[InkedMarie]

Originally Posted by kims_ark

Hi Teddy,

The fact that it's manufactured by a small company in Massachusetts may have something to do with why you're having a hard time finding it. I know it can be purchased online though. I switched to Wellness when all the recalls were going on. The fact that it was manufactured locally was a big plus for me.

Kim

I live in NH and I can't even find it here, right next to MA!
For the OP, one thing to keep in mind, how is your dogs weight? Some of the grainfree's are low carbs, other moderate carbs. On another forum, I asked once about what is more important for a dog who needs to lose weight and I was told lower carbs are better than lower fat.
I feed the Core reduced fat, my dog(s) on it are doing great!

[MoonStr80]

I feed my two Wellness Reduced Fat the Ocean Formula is tad high for my two. I also rotate with EP Holistic Fish. If you want to find out where to buy the food at here is where you can go Wellness: Where to buy & Eagle Pack Holistic Select: Where to buy

How about Nature's Variety I've heard great success about this brand the frozen dried Raw http://www.naturesvariety.com/raw_products

Other remade raw foods
Honest Kitchen http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/index.shtml

Primal Pet Food http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

Northwest Naturals Dog Food http://www.nw-naturals.com/

[championlab1]

It is standard practice to slowly mix new foods into your dogs diet to prevent rejection of new food, thats not to say your pup wont adjust in 1 bowl full, just that in theory the transition is easier on them.. and again.. if you have a giant breed..feed puppy formula till 15-18 months to assure proper bone developemnt.. most large breed foods offer lower calcium and ash level, 2 things you want to limit for slow bone growth... again.. you can find 100 qualified nutritionists to disagree with the next 100.. lolol.. so lighten up on yourself, be sensible.. and do the best you can.. thats all any canine owner can do.

[tefobuch]

Another high protein, grain free you may want to consider is Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. It's chicken-free too.

My guy has done the rounds of grain free from Orijen to GO! to Instinct Rabbit (which he refused to eat) to, to, to ... I can't remember all of them, lol.

He absolutely loves Barking at the Moon to the point where I haven't switched for a very long time (I'm a believer in switching every so often). We're nearing the end of the bag and I was set on trying Innova, but after reading this post, I'm going to take a closer look at Core.

(PS - I'm one of the fortunate ones who can drive for not even 10 mins to a petstore with nothing but the best, and a HUGE variety.)

The latest canned foods are "stews" with identifiable "meat" and "vegetable" chunks in the food. Merrick seems to have pioneered this, with its retro pretensions to the next best thing to homecooked. It's very Chef Boyardee for those who remember that brand. But I think it's probably better than Alpo Chop House recipe. Which I think is probably better than most supermarket dry foods, albeit anything but human quality.

Hmmmm ... Although I know what you're saying about Merrick and all the fluff around their packaging and marketing, I actually believe they make an excellent product. I had my pup on their puppy food first off. All their ingredients are top quality, they manufacture everything at their own plant which I REALLY like the sound of, and i liked the fact that they're family owned.

I dunno, take away their beautiful packaging and marketing, what's not to like??? (Oh and c'mon, you have to admit their packaging actually is pretty darn nice! ... no? lol)

[championlab1]

I was just online looking at barking at the moon.. just as you wrote your note.. im going to try it as a third part of rotation for my pup... its right up there with the others, ingredients, etc.. and like orijen, control all there ingredients....ps: youll love the Core, ocean formula...lolol..if you can afford it..lol.. im straying away from orijen for that very reason.. its not for sale in my state, thus, shipping expense, and everytime i think i have a reasonable source, they up the price... got tired of being ..... around... thanks for your info on the sg..barking @ moon

[tefobuch]

Hi, I just wanted to add Acana Pacifica to this list. ie grain-free, EXCELLENT list of ingredients, fish based. Not as high in protein as Orijen or SG Barking/Moon. I think it's 33%.

It's made by Champion Foods, same co. as Orijen. Which could be a problem for those of you who don't have close access to all these brands.

And best of all ... my pooch just LOVES it. (A little too much, 'm thinking, ... all he wants to do is eat now, and he's typically a picky little guy.

