What is the best food for my dog?

[Jacqui-S]

I assume the issue with tuna is the same as in humans and that relates to mercury.
The good news, is that FRESH tuna as opposed to canned is treated like an oily fish same as salmon so is high in omega-3 fatty acids which is good.

But humans "should not consume any more than 3-4 portions a week of oily fish due to low level of contaminants" (such as mercury), and some say that is too much.
I was looking at this article recently which actually has a guide based on weight which seems to have been quoted by dog sites as well as human ones. It's very cautious on tuna intake.
Tuna: Risks and how often to eat it

I am a bit wary, as it seems to be the smaller fish like skipjack and albacore are recommended as being lower in mercury that larger ones such as yellowfin, and I'm not sure I follow why exactly, just based on size, how that would be.
And I have also read US articles that say "don't worry about fish" as its not normally a staple in dog food (err.....what??).

My rule of thumb for humans has always been tin of tuna twice a week is more than enough.
Personally, unless you are using it as a sole source of protein I think he will be a very good boy for you on the promise of some tuna

 

[snowbunny]

"Our results indicated significant variation in yellowfin tuna methylmercury load, with levels that ranged from 0.03 to 0.82 mg/g wet weight across individual fish. Mean mercury levels were only weakly associated with fish size (R2 < 0.1461) or lipid content (R2 < 0.00007) but varied significantly, by a factor of 8, between sites. The results indicate that the geographic origin of fish can govern mercury load, and argue for better traceability of fish to improve the accuracy of exposure risk predictions."
(PDF) Mercury levels of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are associated with capture location. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/public...lbacares_are_associated_with_capture_location [accessed Jul 04 2018].

 

[Emily]

I don't remember tuna being on the list of fish to avoid when pregnant. I'm pretty sure it was just Flake (our main fish used for fish and chips), Swordfish and Marlin that they said not to eat more than once per fortnight.

I know we're talking about dogs, and not pregnant humans, but it's still about the mercury levels

 

[Jacqui-S]

I don't remember it being a big issue @Emily but I do remember it coming up 16 or 17 years ago when my sister in law was pregnant as she ate tuna just about every day. I always had the no more than twice a week in my head even back then.

 

[Oberon]

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) guidelines for fish consumption for pregnant and non-pregnant humans: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/chemicals/mercury/documents/mif brochure.pdf

Everything except shark, marlin, swordfish and the like is safe for humans 3 times a week. For preggers people add Orange Roughy and catfish to the ‘minimise’ list.

Sadly, no guidelines for Labradors

 

[Aitch]

You eat Labradors?

 

[Charlie]

Tuna consumption was on the list when I was pregnant with my youngest son 18 years ago. x

 

[SteffiS]

Has anyone tried Sneyd's wonder dog food? In particular the new premium grain free range, I got lots of free sample bags at the game fair. They are telling me it's an equivalent to Millie's Wolfheart. It looks good and Ripple likes it (well obviously he does, it's food), it seems slightly more expensive but I'd need to compare feeding quantities to know exactly.
I'm not really thinking of changing Ripple's food - just curious really.

 

[Beanwood]

Has anyone tried Sneyd's wonder dog food? In particular the new premium grain free range, I got lots of free sample bags at the game fair. They are telling me it's an equivalent to Millie's Wolfheart. It looks good and Ripple likes it (well obviously he does, it's food), it seems slightly more expensive but I'd need to compare feeding quantities to know exactly.
I'm not really thinking of changing Ripple's food - just curious really.

Looking at their website, I can't really see anything special about this brand. I am always a bit leery of superlatives and "claims" in dog food marketing. This brand makes a few of those! Their premium fish range doesn't look too bad, but at those prices, you may as well buy Millies Wolfheart, arguably a better product, and actually less expensive. Milles Wolfheart salmon & veg 14.5 kg is £51.99 vs Sneyds premium fish 12kg is £52.99
I also prefer companies who can offer single source protein ranges, as well as offering a value range without compromising on their ethics.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I used the low fat Millie's wolf heart tracker mix for Rory. He tolerates it really well and his colitis does not bother him anymore. He likes the food. Its delivery service is great and very good value for money a 12kg bag last Rory about 6 weeks. They have a very helpful customer help line too.l spoke to them when things were going really badly with Rory's tummy I took the advice tried the food and it worked. He had been on various prescription diets which did not help at all. I really like their food in just hope because of their success they don't start to make compromises on quality.

 

[SteffiS]

Ripple's currently on the MW Countryside mix (lamb, duck, rabbit and veg) which seems to suit him. Interesting comments @Beanwood about their 'claims' , I didn't really read it that closely until you mentioned it - the salesman at the fair was like that but then of course he's a sales person. Ripple was also busy scoffing everything out of their free sample bowls at the fair so it was a bit of a job to concentrate.
Think I'll be sticking with the Millie's.

 

[HAH]

I’ve just come across this website which is fascinating: AllAboutDogFood.co.uk
You can search by dog food and treat and it gives a nutrition rating, plus details on price, composition and source. You can compare different items and filter by things like specific ingredients.

It’s UK-centric (sorry all) but covers worldwide dog foods and treats. It looks like it’s run by a chap involved in a particular business, but says it’s independent and I found the nutritional/cost/location breakdown interesting.