Anyone feed "American Natural Premium" ?

[Tracey Birling]

Hi everyone, I'm kind of new here. I still have an 8wk old picture of my f1b goldendoodle on here - but he's now almost 16 weeks.

 

Wondering if anyone here has had any experience w/ American Natural Premium dog food? It's manufactured in the same facility as Fromm, in Mequon, Wisconsin. My vet tech let me know that this was the food that she uses. My little guy is not the greatest eater. He started on Diamond Naturals w/ the breeder. I slowly switched him to Fromm large breed puppy gold - which he DID NOT take a liking to (I think it was too rich for him). My vet tech suggested trying American Natural Premium, a little bit simpler formula. I use the "Dog Food Advisor" website (like it much better than any of the other dog food rating sites I have come across, and it is rated right up there with the rest of them (for a healthy grain food, 4 out of 5 stars). It didn't get the top score because it's not completely grain-free, not enough meat content. There are different formulations, one w/ pro-biotics, some without (although I do add my own enzymes). I live in Wisc. so like using a local food. And it is such a great deal, about $30 for 40 pounds. The stores around here that do carry it (it is only sold regionally, in the Wisc, IL, Iowa & MN area), said that they probably sell it more than any other food. Comes in fresh on pallets and they sell a boat load of it. They said it's great since it is so much healthier (obvisouly) than Iams/Hills/Purina and less expensive than other premium brands...

 

Can't wait to start discussing food! I'm kind of a dog food research junkie :)

 

Tracey (& Cooper)

[Lindsey]

I'm not going to be much help...just wanted to say welcome to the group :-)
I've never heard of the food you're talking about...I have heard that the website you mentioned, dog food advisor, is actually kind of outdated.
I do know that Fromm is a recommended food here on DK...check out the recommended list (top of group forum) if you're curious what dog foods made it on the list.
Karen- this groups guru will surely be some help for you, I suspect she'll answer your questions as soon as she can! :-)

[Tracey Birling]

Nice to meet you Lindsey! Actually, "Dog Food Analysis" is quite outdated (in my opinion), however "Dog Food Advisor" is very current. The creator/moderator of the site (a dentist and dog lover) Dr. Mike Sagman, is continually updating reviews and adding current studies/findings to his site. They also have a comments section so people can weigh in on foods. I love the wealth of information it provides, however I'd really like to do more discussing with Doodle owners :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Tracey. The American Natural Premium Food looks okay from what I can tell; it's very difficult to read the label information from the website, but the formulas I looked at seemed grain-heavy, a little too low in protein, and the calorie content is low, meaning you would have to feed more of the food than with another more expensive brand like Orijen which makes it not quite as economical as it might first appear. Clearly, the food is marketed as a "budget" food, which is of course a consideration for many people, but it would be interesting to see just how much less expensive it actually is on the basis of how fast you go through 40 lbs VS another food.

Another concern for me would be that the label does not provide the Omega 6:3 fatty acid ratio, which is crucial. I could not even consider feeding this (or any food) without that information. It's extremely important for any dog that has any kind of allergies or skin/coat issues.

But the food appears to be wholesome and we love that the ingredients come from U.S. sources.

You are correct that Dog Food Analysis is outdated; it's no longer active. Dog Food Advisor, though, seems to only consider the ingredients themselves and not issues of who manufactures the food, whether they contain ethoxyquin, (not reuqired on the labels), what kinds of other preservatives are used or where they get their ingredients. These "food rating" websites can be somewhat helpful, but your best bet is to learn to read the labels and evaluate a food yourself. For that, the most helpful website I've found is The Dog Food Project. Their "Ingredients to Avoid" section is very useful when analyzing a product. 

[Tracey Birling]

Thanks so much Karen - and nice to meet you! The ANP website is definitely not the greatest - at all. You have to click on each individual formula and then it does give you a basic run down on the ingredients (but still does not give all of the info that is located on the back of the bags I have here). They also have some new grain free formulas (that look very similar to some of Fromm's 4 star recipes) that I have seen in stores but not even listed on their website! Not sure how long I will stay with this food. Cooper is doing "ok" with it. His stools are excellent on it, and his coat looks great. But I would eventually like to transition him to something a little less grain heavy. I do like buying local if at all possible, so I'll probably eventually try some of the Fromm 4 stars... but we'll see. The Omega 6:3 ratios and calorie content is missing from their website on some of their formulas, however they are listed on the back of the current packaging. I currently have 2 formulas here (exhibitors choice.... which is quite similar to the fromm gold formulas) and the original, which is a little different... contains no probiotics or veggies. My pup seems to prefer the flavor, and digests the Original better though... oh well!

 

Thanks for the info. on the dog food sites. Actually when you dig a little deeper and read the reviews on Dog Food Advisor, they do provide info on weather or not the food is preserved using ethoxyquin, contains menadione etc... but you are right, he does do most of his reviews strictly based on ingredients and meat content (not just protein content), rather than taking into account manufacturing facilities etc. Actually ingredient wise, I've learned the most from Dog Food Advisor and I definitely am reading the labels myself these days. But manufacturing facilities, and the quality/grade of ingredients used is very important to me.  

