Recommended Dog Food Brands as of APRIL 2015

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

GRAIN-FREE FORMULAS ONLY

Orijen (our favorite grain-free food)

Formulas:  Puppy, Large Breed Puppy, Adult (chicken, turkey, fish), 6 Fish, Regional Red (boar, lamb, pork, bison), Senior (lower calorie chicken, turkey, fish) , Tundra (goat, venison, mutton, duck, rabbit, fish)
Website:  http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/products/
 

Zignature

Formulas: Duck, Lamb, Trout & Salmon, Turkey, Zssential (multi-protein)

Also has canned lines.

Website:  http://www.zignature.com/

 

GRAIN-FREE & HEALTHY GRAIN FORMULAS

Acana

Grain-free Formulas (Regionals):  Wild Prairie (chicken, whitefish), Pacifica (salmon, flounder, herring); Grasslands (lamb, duck, fish); Ranchlands (beef, lamb, herring)

Healthy Grain Formulas (Classics):  Puppy Small Breed, Puppy & Junior, Puppy Large Breed, Adult Small Breed, Adult Dog, Adult Large Breed, Sport & Agility, Light & Fit, Senior Dog (all contain chicken and flounder for protein)

Limited Ingredients Formulas (Singles):  Lamb & Apple, Duck & Pear, Pork & Butternut Squash

Website:  http://www.championpetfoods.com/acana/products.php

 

Fromm

Grain-free Formulas:  Surf & Turf (salmon, duck, chicken); Beef Frittata Veg, Salmon Tunalini, Game Bird (duck, turkey, quail pheasant), Lamb & Lentil, Pork & Peas 

Healthy Grain Formulas:  Pork & Applesauce, Duck & Sweet Potato, Chicken A La Veg, Whitefish & Potato, Salmon A La Veg (all part of the Four-Star line); Adult Gold, Large Breed Adult Gold, Puppy Gold, Large Breed Puppy Gold, Senior Gold (all Gold lines contain duck, chicken and lamb); Adult and Mature Adult Classics (both Classic lines contain chicken)

Website:  http://frommfamily.com/products 

 

Petcurean

Grain-free Formulas (Now Fresh & Go! Fit & Free lines):  Now Fresh Puppy, Adult, Small Breed, Senior, Large Breed Puppy, Large Breed Adult, Large Breed Senior (all contain turkey, salmon, duck), Go! Fit & Free Puppy, Adult and Senior (all contain chicken, turkey, salmon)

Healthy Grain Formulas (Go! Daily Defiance & Summit Holistic lines):  Go! Daily Defiance Chicken, Lamb (both all life stages), Summit 3 Meat Puppy, 3 Meat Adult, 3 Meat Reduced Calorie (3 Meats contain chicken, salmon, lamb),

Limited Ingredients Formulas (Go! Sensitivity & Shine line): Duck, Salmon, Grain Free Turkey

Website:  http://www.petcurean.com/

 

Solid Gold

Grain-free Formulas:  Barking at the Moon (fish, beef); Sun Dancer (chicken)

Healthy Grain Formulas:  Hundchen Flocken Puppy, Hund-n-Flocken Adult (both contain lamb); Wolfcub Puppy, Wolfking Adult (both contain bison), Holistique Blendz Senior (fish), MMillennia Beef & Barley Adult, Just a Wee Bit Adult (bison)

Website:  http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/products

 

Wellness

Grain-free Formulas (Core line):  Puppy, Small Breed, Original, Reduced Fat (all contain chicken, turkey), Ocean (fish)

Healthy Grain Formulas (Super5Mix line):  Chicken, Lamb, Barley & Salmon Meal, Whitefish & Sweet Potato, Healthy Weight, Just for Puppies, Just for Seniors, Adult Large Breed, Puppy Large Breed, Adult Small Breed, Small Breed Healthy Weight, Small Breed Puppy (final 8 contain chicken)

Limited Ingredients Formulas (Simple Solutions line):  Duck & Oatmeal, Salmon & Potato, Turkey & Potato, Lamb & Oatmeal

Website:  http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog-wellness.aspx

 

