[crazy4cats]

Hi Alan-
The original Kirkland pate canned food that comes in both chicken and lamb is still available in the NW region. But, you are right, the Cuts in Gravy is no longer available. I still have a case of it left, however. I believe all of the Nature’s Domain foods both wet and dry are reviewed on the review side of this site. I’m not sure why the KS Nature’s Domain Stew is not on the budget friendly list. Use the following form if you wish to request a review:

/contact-us/suggest-dog-food-review/

[Dawn R]

My puppy Bella is an 8 month old 9 pound schnoodle that has been suffering from severe diarrhea accompanied by occasional blood & mucus as well as vomiting since November 2014. I have spent thousands of dollars at the vet to eliminate other possibilities such as addisons, parvo, liver shunt etc etc. She had giardia when she was very little and treated with metronidizole. Good news is so far all tests are good (liver enzymes very slightly elevated as is potassium), bad news is we still don’t have a definitive diagnosis, however the vet seems pretty sure it is colitis/IBD/HGE. What the vets are not helping me with is putting her on a diet other than the Hills W/D which she doesnt want to eat. I started her on Merrick dry kibble when I first took her home. When she stopped eating that, I mixed in Merrick wet food. This worked for a month before she had terrible diarrhea. In addition she seem to be allergic to something in the merrick food which caused a chronic cough & eye discharge. Then She went on Natures VAriety for a short while, but would ONLY eat the freeze dried raw bits and not the kibble. So because of this I then I put her on Stella & Chewys freeze dried lamb & duck patties. That also worked for about a month and then she had another bout, this time extremely severe. Through each bout (which seems to happen 1-2 times per month) they put her back on metronidizole again, so I never really get the chance to see if a food is working or not. Vet wanted to try the whole novel protein diet and put her on Hills prescription D/D. Tried it for 2 weeks and she would not touch it and lost 1.5 pounds. At that point I gave up and needed to just get food into her system so I put her back on Merrick but this time tried the grain free duck. One week into it and she started back with diarrhea again and is now back on metronidizole. This time the vet wants me to put her on Hills W/D because of the low fat/high fiber. I already use a probiotic (restore) and give her a tablespoon of pumpkin everyday (which incidentally seems to make the diarrea worse). Took her off all bully sticks (still love the brand BEST bully stick, but never again). No treats either. I have read extensively and there seems to be many different opinions on what to give a dog with GI inflammation of sorts. I have read everything from Canine cavier to Addiction and more. Having had signed up for the editors choice, I am hoping for some good solid recommendations. I do not want to give her Merrick or Hills anymore. Cost is not an issue, but I don’t think puppies this tiny are ok with raw food (just my experience since the worst she ever was when I fed her Stella & Chewys, even though I think its a great product for most). She is going in for spay surgery on May 7th (health permitting) and the vet is saying if I am not able to regulate her with diet in the next month that they want to do an intestinal biopsy which I have a real problem with especially if the intestine is ALREADY inflamed. I have an appointment for her with a holistic vet tomorrow and am really hoping to get some suggestions that I can speak to the holistic vet about. I have read all about pre/pro biotics, digestive enzymes, glucose, fructose, hypoallergenic, L-glutamine and plan to ask the holistic vet which of those she thinks I should try, but I find it troubling that I have not gotten any viable food options from my vet to date. Any advice would be greatly appreciated by Baby Bella & her Mom!

• This topic was modified 11 years ago by Dawn R.
• This topic was modified 11 years ago by Dawn R.
• This topic was modified 11 years ago by Dawn R.

[Lori]

cdubau, Fromm’s also has a new kibble http://frommfamily.com/products/gold/dog/dry/#gold-coast-weight-management

It looks to be similar in protein, fat, etc. but whitefish and salmon meal first 2 ingredients.

Here’s some info on calculating carbs from Dr. Mike:

How to Estimate the Carbohydrate
Content of Any Dog Food

So, if knowing the carb content is important to you — and it should be — here’s a quick and easy way to estimate the amount of carbohydrates in any dog food — yourself.

Basically, all foods contain the same four major nutrients — known as macronutrients:

Proteins
Fats
Carbohydrates
Moisture (water)

In addition, all foods also contain ash — the non-combustible mineral residue remaining after burning away all the protein, fat and carbs.

Ash content can vary — but typically measures about five to eight percent for most dog foods1 .

So, for consistency, we routinely use 8 percent as a benchmark for this important variable (ash) throughout this site.

Making the Calculation

When making this calculation, it’s important to keep in mind the following scientific principle:

Protein + fat + ash + carbohydrate + water must always equal 100 percent of the total pre-cooking weight of any dog food.

So, you can use simple math to reveal the missing amount on any other variable — which in this case of a pet food would be the carbohydrates.

Simply start with 100 percent and subtract the percentage for each of the known macronurients.

By the way, you can ignore the fiber content because fiber is a type of carbohydrate and would be automatically included in your carbohydrate calculation.

