A little help on what to feed now

[Megansmom]

Okay, will check these out too. And have you heard of Evanger's - either the Meat Lover's or Whitefish (low grain) versions? or Innova Prime by Nurtura or California Naturals - these are also supposed to be great - produced in own plants - no China - any feedback on these foods?

Those are all excellent foods, but too rich my pets tummies! I just called Nutro pet food to ask some questions and I think I feel pretty good about them. All of their ingredient suppliers are here in the U.S EXCEPT two. They do have an American based Company in China who produces their Vit D and one in New Zealand, again American based. I will however keep our options open and DO desire a lower protein with grains in it and ALL the ingredients and suppliers USA only.

 

[frankienme]

Too rich - okay - good thought. That is how I feel about Orijen. The food is excellent but I went from TOTW to that which is jumping 10% in protein overnight. That didn't hurt his tummy but what if it caused the liver issue???

 

[marymrumfelt]

Those are all excellent foods, but too rich my pets tummies! I just called Nutro pet food to ask some questions and I think I feel pretty good about them. All of their ingredient suppliers are here in the U.S EXCEPT two. They do have an American based Company in China who produces their Vit D and one in New Zealand, again American based. I will however keep our options open and DO desire a lower protein with grains in it and ALL the ingredients and suppliers USA only.

Yeah, they go over to China and set up business because it's cheaper and more lax so they can get away with whatever. American based means nothing as you only have to follow the rules of the country you're producing in. I'm not sure about NZ, though. I've fed a food that got lamb, I believe, from NZ but vitamins I'm not sure about. To be fair, though, Wellness gets their Vitamin D from China and a lot of people love Wellness

I also look at it from the standpoint of we're losing jobs here in America and we need to keep our businesses HERE! That's another reason why I won't support companies who take jobs away from Americans and go overseas. That can make your life really hard, but I just don't feel comfortable buying things that were probably manufactured by children in a sweatshop. But that, obviously, is a personal decision on that end.

 

[corbinam]

Okay, will check these out too. And have you heard of Evanger's - either the Meat Lover's or Whitefish (low grain) versions? or Innova Prime by Nurtura or California Naturals - these are also supposed to be great - produced in own plants - no China - any feedback on these foods?

I just wanted to chime in to say that I fed California Natural for a long time. I had a dog with a chicken sensitivity and it was a food that was limited ingredient without chicken. I was fairly happy with it.

I switched for a couple reasons. 1, my dogs were pooping a bit more than I would have liked (my girl was consistently going 3-4 times a day), and 2, the company was bought out by Proctor and Gamble.

Nothing bad has happened since the buy out, but it makes me nervous (maybe irrationally) when a huge company that has such a diverse line of products takes over a pet food.

 

[frankienme]

What do you feed your doggies now Corbinam? or what were you feeding before California Naturals - sorry, I wasn't clear on where you are with that
brand today.

 

[corbinam]

What do you feed your doggies now Corbinam? or what were you feeding before California Naturals - sorry, I wasn't clear on where you are with that
brand today.

Sorry! I feed mine Acana. I didn't mention it because I know you were looking for something with less protein. Both my dogs are very active and are still young so I am comfortable with those levels of protein.

And just as a quick history, mine started on Nutro/Purina Pro Plan (as puppies), then went to California Natural (didn't like the pooping and buyout), then to TOTW (didn't like the pooping), then to Acana and I've been really happy with it.

 

[frankienme]

Okay, with more research on this I am wondering about a raw food diet - either homemade - anyone have a good book or recipe to share - or a commercially available brand you like. Or what about cooked balanced food diet or canned, anyone feed these options? OY! what to do...

 

[danisgoat]

Okay, with more research on this I am wondering about a raw food diet - either homemade - anyone have a good book or recipe to share - or a commercially available brand you like. Or what about cooked balanced food diet or canned, anyone feed these options? OY! what to do...

If you want a discussion on a RAW food diet you can start a new thread in that section of our forum.

 

[Lysette85]

I am one of them, so I'm chiming in.

I strongly recommend you look for a food with lower protein (i.e. no more than 26% or less). The foods that most have recommended to you so far is too high in protein for dogs with liver conditions.

Bacca was diagnosed very young (less than 2 years old) with liver issues. At the time he was on Orijen (or Horizen Legacy, I can't remember). I switched him to Now! Senior forumul which has a protein level of 24%. I wanted to stay grain-free. I love that its also made in Canada (like Orijen, Acana and Horizen)

I considered switching to TOTW at one point to give some variety, but never actually got around to it. Sierra Mountain has a low protein (about 26%, I think). Is this what you were feeding before but is still grain-free.

That being said, if you were successful on TOTW before, now that the recall is over, I don't know why you would not got back to it again! Of the food that I sell in my store, I get an equal number of any brand for refund because "the dog got sick".

Ok, getting ready to duck the bullets....

I'm getting ready for bullets too but I have to say I am so sick of my dog's bowel problems I actually bought TOTW lamb today to begin the switch. I had Fromm in my hand, was impressed with the compsny's claims but I didn't check out the price difference...next time I will. But I'm trying out a lower protein food to see if this makes a difference. If not, maybe I should try something with a little grain so it's not so rich? Claussen started refusing to eat the Regional Red the past few days so I think it's time to switch anyway. So I would second the just continuing on with TOTW now that the recall is over. If I have issues with it I'll post about it.

 

[Eagle]

But I'm trying out a lower protein food to see if this makes a difference. If not, maybe I should try something with a little grain so it's not so rich?

I suspect I am being naive, I realize that dogs don't benefit from grains, but, if a dog does not have a problem with grains, and the protein content is lower in foods with grain, why avoid grains?