Fromm Vs. Acana and does size (of kibbles) matter?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

*note this discussion has been amended from the original for privacy issues*

A Fromm rep tried really hard to get me to switch my own dogs from Acana, which I have been feeding for a while now because the price point is better for my budget and the doodles do really well on it. She whipped out a bag of Acana chicken and burbank potatos and Fromm Gold and tried to show me that Fromm has better nutritional qualities. I wasn't buying it although there were some good qualities in the Fromm, I'm not sure it would be worth the switch. I think it would actually cost more because with Fromm I have to feed more (although she tried to tell me I'd be feeding less and they'd be satisfied on smaller portions, which I don't think is true based on my quick read of the recommended serving sizes...)

I told her I don't like how small the kibbles are in Fromm and she said that it is better for their digestion because they don't expand as much in the gut- I'm not sure I believe this... does size matter?

The protein levels in the Fromm are less and the omega 3 and 6 is more or less the same.  The price point on the least expensive Fromm formulas with the discount will be slightly less than what I pay now but on the most expensive Fromm formulas it would still be more with the discount applied. I'm not sure this lady knew what she was talking about, or purposefully tried to mislead into me into thinking Fromm is better than Acana (although I know both are good foods).  I know a lot of people are happy with Fromm but I'm hesitant to switch as I see little point. 

Sorry to bombard you with two discussions in one day...

Here is the Fromm we were looking at (not the same as the bag in my trunk for Sam): http://frommfamily.com/products/gold/dog/dry/adult-gold

and here is the Acana I'm feeding: http://www.acana.com/products/classics/chicken-burbank-potato/

[Brittney & Cally]

Donna, I was thinking the same thing after I typed my response! LOL :)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Donna.

[Kerry Daly]

If what you use works why you would change. Both my dogs are on Fromm. Zeus is on four star and Apollo is on puppy gold. It works for them and I love I can change flavors at any point without issues. But if what you use is working then why switch? I like Fromm has never had recall. But again it is your choice and what is good for your dog. It works for mine but that does not mean it works for all. She should not have been so pushy. But they are sales people....

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would NOT change my dogs' food to satisfy a foster organization. It is really wonderful that they are getting a break from such a quality food company, and if you were feeding your dogs a poor quality food, it would be wonderful to offer you this opportunity, BUT, since you are feeding a top quality food already,  they should be thanking you and courting your favor, not pressuring you to change.  You could take your fostering elsewhere!  :-}

When Ned was a puppy, he wanted to eat everything in everyone else's dishes no matter if it was the same food or not, so we had to physically monitor.  When we have visiting dogs, we  physically monitor, but I usually feed them in different rooms or around a corner so it isn't too difficult.

[Shari Becker]

Just my opinion, but as someone with a highly sensitive dog, if my dog was happy and thriving on a food, I wouldn't change it unless it was truly not good for her/him. (Of course if it is too expensive, that's different.) Also, our new vet sells Fromm and Merrick (?) in the small store attached to the wellness center where she works. BUT, she told me - off the record - that she thinks the Acana and Orijen are superior products, and the only reason why they don't carry them is that Champion isn't taking on new clients right now. She said that the Acana single grains - in her opinion - are better than Orijen for the most sensitive dogs. For whatever that's worth... (P.S. As a Canadian, I do love supporting Canadian companies, too.)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Acana Singles are indeed "better" than Orijen for many dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, or digestive diseases...but only because they are limited ingredient formulas that contain a single protein source. All of Orijen's formulas contain multiple protein sources. If the dog needs a grain-free formula, the Singles won't work for him, which is why JD isn't on a Champion formula. They do not make an LID formula that doesn't contain any grains. As grains go, steel-cut oats are a really good choice, but it's still grain. 

[Shari Becker]

Yeah, I'm feeling a little discouraged that we will ever find a puppy kibble that works for her. She is 100% perfect on her primal lamb, but after four days of one half-portion of Acana at day, I tried to give her just one fulll Acana lamb and apple serving, and she was sick to her stomach soon after. Don't think she's actually sick because she still played and ate just fine, but her belly definitely didn't love it. Back on boiled beef, sweet potatoes, and slipper elm. I may just call it a day and wait until she is old enough for adult kibble to try again. The new vet said she's a classic allergy dog, and that these dogs tend to have easily upset bellies, too. We've been massaging her with coconut oil, and it seems to be soothing the itches a little. She LOVES the massage, too.