What are you feeding your doodles?

[Trina's Doodles and Poodles Alumni]

I'm curious as to what everyone here is feeding their doodles. When they came to you, they were eating Royal Canin. Have you kept them on this food, if not, what made you decide to change? What are you feeding them now, and how is that working out for you and your doodle? Did you find your doodles having issues with the Royal Canin or any other food that you tried them on?, If so, what issues were they having?
I'm just curious as to what you foods you like and why? As, I'm considering a change in food, and thought I'd get your opinons. I've heard other breeders and their opinions, but I'd like to hear from my doodle families. :)

[Marcia Stevens]

Hi.....We also went from the Royal Canin to Canidae, then kodie developed a "bumpy" itchy rash on chest and neck area....after a round of cortisone amd medicated baths, we went on to California Natural, then on Innova...we tried a bag of Solid Gold Wolf Cub....Kodie still has the occasional itchies.....so, now we are going completely grain free and starting them on Origen, or maybe ACANA.

Kodie does have a "problem" ear.....just one of her ears has an odor, and the brown stuff that I clean out once a day.......that could be from the grain in the foods...?

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Hi Trina ~ We have made the serious rounds on food. Macy started on Blue Buffalo here, looking for a premium food we changed to Canidae ALS which at that time was actually cheaper than the Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin we had used previously. We stayed there for quite a while, until the formula changes. We did not have the tummy issues but some of our doodles began to get yeasty ears, we also had a serious ethical issue with the change and how it was implemented.

That tipped off a major study in which we narrowed it to three lines that we really liked. We began on Evangers Pheasant, dogs loved it, we loved it, then we met a rep w/the company who was also in charge of the breeder program - I am not inclined to elaborate but will say that I cannot financially support such open prejudice. So we fell back on our top two. For puppies we use California Natural Puppy, very simple formula and no issues. For puppies and adults 6+ months we interchange several foods right now. We are currently using Natura Products including their California Natural, Innova and Innova EVO. At one point we were using Orijen only for treats in addition to meals ~ we REALLY like this food though and have just started our 2nd bag of ACANA also made by the same company. We continue to use Orijen 6 fish mostly for treats and special kong filling recipes. Our older dogs seem to favor both the Orijen and ACANA over the Natura foods, we know this because I sometimes put down several bowls of different types of food and can measure this by what is consistently left. As a bonus the Champion foods - Orijen and ACANA have both frequent buyer and breeder plans.

I do still like to introduce change on occassion, I do this because I never want to be left feeling vulnerable again if there is a food issue in the future. I want to know ahead of time where we are going. We use digestive enzymes in doing this and have not had any tummy issues.

Sorry for the book, it has been rather a journey =)

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I believe when I got Mocha you were using Euckanuba. I had a hard time finding the brand near home. We have a local feed store by my house so I just asked for their recommendation. They recommended Exclusive - made by Purina Mills. I have not had any issues with it so I have kept them with it.

I do have issues with Mocha eating adult food. She wouldn't do it so I'm still feeding her puppy food because she wouldn't eat at all when we got Ozzie. She doesn't eat much so I'm starting to worry a little, she is acting healthy though...regular stool, but I bought two CANS of food today. She gobbled it up right away. I thought maybe it would help to feed her that every now and then??