Diamond vs. Black Gold

bullboy · Post by **bullboy** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:05 am

bob i was feeding pzazz for about 4 months for the first 2 months i liked it then it seemed to catch up to them coats dulling and more stool as for diamond i feed diamond to a couple years and had good luck then it all went bad

windsplitters · Post by **windsplitters** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:29 am

I feed black gold and loved it dogs looked good and had plenty of energy but I can not get it any more I feed diamond now green bag like it better than 24-20 diamond but I think i will try HI-TEK 26-18.

hawkeyee · Post by **hawkeyee** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:43 pm

I have been feeding Blk Gld for about 4 yrs. now & all my dogs doing just fine. I get a very good price on it because I buy it in bulk.

Matt Wilson · Post by **Matt Wilson** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:03 pm

just recently switched to black gold black bag from diamond if is about the same price in my area have really noticed the dogs coats are much softer and shine. the eat it just fine

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:47 pm

OK, for all you Black Gold feeders, I am about to say some things you won't like, but I can't keep quiet any longer.

Several of the Black Gold formulas are laden with chemical preservatives and inferior ingrediants.
Here is the ingredient list for the black bag.

Meat Meal, Corn Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Wheat, Poultry Fat (Preserved with BHA, Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols-Source of Vitamin E), Chicken By Product Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Poultry Flavoring, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Sodium Propionate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin 812 Supplement, Niacin, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium lodate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex (Vitamin K), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate and Folic Acid.

MEAT meal? What kind of meat? horse, goat, roadkill, shelter kill, WHAT? Three grains in the first 4 ingredients means they are using the grains as a source of protein, as opposed to more "meat". This can cause high stool volume and make it very "aromatic". Poultry fat is a generic term and can mean chicken, turkey, duck, or any other type of bird. BHT is a chemical preservative and has been linked to cancer in animals.

The generic sources are an indicator that the company varies their ingredients according to what ever is cheaper the day it's purchased from the rendering plant. The food will never be of a consistant quality and the protein source is ever-changing. A better food would tell you what kind of meat they are using.

Just my 2 cents.

Incahoots · Post by **Incahoots** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:00 pm

Bunny Runner-

What do you feel about the Nutro line? I just dumped diamond. I'm done with all the junk premiums diamond, black gold, sportmans pride and the others. I switched to Nutro Natural. Too early to see any results but after spending alot of time deciding on what to get they impressed me the most. I needed a line that offered varity of feed types in different protien levels. Dollar for dollar they seemed to come up on top with their competition.

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:54 pm

Bunny Runner, if the dogs get ran 4-5 days a week, can you feed just the innova kibble without adding extra meat. I see that it is loaded with more calories than most food. Thanks.

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:53 am

Incahoots,
I feel the Nutro line is a good food and your dogs should do well on it.

You should be able to run your dogs on the Innova without the extra meat, but I am using it for my own piece of mind. I want to keep them muscle lean, and the added protein is going to help with that IMO.

Let me add that my feeding regime is evolving and that I am constantly researching new ways of feeding my hounds. I believe, from everything I have read, that it's GOOD to change your dogs up 3 -4 times per year to ensure adequate nutrition and to prevent food "boredom". This also aids in preventing food allergies from developing. As we all know, a dog can develope a food allergy even after it's been eating the same food for years, but by switching them up, the body doesn't have time to "reject" an ingredient. (this is a easy explaination, not full description of how it developes).
Food allergies are VERY common and can cause yeasty ears, paws, and skin. The typical indication of a yeast infection can be head shaking, a frito smell, or paw licking/biting. These are just a few things that can indicate a food allergy. There are many others.

TOUCHSTONE · Post by **TOUCHSTONE** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:30 pm

Use the Black gold and keep your dogs healthier. Will save you money in the long run. Dan

Incahoots · Post by **Incahoots** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:08 pm

Sorry Dan but I disagree.

Black Gold isn't even in the same league as higher end lines. Look at the label of Black Gold and most all of the protein is from by product. Not to mention BHA has been assosiated to liver damage and metabolic stress.

Compare the labels of true premium foods to black good and it's undeniable that Black Gold isn't a true premium. It's a cheap feed using cheap ingredients.

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:40 pm

The saying "you are what you eat" is also true for your hounds.

It's good to see that people are becoming more concerned about what they are feeding their dogs. They deserve better than what has been available in the past (commercial foods that is).

MDH68 · Post by **MDH68** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:46 am

I switched to Innova. It costs more but the pleasure I get from my hounds is worth it. I also only have 2 to feed. Check out there website naturapet.com. The first ingredients are turkey,chicken,turkey meal,chicken meal, potato and herring. No cereal fillers listed at all. I almost want to grab a bowl full.LOL Also lists garlic,apples,carrots,cottage cheese,tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. Sounds like good quality food. Time will tell.

Mike

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:25 pm

Hey Mike, have you thought about the Innova EVO? It's 42% protein with absolutely NO GRAINS. It has MEGA kcals as well, but is great! I use it sparingly, but all the dogs are jumping at my feet when it's in the bucket. I still have not figured out how they know it's mixed in there with the regular Innova.

MDH68 · Post by **MDH68** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 6:29 am

Bunny Runner,
Evo is what I am using. I stood in the dog food isle for about an hour comparing ingredients. Trying to figure out which of the natura feeds to use. My only concern was the fact that its considered low carb. I run my hounds 3 to 4 times a week. One of them is a real go getter and I have a hard time keeping weight on him. Playing football in school we were always told to load up on the carbs for energy. Do you think this will be an issue for the hounds as far as energy and stamina.

Thanks
Mike

TOUCHSTONE · Post by **TOUCHSTONE** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 3:29 pm

Incahoots, the comparison was between black gold and diamond and I still like Black Gold between the two. I feed Purina Pro Plan Performance to my competition dogs, Puppy Chow to pups up to 1 yr or sometimes a little longer, Puppy chow to pregnant bitches (change over gradually when changing from one type to another even from the same company), Pro-Plan performance to studs, food my dogs win gets fed to pets or given to friends. Hope that clarifies! Dan

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Diamond vs. Black Gold

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