Ol Roy Considered

Today, all over the national news is the story of the recalled canned dog food.  It was no surprise to me to hear that the tainted food was sold at Wal-Mart, Pet Smart, and other mart stores.  Who feeds their pets this junk anyway?

As I walked home one night my neighbor had a bag of Ol Roy outside for the trash.  I should have known--his ratty little spaniel looking thing doesn't look at all healthy.  But this is the thought some pet owners put into their dog's health.  Some goofy lady being interviewed on the Today Show was just amazed that her beloved IAMS food, that she called the premier food for dogs, would have any issues. 

These are the same people who put their dog down at the first sign of a vet bill or some long term health need.  I'm not saying they don't love their dogs; I'm just saying they don't consider their dogs.  And maybe it's just an education thing--they really don't know that grocery and mart store food is junk.  They don't know that they will pay in Vet. bills what they avoid in food prices.

You have to read both the nutritional analysis and the ingredients.  After all you can get protein from a fresh chicken breast or a McDonald's chicken McNugget, but the ingredients are much different.  If I see corn in any food I stop right there and move on--corn is just a cheap filler!

Some people think that a raw diet is best; others claim that the dog is domesticated and has more than just protein needs.  At least these people are considering, evaluating and researching what is best for their dog.  That's a far cry from grabbing a big bag of Ol Roy and racing the mini-van to McDonalds for an 8-piece.

Tom Berger
Co-Owner
Pretentious Pooch
A Maryland Pet Boutique
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-7777
www.pretentiouspooch.com

Comments

[Beulah's mom aka Lesley]

I have to agree! I adore my dog, but had no idea that the "premium" dog foods were just the same food in a different package. My dog has a lot of "food issues" and I thought moving around to different brands kept her interested. Needless to say this wasn't the case! After talking to Tom, I learned about the wonderful organic food available at Pretentious Pooch! Beulah loves it and I can really tell a difference! And I didn't have to worry myself sick over the pet food recall! Thanks a million!

[Tom Berger]

Lesley & Beulah,

The Azmira food line isn't organic--it's holistic, meaning that it is part of a complete line of products that address the overall health and wellness of the pet. The Azmira food line was developed by Dr. Lisa Newman who formulated the food to help her own dog who was diagnosed with cancer. The dog went on to live a long life.

In Dr. Lisa Newman's book, The Three Simple Steps to Healthy Pets, she tells readers why Azmira isn't organic. She explains that organic human-grade food would be very expensive for consumers. Food lines that are organic may choose to use organic waste to cut costs, after all half spoiled organic ingredients can still carry the organic label.

Azmira chose not to go organic, but instead focuses on fresh human quality ingredients at a price that is affordable. They don’t advertise; they don’t give samples; they simply focus on developing great products for dogs.

I’m glad you like the products. We have been carrying Azmira since we opened and we are delighted with the line.

Tom Berger
Pretentious Pooch
Baltimore Pet Boutique
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-527-7777
www.pretentiouspooch.com

[jim]

Nice ad you have there. I have been feeding my dog ol'roys for three years and the vet always tells me how nice her fur shines.
I have a black lab with a sensative digestion system, yet she has no problem with Ol'roys and she is in great shape. I think your tootin your own horn.

[Tom Berger]

Jim,

I appreciate the feedback.  This blog is not censored and I encourage all opinions. 

I encourage our readers to search for other opinions on Ol Roy in whatever search you choose to make up your own mind.

I agree with you, Jim, on one point: there is no one dog food right for every dog.  If your dogs are doing splendid on Ol Roy, by all means keep using it.  But, make sure you do the research first because not all health concerns are immediate.  And, if your dog is doing splendid on Ol Roy, is it possible he could do fantastic on something else?

I encourage our readers to find a pet food that has a high quality protein source free of by products, cheap fillers, chemically processed or rendered digest, sugar, and salt.  I think that's the first step in choosing a food that improves health throughout the pet's life.  And don't take my word, I'm just a concerned pet parent and pet store owner, ask around.  Subscribe to the Whole Dog Journal, a publication that does not accept commercial advertising and produces some very valuable content on building a balanced pet.

Here is a list of ingredients I found for Ol Roy.  Feel free to post the exact ingredients from your bag(s) or treats for discussion.  If any other reader would like to post their ingredients, I would love that, too.

Ol Roy
=======
Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, corn syrup, poultry fat, Meat and bone meal (Animal Fat Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid), Chicken by-product Meal, Rice, Animal Digest, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin D and E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulafate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Meadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex Source of Vitamin K, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid
(http://www.epinions.com/content_113236807300)

Did you know that corn is just a cheap filler you have to clean up later and has been linked to cancer?  The protein source is junk.  There is sugar and salt.  I don't have to go any further to know this is not a product I want my dog ingesting.  There are better choices.

If your ingredient list is different, please post it.

Tom Berger
Co-Owner
Pretentious Pooch
Baltimore Dog Store
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-7777
www.pretentiouspooch.com

[Tom Berger]

I am encouraged by the dialog about quality pet food on this blog. I would like to invite all of our readers to continue the discussion.

On Saturday, April 28th at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, Christine Billen, a certified Natural Health Practitioner, will be our guest speaker, here in the store.  She will be speaking on pet wellness, the holistic approach to pet care, and the use of homeopathy and natural products to bring about the curative process.

Our store is small, so we are taking seating reservations.  Just call us at 443-524-7777 to make a reservation.  Bring in your current food labels for analysis, general questions, and specific health concerns.

The discussion is free.  There is no obligation to purchase anything.  Alternative opinions are welcome.

Tom Berger
Co Owner
Pretentious Pooch
A Baltimore Maryland Pet Boutique
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-7777
www.pretentiouspooch.com