Switched to Grain Free

[Trowby]

Sage has had a couple of ear infections and her eyes have been runny. The Vet thinks it may be allergies. So when we switched her over to adult food we switched to Merrick's Before Grain Chicken kibbles. Sage loves it. She seems calmer and her eyes aren't so runny. Her poops are excellent and not at all smelly. I think we have a winner! Has anyone else noticed any positive improvement after switching to grain- free?
The reason we chose BG is that it is medium level protein- not as high as Evo or Taste of the Wild. It also has all kinds of good stuff including lactobacillus.

Trowby

[Park Mom]

Hi Trowby,

I know our breeder, who is wonderful and very knowledgeable (Log Cabin Labradoodles) recommends and uses grain-free food once they're out of puppy food. She told me she's noticed a big drop in ear infections. I imagine that you / your vet are right that the ear infections relate to general congestion in the sinuses preventing drainage of the ear canal (just like our son!)

We don't have personal experience with this in dogs yet, since we await our puppy's arrival in about a week and a half, but we plan to follow our breeder's recommendation to use grain-free food after puppy food stage.

Good luck!

[Trowby]

Hi and Thanks for the info from your breeder. I think it's going to be a good thing, Have a wonderful time with your new puppy. What size and color are you getting? It's an exciting - if exhausting time!

Trowby

[diane silver]

I noticed your discussion because my Emma who is 5 1/2 months old (and a Log Cabin Labradoodle) pup, has had yeasty ears and her breeder recommended that we switch her to Evo, which I'm in the process of doing. However, I've been having some misgivings regarding its high protein/fat content and wondered if you'd heard negatives about this and that's why you didn't use it for your doodle? I haven't completely made the switch since I'm doing it very gradually, but before I make the commitment to Evo, I'd like your opinion. Thanks.

[Trowby]

Hi- yes I was concerned about very high protein. Taste of the Wild and Merricks Before Grain seem to be medium protein. I honestly don't know if there is a problem with protein for a mini doodle like Sage. As I understand it growth can be too fast. I an sure no expert. I would listen to your breeder who probably has raised a lot of pups.
The grain free food seems to be helping her ears. She was back at the vet today and her ears were good. The Vet did pluck the hairs from her ears. She said it was like hair getting caught in a drain and that could cause an infection. We do clean her ears with Epi Otic ear cleaner once a week too.
Have fun with your little one.

Best

Trowby