How much does dog food cost? What is WDJ dog food?

1. What determines the price difference?
It is undeniable that economics is the most basic law in the world. Price must be linked to value. Value is the inevitable decision of the social labor community to produce a certain product. What is the root cause of the price difference, assuming that the production process and equipment are similar or different and easy to implement?
(1) Raw materials are fundamental
Dog food formula is a very complicated thing. We don’t need to compare many items one by one, just look at the key ones. Because there are mainly three types of energy provided, protein, fat and carbohydrates. Let’s start by looking at meat sources that primarily provide protein. Take a closer look at the ingredients of dog food. In the meat source section, we see the words "mutton", "chicken", "fish", "venison" and "duck", as well as "poultry meat" and "meat meal". words.
The so-called "certain meat" dog food in the market is what we understand as food-grade meat from certain animals. Of course, these animals are also classified as natural animals that are naturally raised, or sick or dead animals. , disabled, dying animals (the so-called 4D, 4 English letters all begin with D). The so-called "Meat Meal" actually includes food-grade meat, or leftovers of skin, bones, viscera, dried and ground into powder as the main meat source. Needless to say, everyone understands the price difference.
Protein is actually the most important and most expensive source of dog food. Since amino acids are the basic units of protein, protein nutrition is essentially amino acid nutrition. The quality of protein in food mainly depends on the balance of various amino acids it contains, especially the content and proportion of essential amino acids, and the content and proportion of available (digestible and absorbable) amino acids. It can more accurately indicate the quality of the protein.
Then, plant protein and animal protein are actually two proteins with different qualities. The biological potency and absorption of animal protein are higher than that of plant protein. Just like the animal butter that we are all familiar with is better than vegetable butter. This is also an important reason for the price gap in dog food. Many low-end dog foods actually use plant protein to increase the overall protein content. In this way, the protein content in the dog food ingredients is sufficient and the cost is relatively low. However, the quality cannot be guaranteed.
In addition, the incident of melamine in milk is actually due to a measurement method called Kjeldahl method, which represents the measurement of protein quality by measuring the amount of nitrogen atoms in it, so those black-hearted Manufacturers add extremeIts cheap melamine (rich in N atoms) easily increases the protein content.
So the cost of relying on animal protein (meat) as a source of protein is definitely higher than the cost of using plant protein to top up.
(2) Scientific research, technology, production control, and food safety fees
The pet industry started early abroad, so foreign pet manufacturers will have better technology and technology. And only large manufacturers have the financial and technical capabilities to research and optimize dog food formulas and produce good dog food. This is why even commercial grains from Guanneng, Royal and Aimus are better than many natural grains. It has strong strength and excellent formula. Even if the raw materials are not natural, it still has good effects and good customer experience. Scientific research requires money.
Foreign food safety supervision is much stronger than at home, which is the same as the people's food; foreign manufacturers are more ethical in their awareness and thinking, and people have faith and will not Money for everything but obviously not at home. As a result, we have invested in production controls and food safety, resulting in increased costs.
(3) Process fees for imported grain
There are very few imported grains that are officially approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. These approved imported grains are also produced abroad, and then imported in "bulk" containers as pet food ingredients to save tariffs, and then packaged domestically. Many bags of imported dog food are imported to the mainland through general agents in Hong Kong or Taiwan, who then pay customs duties on the goods and use some internal methods and "channels" within their industry to import them to the mainland. These turnovers, etc., will increase the process and process fees. Moreover, there is also the agent's profit to consider, which also increases the cost.
So the price of the same dog food in the United States may be only 1/2 to 2/3 of that sold in China, depending on the agent channel.
In other words, the so-called imported dog food on the market is almost all domestically produced.
2. What is the so-called excellent palatability?
Taste, mouthfeel, and excellent palatability are slogans we often see. In fact, however, there is something called a flavoring agent that solves these problems. There are several terms in the dog food production process, "excipients", "colorants", and "flavors" (also known as phagostimulants), which are all as the names suggest. Many large dog food manufacturers have the technical strength to develop various flavors, and these flavors form a variety of flavors. There is no denying that there is a difference in taste, some smell good and some smell great. Some taste like this when chewed, and some seem to taste better when chewed. In fact, we must accept the fact, The taste of dogs is different from that of humans. Dogs like things that many people find inedible, such as smelly bones. For the purpose of sales, considering that the first audience for money is dog owners, many flavors are targeted at people. The purpose is to make people think that this tastes good and that dogs will definitely like such delicious things, so , we actually don’t need to attach too much importance to the value of this piece of propaganda.
We need to accept this point of view: Dogs do not think that human food is any better than dog food, nor do they think dog food is unpalatable. Dogs' picky eating is actually a form of human surrender and behavioral reinforcement. Dogs should be fed what they are given, not picky.
3. Various superstitious propaganda: "beautiful coat", "exclusively for XX dogs", "joint protection"
First of all, "beautiful coat" ”, the growth of hair requires protein. At the same time, the blood circulation in the inner skin pores is smooth, and the hair can receive sufficient nutrition. This is the key point. One question is, why are there special nutritional products for hair beauty? Are the ingredients in dog food really enough to have a special hair-beautifying effect?