[Tracey Birling]

Also - when I say he is doing "ok" on it, I mean, he is digesting well and appears healthy, but just doesn't seem too excited about it. But that's another issue! I haven't found "any" food that he's crazy about. He never finishes his food (even when I am giving the suggested amounts, and then taking it away after 15 to 20 minutes). Would love to find a food that he loves :)

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How old is your puppy?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Your doodle may just be a picky eater, like many of ours.  My Peri is not, but maybe that is due to us rotating between Fromm 4-star bags. We buy 15 pounds at a time and do Pork one month, chicken the next, duck the next, etc....she loves it.

[Tracey Birling]

Karen, Cooper is almost 16 weeks old. He is an F1b, both parents were 55 lbs... the vet and breeder recommended feeding him a lg. breed puppy formula for the 1st year. I have heard so many people suggest different things - just not sure what to do! (The problem is I haven't found a lg breed puppy formula that he will eat. So I started looking at "All Life Stages" formulas. He is our first dog (as a family... I had them growing up)... so I have many questions regarding feeding. He's currently eating 3 meals a day. When do I switch to 2? (I can't imagine going to less than 2 with what I've read about doodles sensitive digestive issues). Do you portion or free feed? The breeder we got Cooper from free feeds her dogs and the pups. I do not know if this is what led to his "picky/grazing" behavior? I just gave him his second meal of the day now - he took a couple bites and now is laying on his doggie bed. It's as if I have to coax him to eat every meal!  :(

Karen - I just looked at the ANP bags, and I was wrong. They do NOT list the Omega ratios. A little concerning... thank you for pointing that out. I appreciate it.

Allyson, thank you for the reccomendation! Maybe Cooper would prefer that type of feeding rotation. He does seem to get excited about a "new food" for a couple of days, and then he'll get bored w/ it and nibble. But I'm hoping if I find "the right food" that he won't be so picky.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Cooper is very young. I would pick one food and stay with that for awhile. he has only been eating solids for three months, and he's already been on three different kibbles besides the "puppy mush" the breeders typically start them on. That's too many changes too fast, IMO. That in itself can contribute to creating a picky eater. He can't have been on any one food long enough for you to really tell if he likes it or not, lol.

Personally, I prefer Fromm to the ANP. You do not need a Large Breed formula. I would pick one Fromm formula and stay with it for at least a month. The Gold Nutritionals is a good food, but you can try one of the Four Star foods if you prefer. I would not start rotating formulas yet.

He should not be free-fed, IMO. That can also lead to a picky eater. I would feed him three times a day, and pick up the bowl after 20 minutes if he hasn't finished the food. he'll eat better at the next meal, once he realizes food isn't available any time he feels like eating.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper is still very young, so he will learn with time that he has to eat when his food is put down or go hungry. I also agree, choose one food and stick with it for a while - a month at least..... this time is needed to see how he really does on a food. Cooper (my 2 years) can be a little hesitant when i introduce a new brand of raw food (kibble shes not so picky about) but with some encouragement she will eat it and learn to love it! Some people dont give their dog a chance with a new food. I work in a pet food and supply store (no animals) and a customer will buy a new food and return it the same day or the next day because their dog didnt instantly eat it. 

 

I have no experience with the food you mention, but Fromm is a good food, though overpriced in my opinion. Check out the recommended brands, choose one that suits your budget (bear in mind you feed less of the higher protein grain free foods so it can be hard to make a comparison) and stick with it for a while. See if your local pet food store has any samples you can try, to see what kind of flavour he may prefer.

 

If Cooper is not food motivated, you can keep his interest by changing ,meat proteins each time you buy a bag - I rotate Cooper with Orijen Regional Red, 6 Fish, and Original Adult. On our days off work she gets raw (Id like to feed raw all the time, my cats were fed raw for 7 years but DH and I get free kibble from work, and we arent in a position to turn down free food with 4 furry mouths to feed) 

 

You can also expect to see some runny stools from a food switch so give it some time to see if it works for Cooper or not

[Tracey Birling]

Thank you everyone! Kaytlin, wow, free Orijen would definitely be hard to turn down :) Thank you and Karen so much for the advice. Since I still have a lot of the American Natural Premium left I think that I'll stick w/ that for now. Possibly switch to Fromm later on. Actually, his coat seems much shinier on this than when he was on Fromm puppy Gold, and his stools are a little better as well. Although I'm not exactly sure what the Omega ratios are (I'm planning on contacting the company about this), I think it will be ok for now.  The original formula (which is what he does eat the best right now), ingredient wise is only lacking the probiotics which I'd prefer. But I do add prozyme to his food, and ocasionally will top w/ some yogurt if necessary. TOTW is available in my town, however (even though I know it's a very good food), I trust Fromm & ANP more than foods manufactured by Diamond Pet. Plus I like to support local manufacturers if at all possible. I think I may try spreading out his feedings a bit. Right now I feed around 7am, noon & 5:30pm ish... Yesterday when I gave him his dinner he didn't touch it. So I took it away after 20 minutes, but he was really ancy around 8ish, so I tried his food then and he gobbled it up immediately.

Thanks again ladies :)