[Sabrina H]

It’s hard to find dog food that fits my dog’s needs and my budget. Zignature was working for us but until more information comes out about DCM I’m just not comfortable feeding it anymore.

My dog can’t tolerate grains (trust me, I wish I could feed grain inclusive food because it’s way cheaper), can’t tolerate pork, needs to have fiber around 5% or he has anal gland problems, and I can’t afford more than $1/day. It’s a pain. I’m ok supplementing a little extra fiber (I use Firm Up) if the food is great otherwise.

Does anyone feel like looking at dog food ingredients and giving me their thoughts? These are some of the main ones I’m considering in the new rotation. His current food is included for reference. I’m trying to keep potatoes/legumes out of the first 3 ingredients until we learn more about DCM. I know I probably shouldn’t worry, but stressing about everything is kind of my specialty.

Current food: Zignature Turkey
Cost: $0.77/day Fiber: 6%
Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Pea Protein, Sunflower Oil (preserved with Citric Acid), Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Beet Pulp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Selenium Yeast), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12), Lactic Acid, Blueberries, Carrots, Cranberries, Calcium Iodate, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols.

Petcurean GO! Fit & Free
Cost: $0.97/day Fiber: 3%- a lot of Firm Up required
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey, De-Boned Trout, Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca, Lentil Beans, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavour, Whole Dried Egg, Apples, Duck Meal, Herring Meal, Salmon Oil, Alfalfa, De-Boned Duck, De-Boned Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Coconut Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Pumpkin, Carrots, Bananas, Blueberries, Cranberries, Broccoli, Spinach, Alfalfa Sprouts, Blackberries, Squash, Papayas, Pomegranate, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Inositol, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (a Source of Vitamin C), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulphate, Ferrous Sulphate, Calcium Iodate, Manganous Oxide, Selenium Yeast), Sodium Chloride, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Rosemary, Green Tea Extract, Peppermint, Parsley, Rosehips, Zedoary, Dandelion, Chamomile, Ginger, Fennel, Tumeric, Juniper Berries, Licorice, Marigold Extract, Cardamom, Cloves.

Health Extension Buffalo & Whitefish
Cost: $1/day Fiber: 5%
Buffalo, Deboned Whitefish, Buffalo Meal, Whitefish Meal (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Chickpeas, Lentils, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca Starch, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Peas, Coconut Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Dried Seaweed Meal, Pomegranate, Blackberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Raspberries, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Turmeric, Tomato, Beets, Parsley, Chicory Root Extract, Sage, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacilus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product.

Health Extension Chicken & Turkey
Cost: $1/day Fiber: 5%
Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Coconut Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Dried Seaweed Meal, Pomegranate, Blackberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Raspberries, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Turmeric, Tomato, Beets, Parsley, Chicory Root Extract, Sage, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product.

Wellness CORE Original
Cost: $0.99/day Fiber: 4%- a little Firm Up required
Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Coconut Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Dried Seaweed Meal, Pomegranate, Blackberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Raspberries, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Turmeric, Tomato, Beets, Parsley, Chicory Root Extract, Sage, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product.

American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato
Cost: $0.74/day Fiber: 5%
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Meal, Salmon Oil, Blueberries, Carrots, Salt, Dried Kelp, Fructooligosaccharides, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Canidae Pure Sky Duck
Cost: $0.90/day Fiber: 4%- A little Firm Up required.
Duck, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat, Potatoes, Sun-cured Alfalfa, Natural Flavor, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Natural Source of Vitamin E).

[joanne l]

Hi I know how you feel, it is very stressful. I am feeding Health Extensions and so far we like it. He was eating Holistic Select, which is good too, but he didn’t care for it. So I picked Health Extensions and I like the variety they have. Hope everything works out.

[Sabrina H]

Health Extension is towards the top of the list because I don’t have to add fiber to it. I hope he does well on it! I got a bag of Instinct on sale (I’m adding Firm Up because the fiber is low) and he’s not doing all that great on it. He loves it but his butt is irritated. I’m going to have to switch between cheaper brands, like American Journey, and the $1/day stuff. Oh, how I wish he could eat grains. I mean he technically could but I would be cleaning up mucousy cow patties and his coat would be a disaster.

I know Petcurean Go! Fit and Free is pretty high in protein and he probably doesn’t need something like that regularly, so I was thinking of making that his summer food. There are only about 2 months here when the weather is nice enough for us to be running around outside constantly and he always eats significantly more during those months. Does that sound like a decent idea?

With the DCM stuff I want to go back to rotating between brands. I stopped because I was trying so hard to figure out all his issues and as soon as I found Zignature I took a break from the dog food research. How often should I rotate? One 20-something pound bag usually lasts him 2 months.

[pugmomsandy]

Instinct limited Ingredient diets is lower in protein and so is ProPac Ultimates grain free. Venture pollock and pumpkin recipe and the duck recipes have less legumes and are high fiber.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by pugmomsandy.

[Sabrina H]

Instinct LID has peas as the second ingredient so I’m avoiding it. ProPac Ultimates has potatoes and legumes as ingredients # 2, 3, 4, 6, which explains why it has such an affordable price.
Earthborn Holistic Venture is one I want to try if it ever goes on sale. It’s low in potatoes/legumes but it’s also over my price limit by $0.22-0.50/day.

I discovered Jack’s Premium and Muenster brands today which look pretty good. Jack’s Premium is at the top of my price range but I won’t have to supplement fiber so it balances out.

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