[joanne l]

I think the Merrick is fine it doesn’t have high levels of peas and it doesn’t contain pea protein. But if your dog can handle rotating than that is good. All of them sound good. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. But don’t be concerned about what you are feeding b/c it is not grain free.
And Bobby dog I know what the FDA said but remember when dogs were dying from the chicken jerky’s? You know I was just thinking about how the FDA doesn’t say you have to change diets just yet. But what about that time when the chicken jerky’s were killing dogs and the FDA got involved, but could not recall it b/c they could not find out why is was killing dogs. So they stated buy at your own risk. They warned people about it but they could not say “don’t buy it” I never feed my dog those jerky’s, but I will not buy it at all knowing what it could do. So even if the FDA can’t recall something that doesn’t mean it is okay for sure. So when something is uncertain than I would not feed it until it is certain and if they can not pin point it, well I still would be leery about using it. I believe that those jerky’s from china killed a lot of dogs and the FDA thinks so too, but without finding what is was they can’t recall it. That was a couple of years ago. I still to this day will not buy jerky’s.

[joanne l]

You know I was just thinking about how the FDA doesn’t say you have to change diets just yet. But what about that time when the chicken jerky’s were killing dogs and the FDA got involved, but could not recall it b/c they could not find out why is was killing dogs. So they stated buy at your own risk. They warned people about it but they could not say “don’t buy it” I never feed my dog those jerky’s, but I will not buy it at all knowing what it could do. So even if the FDA can’t recall something that doesn’t mean it is okay for sure. So when something is uncertain than I would not feed it until it is certain and if they can not pin point it, well I still would be leery about using it. I believe that those jerky’s from china killed a lot of dogs and the FDA thinks so too, but without finding what is was they can’t recall it. That was a couple of years ago. I still to this day will not buy jerky’s.

[joanne l]

I just found this on the internet:
“Flaxseed is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth. Adding flaxseed to the diet might increase the number of bowel movements each day. It might also cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, stomachache, and nausea.”

[joanne l]

I agree the best omegas is salmon oil or fish oil.

[joanne l]

Patricia that is what I do, I feed raw red meat and dry food. So I do give less dry food b/c it is not the only thing he eats. He is a GSD so I can’t do just homemade. I also cook chicken and I rotate with tuna. So I kind of do both fresh food and dry food. But as far as grains go it is still not high in protein like legumes and peas. I feel like a broken record myself. LOL I stress so much how grain free is nothing but a boost of pea protein. I looked up protein in legumes and peas and chickpeas vereses barley, wheat, corn, rice, oatmeal. And the finding was that legumes, peas and chickpeas have higher protein content. This is not just an opinion it is a fact. It is not that hard to figure out why the protein in grain free is higher. I know you know this when you seen the ingredients on the foods you mentioned. So I think some good fresh meat and a good grain in dry food is a good choice. But if people can feed just fresh of course that is the best way to go.

[joanne l]

Maybe you can buy something else and use a little bit of the THK till it is gone, but if he goes back to eating poop than I would return it if you can.

[joanne l]

I also agree that meat and bones are the best diet for a dog, however some of us can not afford to feed it solely especially when some own big dogs. And yes corn and wheat are protein but pea protein contains 2 times the amount more than corn. We are just discussing how grain free contains a lot more protein without a lot more meat. Even the food made with corn and wheat are not extremely high in the protein % on the bag. Don’t get me wrong your feedback is very valid but not affordably for some.

[joanne l]

Patricia I just seen the ingredients in the chicken grain free and the chicken grain in. Yes the protein is high in the grain free due to the peas and pea protein high on the list. Then out of curiosity I looked at blue buffalo chicken grain free and it has 34% protein and the chicken grain in has 25% protein. There grain free is also high b/c peas and pea protein is very high on the list. So these poor customers think that high protein in the grain free is great when they are simply getting pea protein what a cheap way to do it. These companies know they can’t boost the protein that much with grain in. You are right they are taking full advantage of this. I hope some of them go out of business. So now we know for sure why the protein is so high in grain free. What a BIG BIG gimmick. And I see some grain in recipes that have peas sneaking in there also, these companies won’t let go of those peas. So keep an eye out and look at some of the grain in diets and see if you find pea or pea protein in it. Since they know how much they can boost the protein with them they are going to add it to the grain in recipes.