Here’s an Example

Say a particular dog food contains 26% protein, 14% fat and 10% water. How much carbohydrate should we expect to find in that product?

To estimate the amount of carbohydrate present in this example, simply start with a total of 100 percent. Then subtract the protein, fat and moisture percentages.

And of course, don’t forget to allow for an ash content of about 8 percent, too.

So, your math would look like this:

Carbohydrates = 100% – 26% – 14% – 10% – 8% = 42%

In other words, if you subtract all the “known” nutrients, you’d be left with the missing variable — carbohydrates — which in our example would be about 42 percent.

[Thomas K]

I am wondering what would be the most reasonably priced Large Breed Puppy food that is of good quality?

While i’d like to say that price doesn’t matter, the reality is whether its for our own well being or that of our pets, unless you are just one of the fortunate few to have a fat checkbook, price does matter.

any recommendations for good food with more recent reviews would be nice. My breeder recommends Iams Large Breed. this food will be for a Lab puppy.

Thanks!

• This topic was modified 11 years ago by Thomas K.
• This topic was modified 11 years ago by Thomas K.

[Nate D]

I’ve been researching dog food again and I still come back to the Fromm Whitefish and Potato recipe that their nutritionist even recommended. The ingredients are well balanced imo and their target ph levels are lower then most foods. The whitefish one does have some grain, but some are acidifying, plus it has cranberries and blueberries. http://frommfamily.com/products/four-star/dog/dry/#whitefish-and-potato I’ve always been high on Fromm.
I think I’m going to stick with it. I just need to check the ph levels correctly and at the right times and go from there.

[Sandra F]

Hi, I would like to nominate Canadae Grain Free Dry Dog Food. I feed this to my two Brittany Spaniels. It was rated 5 star on another list on this site but not on Editor’s choice. Why was it not on Editor’s Choice and listed as 5 star on the other list.

[Kathleen C]

Several months ago when I joined the Advisor group we were told the carb amounts for all Wellness dog foods straight from Wellness itself. The carbs they listed for the Core Reduced Fat was As Fed: 34.19%, Dry Matter: 37.16%. So the 42% is not correct as least as far as Wellness says. I’ve had Jack on this for months without very much lose at all and have been looking to change. So far I’ve not found anything with higher protein, lower fat and low carbs. More exercise would be good, but he’s just not that active a dog even at the dog park. Like cdubau I would like some other choices as well.

[Annette L]

I am getting a new female boxer puppy who is 2 1/2 months old. She is currently on NutriSource dry and wet combination. Is there a better dog food for her?

[Marlyne P]

Kirkland Signature Dry Food

[zcRiley]

CANIDAE® GRAIN FREE PURE SKY® DRY FORMULA DOG FOOD (Duck)
or
Wellness “Simple Limited Ingredient Diet” in Grain Free (Turkey & Potato Formula).

Stay away from Hills anything.

[q m]

No…no raw pork. I was feeding my dog Eagle Pack, and the vet told us that was NOT good because it contains pork.

Also, i see a lot of the chewables are of pork (rawhides, ears, etc). What is the consensus on these pork items? So far, I’ve stuck with beef chewables, from what the Vet said about pork.
My dog has been eating the Iams adult dry food for the last 2 years with no known issues…only rated a 3 of 5 here.
Thanks
QM

[Cheryl H]

I’m confused. My dog,Winston, is recovering from an illness that I thought might have resulted from a “bad bag” of Blue Basics. His blood work indicated an elevated level of calcium. We’re waiting for results of additional tests. In the meantime, Winston is eating prescription food– Hills I/D GI formula. I had decided to transition Winston to Fromm grain free lamb & lentil dry food, based on positive posts and reviews of Fromm products. Yesterday my vet said I should switch to a lower protein adult formula and specifically recommended Science Diet. Winston is a 7-1/2 year old Llasa Apso mix. Any suggestions for a good quality food with an appropriate protein level?

[AJ A]

