Need help deciding on a new food. Please Help.

BayouGal · 04-21-2008, 12:10 PM

I currently feed Canidae and am looking to switch. I really like the idea of a grain free food, but I don't want the protein levels to be too high. I've been looking at Taste of the Wild wetlands formula, but my hesitation is that it's made by Diamond and it's not holistic.

My second choice is maybe the BG (before grain) Merrick line (chicken flavor). But because it's still such a new food, I don't know much about it. They did send me the ingredients, and they looked pretty good. They are also mailing me a brochure, but I haven't gotten it yet.

Can you help me with your opinions of these foods? I've still got enough Canidae to last another week or so, so I've got a little time to make up my mind. Thanks!

Patt · 04-21-2008, 01:04 PM

Welcome to DF.

If your dog(s) are doing well on Canidae I would keep them on it. Canidae is graded A+ which I think is pretty good. I feed Innova.

Here are links for other foods and grading of foods.

http://www.timshellfarm.com/goldendo...ding_food.html

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

www.dogaware.com

BayouGal · 04-21-2008, 01:09 PM

Thanks Patt, but I don't think she's doing all that great on the food. She's never really liked it, but will eat it. We've been dealing with an ear infection for quite some time now, and her feet and eye goop is becoming a problem. I suspect she's got seasonal allergies, but I just don't know. I was thinking a grain free food would be something I'd like to try. Any suggestions?

And thanks for the links. I'm a regular at dogfoodanalysis and dogaware, but I've never visited the other one. I'll go take a look now!

Patt · 04-21-2008, 01:22 PM

OOPS I didn't know she didn't like it, that's another story......

Since you think she also may have allergies, may I suggest Wellness Simple Solutions (Duck or Venison). Here's a link to read about it. I have used this food and the dogs loved it. I guess that's not fair though b/c my dogs are food motivated, I don't know anything they don't like.

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_w...ons_index.html

GreatDaneMom · 04-21-2008, 02:53 PM

i switched my girls from Eagle Pack Holistic to Taste of the Wild High Prarie. I just have to say i see such a HUGE difference. i really love grainfree. i like that taste of the wild has a lower protein content than most of the others as well. diamond has produced many of the foods that i really really like, so im a fan of the company. (chicken soup, eagle pack, and taste are all diamond and i have fed them all with good outcomes- though some better than others) my harlequin has allergies, its mostly just dust, smoke, pollen- airborne things. our vet has her on prednisone eye drops. i only use them when she gets bad. her eyes get droopy and red, with some eye boogers. but back to the food, im REALLY happy with the results of taste, i think its a great food! but every dog is different...

BayouGal · 04-22-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDaneMom

chicken soup, eagle pack, and taste are all diamond

I didn't realize Diamond made those products. That does ease my mind about the company somewhat. I haven't made up my mind on a food just yet. I've gotten virtually no response about the Before Grain Merrick food, probably because it's so new. The other thing about TOTW that is bothering me is the possible use of ethoxyquin in the pacific stream formula. To add to my confusion, Fromm makes a surf and turf grainless food too.

Thanks for your input on the subject!

mosbysmom · 04-22-2008, 03:58 PM

Dogfoodanalysis.com is a great site for checking on the quality of foods, so I definitely second checking there!

As for Taste of the Wild, I feed it to my dog and he really likes it, if that helps at all. I give him the Wild Fowl formula and he seems to do really well on it. Their site also has a fairly extensive explanation of all ingredients listed, which can help your decision a bit more. http://tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products/ingredients/

Zack_the_Mouse · 04-22-2008, 11:58 PM

I'm currently feed my 7 month old mini Dachshund (Ivy) and 7 yr ols Standard Poodle (kitty)

Nature's Variety Instinct Duck Meal & Turkey Meal Formula

mixed with some Organics by Nature organic turkey
once and awhile

They love it. It greats for all ages just a adjust according to weight and activity according to Nature`s Variety`s guild

MarleysGirl · 04-23-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt

OOPS I didn't know she didn't like it, that's another story......

