Science Diet – Recommended by Vets?
I stopped to check out a new neighborhood pet store the other night. I won’t mention the store name, since this is not going to be a positive post.
As I was walking to the door, I noticed the big “Science Diet” poster on the window. At that point, I sighed, and figured this wasn’t going to be a new place to buy pet food.
Making a long story short, I was speaking with the owner, asking her about her training programs, and we started to talk about food.
I asked if Science Diet was the only food she sold? And she said yes, along with the “Nature’s Best” which is also Hills/Science Diet. She was very gracious, and asked what food I used, and I told her EVO and RAW. She was looking into selling EVO, only if she could offer it at a lower price than other stores. (side note: I can’t imagine Natura allowing her to sell their products along side Science Diet; but who knows)
Anyway, held my tongue, until she said that when she worked at an animal hospital, Science Diet was the brand sold by the hospital; I replied that most vets don’t know anything about nutrition, but she insisted that there were other brands that would have been more profitable, but they chose Science Diet.
Huh? Okay, Science Diet is not recommended by Vets because of it’s nutritional value. It’s recommended because of the huge profit margin. And it’s the same profit margin that this store was trying to make.
I mean come on! Look at the ingredients:
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Mill Run, Flaxseed, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Potassium Chloride, Dried Chicken Cartilage, Choline Chloride, 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), Iodized Salt, Taurine, L-Lysine, L-Tryptophan, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-carnitine, DL-methionine, Dicalcium Phosphate, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, L-Arginine, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.
It’s basically CORN! You are feeding your dog corn and some chicken beaks, feet, feathers, and other assorted by products if you choose Science Diet. Animal fat? What kind of animal? Soybean Mill Run? What the heck is that? Sounds like a by-product from a soy mill. It’s disgusting, and I wouldn’t even think about feeding one kibble of this garbage to my girls.
More info on The Science Diet Scam by Sabine Contreras, BetterDogCare.com & dogfoodproject.com
Anyway, the store looked nice enough, and her training methods were positive, but I lost a lot of respect for her because of the pet food she chose to sell in her store. It was kind of sad.
Terrier Health, petfood | Terrier Mama | April 23, 2009
Good post! I’ve been without a dog for years, and recently adopted a sweet 2-yr old Rat Terrier-Beagle mix named Dixie Doodle. What a great girl she is! We found out a week after I adopted her that she had heartworm, so we started treatments (poor girl, pretty rough on her). But she’s finally past those, and I’m getting to know her as a “well” dog, so I’ve started reading about nutrition for dogs (and am realizing how much it’s changed since my last dog! And how scary it is out there now!).
Anyway, I’m writing to ask if you have any resources or insights into Rachael Ray’s Nutrish pet food line. Dixie was eating it and I’ve kept her on it until I learn more about what I should get. I did look at the ingredients, and it has meat (beef) as the first ingredient so I didn’t want to make any changes and upset her system until I find a really great, healthy food for her. (I’m just starting to research raw foods, so I still have a lot to learn!)
Hello Cherie. I am so sorry, I just noticed the email for your comment today in my mail folder. I am usually much more prompt with replies. I apologize.
Anyway, I am not thrilled with Rachael Ray’s food, BUT it’s better than Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Purina, etc. And yes, I don’t blame you for not wanting to change until you know more. It makes sense!
I started to write a whole detailed reply to your comment, but figured hey, why not create a new article instead on her food.
Here is a link to the article with my review of the ingredients:
http://www.tworatties.com/index.php/2009/04/28/rachael-rays-nutrish-is-it-really-nutrishious/
I commend you on your idea to possibly switch to RAW!
I really appreciate your reply, and I love that you turned it into a full article for others who want to know! I’ve shared the link on Twitter, where I follow you (@TwoRatties). Thanks for all the great info!
Thanks Cherie.
And I was so quick to reply, I didn’t get a chance to also say congrats on your new baby. Dixie Doodle sounds wonderful, and I am so happy to hear she is better!
Our Lexi was sick for the first 2 months we had her, and it’s frustrating to say the least!
So congrats and best wishes for a long healthy happy life with your Dixie Doodle!
Great post. You and I feed the same diet – Raw and EVO.
While at my vets the other day, I was put in one of the exam rooms with my new pup to wait for the vet. A hanging folder box on the wall was open and inside was a manual that read something like, Hills Veterinary Handbook, or something like that. I had always heard that the dog food industry did alot to support vets, but I guess it was still surprising to see their veterinary manuals emblazoned with the name of the dog food company.
Luckily, my vet is supportive of my feeding choice. But, it just goes to show that you can’t rely on your vet for neutral information about canine (or feline) nutrition!
Hey Mary, I love your web site! Your photos are just gorgeous. Thank you so much for your comment.
I’m lucky too, I have a vet that supports my choices too.