Trying to decide... which brand and do I do duck?

[Km]

I am trying to decide what adult food to switch Ridley to.  I'd like to do grain free.  My groomer told us to go with a duck formula b/c she sees so many doodles with "hot spots" and skin issues.  Ridley does not currently have any of these issues.  The groomer sells FROMM but only the ones that have grain (duck and sweet potato).  What's more important?  That I choose a duck formula or a grain free?  Our local Petco, which would be easiest/convenient to buy from only carries the I and Love and You grain free formula (based on the list provided on doodlekisses of which ones are best vs which ones look good but have been recalled etc).  I&LOVE&YOU doesn't have a duck formula.  Thoughts?  THanks!  Kim

[Joan Bollaert]

I think Natural Balance which is grain free has a duck formula and that is sold at Petco.  ??   I switched to Natural Balance but found it to be too confusing with the L.I.D. and all the other options so I ended up with Orijen.  The Puppy formula for my young one and the other options of Orijen for my two older Yorkies.    I wanted convenience of Petco as well and ended up going with what's only sold online and in specialty pet stores.  I'm not sure where it lands on the list here (but it's on there) but it's the #1 recommended dog food elsewhere in the bit of research that I've done.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Your groomer is misinformed about the causes of skin issues and hot spots. There is nothing special or beneficial about duck as opposed to any other protein source. IF (and that's a really big "if", because only 10% of all skin issues are caused to food) a dog has food-related allergies or intolerances, any protein source that is novel, i.e. one that the dog has not eaten before, will bring about the same improvements. Duck is often used because it's relatively uncommon in dog foods, especially the cheaper brands. But venison, bison, rabbit, turkey, any protein that the dog hasn't been eating would do just as much. That's it. No particular protein source will protect against skin issues in itself.  There is no reason for you to choose a duck based formula, especially because your dog doesn't have any issues. 

I don't shop at Petco so I don;t know what is available there, but there should be lots of grain-free choices from our Recommended brands list. Wellness Core and Blue Buffalo are two that I know are available there. If they carry Canidae, the Pure line would be another good choice. And the ILY line is very good, I would not pass it up because it doesn't make a duck based food. 

What is your dog currently eating?

[Star and Goldie]

Karen's advice is spot on. I'd follow her advice and have her help you choose a good food for Ridley.

I am wondering if your groomer is wanting you to go the duck route since they sell it there? Is it a coincidence that they are suggesting you feed your dog a duck formula and they happen to sell one?

[Km]

Karen, Ridley is on Royal Canin... and from my research this isn't a very good food.  I didn't realize this before and feel bad!  We just continued him on what the breeder had him on.  So, I will not narrow our choices to duck.  I had my husband take a look at Orijens website/info yesterday.  I'd just do "right" this time! LOL.  When I read the recc food list, I thought it said that Merrick and Blue Buffalo had a lot of recalls?  Thanks so much for being so patient with a newbie!  Kim

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad to help, Kim. Merrick is in the section that we are "watching", due to a past history of recalls. They have not had any recently. Blue Buffalo is not in the "recall" section. They did have one formula that they voluntarily recalled in 2010 for a suspected vitamin issue. No problem was found with the food.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And IMO, you cannot do better than Champion Foods when it comes to dry dog food. If I got a new puppy, I'd start him on Orijen or maybe Acana. 

[Joan Bollaert]

I'm so happy you said that because I switched all my dogs to Orijen.

[Km]

Thanks Karen.  We just placed an order for Orijen and will begin introducing Ridley to it as soon as it gets here.  Kim