To those feeding ACANA...

[corbinam]

I know you said that you were hesitant to switch because of the oils in the food that gave your girl a nice coat. You could supplement your pup's food with salmon oil. Lots of people on the forum use it to add shine to their pup's fur.

 

[therwilBbarkng]

I've been using the Grasslands version of Acana but not very long. I was upset P&G bought Innova which my dogs had been on for 2-3 years and replaced it with Acana. I find they like it as well as they liked the Innova. It's a lot smellier than Innova, I think because it has some fish in it. When I fed only Innova kibble my Sheltie had dry skin above his tail so I started supplementing with salmon oil (which he loved) and cleared up the dry flakey skin. I began to think feeding only Innova kibble wasn't the best solution for my Sheltie and started adding wet food.

What my dogs really love is Honest Kitchen, not a cheap food. I give them half of each and its the Honest Kitchen (Force) they go crazy over. I still do the salmon oil too for the Sheltie, both dogs have a beautiful coat, my Sheltie has the coarse coat but it's shiny and healthy and his face has the softest fur.

I see comments about Merricks and had heard good things about it, unfortunately my blended dog (part Chihuahua and something else) didn't care for it at all 3 years ago, he ruled out a few other good foods too, he's a little picky. I've heard good things about Now! too but it's not available where I live and I'm not organized enough to keep up with ordering food.

I personally feel any of these premium foods are probably a good bet but you may prefer one over the other, I'm not sure why I ended up choosing the Acana Grasslands but they like it and it works for them. One good thing about Acana you can buy a really small bag of any of the flavors for $3 to see if your dog likes it, plus the store where I buy food gives free sample bags, you just have to ask.

A big part of the reason I added the wet food was due to losing an argument with a family friend, I've never been so happy to lose an argument, both dogs have more energy and have never looked better. I couldn't wait to tell her she was right!

That's my .02

 

[OntarioSheltie]

My girls have been doing well on Wellness Super5Mix, but if you want grainless there's also Wellness Core, which I've heard good things about

 

[BarbV]

Just for your FYI....

We all have our opinions about food choices,and we make our choices based on having our dogs on what we feel works,what fits our particular situation,some foods are choosen for health reasons,and in long term,especially folks like us with multiple dogs,what fits our budget.

Believe me,one can open up a can of worms,and the food debate goes & goes.So long as you are happy with your decision,and the dog(s) are thriving,and doing well,then its all good.

I know Barb has had some serious health issues with her pups,and Now kibble was the answer for her pup to get well.The long short of this post...we do what is best,within our means to ensure the dogs we love so very much,are getting the best we can offer them.

Personally..I hate messing with food.It just killed us,that we were forced to make a change,but we had a situation with Trapp.And its not totally solved...but he is eating better.Ruling out a medical issues...it has been determined it is just him being fussy,and he no longer is a puppy.

Michelle is quite correct. I had my boys on Orijen and then Horizon Legacy but I had to take them off it for a lower protein diet. Bacca developed serious thyroid problems, followed by horribly inflated liver counts. We were very concerned about a liver shunt. Rather than do more invasive work, the vet and I decided to reduce his protein levels, and his counts dropped dramatically.

As I wanted to stick with a grain-free diet, it was abit of a compromise. So Now! it is.

I mix with with Merricks canned. I used to give them Thanksiving Day Dinner but they changed the formula (its now alot thicker - and I wanted more gravy), so now I usually give them the canned Turducken instead.

Finding the right foods can be quite the journey. But I stopped obsessing about it too much. If pups are healthy, lots of energy, with good coat, and strong bones and teeth, then if it "ain't broke, don't fix it".

Like Michelle, I don't like switching things around. These boys are creatures of habit. Their tummies don't like change.

 

[Lacey'sMamma]

I know you said that you were hesitant to switch because of the oils in the food that gave your girl a nice coat. You could supplement your pup's food with salmon oil. Lots of people on the forum use it to add shine to their pup's fur.

I thought of that but i know i would do it for a week and then every two days then every three. Haha i know i wouldnt keep it up

 

[Lacey'sMamma]

My girls have been doing well on Wellness Super5Mix, but if you want grainless there's also Wellness Core, which I've heard good things about

My girl is doing well on what shes on, but im not sure she loves the fish flavor... but i love the fish oils. And both my pet stores that carry origen and acana dont have samples i guess we will buy the small bag and giver try. Just incase people arnt sure, i want to switch her from a fish formula onto a lamb formula. I guess I could just ask which of those 2 do your dogs perfer?! There. Much more simple

 

[OntarioSheltie]

My girl is doing well on what shes on, but im not sure she loves the fish flavor... but i love the fish oils. And both my pet stores that carry origen and acana dont have samples i guess we will buy the small bag and giver try. Just incase people arnt sure, i want to switch her from a fish formula onto a lamb formula. I guess I could just ask which of those 2 do your dogs perfer?! There. Much more simple

If you go on the Wellness web page they have an 800 number you can call. They will send you free samples if you want them to.

 

[Lacey'sMamma]

If you go on the Wellness web page they have an 800 number you can call. They will send you free samples if you want them to.

Ahh now i remember this is why i couldnt try wellness, it says on dog food anyalysis it's for dogs 1 year and over.. I just looked it up now haha

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Ahh now i remember this is why i couldnt try wellness, it says on dog food anyalysis it's for dogs 1 year and over.. I just looked it up now haha

Your pup is nearing a year, right? It can't hurt to call and ask.

I personally switched Ginny to adult food when she was spayed at the age of 6 months. It was recommended to me to do the same with my first sheltie Sadie.

But they're not on the grain free formula so I don't know how that differs.

 

[BarbV]

Ahh now i remember this is why i couldnt try wellness, it says on dog food anyalysis it's for dogs 1 year and over.. I just looked it up now haha

I actually have my boys on the "senior's formula. And that was when they were about 18 months, I think. The little porkers were gaining too much weight. They have now stabilized.