their toubles I'm thinking about trying the Purina One, Lamb and Rice with my beagles. Let us know how you like the Pro Plan.

blackdirt beagles · Post by **blackdirt beagles** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 4:08 pm

i'll let you know how it goes. by the end of january i should have fed them a bag of it and will see what i think.
in the hotter summer months, i usually switch to SPORTMIX's 21/12 mix but FALL, WINTER and SPRING i like to feed a little hotter food so this should work out just right.

warddog · Post by **warddog** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 4:31 pm

I agree with Hilltop 100%. I believe that dogs are just like people some like and can handle certain foods while others can't. I have seen drastic differences between the dogs in my kennel when being feed the exact same rations.

TOUCHSTONE · Post by **TOUCHSTONE** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 3:57 pm

Have read this thread with interest and usually a lurker. My son
Dan is more into this bulletin board.
However, I feel I do need to make it plain to all who use Purina Dog Foods, of any kind, from the Dog Chow to High Performance, that ALL MEAT USED IN ANY PURINA DOG FOODS ARE ALL FDA CLEARED AND STAMPED.
I have been through their plants in St. Louis, etc. personally. Have been through their extensive and intensive research facilities, and can assure you that Purina uses only TOP INGREDIENTS. All plants across the country have inspectors who inspect ALL ingredients for purity and quality. If a batch doesn't meet requirements, it's sold to the pig farmers, and the third time someone brings in anything for Purina that does not meet their high quality standards, that person is no longer a Purina supplier.
Purina imports NOTHING from outside the USA! Meat or grain.
This is the main reason you need never worry about a problem with your Purina foods as Diamond unfortunately is now having.
There are seven grades of corn. Grade one is for human consumption (our canned corn, etc.) Purina uses grade TWO exclusively. Be aware some dog foods may use even grade 7, which is NOT good and not nearly as digetible as grade TWO!
It's not just the listing of ingredients on the package, it's the QUALITY of the ingredients. SHOE LEATHER could be listed as protein!!!!
I have personally fed our dogs (Dalmatians mostly) Purina Dog Chow for over 50 years and Puppy Chow, etc. This is perfect for Dals. The performance beagles are on higher protein foods such as performance.
Everyone has a right to feed whatever their choice of foods is.
As a Purina Elite Pro Club Ambassador for many years, I KNOW what is in Purina foods.
I have yet to have someone come back to me and say that the Purina they put their dogs on was not as satisfactory as their previous food.
There can be many reason for a loose stool or some blood in a stool.
Can't just blame stuff on the dog food without finding out what is going on with the dog from a good Vet!
Could have been something the dog picked up and just got over and had nothing to do with the food!
But mainly be assured that Purina does NOT use dead animals or PETS that have been euthanized in any food they produce!!!!!!!
This is a terrible rumor that has been attached to other dog foods from time to time. I do not believe any dog food of any quality does such a thing.
Thank you for listening
Cathy Murphy
Touchstone Dalmatians and beagles