Thanks for all your opinions and experiences, I am glad I received replies.
I won’t ever go back to kibble EVER.
And I don’t run to the Vet all the time. I am organic myself since 15 yrs and haven’t seen a doctor since. Not even once!
I use common sense and needed to see if my case was only happening to my pup. As I can see it is definitely the water in the meat. Thats why they dont need to drink as much water as they do with kibble. Today I controlled a little the water intake and he pees less often, but still bigger spots than before and specially after feeding the chicken. He is doing just fine and has top energy, his coat started shining and it is growing faster than it was 1 month ago.
Before I switched to raw I did a deep education to be prepared, asking raw feeding breeders all over from Australia to Germany, checked everything online and started to understand that raw diet should not contain veggies neither grains like the BARF diet.. Wolves dont get a complete balanced diet everyday, neither do we and certainly they wont be searching for carrots, spinach and grains in their habitat. They receive the fermented enzymes from the digested food of their prey’s tripe, thats the good stuff, thats what they will eat first, thats where lots of balanced nutrients are.
When starting a raw diet with puppies (especially small breed) you best start with chicken, because low fat and easier digested than ground beef. Because I tried both, beef (grass fed 95%lean) and chicken. He regurgitated the whole ground beef everytime he ate it. He never did with the chicken. The wing helps cleaning his teeth and he gets supplements from the core of the bone and calcium.1 egg a week for breakfast. I give bone meal since he does not yet get enough bones in his food yet. Once he is used to the chicken and wings/necks I will start to join some liver and heart and green tripe little by little to not upset his digestion. Than we will do the same with duck, lamb and rabbit including organ and muscle meat as well. Of course a meaty bone everyday or 3 times a week.
Once established his likes than we can start feeding 1 day chicken, next duck and so on. I forgot the fish. Some fresh fish once a week is important as well.
I think probiotics , enzymes and clay are a must have in the kitchen. So is ionic silver and therapeutic grade essential oils like geranium, peppermint, frankincense and lemon. When they get lose stool some clay with enzymes/probiotics and diarrhea is cleared.
I use ionic silver to disinfect drinking water, once in a while internal against parasites and to clear my Shih Tzu’s eyes (14yrs). He suffers dry eyes and since he is on raw diet as well since 2 weeks his dry eye symptoms are already totally gone!! Yeahhhh! Now I hope to see changes in his coat like color and softness. His constant fear should disappear as well and his appetite should get better and better. I really hope to gain some more years of his company. I love him so much and hope we can gain back as much health as he has lost due to those bad kibble diet. He lost some of his hair on his back and I truly hope the high protein intake will fix most of his problems.
I stopped using vaccines on my Shih Tzu since 10yrs, neither I believe in spaying/neuter dogs. My pup received vaccines from her Vet, he won’t ever receive any other vaccines in his life. I dont believe it does any good, not for pets and neither for humans. Build up a healthy immune system and eat organic food and you will be fine!!! Same for dogs. THEY ARE DOGS NOT HUMANS!!! THEY DESERVE TO EAT HOW NATURE DESIGNED THEM TO.

[Mark M]

Buddy is 8 years old and has always had allergies. He is a Lab/Pit mix we rescued from the pound 2 days before he was to be “put down” when he was 12 weeks old. With our Vet, we have tried Apoquel, and Hydroxyzine, both expensive and minimal help. We feed him Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Adult dry. He weighs 90 pounds. Can anyone help with dry food and biscuit advise? Home cooked is not an option.

[losul]

Aimee, I tried a search on “protein dehydrating” and “protein dehydrating in dogs” all I came up with was an article or two pertaining to humans and high consumption of protein.

It’s interesting though that I found this article, that said this;

“Other potential factors behind polydipsia and polyuria are low protein diets,”

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/urinary/c_multi_polydipsia_polyuria

K-Rae, I couldn’t come up with much info on the ingredients in carnivora.ca from their website, not sure, but I get the feeling from reading on it that they are against any carbs in the food? Regardless, I would be trying a different raw diet, and don’t be afraid to to use a good balanced one that does include some moderate carbs, they might do much better on it. It could be that your dogs are still drinking in excess as part of a learned/ingrained behavior from dry food days. I agree with the others though that this polyuria should be reason for concern, and should be investigated further. Seeking vet care/tests would be best, but you could at least do a phone consultation with a vet that knows raw feeding, and then go from there.

AJ, you CANNOT feed your 12 week old puppy nothing but chicken breast and wings, if that’s what you are saying. He will DEFINITELY have malnutrition disorders if you do so, and I would strongly suggest getting him back on a complete and balanced diet.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know much about raw diets. But, I am wondering if some of the dry food/kibble (even good quality) have a high sodium content. A decrease in sodium might lead to an increase in urination, I think.

[Anonymous]

Nutrisca had a recall recently, salmonella. None of the dry fish foods were involved, it had something to do with the chicken.

This didn’t bother me and I will continue to buy their product, but I thought I should mention it.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered a homemade diet http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf

I have never tried Acana, can she have a little bit of plain homemade chicken broth poured on the dry? I have heard good things about Acana, but some of these foods are expensive. I can’t get beyond the price tag.

[aquariangt]

Hi Susan,

As stated to you already in this thread, the Duck and Potato is already covered in this review:

/dog-food-reviews/4health-grain-free-dog-food-dry/

Being that it has no note saying it is a different star rating than the overall coverage of the review, it has the same star rating as the whitefish and potato

[Susan C]

PLEASE EVALUATE THESE 2 TRACTOR SUPPLY, DRY, GRAIN FREE 4HEALTH FOODS:
1. CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES, DRY, GF – MADE BY DIAMOND, BUT IT ALSO HAS PROBIOTICS, GLUCOSOMINE & CHONDROITIN. SO IT IS NOT LIKE THE WHITEFISH ONE AT ALL. AND

2. THE TS, DRY, GRAIN FREE DUCK AND POTATO, BY AINSWORTH. HAS LOT OF VEGS AND FRUITS, BUT NO PROBIOTICS. AGAIN, NOT LIKE THE WHITEFISH ONE AT ALL.

