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!

 

 

 

 

 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I would say, that the best food for one dog is not necessarily the best food for another dog. Go into a holistic pet food store and chat with a sales person. Tell them all about your dog (size, age, breed, energy/exercise amount, sensitivities/allergies) and they should be able to recommended you one. A good store will let you return the opened bag if your dog doesnt like it/it doesnt agree with your dog

My favourites to reccomend, however, are

Orijen for high energy/active dogs requiring high protein (or Acana for slightly lower protein) They are both made by Champion.
Lamb and Apple for dogs with alleriges/sensitive tummies if they need a higher protein
http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/about/ http://www.championpetfoods.com/acana/

Go or Now both by Petcurean (lower protein for less active dogs)
http://petcurean.com/

Natural Balance (Limited ingredients Diet) for dogs with sensitive tummies/allergies (lower protein)
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/

There are also lots of other great brands out there. Check out http://www.dogfoodproject.com/ for info on how to read dog (and cat) food ingredients lists

Id stay away from California natural, Innova, Karma and Evo - they are good foods, and my Natura rep tells me they are still run by Natura and formulas/suppliers of ingredients wont change, but the profits still go to Proctor and Gamble

[Gillian]

Can someone clarify the Natural Balance ingredients? On this discussion, it says it's healthy grains only, but online it says Natural Balance has grain-free formulas (duck and potato, etc.

Any clarification would help... I am thinking of going this route as Maizey is doing poorly on TOTW.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You are correct. Natural Balance has 5 "allergy" formulas that are potato based and do not contain grains. We will need to correct the listing.
Be aware that these formulas are starch beased, unlike most grain-free foods which are high in protein. The NB allergy formulas are very low in protein.

[Lauria Orr]

This is such a helpful resource...I come back to it again and again. 

 

Looking at a recent discussion, I wondered about Darford treats?  In the list of ingredients is chicken fat, which I assume in okay...?????

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd have to see the ingredient list; chicken fat in itself is not bad, it's the quantity can be a problem. In dog foods, chicken fat listed within the first four ingredients was found to be a risk factor for bloat in a study conducted at Purdue University Veterinary College. A little chicken fat well down in a list of ingredients in treats should not be a problem.

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

Karen, I have been feeding Canidae chicken meal and rice formula all of Beau's life, on the recommendation of the breeder.  Is this a "healthy grain formula"?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes it is!

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

Thank goodness!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

It is called "Chicken & Rice" and is under the healthy grains.  Meant to add that. I think you missed it up there :)

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

I didn't miss it....I asked because my package says "chicken MEAL and rice" and it doesn't say healthy grains anywhere on the bag.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, because "healthy grains" is a subjective term that we use to differentiate between wheat and corn, which we believe are not the healthiest grain choices for dogs, and barley, oats, rye, or rice, which are considered healthier.

Meal is just the ingredient with the water removed. Chicken meal is just chicken.

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Okay..I found this list and I went to the petstore and I can find some of them.  Ginger is 13 weeks.  What is the advantage of non-grain vs grain foods.  The petfood guy seemed to like Wellness???

 

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