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[News]/[Link] Blue Buffalo admits by-product meal can be found in a “substantial and material” portion of its pet foods(r/dogs)

For those of you wondering how to select a good pet food….

There is a ton of misinformation out there on the internet. A lot of it is very convincing, even if it’s wrong or unsupported by scientific research. Most vets tend to recommend the larger companys (Hill’s Science Diet, Purina, Royal Canin, Iams, Eukanuba, etc) because they have huge research facilities with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of veterinary nutritionists and vets on staff. On the flip side, companies like Merrick, Fromm, Blue Buffalo, etc employ maybe 1 veterinary professional, if that. They have great marketing budgets with lovely descriptions of their foods that appeal strongly to humans and our emotions, but for the most part, that’s all it is.

The following links are from true experts whose recommendations and criteria are supported by years of research in the animal medicine and nutrition community.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association

• The Savvy Dog Owner’s Guide: Nutrition on the Internet
• Recommendations on Selecting Pet Foods

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

• FAQ’s on Pet Nutrition

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

• How to Choose a Diet
• Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Pet Foods

Vet Street

• Understanding Pet Food Labels
• The Scoop on Digestion

‘Dog Food Logic’ Book Excerpts written by an animal nutritionist (MSc)

• What’s Your Dinner Ritual?
• Label Claims
• Not Your Grandmother’s Kibble
• The Nature of Natural
• What’s the Deal with Meals?

I HIGHLY recommend reading the full book. It’s a great read, and dives into detail on the science of canine nutrition for the layman. No, seriously, read the book Dog Food Logic: Making Smart Decisions for Your Dog in an Age of Too Many Choices.

More details about a book.