Nutrition help

Re: Nutrition help

Judy Blythe — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:57:03 GMT

Maize is just a cereal used to add the carbohydrate content of the diet- not a filler at all. It could be a source of allergen (as can any protein if your animal is sensitised to it) but this is less likely than to the protein in wheat probably because it is used slightly less often than wheat in dog foods. Golden retrievers are no more likely to be "allergic" to maize than they are to any other protein source. I don't like to make sweeping generalisations about groups of people- but breeders often just pass on what is the most "faddy" rumour going round in their partcular dog world. Unfortunately their word seems to count for more than ordinary people. Pointing out that the recommended food has maize in it will very tactfully show that breeders are not the source of all wisdom! I agree about storage mites- it is worth talking to clients about how to store dry food in an airtight container and always wash it out before emptying a new bag into it.

Re: Nutrition help

Shane — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:36:15 GMT

what a load of BULLSH$T! That is not a pre-disposing breed allergen. Maize will not do that to any BREED of dog, maybe to certain individuals that might have an intolerence. As Caro mentioned, we know of tons of dogs in Africa eating that, not one causing a problem, but most in fact look very healthy.

Breeders: GRRRR. Had a lovely black lab puppy come in Tuesday, 24h from the breeders....covered in lice. Poor thing.

Re: Nutrition help

nicky shoult — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:43:51 GMT

Oh and re retrievers - had my old goldie for almost 13years and have never heard that he shouldnt have maize!

Re: Nutrition help

nicky shoult — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:43:07 GMT

Breeders drive me mad- why oh why do new owners always believe what ever the breeder has told them but refuse to believe what the vet has to say- despite having years of training,it infuriates me!!!!!

Re: Nutrition help

Kerry Spain — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:52:35 GMT

In my opinion the cheaper diets contain cheap ingredients (hence why they are cheap), they are 'bulked' out by cereals and grains as opposed to high quality meat. Premium diets contain ingredients which cost a little more but are guaranteed to be more nutritionally benificial to the animal. The premuim diet ingredients are scourced from the same suppliers every time which means the pet food company knows the quality of the ingredients and they are unlikely to change the list of ingredients too.

It really does depend on which food the client is feeding the dog, however, I have never personally heard of one specific ingredient affecting one specific breed. This is probably something that the breeder has made up... bless em'.

Re: Nutrition help

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:45:01 GMT

I would just tell the owner that the food he is already feeding and was recommended by the breeder actually has maize in it too.... and I guess they wont be listening to the breeder anymore, which all in all is a good thing where most breeders are concerned.

I also think that storage mites cause more skin probs than anything else, and they are all over the dry complete foods, so if the dogs gonna suffer from it it will if it's not it wont.

Re: Nutrition help

Ju_xx — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:43:19 GMT

I'm not saying that I belive the breeder, like I said at the beginning we think it is rubbish. I just wanted to know what other people would say to the owner regarding the food his dog is on that actually includes maize.

I know that breeders can talk rubbish as well as anyone else on here. Most of them boil my blood!

Re: Nutrition help

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:54:22 GMT

I am sure it is in most things. In Africa there is an african food called mealie meal or Sadza or Pap or a couple of other names. It is ground maize and often used as dog food. Sighs l need to get a load more l love it

The word breeder is similar to several very nasty swear words. l always point out to people who use the words "the breeder says." that the breeders are responsible for the ill health (hereditary wise) of the pedigree dog population, then start giving them some of the problems in breeds. And vets are into trying to fix them so who do you want to belive?