[joanne l]

Good idea Patricia and yes that is why grain free is higher in protein couldn’t agree more. As you know they can’t do that with grains. Even corn is better than peas.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

IMO with this grain free thing, even if they find out nothing still why would anyone want to use a dog food with pea protein, knowing that it is a concentrated protein to cheapen the food. I know grains are fillers but they are not a concentrated protein. I really like that this FDA thing is going on for the reason that it will stop these companies from taking advantage of people with their cleaver way to up the protein with pea protein. I HATE that they use this ingredient and charge people a lot of money. I know it can be the whole formula that is a problem but still I hate pea protein. Since they know everyone wanted grain free they always find a smart way to cheapen the food and they thought they hit a gold mind when they found pea protein to increase the protein %. Now they can eat it them selves when no one buys it. Sorry I just hate that ingredient.

[joanne l]

I would change the diet. I have heard a lot about this and most of the time, not all the time, when a diet was changed it resolved. My GSD have anal gland issues on one of the Pro Plan dry foods, when I changed his diet it went away after a couple of weeks. So I knew for sure it was his diet. I put him on Holistic Select dry food it is very good food. So I would change the diet and do it slowly mixing old and new food over 10 days or so. I have a feeling it will help.
Also which is weird b/c my friend has a golden retriever and she is on Pro Plan shredded chicken and is having the same problem! To weird.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Well everyone is entitle to their own opinion. And do what you feel is comfortable to you.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Susan I understand your point, however I believe if the FDA puts something on the news it is not to be taken with a grain of salt. But that is just what I think about it. If the FDA says something maybe causing this with our food I won’t eat it that is just an example. Once it is clear than I would go back to eating it. I feel as though if I gave my dog grain free right now, knowing what the FDA said and something should happen to my dog I would feel terrible. Things happen with all dog food, that is out of our reach, but if I could prevent it I will. So I am just listening to the FDA right now and not feeding grain free.

[joanne l]

Hi Aimee I will let them know and if I hear of any others I will tell them to report it.

[joanne l]

I just found out that one of my neighbors dog, small poodle, has DCM she is 8 years old and been eating grain free. Than my mother told me that her friends dog, chuwawa,, had DCM and was eating grain free. There goes 2 I found out about that the FDA don’t know about. I wonder how many other dogs have that the FDA don’t know about?

[joanne l]

Here is an article for you to read

My pet has kidney disease – what kind of diet should I feed?

[joanne l]

All I can say is low protein diet. If you want to give him some homemade diet you can use one boiled egg and rice or cottage cheese. I don’t know what brand I would say to dry but you need a lower protein diet. Did the vet suggest low protein??

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Ashley I agree with you that is why I am asking you what brand do you feed now and what protein is in it? To see if there is something in that food that is causing it, because it sounds like he is nauseated.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

What brand of dog food are you using? And how long has he been on it? Sounds like something is upsetting his stomach. If this continues I would call the vet and ask if a ultra sound of the stomach would be necessary.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

For the most part Wellness is a very good food. I do trust them even with the DCM scare, for some reason there formulas are in tip top shape. I don’t feed grain free, I don’t like the pea protein and pea fiber that some companies use. I have noticed that all the foods mentioned on the FDA list for DCM, they all have one thing in common, it is Pea Protein!!! These companies cleaver use pea protein to increase the protein % on the bag. I hope they get what they disserve. Wellness doesn’t use pea protein or pea fiber I don’t think. However, some people do use the same brand b/c they trust it, I don’t see anything wrong with that.
https://eliandjojosbakerybites.com/pea-protein-pea-fiber-pea-flour-and-pea-starch-in-dog-food-why/

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Although the reports are on about 500 to 600 dogs with DCM what about the ones we don’t know about? There are probably more cases of DCM that we don’t know of. Some owners dogs die and the owner might not know if it was DCM, and there are others that maybe don’t know their dog has it. So even though the numbers are not extremely high that doesn’t mean anything, those are the ones that were caught with DCM. What about the ones that were not caught? I believe there are more cases involved that we are not aware of. Also not everyone reports issues.