I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD SPECIFICALLY EVALUATE THESE 2 PLEASE.

Susan C. in VA

[James K]

Hi,

I’ve been feeding my 17 weeks old Maltipoo puppy Wellness Core Puppy since he’s 8 weeks. He’s 6 lbs now and full of energy (too much sometimes). He used to gobble down the food within a few minutes, but lately he has been less enthusiastic about his food. I was wondering should I switch to dry food with less protein? Wellness Core is at no less than 36% protein. Any other recommendations for small breeds?

Thanks in advance.

James

[Flowers]

So I wonder how can Acana be so good if dogs are having such hard dry stools on it?
Would fibre be grain, rice or oats? I know a lot of dog foods have these and I wondered why or if they are just there to bulk a food out? I like the pumpkin cube idea I don’t know if we can get canned pumpkin in the uk but I could cook one and purée it then freeze into ice cubes would that be the way? Also do you defrost the ice cube first?

[theBCnut]

My old Jack Russell has to have fiber added to her food when she is fed a high protein food. Her stools are dry and hard otherwise. She does really great on Acana, as long as I add some pumpkin to it. I just get a can and freeze it into ice cubes and drop a pumpkin ice cube into her meal. She loves it and it works great.

[RebeccaRose]

Hi, LM, I can’t imagine there would be a homeopathic vet any where near me. I did a search on theavh.org & it turned up zero for my State. I did just a general search with my towns name & homeopathic vet & it wasn’t much help. I know if I ask any of the Vet’s near me they’ll just recommend the Hill’s Precription Diets which is what they sell… We had a Pom that lived almost 13 yrs on the W/D Precription dry food. She wasn’t picky. But the price was very difficult for us to swallow all those yrs.

DogFoodie, how are you able to transition from different foods without tummy upset? I have to change her foods over slowly or she’ll either vomit or have diarrhea. I’m barely to the 50/50 ratio right now & she’s already refusing to eat it. She started out like she liked it though, picking out the new over the old.

I have never tried Fromm, I’d would have to order that online as they don’t have it near me.

So do you think I should continue on with the Wellness Healthy Weight with a spoonful of broth as long as she’ll eat it like that?

For dogs that don’t need to lose weight how do you keep them from losing weight when they need to be on a low fat food? I don’t think she’ll eat more than a 1/4 cup 3x a day even with the broth.

[Jennifer P]

I’m new to this but I can tell you that The Honest Kitchen Embark for puppies and adults seemed to be a lifesaver to our GSD puppy and his gastric problems. He was on Fromm Gold for Large Puppies and I kept going to the vet for his loose stools and the vet kept putting him on antibiotics and then probiotics to keep him from having additional stomach problems from the antibiotics!!??!! Then I found THK. I started to ease him into it but was so distressed over his stomach issues I just went for it full bore and wouldn’t you know his stomach issues were immediately resolved!! Now I’m just trying to find healthy mixes of dry for his daytime feedings. The only downside? I soon learned that a total diet of THK is as expensive as feeding organic human food.

[Jean elizabeth j]

what about solid gold dry dog food small bread?

[Cheryl H]

My vet has put my dog on prescription dog food. Once it was because of crystals in his urine and now because of a bout of diarrhea and vomiting. The crystals went away soon after he was treated for the urinary infection, but I had to keep him on the Hills prescription food for several months. I did some research to find a good quality food to transition from the prescription food. During my research I read numerous negative reports and posts regarding the quality of Hills dog foods. I chose a Blue Buffalo dry food that worked really well for several months. The soft stools that he had while on the prescription food feared up and there was no recurrence of the crystals. I bought a fourth or fifth bag of the BB and immediately had problems. At first my dog wouldn’t eat it and when he finally did, he got really sick. I chalked it up to a bad bag. I then bought some Blue Basic grain free, lamb formula and things went back to normal until the third bag. My dog became violently ill following the second serving from the third bag. My vet again has put him on a Hills prescription diet (ID). Any ideas about what to feed next? I’ve read that canned food might be better for dogs with urinary tract problems because of the water content. Any suggestions for a quality food for a sensitive stomach? Never using BB again!!

[Sally H]

I have been feeding her chicken and she only wants the brown meat. She does love liver but I am not up to cooking her chicken rice and green beans every day. I wouldn’t get the combination right and I want her to eat nutritionally. I have never had a dog that wouldn’t eat dry dog food and I never let them have people food so this is a real problem. I am 70 and walking her three times a day is tough enough as she loves long walks and chasing squirrels and I do love for her to be able to do that. She does seem to have trouble with hard
food and will not eat hard treats so I need to stick to soft foods. She sticks her nose up at all of the canned foods I have gotton her so far and the refrigerated food I got her at Publix. Someone suggest Dyno bites as being supposedly very tasty.??? She does love Cesar softie treats and hard bits of liver. as well as the greenies. She licks my coffee cup after I have drained it and even tried to lick my bowl that I had tomatos and okra in yesterday. Couldn’t believe it She throws up when she eats stews so those are out. She only gets treats once or twice a day when she does something special that she is getting trained about. Any one who can help me I will bless forever. Thank you for reading. Sally

[fur_ever21]

Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice or Natures Select?