To really talk about the role of dog food, whether the protein in it is of good quality, whether the trace elements and vitamins are complete, whether lecithin (which makes the blood flow smoothly through emulsification) and fish oil (which removes impurities in the blood), which are particularly effective for hair, are With enough weight, this will definitely do the trick. But if the dog food is poor in meat and protein, and you still claim that it can beautify your coat, this is not credible, right? ? Moreover, dogs, like people, are individuals, and eating the same kind of food does not have the same effect. It also depends on individual absorption and adaptation. Whether it can beautify hair or not, it’s really hard to say. Beautiful hair, this can only be said to be a gimmick.
Besides "Special for XX dogs", dogs are actually large dogs. Small dogs have different physical growth and development needs, so the nutritional needs of dog food are different; adult dogs and puppies have different physical growth and development needs. Different types and amounts of digestive enzymes in the body are different, so they are divided into adult dog food and puppy food. Other than that, I really don't think there is any particular difference.
As a marketing tool, these special uses are important. A tip for you is that you must eat this special food to get the best dog. This must be easy to believe for those without basic knowledge.
"Joint protection" is actually a relatively scientific thing. When treating joint diseases, glucosamine and chondroitin do have therapeutic effects, and I have always thought that dog food with these added should be better. But later I heard several authoritative opinions that eating these is indeed useful when you are sick, but it has no preventive effect.
So for some dog owners who raise large dogs or breeds prone to joint problems, there is no point in choosing dog food with "joint protection" ingredients. Generally, the amount added is very small and not enough for treatment. And prevention is ineffective, so this can only be regarded as a less important waste.
4. Homemade dog food is the best
Due to food safety issues, everyone is willing to believe in homemade food, and then there is a wrong subconscious belief that homemade food is cheaper. , so homemade food suddenly seemed very high-end, and it contained some real love for pets.
In fact, without considering the food safety of domestic food raw materials, self-control is undoubtedly safer. If a qualified dog owner knows animal nutrition, he studies his dog's energy needs, growth stage requirements, nutritional content provided by various food materials, and makes scientific combinations to produce homemade dog food. So homemade food is definitely better than commercial dog food.
But the problem is that almost all dog owners do not have the above-mentioned ability, time, and patience. Moreover, as a carnivorous dog, even without adding the cost of time and energy, the raw materials alone are likely to be higher than commercial dog food. Because the scale effect of integration is definitely to reduce costs, which is a standard manifestation of modern progress.
In fact, it really can't be that simple. With the research of so many foreign nutrition experts and the technological accumulation of dog food companies for decades, you can solve it with just one click on Baidu. It's obviously unscientific.
So the biggest problem with homemade food is the issue of comprehensive nutrition.
5. Magical raw chicken racks and raw meat
Chicken racks are cheap, only three yuan per pound, much cheaper than dog food. Chicken is also rich in various nutrients, and because you eat bones, your poop will be drier. Because you consume less meat and have a single ingredient, you will have less diarrhea. Therefore, many people think that the price is cheap and the stool is excellent (not only is it not watery, but the amount is small and it seems to be absorbed well). It is also said that it exercises teeth and replenishes calcium.
But in fact, it’s not that chicken racks are bad, but that they have too little nutrition. Why? Because it is basically bones and very little meat, and even if chicken is rich in nutrients, it cannot be comprehensive. Extra meals are fine, but as a year-round staple food, it is definitely unhealthy.
The same is true for raw meat and bones.
6. The ultimate pursuit of poop art
As a dog owner, the consensus is to look at poop. We have never paid so much attention to our stool. After squatting on the toilet, we look back to see if it is formed, whether it is non-stick, and whether we should supplement with probiotics. But for the sake of my beloved dog, I pursue pooping as an art every day. Is it molded, is it sticky, is it difficult to digest if it is soft, is it constipation if it is hard, etc.
It is true that defecation is an indicator, but in fact it is not that artistic.
What dog food is better for digestion? This is a really hard question to answer. Generally speaking, simple formulas are easy to digest, and hydrolyzed materials are easier to digest. Gastrointestinal prescription foods basically follow this formula. The principle is similar to salt water for small dogs. Salt water is a simple nutrient and does not burden the gastrointestinal tract.
Of course, a small number of dogs may have gastrointestinal problems. In this case, you first need to understand what the problem is. There are many kinds of gastrointestinal problems, such as whether it is affected by parasites, whether there is excessive secretion of gastric acid, chronic gastric ulcers and gastritis, imbalance of intestinal flora, and the birth of certain digestive enzymes. Insufficient secretion of certain foods causes indigestion of certain foods. For example, insufficient secretion of amylase is suitable for eating high-protein foods, and insufficient secretion of protease is suitable for eating high-carbohydrate foods. Some of these problems are not caused by dog food or can be solved by changing food, including please do not ignore good living habits, let alone get answers from people who don’t know what is going on with your dog.