[danoxlifex]

Hi,

I have a 4 month old Toy Fox Terrier/ Chihuahua. I have a couple of questions-- hopefully someone can help.

1. For those that have a 'food rotation,' do you try a new food at the end of a bag? Or rotate back and forth between foods every few days?

2. I'm new to feeding wet food. Should I combine wet food and kibble? Or do you feed wet one day and dry the next? She's a teeny thing-- barely 5 lbs-- so even most small cans of wet food are big for her.

3. I've read a few things about supplementing with yogurt and cottage cheese. Do you just put a spoonful on top of the kibble daily?

I got Nala from the city pound where she ate lots of ground corn. She's susceptible to ear problems; she came to the pound with serious, reoccurring ear mites and has had numerous ear infections. Vet medication hasn't worked well. Natural remedies are better but not 100%. Thus, strengthening her immune system, catching her up nutritionally, and finding a food she loves are extremely important.

I'm going to Cali for the 4th and will grab Orijen while there. Back in Utah, EVO retails minutes from home and a product called Taste of the Wild is close and looks decent (anyone tried this?). Thanks for any help!

[Spicy1_VV]

I've used both the Original and Ocean forumals. I've liked them both a lot. My dogs seem to do very well on them.

Originally Posted by gilbequick

Thanks for the comparison. The store that I buy the Eagle Pack also carries the Wellness brand. I'm not sure how the prices compare but I'll check it out next time I go.

Our Mastiff has been on Eagle Pack Holistic Giant Breed Puppy and we just transitioned to the Eagle Pack Holistic Giant Breed Adult on the last bag. He's almost through the 50/50 mix of Puppy/Adult and then there's a half bag of the Adult left. Should I mix the other half of the Adult 50/50 with the Wellness Core or finish off the Eagle Pack first?

While they are made by the same company I'm certain that you will find the Core higher priced. At least in most locations. The grain free foods are usually more expensive.

[tefobuch]

Hey Danox, maybe I can help with some of your questions.

Firstly, I'm glad to hear your new baby sounds like she's now in good hands. Sounds like she's been thru a lot for a 4mth old, poor thing.

1. For those that have a 'food rotation,' do you try a new food at the end of a bag? Or rotate back and forth between foods every few days?

I normally rotate every 3-4 mths or so, and definitely as he's nearing the end of the bag. Make sure you have enough of the old food left so you can start weaning her on the new food very slowly. Try and do it over a period of a week or more ... gradually adding a little more of the new food mixed in with the old ... that's the best way to totally avoid any stomach upset.

I've never really thought about rotating back and forth every few days, but I personally wouldn't recommend it. Also, you'll have two bags open at the same time, and with her being such a tiny thing and not eating much, your open bags obviously won't stay that fresh if you have them sitting around for a long period.

2. I'm new to feeding wet food. Should I combine wet food and kibble? Or do you feed wet one day and dry the next? She's a teeny thing-- barely 5 lbs-- so even most small cans of wet food are big for her.

I'd combine the wet and dry. If you feed wet for too long, you also stand the chance that she'll prefer it over dry, become more picky and refuse the dry. But if you're open to her only eating wet (which is definitely an option) then there's no harm in this. I fed my last dog a mix of Merrick wet/dry. Added some warm water and it formed a gravy. He LOVED it. My new pup doesn't like his dry watered down tho,

3. I've read a few things about supplementing with yogurt and cottage cheese. Do you just put a spoonful on top of the kibble daily?

I give him the yogurt and cottage cheese totally separately ... like a treat thing. A good trick is also to put yoghurt in a kong and then freeze it. I did this a lot when he was a pup and teething. He loved it and it kept him busy for a while. (I just used plain yoghurt btw).

I'm going to Cali for the 4th and will grab Orijen while there. Back in Utah, EVO retails minutes from home and a product called Taste of the Wild is close and looks decent (anyone tried this?). Thanks for any help!

All 3 of these foods are excellent!!! My advice tho, would be to start her off on a puppy kibble until she's a year or so.

I hope this helps, just yell if you have more questions. And again, I'm sooo glad to hear Nala is now in such good hands. And particularly glad home remedies are working better for her, rather than pumping her with meds when she's so tiny.

Good luck and enjoy your new baby