Since you think she also may have allergies, may I suggest Wellness Simple Solutions (Duck or Venison). Here's a link to read about it. I have used this food and the dogs loved it. I guess that's not fair though b/c my dogs are food motivated, I don't know anything they don't like.

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_w...ons_index.html

My dog is on the Wellness brand chicken formula and he loves it.

Pai · 04-23-2008, 06:17 PM

My pup is also on Nature's Variety, it's grain free and she loves it. The company also sells pre-made raw meat diets, too.

ButterflyMom · 04-28-2008, 03:31 PM

I switched from Purina One to Innova Evo (grain-free) about 4 months ago because Jessie's paws would get beet red and made her miserable. She would also shake her head (with clean ears) and lick the bend underneath her tail (right above the anus). I would put hydrocortisone to give her relief and heal her (great stuff). Since switching foods, the problems are greatly reduced, but still appear periodically. So it makes me wonder, could Frontline be doing this to her? The time we started using these flea products is about the time when it came out that dog food is over-commercialized, right? Jessie isn't scheduled for the vet until August, but we will ask then.

Max'sHuman · 04-28-2008, 03:38 PM

I don't know if this will be helpful since these aren't the brands you asked about, but my dog is on grain-free, so here are some of the foods we've tried and my personal experience with them:

1). NB Duck and Potato- No real problems. Stool a little loose, but he really like the taste and it came highly recommended.

2). NB Fish & Sweet Potato- Better than the duck and potato. Max liked the flavor well enough, but the big thing was his coat was nice and soft on it.

3). Wellness CORE Ocean Formula- All the benefits of NB except now his poops are firmer too. His coat is nice. It's a good food, though a bit pricey. I think TOTW comes out to like 30 cents a lb. cheaper if you buy in bulk. If your dog is small like mine though, it won't make much of a difference.

So there ya go. Hope that helps somewhat!

FredMom · 04-28-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButterflyMom

I switched from Purina One to Innova Evo (grain-free) about 4 months ago because Jessie's paws would get beet red and made her miserable. She would also shake her head (with clean ears) and lick the bend underneath her tail (right above the anus). I would put hydrocortisone to give her relief and heal her (great stuff). Since switching foods, the problems are greatly reduced, but still appear periodically. So it makes me wonder, could Frontline be doing this to her? The time we started using these flea products is about the time when it came out that dog food is over-commercialized, right? Jessie isn't scheduled for the vet until August, but we will ask then.

Im a member of a basset hound discussion board and one of the owners was telling us about how her dog had an allergic reaction to Frontline. You may wanna check and see if that may be the culprit for your Jesse's paws.

I use Bio-Spot for Fred and it works beautifully. I'm very careful about what I use for Fred, because Bassets have a lot of allergies.

Chindo_Gae_Cerberus · 04-29-2008, 01:22 PM

BayouGal:

I have just switched my two Jindo gals back onto a Grain Free diet.
We started with Go! Natural Grain Free. Very good food! But it's high in price and protein (still lower then Evo's protein).

I am awaiting our shipment of Nature's Variety Instinct - Rabbit (Grain Free), lower protein with a good amount of kcals and great ingredient line up including protein not just from muscle meat.

As far as the Before Grain is concerned. I've noticed reports where the caloric content of their foods will only be 107 k/cals per cup.
That is AWEFULLY low.

crazydays · 04-29-2008, 06:53 PM

I feed my dogs Wellness Core and am starting them on Wellness Core Ocean. They love the food and they look great. Both these products are grainless and have protein content of 34%.

ButterflyMom · 04-30-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredMom

Im a member of a basset hound discussion board and one of the owners was telling us about how her dog had an allergic reaction to Frontline. You may wanna check and see if that may be the culprit for your Jesse's paws.

I use Bio-Spot for Fred and it works beautifully. I'm very careful about what I use for Fred, because Bassets have a lot of allergies.

Thank you, FredMom... I will do! We all want our babies to be happy, healthy, and comfortable.

Patt · 04-30-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredMom

I use Bio-Spot for Fred and it works beautifully. I'm very careful about what I use for Fred, because Bassets have a lot of allergies.

Please be careful of Bio-Spot. It is very toxic for some dogs.