Grain Free?

Where did you buy your food? It is very common for sales associates to recommend something they have in the store so you buy it. The first time I went to a petstore I was recommended Science Diet, which most of us believe is horrible.

I'm a little biased, but our pup was started on Pedigree and Purina mix. Both grain/filler filled foods. We switched him to Orijen Puppy - Our advantages have been more energy, way better coat (It was dull and harsh initially, now its soft, smooth, and shiny), generally happier, less gas, solid poops.

Some experts believe dogs are not made to digest grains as they are carnivores, therefore, people like me believe grain-free is the way to go since its made up mostly of meat. However, grain-free tends to sometimes give dogs really runny stool, and is not meant for every dog.

So grain foods do have their place and some dogs do really well on them. At the end of the day, its up to your dog and his digestive system.

Going back to Canidae, its a high quality food regardless of the grain or grain-free. I really wouldn't worry about it too much at this point in time. Whats really important is how your puppy will react to your food and if he will even like it. Watch his poops/energy levels/coat... if everything is the way you want it, you found a winner.

I don't know if any dry food can claim it's grain-free...well, grain-free but not carb-free. Most grain-frees contain potato, sweet potato or tapioca. I'm not sure that potato or tapioca are good or bad for dogs but somehow, the kibble must stay together. Either way, these grain-free foods are not starch free so to those who believe that dogs are strict carnivores and feeding these grain-free kibbles, you are being misled.

I have read that Orijen put tapioca in their food to avoid the diarrhea that many dogs experience with other foods such as EVO. I'm sure our dogs, and humans for that matter, could benefit from less carbs but it just isn't for all dogs.

It's not that you shouldn't feed grain-free to a puppy, it's more the high protein content that cause people to take caution. However, there is debate whether it's the high calcium or the high protein that causes the accelerated growth and thus, the structural problems found in many large breeds. And there are dogs who shouldn't have a high protein food, such as those with kidney problems.

I guess another option would be to feed raw. But some people and some dogs that cannot do it.

So I think you should feed what you think your dog does well on. Or you could end up like me and become neurotic about what food to feed your pets and always think maybe there's something better out there and what if this ingredient is not good for them? etc etc. It's all mind boggling. There are people on this forum who feed Purina and their dogs do well on it so why shouldn't yours do well on Canidae?