[InkedMarie]

My favorite dry foods are Annamaet, Nature’s Logic, Dr Tim’s and Farmina.

[Katie E]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good dry dog food that is low in purines and safe for a Dalmatian?

[Susan C]

to Dog Foodie, I Apologize! Yes, you were trying to help me, I am truly sorry! I did not see the actual comparisons on the two I was referring to.
I am just holding out hope that Diamond has, in fact, improved their whole process, as the ingredients and price of a few of the dry foods by 4health just look to good to turn away from.
What did you think about what the 2 independent sites said about Diamond’s improvements that I mentioned in one of my notes?
The dry 4health Grain Free Duck and Potato is manufactured by Ainsworth, so I hope that is a good one. Where the dry 4health Grain Free Chicken and Vegs is by Diamond, but that has the Probiotics, Glusosamine and Chondroitin.
Anyway, I was just so excited to learn about these “new to me” dry 4 health grain free foods . . . I hope they are good ones and may get a more thorough review one day, since Diamond has (supposedly) improved their processing and testing procedures.

and, AQARIANQT, thank you for your comments. Did you happen to see the 2 independent sites I mentioned above that also say Diamond is better. I understand what you are saying, but still have hope!! Since I have personally experienced problems with Wellness CORE very recently, and, in years past. It seems impossible to find a dry food that you can be absolutely positive that it is safe and good for our babes!! That’s my main point and concern. It’s like, who really knows when or if something will go wrong with any of the companies. So far, my 3 are doing great on the Tractor Supply dry 4health Grain Free Duck and Potato, but it’s by Ainsworth, not Diamond. So confusing!!!
Anyway, thank you for your comments back to me.
I have tried other 5 star foods, but many are too rich in something, or don’t have the Probiotics, or my dogs just won’t eat. And, I do switch them over very slowly, still using the current and new foods.
Thanks again,
Susan C. in VA

[DogFoodie]

I did read your note, Susan. Did you read mine? I directed you to the review for the Duck and Potato product and the Chicken and Vegetable canned food. But, you apparently glossed over where I had mentioned the Chicken and Vegetable dry food not having been reviewed yet. Glad you were able to find the reviews.

To say that I attacked you is incredulous. I tried to offer links that might help you find the information you were looking for. No need to be so rude.

[Susan C]

To Dog Foodie (and I hope Mike Sagman). Again, I was not referring to canned food at all, so you didn’t even read my note. I was only referring the two dry GRAIN FREE 4HEALTH DOG FOODS, that I listed.
Dog Foodie wanted to know which independent sites I saw confirmation of the improvements that have been made to Diamond Pet foods processing procedures since 2012. Well, here are two:
http://www.petmanianc.com/diamond-recall-update and
http://www.wellmindedpets.com/blog
Also, Diamond themselves have quite an impressive video on their site where you can see what they have done to greatly improve their standards. Probably better than a lot human food processing places now!! Apparently some decision makers from Pet Mania saw this first hand on a tour they went on and thought the changes warranted it good enough to bring Diamond foods back into their stores in NC.
Again, I have NO allegiance to any company, just trying to find a very good dry dog food at a reasonable price. Since the two 4health dry foods I am referring to are relatively new, I just hope that they will get the thorough review by DFA that I believe they deserve. Again, they are:
1. 4health dry Grain Free Chicken and Vegs, and
2. 4health dry Grain Free Duck and Potato
A caring mom of 3 dogs,
Susan C. in VA

[Susan C]

No they haven’t. All the the Grain Free dry “4health” foods are totally different.
The first link you sent to me was evaluating the dry “4health Whitefish and Potato”. The ingredients don’t even slightly resemble the Grain Free Duck and Potato ingredients. The Whitefish ingredients are totally different from the two I mentioned. The Duck has lots of vegs and fruits that the Whitefish does not.
AND, The 2nd link you sent to me was about canned food. I am NOT talking about any canned food. The dry Grain Free 4health Chicken and Vegs food also has lots and vegs and fruits AND Probiotics and Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Again, does not even slightly compare to this canned food link.
What is going on there with you guys?? I thought you could help me figure this out, not further upset me. I feel like you attacked ME!!
And, a lot of people, including me, who have been feeding Wellness CORE to their babes for years have had to return bags of the food, several times, because something was wrong with it and our dogs were getting sick. There probably should have been a recall, but it got swept under the carpet, Wellness did replace a lot of food for a LOT of people, but never had a recall. Many people on DFA have said this. So why has Wellness NOT had a voluntary or non voluntary recall?
I will go back and try to find the sites that I saw the “improved Diamond” testimonies. But, don’t have them to give to you this minute. Have you or anyone there looked into Diamonds improvements? Again, I am just learning about this 4health food, which looks to be a GREAT food at a GREAT price. So I have no allegiance to anyone, just trying to do the best thing for my 3 dogs. I was just looking for your help, since I PAID to be able to see the TOP Dog Food Choices by you guys, but obviously am not going to get any!!
I have been a supporter of DFA for years, but you have really upset me with your short, blunt answer that didn’t even address my questions.
Susan C. in Virginia

