Pumpkin and Merrick Puppy Plate and Organix Puppy

[Marion Carmickle]

I have seen references to using pumpkin. Is there a particular brand that is the best to use and how much should be used?
Also, has anyone used the Merrick Puppy Plate or the Organix Puppy?What are your opinions on either of these two foods? Riley is currently back on her Iams with a little low residue mixed in. We have stopped the California completely after she had her little episode with the vomiting (thankfully it was very short lived and probably related to teething, according to her vet but he put her on low residue to give her tummy a rest...we are slowly working back to kibble). The one thing that we have noticed is that she has more bowel movements which I think is related to the grain that is in the Iams. I would like to change her food but, so far, we haven't found some thing that doesn't mess up her GI tract. I am researching...when she vomited 2 weeks ago I got concerned because some of the reviews I had read indicated that the Calf. food had that effect on some dogs, so now I am looking at other options. Thanks for your input.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Marion, I am sorry that the California Natural did not seem to work out for your doodle baby. Many put a couple of teaspoons of pumpkin mixed in with the kibble, sometimes with rice and sometimes not ~ it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. It seems to me that Patty Barnes has spoke highly of puppy organix. Merrick has had some troubles and they own a meat rendering plant that is located at the same physical address that they process their food. Your call there but I thought you may want to have that information as part of your research. I will tell you that although I do not approve of some of the ethics of the company Evangers has a chicken and rice canned food that is supposed to be as easy or better on the stomach and digestive system as the Rx canned, it is also priced well. Good luck ~ I sure hope you arrive at your solution soon : )

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We just use whatever canned pumpkin we can find at the store.

Have you thought about Natural Balance? We have fed Duck/Potato and Fish/Sweet Potato with good results. We had allergy (and not stomach) problems, but I know others have had success with this food too. Good luck!

Oh - one more thing...Dexter had a much more sensitive stomach as a puppy - as he got older he outgrew it without a change in food so maybe your problem will be short lived.