stinky

[Bonnie and Kona]

I switched my boys to Natural Balance Potato and Duck. Peeeeyhu! I don't know if it is okay to say dog farts, but that's what we have going. Sometimes we have to leave the room! You can almost see the green fumes in the air. Sooo.... they haven't eaten the whole 30 pound bag yet. Yes, I gradually introduced it with the Arcana. How long should we keep up with this to find out if they will get better on it? One reason we stopped feeding Solid Gold was because Kona was farting on it. Any ideas? The reason I switched from Arcana is because it is $25 per bag cheaper. Now that we have two dogs again I have to be a little bit reasonable. Thanks, Food Groupies.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Natural Balance is much cheaper because the ingredients are much cheaper; it is very low in protein and very high in starchy carbs. Protein foods always cost more than starches. It sounds like your dogs do better with higher protein grain-free foods, since they had some gas on Solid Gold, which does contain some grains, bad gas on Natural Balance, which contains a large amount of starchy carbs, and you haven't mentioned their having any gas while on Acana, which has very low carbs.

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Natural Balance Potato and Duck is grain free. I tried it because it is on the recommended grain-free list on this group page. Then are you saying the potato as opposed to grains being the high carb and causing gas? ???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, it's grain-free, but it's very high in starch, in the form of potatoes. You have potatoes as the first ingredient: So th single most abundant ingredient in this food is a starchy carb. INGREDIENT LISTING Potatoes, Duck, Duck Meal, Potato Protein, Canola Oil (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, L-Carnitine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein 21.0% minimum
Crude Fat 10.0% minimum
Crude Fiber 3.0% maximum
Moisture 10.0% maximum

Most grain-free foods have proteins as the first few ingredients. Even the foods we recommend that contain grains are higher than this in protein. 21% is very low.
Natural balance is a good food for dogs who require limited ingredients because of allergies, digestive issues, or other problems like kidney disease. High carb foods may not cause problems for every dog, but it seems clear to me that your dogs need a lower carb, higher protein food.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When I have switched foods, it has taken my dogs a couple of months before the gas stopped.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

I had the same problem with Natural Balance (used 5 mos) and Blue Buffalo grain free (used 4 mos).  The last 6 months I've been feeding a rotation diet of "Taste of the Wild".  Occasionally when I switch flavors Apollo has a stinky day, but nothing like he used to. Plus it's $15-20 cheaper per bag.

[Christine & Camus]

I add pumpkin to the kibble and some yogurt after the meal.  I think the yogurt is what eliminated the gas problem, but it may be the pumpkin.  Another kibble that is in the same price range as Natural Balance (at least in Callifornia) is Taste of the Wild.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I am 1/2way through the process of switching 5 month old Izzy from Orijen Puppy to Adult. Her farts are absolutely horrible:(

They actually can clear the room:)

I am going to try the yogurt in her food. She had gas with the Puppy formula but not as frequently. I am hoping it's just the transition from puppy to adult food and her tummy has to adjust. I finally have Lucca enjoying his food after a year of trying different foods. I want them on the same food if I can. I guess we'll just give it some time with Izzy ...if we can stand it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I ended up buying a probiotic powder to add to the dogs' food at the pet store. It works like a dream for the farting. I am hoping by the end of the bottle of probiotic I can switch to yogurt and have a good result.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We previously fed Natural Balance (our vet recommended grain free diets).  Recently we switched to Taste of the Wild and we're very happy with the switch.  Kirby's gas seems a little better and both doodles love the food.  It's also cheaper than NB (at least it is here in NJ)...

Just wanted to suggest an alternative food...

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

We had Sydney and Olivia on Natural Balance for about three+ years following the recommendation from the breeder and their poo was never too good.  We switched to Canine Caviar about 9 months ago and their poo is great their coats seem better.  They seem content after they eat.  The Canine Caviar is highly digestible so they get very relaxed after they eat.  Check out the web site.  The food is pricey but so worth it!!!!