[joanne l]

I agree with Anon, talk to your vet, did your vet mention a diet for your dog?

[joanne l]

Jennifer, sounds like to me it is a chicken problem not a grain. I just looked at the ingredients in the American Journey beef formula and it has chicken as the second ingredient. And if chicken is what you got in the pro plan focus, it just might be chicken. When you were feeding grain free what animal protein was in there?

[joanne l]

If the pro plan focus was chicken, it maybe that they can’t handle chicken. Did you try pro plan lamb?

[joanne l]

Well, my thought on this is I would rather feed a grain in food b/c it is tried and true, plus I think legumes and peas have too much fiber and possibly can prohibit a dog from absorbing their nutrients. Plus some dogs poop a lot more on grain free which is not good either. Mine did and he couldn’t gain weight. And I don’t like that some companies use pea protein, to increase protein percentages that is not good. Zignatures is one of them that use it. Plus I don’t think dogs should eat such legumes anyway. I think the grains absorb easier, this is my opinion. Good luck. And I think grain free is a fad. And it is revealing it self possibly not to be a good diet.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

What brand are you feeding? And what brands gave your dog diarrhea?

[joanne l]

Hi Patricia now a days I agree you can’t trust companies completely. However, years ago my other GSD ate the same dry food his whole life and I never had a problem. But now I don’t know. I ran into sooo many problems with dry food you can’t image. From changing formulas to inconsistently in the kibble you name it. And every time I got inconsistent kibble my dog knew it was different he would smell it and look at me. And when he ate it he got diarrhea. I am so sick of these companies, every time I get a good kibble and he is doing well, I will get a bag either different in color or size and diarrhea again. So I do change foods for that reason.

[joanne l]

If the FDA is on the news than it is important, however check with your vet and see if he wants you to switch diets. Did your dog have a check up? It is up to you if you want to err on the side of caution.

[joanne l]

I would tell your vet that you can’t afford it and ask him what to do. Can’t give any advice because with the liver you need the right diet. Maybe your vet can tell you what to look for as far as protein, fat, fiber. And if some one suggest something tell your vet and show him the bag so he can read the ingredients and the percentages.

[joanne l]

HI Scott I was using natures Instinct can food and my dog got sick. So now I cook for him and give him his dry food. It is better to make your own moist food. I had so much trouble with can food you can’t imagine. I don’t feed the raw dog food I am afraid too, so I give him raw meat when it is on sale and it is cheaper than the raw dog food.

[joanne l]

I am so sorry to hear about your lose. Report this to the FDA. And remember not to blame yourself, you did what you thought was best for your dog. And again sorry to hear this I hope you are okay.

[joanne l]

That sounds great what brand is it?

[joanne l]

I always order from chewy, why would it be bad even if PetSmart or Petco own it. What can they do to the food?? Please enlighten me here.

[joanne l]

Good choices.

[joanne l]

Please don’t feed the dream bones!! I had a very bad experience with them. When my dog was 2 years old I gave him one and he had diarrhea and pooping blood. I stopped the dream bones and thank God he was fine. I don’t recommend any rawhide or chews that is just my opinion. Also no pig ears either.

[joanne l]

Robert since your dog is not used to rotating dog foods I wouldn’t recommend doing that. However all the foods you mentioned seem good, what ever you go with please do it very slowly. He is older and needs more time to adjust to it. If you find one of them he likes and does well on than leave him on that. Some people here change diet a lot but I don’t recommend you to do that, you could make him sick. So find one and stick with it. Also what ever protein he was eating with Orjien use the same protein in the new food. As far as which one I don’t know. Maybe try Natures Logic.

[joanne l]

I was reading article after article about the FDA warning, and I read that the FDA is taking it seriously and they mentioned that they wanted to know if companies changed something and or sourcing. So they will probably look into were the companies are sourcing their ingredients. Which I think is good that they do that.

