Comments on: EVO Dog Food (Canned)

By: Mike Sagman

Mike Sagman — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:45:46 +0000

Hi Dee… To my thinking, the furthest distance from raw dog food would be virtually any kibble. Kibble is in reality a “bakery” product. So, I know it’s not “raw”, but it looks like a quality canned food might be at least a little closer to the level of what you’ve been feeding. Or maybe even a raw dehydrated dog food? Why not browse through our 3, 4 and 5-star canned (or raw dehydrated) foods for a temporary substitute for your dog’s current raw diet. Hope this helps.

By: Dee Gamel

Dee Gamel — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:45:26 +0000

I currently feed raw, I am about to be going on a trip where I have to fly and feeding raw is not going to be a good option. Which food would you reccomend trying as a replacement. I have time before I leave to experiment with one or two brands. In the past I have fed dehydrated raw, but I’m not real happy with that and want to try something different. Any advice you give will be much appreciated.

By: shelita

shelita — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:29:35 +0000

thank you! I have learned a lot throughout my dogs early life. Hopefully, we will find what he likes that’s healthy for him! Thank you for your advice.

By: Mike Sagman

Mike Sagman — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:29:29 +0000

Hi Shelita… Since I’m not a veterinarian, it is my primary goal to simply review and rate dog food… and not to serve as a substitute for sound professional advice.

That said, stool “form” can sometimes be related to the fiber content of a dog’s diet. Many high quality (high-protein) foods can be somewhat lacking in fiber. Average fiber content for most dog foods is around 4.5%. Why not look for a 4 or 5-star dog food that contains a fiber content of about 5% (maybe even a little higher).

If you have any doubts about the value of fiber, please be sure to read my article… “The Amazing Benefits of Dog Food Fiber“.

By the way… frequently changing dog foods can cause the inconsistent stool problems you describe. Find a good dog food and “ease” into it slowly… adding just a little more with each meal. This gradual process is known as “dovetailing”.

Hope this helps.

By: Shelita

Shelita — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:49:15 +0000

Hi, I have a 9 month old CAVASHU. He has had an over abundance of bad bacteria in his stool since we adopted him from a friend at age 3 months. We have him on Forti Flora powder once a day and Science Diet I/D. He no longer has the bacteria overgrowth, but his stool is not always consistent and he doesn’t always feel good or eat his food. I mix the dry with the canned. I am concerned he might have a food intolerance. dr. took him off all vegetables or fruits and said just give him the food and give him Cheerios for snack. As a family we eat more organic foods than non organic, and I am concerned about the grains and fillers in the I/D. What do you suggest?

By: Mike Sagman

Mike Sagman — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:37:25 +0000

Hi Richard… dog food companies never reveal the carbohydrate content of their products. So, I developed some software (yellow “dashboard” on every review) that does a fairly accurate job of estimating this percentage… by using the protein, fat and moisture figures they DO provide.

No secrets… You can learn how I do this (or how to do it yourself) by reading my article, “How to Estimate the Hidden Carbohydrate Content of Any Dog Food“. Hope this helps.

By: Richard Raine

Richard Raine — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:54:16 +0000

Mike, thank you for your response, it is helpful. I was hoping you could make a recommendation from your vast knowledge but you did give me something to work with, unfortunately I am not a nutritionist but will attempt to ferret out what I can. I think the chances of our vet recommending any of your 4 or 5 star brands is nil and next to none. He stocks Science Diet products in both of his offices. I do not know how you come up with the carbohydrate numbers, I do not find it listed on any of the products. Obviously you have a way of figuring it.

By: Mike Sagman

Mike Sagman — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:20:43 +0000

Hi Richard… Like us humans, diabetic dogs should eat foods that have a low glycemic index. Glycemic index is a measure of how fast a dog can convert a carbohydrate food into blood sugar (glucose).

Most cereal grains have a very high glycemic index when you refine them enough to match a dog’s digestive capacity. Brown rice, barley and oatmeal can be helpful.

Your vet gave you good advice when he/she advised you to feed a dog food that is low in carbs, high in protein and high in fiber. Unfortunately, Hills W/D dry is exactly the opposite of what you were told… it is high in carbohydrates (64% less 14% fiber), low in protein (19%)… but it is at least high in fiber (maybe even too high). And W/D is made with cheap, low-quality ingredients, too.

And it’s mostly soluble fiber (not insoluble fiber like cellulose) that helps stabilize blood sugar the most.

As a rule, kibbles are almost always high in carbs… most of them are carb-based in the first place.

But some higher quality (4 and 5-star kibbles) are lower in carbs and higher in protein.

Ask your vet to consider feeding one of the Advisor’s recommended high quality canned foods. In any case, be sure to ease into the food slowly… very slowly… to minimize the chance of GI upset.

You could also do what we do… feed a high protein/low carb 4 or 5-star kibble and top it with a quality, low carb canned food. Your dog will probably gobble it up.

Hope this helps.

By: Richard Raine

Richard Raine — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:48:52 +0000

My Pom became diabetic. The vet put him on Hills Prescription w/d formula along with twice daily insulin shots. He will not eat the dry w/d unless I put in water to soften, he does eat the canned food. I seldom read much good about Hills and your rating reflects the same. My Pom is losing his fur, I am not sure what is causing that. I have observed that your Evo Canned food rating is near diabetic quality. I am told I need high fiber, low carbohydrate food. I did try the EVO dry formula, he would not eat it and was extremely high in protein which caused him to throw up. Do you recommend any other dog foods that would be good for a diabetic dog.