Recommended Brands Discussion -Archived

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

 Please, note we have a new Recommended Brands list posted , here's a link:

RECOMMENDED BRANDS DEC 2011

 

I'm closing this one to replies, to avoid confusion.  

 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO FG ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON, (BETTER KNOWN AS TAQUITO AND PERI'S MOM) FOR PROVIDING THE FORMULA & WEBSITE INFO ON ALL OF THESE BRANDS. ALLY, YOU ROCK!!!!

This list is a work in progress and will be updated as products/evaluations change.

 

THANKS AGAIN, ALLYSON, YOU ARE THE BEST!

 

 

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep...we can elaborate as soon as we find the time!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Allyson, Karen, thank you so much for this info. Whenever I have needed to change, I kept making lists then trying to compare costs for each store, but I never got all of the 'good ones' one one list and then I would get confused between the names. ARGH! This makes it so much better. One thing you might think to add for those switching from grained to grain-free is the possible gas side-effect that can last for a couple of months but does go away.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Wheeew I thought I was going to have to switch!! Hunter seems to do really well on Canidae - I noticed that her itching was way reduced from when she was on the Eagle Holistic Puppy food.

[katherine willis]

Thanks so much for these recommendations. My Doodle will not eat dry so I need canned versions. It would be helpful if the list could indicate which are available as both dry and wet.

I used your recommendations and then matched with the list of The Whole Dog's Wet Food recommendations. I am moving from Evo to Fromm.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do know that Wellness and Natural Balance make canned versions of their foods. Orijen and Acana do not. I will have to look up the others. We will post expanded discussions on all of these products as time permits.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Fromm has grain-free cans - 3 different kinds.

[Mrs. K]

Thank you, Karen for all of your hard work!!! This is an extremely helpful list. I noticed that you mentioned the California Naturals buyout. This has put us and our Indy in a tight spot. Indy has been on several foods, and the Cal Nat Chicken & Rice is the only food that keeps his stools regular and his stomach upset at bay. I have been unable to find another food with such a simple ingredient list. However, now that they have been purchased by Proctor & Gamble, it's only a matter of time until the quality and ingredients of the food change to something unfavorable. Have you any recommendations for another low-allergy food? Indy can really only tolerate chicken, which limits the choices significantly. Lots of fruits & veggies are also problematic (hence why the Cal Nat was so perfect for him!). Canidae Chicken & Rice seems to have a more limited range of ingredients than most foods, and I noticed that it's on your recommended list. Do you think a dog with a sensitive tummy would do well on the Canidae Chicken & Rice or is there a better choice? Thanks so much in advance!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wellness has a line of limited ingredient foods called Simple Solutions; but there is no chicken formula. There is salmon, lamb, or duck, all with rice. Have you tried a simple formula food with duck?
Otherwise, the Canidae seems as good a choice as any. If a formula with duck won't work, I'd give it a try.
I do know a few dogs with digestive issues who've done well with Nature's Variety Prairie chicken & rice formula (I know, not our favorite brand) and Fromm's Four-star Chicken a la Veg.
Please keep us posted on what you decide and how it goes.

[Mrs. K]

Thank you, Karen. I did look into the Simple Solutions, but alas, Indy really has a problem with duck. Seems to be too rich for him. Sounds like the Canidae might be the best choice. The Fromm has a lot of veggies in it, not to mention a couple of types of fish. I need to steer clear of these with Indy, unfortunately. Nature's Variety still makes me a little leery given their past troubles. Sounds like Canidae is going to be our best bet. Their chicken/turkey treats are the only ones that Indy can eat without problems, so it should follow that their food would be an appropriate choice for him, too. :)

Also, as further info for everyone: I found out from our local holistic store that Proctor & Gamble can continue to package Cal Nat in its current bag, even if the formula has changed, for 6 MONTHS!!! They need to use up all the bags. So they can put the changed formula into the old bags for almost a year. Isn't that great? So I won't even know if the food has changed until well into next year, or if Indy gets sick. Whichever comes first. Not sure if people know about this, but our pet shop owner heard it straight from a P & G employee.

Thanks again for all your hard work.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, we do know about the bags, it's posted in various discussions throughout the group; we've known about that since the inception of this group two years ago. It applies to all companies, our government is extremely business friendly, lol.

[Mrs. K]

I figured you probably already knew! :) But it was such good info I felt compelled to share. Will check back here often for updates.

[Jodi and Stella]

Do many of you switch brands for variety?