How good is Science Diet Dog food?

Question

My Husband and I have a 7 month old Jack Russell Terrier/ Border Collie mix puppy who gets lots of activity! We've been feeding him a mix of wet and dry Iams puppy food but noticed that he would frequently have diarrhea. I used to work at a pharmacy that sold Science Diet to customers whose vets had prescribed it and they had great things to say about it so on our last trip to the pet store we picked some up to try. But now that I've read some reviews here I am having second thoughts. Is Science Diet really that bad? What makes it so bad. We are first time dog owners and just started feeding him what they recommended at the pets store, but now we want to make sure that he gets everything he needs. He seems to like the Science Diet much better, but we want to make sure that it's good for him too. Your opinions and recommendations would be much appreciated!! Thanks!!

Answer 1

Your dog is so lucky that you are trying to feed him the very best. Good nutrition is your very best investment.
Science diet isn't as bad as grocery store brands, but there are several that are much better..I bought two 5 year old (show ) dogs that had been raised on Sciience diet kibble, and both of them had poor dental health, and dry skin.

There are many high quality dog foods available these days..I used to feed Nutro Chicken/Rice...My pups grew great, and, as my breed is long-coated, they had gorgeous coats in no time...
However, their teeth were always stained..I never knew why, but they seemed to need constant cleaning, to be ready to show..

So, I switched to Eukenuba, and they had better teeth, and nice coats..but bowels were always loose...

I fed Abady's for 2 litters, and liked what it did for the pups..but it stank..and was too un-handy....

I fed Purina Pro Plan when it came out..Pups did well..no complaints...

However, my supplier recommended Canidae 21/2 years ago..WOW! I never knew that my oldsters could be so rejuvenated! Suddenly they were putting on gorgeous coats, and acting as puppies..full of play..dancing as we walked...It just blew me away...
Then I took a 10 year old to have a cyst removed, and the vet came out amazed at her blood-work..he said that it was that expected in a 4-5 year old...He also said that he always cleans teeth while they are 'under', but that her teeth were absolutely clean..

I took another in to be spayed, at 7 years old, and the vet was amazed at how white and clean her teeth were..and then when he took out stitches..commented that she healed so fast that the incision was already hard to see...

All my dogs have just thrived on Canidae, and I would sure recommend it..It is made from all human grade ingredients, and natural preservatives..
there are other foods that are likely as good..but, as Canidae is easy to find, and they are doing so well, I wouldn't want to switch..
Other great dog foods that you can find most places, are Wellness, Innova, Solid Gold, Wysong, Natural Balance, Royal Canine...
Here is a good site to help you select a quality kibble> http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/dog-food/review.html

Answer 2

Science Diet Dog Food

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Science Diet and the Hills Prescriptions food is definately Veterinary approved. The key is: Diarrhea isn't normal.

Re-check him for parasites. Get a fecal float done on him, most vets don't charge too much for it. Most will even let you just drop a sample off.

Wet food can also loosen up his stool. I would try and stop the wet food as soon as possible. Especially since he is having problems.

Remember, if you switch foods too quickly he could get diarrhea from that as well.

If you do go to Science diet, which I would recommend. Make sure you slowly integrate the new food in with the old until after a week or so, its only the new food.

If you change food too often this will re-occur.

Another thing is, sometimes pet's have food allergies. But diarrhea is a symptom of so many other things. Best idea is fix the diarrhea first, then decide on the food, make sure you slowly integrate and you'll be fine.

Have fun with the lil guy =) He must be super cute =)

Answer 5

Science diet helps to fund Vet Schooling and Vets are not always well versed in nutrition just like doctors are not well versed in nutrition for people. The fiber in the lite food of Science diet is peanut hulls. Science Diet in general has a lot of corn and by-products, and sprayed on fats. Hey it won't kill your dog but some of the premium dog foods use reject meat that includes the styrofoam and plastic wrap and it all goes into the making.
Now, there are many choices on the market and some are better than others. Here are a few brands I think are better:
Remember though, that more expensive is not always better!