Horizon

Grain-free Formulas (Legacy line):  Puppy, Adult (both contain chicken, salmon, turkey); Also has Amicus line for small breeds (turkey, chicken, salmon); Also has Pulsar line with peas, lentils, chicken and fish

Healthy Grain Formulas (Complete line):  Large Breed Adult, Large Breed Puppy, Puppy, Adult, Senior (all contain chicken)

Website:  http://www.horizonpetnutrition.com/

 

Canidae

Grain-free Formulas (Pure):  Sky (duck, turkey), Land (bison, lamb), Element (chicken, turkey, lamb, ocean fish), Sea (salmon)

Healthy Grain Formulas:  Lamb & Rice, Chicken & Rice, Beef & Fish, ALS (chicken, turkey, lamb, fish), Platinum Senior (chicken, turkey, lamb, fish)

Limited Ingredient Formulas:  Chicken, Brown & White Rice (Single Grain Protein)

Website:  http://www.canidae.com/

 

Lotus (has a raw formula also)

Grain-free Formula:  Duck

Healthy Grain Formulas: Wholesome Chicken, Wholesome Chicken Puppies, Wholesome Chicken Seniors, Wholesome Lamb

Website:  http://lotuspetfoods.com/for-dogs.php

 

Earthborn Holistic

Grain-free Formulas:  Primitive Natural (turkey, chicken, whitefish), Coastal Catch (herring, salmon, whitefish), Great Plains Feast (bison), Meadow Feast (lamb)

Healthy Grain Formulas: Adult Vantage, Puppy Vantage and Small Breed (all contain chicken and whitefish), Ocean Fusion (whitefish and menhaden fish)

Website:  http://www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/us/dog_formulas/

 

Eagle Holistic Select

Grain Free Formulas: Adult & Puppy Salmon, Anchovy and Sardines

Healthy Grain Formulas:  Adult, Adult Small & Mini Breed, Puppy, Puppy Small & Mini Breed (all 4 contain anchovy, sardines, salmon), Adult Chicken Meal & Rice, Adult Duck, Adult Lamb, Senior Chicken & Rice, Large & Giant Breed Chicken & Oatmeal, Large & Giant Breed Puppy Lamb Meal & Oatmeal, Weight Maintenance Chicken & Peas

Website:  http://www.holisticselect.com/

 

Holistic Blend

Grain Free Formulas: Turkey

Healthy Grain Formulas: Hollistic Blend (Lamb & Rice; Chicken, Rice & Vegetable) and The Healthy Dog (Chicken & Herring Meal)

Website: http://www.holisticblend.com/en/food-formulas/dog-formulas/holistic-blend/

 

Addiction

Grain Free Formulas: Salmon Bleu, Viva La Venison, Le Lamb

Healthy Grain Formulas: La Porchetta (Pork, Limited ingredient)

**Also has raw dehydrated formulas**

Website: http://addictionfoods.com/

 

Great Life

Grain Free Formulas: Buffalo, Chicken, Salmon; Pioneers Natural Grain Free Chicken, GF Pork, GF Venison and GF Whitefist

Healthy Grain Formulas: Buffalo, Chicken, Lamb, Salmon; Pioneers Natural Buffalo, Chicken, Pork Venison and Whitefish

Limited Ingredient Formulas (Dr. E's line): Buffalo, Duck; Grain Free Buffalo, Grain Free Duck

Website: http://doctorsfinest.com

 

Annamaet

Grain Free Formulas: Lean (chicken, duck, herring), Aqualuk (salmon, herring), Salcha (chicken, turkey, duck), Manitok (lamb, venison)

Healthy Grain Formulas: Adult (chicken, 23% protein), Encore (chicken, 25% protein), Extra (chicken, 26% protein), Option (salmon and venison, 24% protein), Ultra (chicken, 32% protein), Small Breed ALS (lamb, venison, coming soon)

Website: http://annamaet.com/

 

Nature's Variety (has a raw line also)

Grain Free Formulas: Instinct Raw Boost (5 formulas: chicken, beef & lamb, lamb & salmon, duck & turkey, venison & lamb); Instinct Originals (5 formulas: chicken, beef & lamb, duck & turkey, rabbit, salmon)