In fact, if there is a problem with protein absorption and the small intestine cannot fully absorb it, the protein will be decomposed by putrefactive bacteria in the large intestine to form skatole, which will make it smell worse;
In fact, fiber is easier to defecate because it is not absorbed. If you have constipation, you can add vegetables;
In fact, the meat source is fresh meat, meat powder, boneless meat, and bone-in meat. Dog food with various fibers added will have some differences in poop.
In addition, the occasional bad poop is just like diarrhea after eating something that is not suitable for people. There is nothing to worry about.
7. A variety of domestic dog foods
This applies to all the above discussions.
It should also be pointed out that many domestically produced grains have a lot of various publicity. There are better manufacturers here, and there are also manufacturers who don’t understand what they are. But I want to say:
1. Is the invincible formula really as good as you say? Do domestic inspection agencies play a role? In a kingdom where food is not safe for people.
2. Some provide proof of the source of meat imported from abroad. Even if the meat source is good, do its production and technical capabilities pass the test?
3. What a sensational gimmick, what are "life particles"? God, please tell me what "life particles" are? An elixir?
4. It is obviously domestically produced grain, but it has a strange foreign name, a manufacturer I have never seen before, a brand I have never heard of, and some even have a sign of imported grain. However, I can’t find such a product abroad. What are you trying to gain by buying dog food?
8. The Godlike WDJ
WDJ is an American magazine, the Whole Dog Journal. It is a relatively professional dog nutrition, training and other knowledge organization in the United States. This organization conducts an evaluation of dog food in the North American market every year and selects some qualified dog food for recommendation.
The main basis for their evaluation is the nutritional index requirements of dog food from AAFCO (American Feed Council). In other words, the selected dog foods all meet the AAFCO indicators in terms of nutritional content. Moreover, WDJ will require the selected dog food manufacturers to provide evidence of traceable raw materials. The source of the meat must be clear. For example, chicken is chicken, duck meat is duck meat and not poultry; WDJ will require manufacturers to have a clear production address. These ensure that the nutrition of the selected dog food is up to standard, the raw materials are qualified, and the food is safe.
However, this does not mean that every dog food recommended by WDJ is very good. AAFCO's standards are actually relatively low, stipulating the types and amounts of nutrients that dogs need daily. In other words, not every grain is a good grain and has magical effects of one kind or another, but it is just safe and guaranteed.
Of course, as a dog owner who doesn’t know much about dog food and is unwilling to learn dog food knowledge and make a series of comparisons and choices, it is more convenient to directly choose the dog food recommended by WDJ.
9. What are the disadvantages of pork liver rice? And is it true that people’s leftovers cannot be eaten?
First, let’s talk about vitamins.
Vitamins are actually divided into two categories, one is water-soluble vitamins and the other is fat-soluble vitamins. The characteristic of water-soluble vitamins is that they can be dissolved in body fluids. If the body cannot absorb them completely, they will remain in the body fluids. Through the circulation of body fluids, the excess will be excreted. There is no problem of exceeding the body's tolerance.
Fat-soluble vitamins will be deposited in the body. Once the intake is too large and exceeds the maximum tolerance of the body, poisoning will occur. l
Water-soluble vitamins include: B vitamins, inositol, choline, vitamin C
Fat-soluble vitamins include: vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K
Animal viscera is very rich in vitamin A, and long-term consumption of pork liver rice will inevitably lead to excessive intake of vitamin A, leading to poisoning. This is the sin of pork liver bibimbap.
The main reason for leftover food is that humans have too many seasonings, too much salt, and too much oil. Of course, the nutrition is not comprehensive. But it's not completely inedible. As long as you dilute it, eat it occasionally, and change the taste, it's okay. Of course, for dogs that are picky eaters, you need to pay more attention to avoid reinforcing the dog’s picky eating behavior.
10. How to choose a dog food?
I think there are only three steps to choose dog food. The first step is to open the refrigerator door. Open it, and in the second step, install the elephant. . . Oh, wrong, my thinking is divergent again, sorry!
Step one:Have an economical budget. How much do you plan to spend on dog food? When you understand the above knowledge, you already have a rough range in mind. It should be noted that the price of dog food is not just the unit price, that is, it is not the total price divided by the weight. becauseEach type of dog food has different nutrition and density, and the feeding amount is different. So what you need to calculate is based on the feeding amount instructions, combined with your dog's weight, calculate the daily feeding price, and compare it this way.
Step 2:Believe in a brand. Choose a brand that has been in the market for a long time, has been verified by a large number of users, and has a good reputation. This reputation is not based on one or two reviews found on forums, nor is it vigorous promotion by Taobao merchants, nor is it based on thousands of sales on Tmall. In fact, time is the best judge, and I still believe in old brands. WDJ's brand is also a solution.
Step 3:Choose one of the varieties. After the above description, in fact, you don’t need to be too entangled. As long as large dogs eat large dogs, puppies eat small dogs, adult dog food and puppy food can be separated. It has various effects and various You can change the flavor of the meat source. The significance of changing the dog's food is to change the ingredients, make the ingredients rich, and make the meat source rich, so that the nutrition is comprehensive and the ratio of amino acids and fatty acids is more complete. But especially for puppies, the food should not be changed too frequently. If one kind of food is effective, just eat it until adulthood, and then rotate the dog food every few months.
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