[joanne l]

What works great is liverwurst, human grade. Just get a little and make a ball and mold the pill in it. Dogs love liverwurst.
You can get it at any supermarket in the deli area. You don’t need a lot.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Patricia most dogs eat chicken recipes and exotic meats probably not that many dogs eat it. So chicken is not the problem b/c there are a lot of grain free chicken dog food and that seems to be more popular. So it is the fillers in the chicken grain free diet, example pea and lentils. I would not think it is chicken it is the peas and lentil and pea protein in the chicken grain free diets. Like I mentioned that is more popular than the exotic meats. Not saying that exotic meat is good just saying that it is not as popular. That is why it is lower on the list.
For example Acana is very popular and so is Zignatures.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

I am really worried about my dog. He loves to eat, however he is refusing foods. I called the vet and he is going to take a urine test and blood work. I am really upset. He spits out the pro plan dry food, and now only eat a mouth full of my beef and rice. Drinking a lot of water and peeing a lot.

[joanne l]

Patricia peas and lentils are most prominent on the FDA site. Look at the chart and you will see. Also it said dry food not can I believe.
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy
Anyway some dogs are getting DCM from the food and some maybe don’t. With that why take a chance. And who knows what this will mount up to, my vet just recommended that I don’t use grain free for now.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Thanks you for the info, I bought the pro plan lamb and rice Focus and the 5th ingredient is poultry by products. So may have to use what you said the Pro plan S.S they have the lamb and salmon ones.

[joanne l]

Thanks Anon I will stay with slow transition for awhile to see if he adjusts. I guess I get worried too much. He likes the food at least. The last food he ate was fine but then bags were getting inconsistent in color and size, and he started having loose stools,so I called the vet and he said change the die. He said first give him beef and rice until he gets a firms stool so I did and he did get a firm stool, than I started transitioning this pro plan food now I guess I will wait like you said to see if he adjusts. Hopefully he will.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Guys I really need help. Vonn cannot have chicken, so the holistic select was not working for him anymore, so I bought Purina lamb and rice and I am slowly transition with my homemade diet. He has been having good stools with beef and rice that I am making. Now with the little bit of Purina we are now having soft poop. Does this mean he has to adjust to it or is it not working? He is only been transitioning to this for 3 days what should I do?? I made a call to the vet and waiting for him to call back.

[joanne l]

Anon, I am sorry about my response to you I did not read your feedback carefully. I do apologize.

[joanne l]

Haleycookie, I see your point and it is getting crazy here. However I guess I will just avoid grain free for now, b/c if it does depend on the dog I don’t know how my dog will do so for now grain in for me. And your right, my fault Orjien is not high on the list and they do have a lot of meat. I think I was thinking about Acana. I think there is not much more to say about it, until it is revealed of what is actually going on.

[joanne l]

Thanks Aimee, and I know I really feel for these dogs.

[joanne l]

here I found this on the news I felt really bad for this service dog, but he is recovering and is taking a lot of meds and he is 5 years old GSD. https://www.kwch.com/content/news/511989112.html

[joanne l]

Aimee I agree, there really is a lot of peas and legumes in champion pet foods. Also, other brands , like Zignature has peas, pea protein, pea flour. All these brands are taking full advantage of using pea protein to up the protein % on the bag. I hope they get what they deserve. I don’t like how they cheat the dogs out of meat and use pea protein. Not acceptable to me.
Also, I believe I mentioned this before, that legumes and peas have far more protein than grains, so IMO they can not bump up the protein with grains like they can with legumes and peas.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

I just want to say, that I appreciate what the FDA goes through to help our animals. That is a lot of work that they are doing to help us, and a whole lot of research. I give them a thumbs up. I heard that some of the companies are calling it slander, but they can say what they want to protect their sales, but the truth is something is not right with their food. And I hope the FDA can reveal more info, which I know they will do.
And of course the companies are going to try to protect themselves b/c they are worried about losing MONEY. Money is the name of the game.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by joanne l.

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