It's not really a secret, exactly. Although no advertising told me about it nor did my veterinarian.

Some Background: My family adopted "Pepper," a young black lab-mix puppy, from the animal shelter in February. It had been a long time since I'd had a dog - my beloved Golden Retriever "Cricket" had passed on seven years ago. My boys barely remember her, but have always wanted a dog, and I gave in to their pressure and the automatic "We'll take care of it, Mommy, really we will" promise of kids.

When we brought her home she smelled terrible. Terrible is an understatement, to be honest, sort of like saying that ammonia has an aroma. Bathing helped, and I found a shampoo that we liked, but the odor kept returning, often within hours of her bath.

I was feeding her Purina Puppy Chow Balanced Nutrition Formula, like many Americans, I think, assuming that all foods were essentially the same.

Last month Pepper, Son One and I attended a weekend training class at a well known dog training center in town. The trainers, who are also breeders, gave us a sample of Bil-Jac Puppy Food, suggesting that it was superior to other products in both taste and nutrition.

I promptly forgot about it - somehow the "Challenge Pac" sample found its way to the back of my van. I continued buying and feeding Puppy Chow and Pepper continued to get stinky.

Then I was visiting a friend who has a Pug. "Maggie" (short for "Sweet Magnolia") used to be the most malodorous animal I've ever had the displeasure to spend time around, however this time I noticed no odor. I asked my friend if she had recently bathed Maggie and she said, "No - not for a month or two." Then she told me about this wonderful dog food she's been using and the amazing difference it has made in Maggie's odor, stools, and appetite.

The wonderful food was Bil-Jac!

I sent Son One to retrieve the missing "Challenge Pac" from the deep recesses of the van the next morning and started mixing Bil-Jac with Puppy Chow. (I'd been advised not to suddenly change foods so that stomach upset could be avoided.)

Three days later Pepper was eating Bil-Jac exclusively. Son One came running into the house with Pepper, saying "Mommy - smell her head! She smells nice!"

I did not want to smell her head - I have a sensitive nose and I don't expect miracles from a dog food. But he persisted and I relented. No, she didn't smell good, exactly, but her smell was weaker and less unpleasant than it had been. One week later, she is still virtually odor free. That's a big change.

What's In Bil-Jac?

The first ten items in the ingredient list are Chicken, Chicken By-Products (0rgan Meat Only), Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cane Molasses, Eggs, Salt. Purina Puppy Chow's (PPC) first ten ingredients are Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product, corn gluten meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of vitamin E), pearled barley, animal digest, dicalcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate.

Bil-Jac's incredients certainly sound healthier - more meat and less unidentifiables. (Anyone know what tocopherols are?)

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein, not less than 28% (PPC 27%)
Crude Fat, not less than 18% (PPC 12%)
Crude Fiber, not more than 4% (PPC 5%)
Moisture, not more than 10% (PPC 12%)

How Does It Taste?

I confess that I have not (and will not) tasted it. But Pepper, who has always been an enthusiastic eater is even more enthusiastic than before.

Other Information (The not-so-pretty information)

Pepper has never been "regular." While on the Purina Puppy Chow she "made stools" (I can't think of a more delicate way to word that - sorry) two or three times per day and her stools were large and watery. On the Bil-Jac she makes stools twice each day, about thirty minutes after she eats, and the stools are smaller and better formed. She also seems better able to hold them - she's less frantic when she needs to "go potty" than she used to be.

Why Bil-Jack Is Better (according to the manufacturer)

From the "Challenge Pac" carton:

Because the food value in Bil-Jac is so superior and efficient in your dog's digestive system, your dog can properly and fully utilize the carefully balanced nutrition. Your dog will enjoy a shinier coat, softer skin, brighter eyes and better muscle tone. There's even less cleanup in the yard.

But Oh, The Price!

An 8.8 pound bag of Purina Puppy Chow Balanced Nutrition Formula was costing 6.79 ($0.77 per pound) at the grocery store. A 7 pound bag of Bil-Jac costs $9.99 at PetSmart, or $1.43 per pound. That's a big difference - almost double. However, Pepper was eating about 5 cups of Purina Puppy Chow per day; with Bil-Jac she's eating 3 cups per day and getting more nutrients. I haven't calculated the daily cost, but even if the cost is double, it's worth it for the other benefits and the peace of mind that comes from feeding her a good quality product.


Recommended: Yes