Sagittarian

Hello. The 'Pheonix' website won't work for me and the statement Australian and New Zealand owned doesn't help. So many people are now making dog food. A lot is manufactured by Real Pet Food company (even some brands you wouldn't expect) but Pheonix isn't one we've come across. Some pet shop owners commission their own brands as well. From the ingredients I have some thoughts on who is behind it but will do some fact checking first. I really dislike the lack of transparency in a few parts of the industry!

Next Generation Petfoods in Qld make a very similar product. We just got a first delivery and little difference. Box 1 was bought by Real Petfood Co who closed the biscuit operation, and the information from them is conflicting. I'd be looking at Next Gen. https://nextgenerationpetfoods.com.au/evolution-4x2-baked-biscuits-info/

Taste of the Wild is not irradiated nor are any other imported dry dog or cat foods. Check with AQIS if you are in doubt about imported products - heresay can come from anywhere.

A quick look has me interested in speaking to them with view to stocking it. Not such a fan of their normal range (don't stock) but a lot to like about this.

We both use it and sell it in the shop. I always recommend first time users start at a tiny dose to get their pet used to it and avoid the runs. Build up for a week, then go to the loading dose. It can be mixed with water, gravy (homemade without additives), a bit of peanut butter, etc, what your dog likes. Some people freeze it in popsicles over summer. Others make a little meatball. But many, many of our customers simply sprinkle. My husband has used it for a couple of years after hip surgery and only notices how well it works when he's off it. I think that is a good indicator. RHV are very approachable if you email or call them and may have tips on using it for those super fussy ones. :-)

Won't feed it, won't stock it. Nothing against the ingredients. Having sold it in volume last time, we had staff and customers who lost their cats. It would be a breach of trust to our customers for us to sell it again, regardless of its current status. As an aside, am absolutely stunned at the price. Sags

Has he been diagnosed by x-rays from an experienced vet? Saints grow so fast that some may diagnose HD without proper clinical investigation. Whilst a score cannot be given so young, any x-rays should be sent to a qualified reader for evaluation before you decide on any path of treatment. If you have done this and received a qualified report, then do seek as much information as possible before surgery. My opinion is surgery should not be undertaken lightly. There are many factors to consider, including the effect on the dog's personality, which is still developing at this age. What advice has your breeder given? If it is HD then long term treatment will vary depending on the severity. Many dogs do very well with natural therapies, swimming, and staying light. Please let us know how you go. Sags

Most if not all premium brands have a palatability guarantee, so you can quite safely try a food for a few days to see how she goes, knowing you can return for a refund if it isn't to her liking or upsets her in some way. Some brands provide sample packs and whilst that won't tell you long term what suits, it does save on buying a product only to return it. What about raw feeding - you already offer raw bones and there is plenty of great info on a basic raw diet. I personally do not ever soak dry food and if she is really not enjoying it, do urge you to look further afield. If you prefer to dry or mix feed, then look for the lower priced foods without the fillers - as in wheat/corn/soy etc. Really not a good way to fill a dog up. Happy to send you some brand suggestions by message if you wish. :-)

Hi there, There are many grain based dry foods that are high protein, with plenty of 'energy/working' varieties across a number of brands. These include XP2030, and formulas by Advance, Euk, Royal Canin. I'm using 30% protein as being at the bottom of high for the purpose of this comment. :-) And, there are quite a number of grain free foods sitting in the 20s, rather than 30s. It isn't about how much grain/peas/lentils etc, but about the recipe of the individual food. With our useless packaging laws, it is a pain to get accurate information on where the protein comes from (meat v other source) as well as the actual meat content. A few companies are more transparent, whilst others have to be directly contacted for better quality information. What I do know is that over more than fifteen years, the anecdotal feedback from our customers is outstandingly in the favour of grain free products to improve a range of issues, if dry food is all that is being fed. Once we get them introducing raw or moving across completely, then of course this changes again. It is interesting the the series of articles by this vet comment that meat sources considered in the US as 'exotic' include lamb and kangaroo. Both are widely fed here and not at considered unusual. Studies backed by pet food companies concern me, particularly when they are companies based on what they proclaim to be science, regardless of the ingredients list. :-)

We recommend a slow transition onto Prime 100 dry food of any variety. It is heavily meat driven so if a dog is coming from one either grain based, or grain free with low meat, it is advisable to go in slowly. My boy not only transitioned well, but is less hungry on this. Hope Poppy is feeling well again. Sags

Prime 100 has quarantined their new Salmon dry food as they use the same salmon source. Although they've not had any reports of any issues, it is a precaution. We're currently feeding this and loving it so home it is resolved soon.

What's happening is some companies are not including the information on their packaging. Advance are the latest with their new formulas. Nowhere is the word preservative used, let alone BHT & BHA, but it is in them. Eukanbua recently changed to include BHA and propyl gallate. Royal Canin BHA and potassium sorbate. As we carry lots of other foods which do not contain these, but use natural preservatives, I am most interested in the viewpoint of others with an interest in petfood - even if only to feed the pet. :-)

LOL all good!

Hi all. Interested in points of view as well as any scientific knowledge on the ongoing use of these preservatives in petfood. In an age when more companies are using natural preservatives, why would anyone resort to these? The companies that do admit to it (sometimes after a long and difficult road to accurate information) say it is widespread and safe. Would love some discussion here, regardless of your level of nutrition knowledge. Sags :-)

It is incredibly frustrating that products like Royal Canin are so vague in their labelling. It took ages to get them to provide accurate information about the synthetic preservatives they use in their range - and have just introduced to Eukanuba since moving its manufacturing from the US to France.