[DogFoodie]

Susan C,

4Health Grain Free Duck and Potato dry food has already been reviewed; and you can find it here: /dog-food-reviews/4health-grain-free-dog-food-dry/

If you’re referencing 4Health Chicken and Vegetable Stew canned food, it has already been reviewed; and you can find it here:
/dog-food-reviews/4health-dog-food-canned/ If this is the food to which you are referring, it cannot be made by Diamond, as they have no cannery. But if you are in fact referring to their new dry food, it does take some time to update all of the reviews and that DFA product page was just updated on 08/22/2014, so it might be a while.

Diamond has had more than a “blunder from time to time,” and is far, far from being “one of the best.” Yes, that’s my opinion, and I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say that’s likely the EC opinion as well.

Can you please share the links to the independent web sites which reflect that Diamond has “greatly improved their processing and testing procedures,” please.

[Susan C]

The Tractor Supply private brand “4health” have a few relatively NEW, GRAIN FREE FOODS. DFA, PLEASE evaluate, rate, and put in the “DFA” site specifically, the two I MENTION, as they appear to be a couple of the best ones:
1. “4health GRAIN FREE CHICKEN & VEGETABLES” manufactured by DIAMOND. and,
2. “4health GRAIN FREE DUCK & POTATO” (sweet potato) manufactured by AINSWORTH.
Not sure WHY they use TWO DIFFERENT FACILITIES TO MANUFACTURE SOME OF THEIR DRY DOG FOODS, BUT THEY DO. I found this out while doing some research on the 4HEALTH BRAND. A Veterinarian with Diamond called me back to answer some of my questions that the Customer Service girl didn’t know, and that’s how I learned that Diamond doesn’t manufacture all of the 4health dry foods, even tho’ they would like to, like the Duck and Potato, by Ainsworth. I believe MANY consumers, LIKE ME, would GREATLY appreciate KNOWING this. Also, DIAMOND HAS APPARENTLY GREATLY IMPROVED THEIR PROCESSING AND TESTING PROCEDURES since 2012. THEY say this and SHOW you on their site, AS WELL AS OTHER INDEPENDENT SITES that CONFIRM this. Important to know!! Diamond may be one of the best now!! I have fed my dogs the expensive Wellness CORE for years, and, have even returned a few of those bags, through the years, because they were making my dogs have tummy issues. I would try other 5 star brands in the interim, but always went back to the CORE, thinking it must have just been a bad batch, or something. So, I guess any company, even the best, can have a blunder from time to time. I don’t work for any of these companies . . . I am just a concerned dog owner, trying to find the best food, at the best price for my very much LOVED rescued babes. I hope the 2 “4health” I mention above may just be it. It’s almost 1/2 the price!! AND, MY DOGS LOVE THE 2 FLAVORS I MENTION ABOVE, AND, BY WHAT I CAN SEE THEY ARE 2 OF THE BEST IN THE “4HEALTH” BRAND. THANKS in advance for checking this out in your thorough way!!
Susan C. in Virginia

[Susan C]

I am very careful and particular about what I have fed, and still feed, my 7 different rescued dogs over the years. I have mostly fed them the grain free “Wellness Reduced Fat CORE” for the last 5 years, and have tried other expensive 5 star foods, but usually go back to the Wellness CORE, because others seem to be to rich for my dogs, or something . . . However, they are all EXPENSIVE!! I have lost all my dogs to old age, which is always heartbreaking, and I now have 3 adorable, truly rescued Lhasa/Shitsu mixes (1st one, 4 years ago, was a 3 year old in a kill shelter in NC, with 1 day left before she was rescued, Bailey, and the recent brother and sister’s (Johnnie & Janie) owner passed away this past December. I am the lucky one that we found each other!! Love them soooo much!!
ANYWAY, I have recently learned from a friend about the very reasonably priced “4health Grain Free” Dry Dog Foods for all types of dogs that is Tractor Supply’s private Brand. I found out that most of the 4health dry foods are made by Diamond, but a few of the flavors are made by Ainsworth. The “Grain Free Duck and Potato” is by Ainsworth, for example. I had never been in, or heard of, a Tractor Supply store before, so this was all totally NEW to me. I know that Diamond has gotten a bad rap for years so I did lots of research before trying a couple of the “Grain Free” dry foods, which my dogs love, by the way. I learned that Diamond has really revamped and greatly improved their facilities, and testing procedures since 2012. Did you know that? Check out their website, and others that confirm this. I now believe they may be one of the best dry dog food processors now, and may even be better than some human food processing centers. Oh, and by the way, through the years, I have gotten a bad bag of the Wellness CORE a couple of times that my dogs wouldn’t eat, so something going wrong can happen anywhere I believe, even Wellness.
I would like to ask the “Dog Food Advisor” to PLEASE let us know what you think of, specifically, the “4health Grain Free Duck and Potato” (has sweet potato’s in it also) by Ainsworth, AND the “4health Grain Free Chicken & Vegetables” by Diamond (has Probiotics, Glucosamine and Chondroitin in it, Yeah). By the ingredients, they look like two of the best ones in my opinion that 4heath offers. I also think the Salmon one, Whitefish one, and the Grain Free Turkey and Potato look good also. It can be very difficult to decide on which food will be the best for our babes, that’s why I appreciate the “Dog Food Advisor” so much!! Most of us want the best food, at the best price, for our babes, which some of the “4health” foods may just be, is what I am hoping!! Thank you in advance if you do check out these 4health foods and list them in the fabulous “Dog Food Advisor” soon. I don’t work for any of these companies listed above, just a concerned dog owner that wants a good quality food, at a more reasonable price!! Thanks again!!
A Dog Lover who wishes all the Junk Dog Foods out there could be banned!!