Royal Canin, Authority Harvest Baked, Nature's Recipe, Nutro Ultra (I'd only recommend their Ultra brand), Natural Balance, Wellness, Innova, Pet Botanics Lamb Log or Beef Log,
-- to name a few
Many dogs today have problems with skin and coat as well as allergies and that is why their needs are different from what they used to be. What is a good food for one may not be good for another. Science Diet has had recalls of their food in the past.
I'd just say there are healthier brands. Also, your dog will likely do better with just the dry and get him some 3V Skin Caps which have Omega 3, Vit. A, D and E in them- available from the Vet.
Another thing good for diarrhea is to give your dog pumpkin pie filling, a few spoons mixed in his food at each feeding.
What I would recommend for the breed and size is Nature's Recipe Dry dog food, the Venison brand because it is easier on the stomach. Also it has no wheat and no corn. So it's better for digestion, skin and coat, and all around.
Either that one or the Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance, Venison and Potato. Either of those brands are easier on the stomach. You can also add a few spoons of plain yogurt in the food.

Answer 6

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Science diet, like most grocery brands, is a horrible kibble, and I would never feed it even if it was given to me. Good choice on switching. There are 3 rules to follow when buying dog food. Just read the ingredients. 1: NO corn in the ingredients. Corn is a very cheap filler and dogs can't digest it. Your dog simply has to eat more of the food to get the proper amount of nutrients. 2: NO wheat. Wheat is again a cheap filler, and is also the leading cause of dog allergies to food. 3: NO meat by-products. A meat by-product can technically be anything except feathers. Does a whole bunch of beaks and feet really sound nutritional. Just read the ingredient labels, and follow the 3 simple rules above, and you will have a pretty good quality food.

Answer 7

The only food I have ever fed my dogs were 2 kinds of food . Eukanuba and royal canin and royal canin has breed specific foods . They do really well on them and the first ingredient in them is meat ,chicken to be specific. Yes definately start feeding a better food . You will notice the coat being better with a better food . Also Science diet uses rendered parts which contains by products which is also known as filler . Fillers are not good for your dog. Please try the two that I have mentioned above I think you will be happier in the long run. I hope I helped.

Answer 8

The thing about Science Diet is it is great for animals who need a special diet for medical reasons. For a regular pet food, it is overpriced for the value, IMO. It's best not to buy pet foods in grocery stores either - those tend to be lower quality foods. Go to a pet feeds store and check the ingredients labels; look mostly at the first few ingredients. Don't choose a food that has corn in the first two ingredients, look for specified meats or meat meal (ie chicken meal, not animal meal - animal meal can be anything!). Avoid by-products if possible. Based on this, determine what food looks the best that fits into your budget.

Remember to slowly switch him to this new food (gradually increase the proportion of new food at each meal). And keep in mind that a food that works for one dog might not work for another. Try a food for a month or so and if that doesn't work, try another. It would also be a good idea to have your dog's health cleared by a vet. It is possible he has allergies and may need a special food for this.

Answer 9

worst thing you can do is feed your dog one of those foods ....try feeding him something more holistic, more natural, my dog has a very sensitive stomach I feed him royal canin for gsd's and he's great....his coat is great and his stomach is much more calm. when you do decide to change food on your dog do it gradually....15% of new food to every 85% of old. and increas this little by little over a month.

I do recommend that you have your dog tested for parsites but if that's all clear mix in some white rice with the food...it will stop the belly aches. I cooked food for my dog for the first six months of his life....he had rice...with lots of chicken and liver once a week, eggs, fish oils, he was a very fussy eater and that's the only thing he would eat as a pup. I gave him vitamins to supplement the food but I still like holistic food or home made food much better. There are many books and websites that give you receipies for natural dog food. Your dog is small enough to where you can possibly do it. Mine is 120lbs and I don't cook for him everyday anymore. The less chemicalls you can have the better....less dry skin less shedding less stress on his stomach.

Here is more about royal canine

http://www.royalcanin.us/

Answer 10

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