Opinions on Orijen? Wish to change diet.

[fondofshelties]

Kibble size

Hi there, Blaze is at a weight I am happy with currently, we walk at least 6 km together daily. We play also, but otherwise he is quiet at home, so I am not sure if you would consider him a couch potato or not. But thanks for the advice and I would want his stools to be reasonably firm, so I will read up on the Acana. : )

I have been reading a bit on the Acana and it sure sounds like a good food. I am wondering about only one last thing....Blaze tends to be lazy in the biting or crunching his food, so if the kibble is too small he will swallow it whole; so it would be ideal if the kibble is a good size for him to be obligated to bite down and chew a few times in order to swallow. So for those of you who have either tried the small breed 1 year and older or the senior variety I sure would appreciate if you could tell me how large the kibble is (either cm or inches)

Thanks so much

 

[Lysette85]

Both my dogs (now about a year and a half old) have only eaten Orijen their whole lives (except for a trial of TOTW). No matter the flavor (regional red, 6 fish, etc) they always have loose stool with it. On TOTW, their stool was perfect. I switched back just because I really like the quality of Orijen, but unfortunately I'm tired of cleaning pudding out of sheltie pants. I'm switching back to a lower protein content...I'm guessing that has been the problem.

 

[Ann]

My dogs also eat Go and Now by Petcurean and we've done very well on it. I find the Orijen products too rich for their systems and I like a lower protein. But if your dog is more active or you want a grain-free with higher protein, Go makes a Fit and Free formula that is 34 percent protein with no grain. Now is grain free too, but with protein in the mid-20's.

 

[BarbV]

My dogs also eat Go and Now by Petcurean and we've done very well on it. I find the Orijen products too rich for their systems and I like a lower protein. But if your dog is more active or you want a grain-free with higher protein, Go makes a Fit and Free formula that is 34 percent protein with no grain. Now is grain free too, but with protein in the mid-20's.

Hi

Like Ann, I tried Orijen and Horizen (both excellent grain free Canadian brands), but found the protein levels just far to how for Bacca. In fact, he refused to eat either food at one point...it was as if his body was saying NO! to the protein.

I'm not dissing the product. I think its excellent, but not for all dogs.

I switched my dogs to Now! Grain Free - Senior and Weight Management. We've been on this food for several years. The boys are now just over 4 years old and their weight is stablized. But more important, Bacca who is hypothyroid and has liver issues is also stable. The lower protein is the key here

I also like the Turkey, Duck, Salmon formulation.....best of everything. And since I've made the switch, Bacca eats every meal, everytime.

Now! has a large breed formula which also has larger kibbles....but I haven't checked to see how the protein/fat levels differ from the large breed, small breed and regular formulas.

Go! is made by the same Canadian company (as is Summit, btw) and where Go! was not grain free before, now they have grain free formulas too. It makes it a little confusing, but the main difference, I think, is that Go! focuses on one source of protein - chicken, salmon or duck - as the main ingredient, which may work better dogs with food sensitivities.

I think you said your pup is having some stomach issues, so GO! Duck may be an option for you.

Hope this helps.

 

[mcemily]

I'll chime in here to echo what a lot of others have said. We fed TOTW until the recall, then switched to Acana (Pacifica formula), and we love it. I considered Orijen, but like others have said, feel that the protein level is too high for my dog's needs. We walk approx. 2 miles every day and he loves to play, and run around the house and chase the cat but we don't do any sports or anything to warrant the extra protein.

As far as tummy issues go, Lerwick has a very touch system. Not only can't he have any poultry, he also can't have anything too rich with fat, either, and he has been great on the Acana Pacifica. Good luck... switching foods is always a pain.

 

[fondofshelties]

Arcana!

I'll chime in here to echo what a lot of others have said. We fed TOTW until the recall, then switched to Acana (Pacifica formula), and we love it. I considered Orijen, but like others have said, feel that the protein level is too high for my dog's needs. We walk approx. 2 miles every day and he loves to play, and run around the house and chase the cat but we don't do any sports or anything to warrant the extra protein.

As far as tummy issues go, Lerwick has a very touch system. Not only can't he have any poultry, he also can't have anything too rich with fat, either, and he has been great on the Acana Pacifica. Good luck... switching foods is always a pain.

Looks like Arcana seems to yield a good majority!...although we do walk alot together we aren't involved in any sports etc either to warrant excessive protein requirements. It sounds that it would be good one to try and see how his tummy reacts.

I guess I should try for about a month to see if it is suitable? It will be a matter of the kibble size that remains the "key" for me; Blaze needs a large kibble otherwise he swallows the small ones whole. He tends to be lazy!...

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

I have been reading a bit on the Acana and it sure sounds like a good food. I am wondering about only one last thing....Blaze tends to be lazy in the biting or crunching his food, so if the kibble is too small he will swallow it whole; so it would be ideal if the kibble is a good size for him to be obligated to bite down and chew a few times in order to swallow. So for those of you who have either tried the small breed 1 year and older or the senior variety I sure would appreciate if you could tell me how large the kibble is (either cm or inches)

Thanks so much

Carnivores don't chew. Seriously. Their saliva is designed to get food from mouth to stomach. Some dogs seem to chew, but most don't. Makes those "dental" foods pretty much a scam. Your dog isn't lazy, he's carnivore appropriate. Give him a chicken leg and see how many crunches it takes before he swallows, probably about four.

Also, "small breed" and "senior" are marketing ploys. The senior foods especially are not great for the dogs. Dogs need fat and protein, reducing those is not necessarily appropriate. And when you reduce those, you fill with starch and carb, which is not carnivore appropriate.

A good, all stages adult kibble is fine, and inhaling food is also fine, as long as it stays down. I soak my dogs kibble, which slows them down some.

 

[corbinam]

Rachael (Clantyre) is right. Dogs don't do much chewing.

It will be a matter of the kibble size that remains the "key" for me; Blaze needs a large kibble otherwise he swallows the small ones whole. He tends to be lazy!...

But, I went and looked at the food size and I'd say it's average. Probably a bit smaller than a dime, but it is thicker in the middle and tapers off on the ends. It's not those tiny pieces I've seen in other foods.

If you are really concerned still, I can try to take a picture (next to a quarter or something) later this weekend.

 

[Emmasmom]

If you want to slow down the eating, wet the food as suggested by Rachel or invest in one of the dishes especially designed for gulpers - it has divisions in it. I used it for Liam for a few weeks and he is now back to a regular dish, without inhaling his food.

 

[fondofshelties]

Enlightening for me!

Carnivores don't chew. Seriously. Their saliva is designed to get food from mouth to stomach. Some dogs seem to chew, but most don't. Makes those "dental" foods pretty much a scam. Your dog isn't lazy, he's carnivore appropriate. Give him a chicken leg and see how many crunches it takes before he swallows, probably about four.

Also, "small breed" and "senior" are marketing ploys. The senior foods especially are not great for the dogs. Dogs need fat and protein, reducing those is not necessarily appropriate. And when you reduce those, you fill with starch and carb, which is not carnivore appropriate.

A good, all stages adult kibble is fine, and inhaling food is also fine, as long as it stays down. I soak my dogs kibble, which slows them down some.

Just goes to show how much I "don't" know about my Blaze! my apologies for calling him lazy now!!! : (

So what would you recommend for "tartar control"?