[Mike Sagman]

Both Grandma Lucy’s reviews have now been tagged as “dry” — and due to server caching, it could take a few hours before you can observe these changes.

However, according to Dr. Harvey’s website, Oracle appears to use freeze-dried meats. And there’s no indication the food itself has been freeze-dried.

The reason we have (so far) not created a special category for freeze-dried dog foods is that there are other non-kibbles that would also need their own dedicated categories.

This would create categories with fewer than 10 competing products.

For example, some dog food companies claim their products are “baked” while others insist their foods are “dehydrated”. And yet others say their recipes are “air-dried”.

In any case, almost every one of these products share the common physical characteristics of other dry dog foods in that they each contain approximately 10% moisture.

So, we have chosen to lump them all together as “dry” dog foods — and then tag them for future custom search functions soon to be added to our website to allow users to create their own custom lists to find what they want.

Hope this makes sense.

[weezerweeks]

I found Dr. Harveys on the dry food review and its freezedried. I can’t find a review for grandma lucys. I wish the freezedried food could be put in a category the way the raw,dry and wet is. So confusing to me.

[Kristin S]

If you aren’t worry about budget, go with Orijen or Wellness Core. We choose a cheaper route with Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food and we like it.
https://www.petflow.com/product/fromm/fromm-gold-holistic-large-breed-puppy-dry-dog-food

[theBCnut]

I strongly believe that no dog food is perfect. All of them have minerals that are not balances, highs that are too high, lows that are too low, too much of one amino acid, too little of another, etc. Because of this, I believe that the best you can do is to rotate foods and feed a variety of different types of foods. Can you think of any single meal that it would be OK for you to eat day in and day out for years? I can’t.

I don’t have any problem with my dogs when I feed Merrick, but they get it for about a week and then we move on to something else.

I feed dry, dehydrated, freeze dried, canned, fresh, and raw. My dogs never have stomach issues either, because they are used to eating variety.

[Anonymous]

Anytime you make a change in their diet they may have loose stools/diarrhea.
Unless it’s severe, I would give it a day or two, or three.

Some of those small breeds tend to develop bladder stones….so I would add water to her meals and choose her diet accordingly, high quality kibble, homemade, or a combination.
http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf

I like Wysong or Nutrisca (fish) as a dry food base. I have used Wellness in the past, my neighbor likes Fromm’s for her picky eater….I’m sure there are other good brands too.

[jakes mom]

Had another thought. Have you ever tried FreshPet foods? It comes in rolls and also in a bag, kibble shape but softer. That would introduce him to a different type of food, but not crunchy. Then maybe transition him to the dry. Only problem with FreshPet is that it needs to be refrigerated, is sold in it’s own fridge at the store. It also freezes well, I portion it out and freeze it. I know you work at a pet store, so you may already be familiar with it. If not, I’ve seen it at some pet stores, also Walmart, Target, and grocery stores.

[Anonymous]

Plenty information at these websites.
http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf

http://www.allergydogcentral.com/

Environmental allergies are more common than food allergies, often food sensitivities are referred to as allergies.
If the symptoms have been going on for more than a year, 4 seasons without significant relief I would consider seeing a specialist and having the skin testing done (if you haven’t done so already).

Have you considered consulting with a homeopathic veterinarian?
http://www.vitalanimal.com
for a list of homeopathic vets in your area http://theavh.org/ Make sure the vet has at least 75% homeopathic cases in their practice, or you might just get the same old same old.

My dog with allergies receives immunotherapy and seems to do best with Nutrisca dry (fish) as a base food. A daily fish oil capsule. Frequent baths with Malaseb.

[Akari_32]

My cat eats twice a day. 11 am and 11 pm (roughly, anyways. It can vary from between 8 am and 1 am, typically). I don’t leave his food out, I put it down, and he eats it all, no matter when it gets put down. Then again, he also pounces on vegetables that fall on the floor (not that he eats them, but still… lol).

