Different sources of protein in dog food

[shannonRN]

Assuming a dog has no food sensitivities, as mine seem not to, does it matter what the source of protein is in their food? Is a food with multiple sources of protein better than one that has fewer?

We're now feeding this after a switch from Nutro Ultra. As I've mentioned in other threads, we're really limited in what foods are conveniently available for us, so finding someone close who sells Premium Edge was just plain lucky. Yesterday my husband went back to pick up a second bag for the pooches and found that the retailer, who basically carries Diamond foods and Premium Edge, DOES carry the Chicken Soup foods but we did not see it when we were there before.

I don't see a real big difference between these foods, except for the multiple protein sources in the Chick Soup (dumb name for pet food, BTW). Is one of these foods better than the other? I feel I've learned a lot about the ingredients in the different foods, yet now that we're switching foods, I just want to make sure we make the best switch.

As long as we're on the topic, should we be supplementing anything if feeding one of these foods? I have been giving them a few tablespoons of plain yogurt every day or every other day and the same amount of pumpkin on occasion, just because they like it so much. Is there anything seriously missing from this diet?

[Prin]

Which premium edge are you feeding? The "Skin and coat" one looks good- except for the brewer's rice and egg product, but they are pretty far down the list.... Actually so far, they all look good except for the egg product (the chicken one doesn't have brewer's rice...) The only issue I have with them is that they are loaded with grains. Grains tend to be the main culprit for allergies, but if your doggy is ok, then don't worry about it too much now.

The fibre in it is a little lower than I'm used to seeing, so keep that pumpkin handy... Yogurt doesn't harm anything, so if he likes it, go ahead.

Chicken soup has the egg product too... They're about the same. The only difference is that chicken soup throws in some duck and salmon at the last minute. They're probably in tiny quantities...

Just beware of the flax- it can cause itchiness- not in all doggies but in some.

(sorry if this post was jumbly but I was reading both websites while posting.. )

[shannonRN]

Presently, they're both eating the Chicken/rice/vegetable formula--you have to scroll down the page I linked to just a little bit and the info is there. Obviously you found the info anyway.

We just switched from Nutro Ultra, which also had flax so I don't think that will be a concern. Apparently it was something else in the nutro that was giving Rom the gas/indigestion because it has stopped now.

It's so hard to choose a food! What's wrong with 'egg product?' Both sites say the same thing about it:
Egg product: Whole eggs without shells. Very digestible protein source.
Are they pulling the wool over my eyes?

[Prin]

I read somewhere else that it was eggs not fit for human consumtion- like cracked eggs, etc. Who knows whom to believe! But really, I don't think it's anything to worry about. If it was ingredient #2 or something, then ya, but this is way down a list of really good ingredients. So it's fine.

[shannonRN]

Well, I don't know if I like the idea of nasty stuff in their food. Grains are one thing, rotten/nasty/spoiled is entirely another. It did get me thinking though--If it's just eggs, why not just write "egg" on the label? So there must be something funky about those eggs for them to be called 'egg product.'

I don't know, I guess we're going with it for now.

[Puppyluv]

Originally Posted by shannonRN

So there must be something funky about those eggs for them to be called 'egg product.'

I don't know, I guess we're going with it for now.

Not necessarily.. you know those cartons of scrambled eggs that people eat? They're officially called "egg product" too, and I certainly hope that they aren't funky!

[Prin]

Ya, I stay away from those... I don't get it. Eggs are the easiest things to make and there's still a ready-made version. How much bleddy spare time do we need?

[shannonRN]

Well I guess the eggs officially become "egg product" once they're de-cholesterol-ified (my new word ). To take the cholesterol out of a fresh egg, you're stuck with the white only, which is no fun at all for people watching their blood lipids--so I think of Egg Beaters and the like not so much as a convenience product, but as a nutritional thing. Though some people I'm sure use them for convenience instead. Go figure.

[Prin]

They only make white ones? I thought they made a variety... Good to know.

[shannonRN]

Huh? I'm confused now! What's new?
I meant that, at home using fresh eggs, you would have to eat only the egg white if you want a cholesterol-free egg. But the egg product you can buy in cartons lets you have the yolk too, without the cholesterol.

I don't know if the cartons of egg product come in varieties. Have never used the stuff. But I do know that when you go to a restaurant and order an omelet, scrambled eggs, or pretty much anything else that uses beaten eggs, chances are it's a carton of pre-scrambled egg rather than whole eggs.

[raingirl]

or powdered egg. I worked in a kitchen once, and our "scrambled" egg was powdered in a disolvable bag. Just drop it in the water!

[shannonRN]

Mmmm, that sounds yummy. Never heard of that--like Uncle Ben's rice, I guess.

[raingirl]

except you eat the bag! It was made of gelatin or rice paper or something edible. Still gross. You put it in and it would disolve in the water, and the powder would then mix with the water.

[Prin]

Originally Posted by shannonRN

Huh? I'm confused now! What's new?
I meant that, at home using fresh eggs, you would have to eat only the egg white if you want a cholesterol-free egg. But the egg product you can buy in cartons lets you have the yolk too, without the cholesterol.

I don't know if the cartons of egg product come in varieties. Have never used the stuff. But I do know that when you go to a restaurant and order an omelet, scrambled eggs, or pretty much anything else that uses beaten eggs, chances are it's a carton of pre-scrambled egg rather than whole eggs.

Sorry I thought you meant only egg whites because of the cholestrol free part.. I wonder how they "de-cholesterol" it and keep the yolks..

[shannonRN]

Well, to make matters more confusing, I was wrong.

This is the scoop on the Egg Beaters brand, which is the only one I can think of: http://www.eggbeaters.com/products/faqs.jsp .
They ARE just egg whites, colored yellow by beta carotene. Huh! Go figure.

raingirl, that powdered egg in a bag thing is really odd! Did you ever eat them? I'm sure they tasted fine, but it's such an odd concept.

[Prin]

Eww.... I think you shouldn't have researched that... I don't like colored things that are not supposed to be colored...

[Puppyluv]

Another company is Burnbrae Farms Break-free liquid eggs.

Their eggs actually contain yolk, and so is not cholesterol free, but has 80% less than an egg. (They also have egg-whites and omega-3 eggs in liquid form)

Main Benefits of Naturegg Break Free
(50 g serving equivalent in volume to 1 large egg)

80% fat and cholesterol reduced compared to regular whole eggs
Good source of high quality protein
Low fat: Only 1 g of fat per 50 g serving
Source of many vitamins and minerals
Same taste and baking properties as whole egg with less fat & cholesterol
All natural Ingredients
Kosher approved
Pasteurized for safety
Just 35 calories per 50 g serving
Premium quality and freshness
Ready to use in a convenient liquid format

One thing that always disturbed me was the egg-product used at Stampede Breakfasts. Sometimes it was powdered, but usually it was frozen liquid in a plastic bag, and you just boil the whole bag in water, the egg cooks, you cut open the bag and tada a solid mass of "scrambled eggs"

[Prin]

Ewwww..... Sounds like "cabane à sucre" food...