Given your cat’s unwillingness to eat dry, and his veterinary history, I wouldn’t make him eat it, personally. Instead, keep meal time interesting, with lots of different canned foods (I feed a different brand and flavor at each meal), and keep being creative on ways to getting him to continue eating canned, such as offering it at different temperatures, with different broths or water, at different consistencies (varying amounts of water and broth added).

[CircaRigel]

Just as people with different activity levels have different nutritional requirements, the same is true for dogs. The amounts you mention actually seem quite reasonable for the dogs you listed, especially if they are as lean as you say, and are active. You might be going a bit high on the two puppies, but not by much.

Of course, how much you feed also is going to depend on the water content and calorie content of the foods. Calorie dense foods should be served in smaller portions than lower calorie ones, and wet foods tend to have fewer calories than dry, dependent on water content.

The amount you’re feeding the Cane Corso/Mastiff is similar to the amount I feed my Shiloh Shepherd puppy, but as Galen is training to be a service dog, he gets more exercise than many puppies (He was born 11/20 and is around 44 lbs). Anywhere I go, he goes too. He’s expected to be 115-125 lbs full grown.

• This reply was modified 11 years ago by CircaRigel.

[aimee]

Peter L,

I understand what you are saying but I disagree. I’d expect that there is a significant difference between the nutrient levels in the protein sources that would impact the final analysis. Chicken meal is limited to muscle skin fat connective tissue while beef meal can contain any part of the bovine. Additionally the AA profile should change between protein sources and levels yet this is not what is reported.

Also the canned diets used to report the same analysis as the dry foods did. This has changed for most of the diets yet the rabbit canned diet still reports the same analysis as the dry products, with a few numbers changed here and there : ), despite having a completely different ingredient profile and processing.

chicken dry:Chicken Meal, Millet, Chicken Fat, Pumpkin Seed, Yeast Culture, Spray Dried Chicken Liver, Dried Eggs, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Montmorillonite Clay, Kelp, Cheese Powder, Porcine Plasma, Dried Tomato, Almonds, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Carrot, Dried Apple, Sardine Meal, Egg Shell Meal, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Apricot, Dried Blueberry, Dried Spinach, Dried Broccoli, Dried Cranberry, Parsley, Dried Artichoke, Rosemary,…

Rabbit canned: Rabbit, Water Sufficient for Processing, Turkey Liver, Dried Egg Product, Porcine Plasma, Montmorillonite Clay, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Apple, Dried Apricot, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Artichoke, Dried Blueberry, Dried Broccoli, Dried Carrot, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Cranberry, Dried Kelp, Parsley, Dried Pumpkin, Rosemary, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomato.

For both diets the Vit A is reported as 23, 020, Vit D 175 Iu/kg, Vit E 21.34 IU/kg,thiamine 46.9mg/kg, riboflavin 8.14….etc

The Fortifier analysis also is very similar to the others yet the ingredient line up is very different.

Another other concern I had with this company’s nutrient reporting was the comparison chart for millet with other carbohydrate ingredients. They report all on a dry matter basis except for millet which is on an as fed basis. When comparing, all ingredient should be reported on a dry matter basis. By not doing this they falsely make the millet look lower in carbs/sugar when comparing to other sources than it actually is. Of greater concern is that they chose to use a processed puffed millet cereal entry from the USDA database instead of millet flour which would more correctly reflect what is in the food. I assume they did this to make millet look lower in sugar than the other ingredients they are comparing to.

[Abe A]

First I want to thank Mike for setting up this site. Great job! We have a 1 year old puppy who is healthy. We have been feeding her Blue Wilderness product and she recently stopped eating two meals a day and going to 1 meal a day. We switch per the recommendation of friends, a local pet store, and the vet said…try a raw meat diet.

We purchased Orijen Adult Food Kibble and then Stella and Chewy raw food. WOW!!!!! she devoured the food over the past three days.

Questions:

1.) We are thinking about transitioning her to Raw meat diet. Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

2.) Is it ok to give her a combo kibble/raw meat in the morning meal and then a full raw meat dinner? Frankly, I do not think she even cares about the dry kibble food. She wants the meat.

Thank you,

Abe

[Anonymous]

My dog with allergies is doing very well, she only needs the injection every 3 weeks now.
We see the specialist once a year and pick up the solution every 6 months, he is available for questions by phone.
Haven’t been to the regular vet in 3 years, no need, this dog will not be receiving any more vaccinations.
Initially the testing is expensive but the maintenance isn’t bad at all. It is what it is.

Not all dogs need immunotherapy, the allergies may only be seasonal, or related to food sensitivities.
But seeing a specialist and trying simple foods should help, for some reason my allergy girl does well on Nutrisca (fish), or Wysong. I tried eliminating this and that, no chicken, no potato……. she has a delicate stomach, but now I give her a little chicken or lean meat (cooked) with her dry, a fish oil capsule every day, it’s supposed to help pruritis.
Good luck.