Healthy Grain Formulas: Prairie Dogs (6 formulas: chicken, beef, lamb, duck, venison, salmon); Puppy and Large Breed Puppy (chicken and brown rice)

Limited Ingredient Formulas (Instinct Grain Free line): Turkey, Lamb, Duck, Rabbitt

Website: http://www.naturesvariety.com/

 

Farmina 

Grain Free Formulas (N&D line): Chicken, Large Breed Chicken, Small Breed Chicken, Wild Lamb, Wild Boar, Wild Herring

Healthy Grain Formulas (20% Ancestral High Protein line): Chicken, Lamb, Wild Cod

Website: http://usa.farmina.com/

HEALTHY GRAIN FORMULAS ONLY

 

Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul

Healthy Grain Formulas: Adult, Large Breed Adult, Senior, Adult Light, Puppy, Large Breed Puppy, Overweight (all contain chicken, turkey).

Website:  http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/products/dogs/

  

 

RAW FORMULAS ONLY

Darwin's:  http://www.darwinspet.com

Honest Kitchen:  http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/

Primal:  http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

Ziwi Peak:  http://www.ziwipeak.com/

Stella & Chewy’s:  http://www.stellaandchewys.com/

Sojos:  http://www.sojos.com/

Tucker's Raw:  http://www.tuckersbones.com/

I and love and you (also has kibble):  http://www.iandloveandyou.com/products/dog/raw/dehydrated.aspx

Addiction (also has kibble):  http://www.addictionfoods.com/

 

RX/PRESCRIPTION FORMULAS ONLY

Rayne Clinical Nutrition: http://www.raynenutrition.com/

 

** Brands that look good but have had recent recalls or buyouts; still better than Iams, Nutro, Hills, and grocery store junk…..

 

Taste of the Wild (grain-free): http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products

EVO (grain-free): http://www.evopet.com

Innova (healthy grains):  http://www.innovapet.com

California Natural (recommended for dogs with sensitivities):  http://www.californianaturalpet.com

Merrick (Before Grain is grain-free; 5-Star is healthy grains; Castor & Pollux is also owned by Merrick):  http://www.merrickpetcare.com/ | http://www.castorpolluxpet.com

Evanger’s:  http://www.evangersdogfood.com/

Natural Balance (known for limited ingredient diets; merged with DelMonte 6/15/13): http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/

Bravo (raw; more than one recall in last year):  http://www.bravorawdiet.com/

Blue Buffalo (may have byproducts in their ingredients):   http://www.bluebuffalo.com/dry-dog-food

[Joanie]

Hi Karen :)  My husband I were trying to keep to a limited ingredient formula because we have noticed that both Lani and Roxie seem to get very gassy when we feed them foods with lamb, etc... in it... so we started feeding a fish based formula.  In your opinion, is it ok to feed the Wellness formula we are feeding since they are doing well on it but suppliment their food as well?  For example, we always make sure to give our babies some fresh chicken, beef, venison and veggies.  I always want to do what's best for my babies and I just read so much about food, etc... and start questioning if what we are doing is best.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If they are doing well on the current food, there's no reason to switch, especially if you are adding fresh animal protein to their diet. You can also add eggs or fish.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Joanie, some dogs are gassy when they are transitioning foods.  Ned and Clancy were very gassy for quite a while when we switched to grain-free.  We tried several of the grain-free brands before settling on TOTW and every time we switched we had gas.  We switch TOTW flavors (there is a Pacific Stream one) sometimes there is a bit of gas for a day from Clancy.  I am not pushing TOTW especially, just letting you know that gas can be part of the switch and be temporary. Also, my dogs get gassy when they have any treats.

[Katie, Andy, and Ernie!]

My breeder currently has Ernie being fed by this local company. I'd be interest to know what the group thinks of this food, even though it's not really relevant for people living anywhere other than the Denver metro area. Specifically, I'm interested in the chicken and rice/hi protein formulation for Ernie. I'd prefer not to switch to something else right away, as to maintain some consistency in his daily routine when he comes home. Any insight would be much appreciated!

www.naturesselectwest.com

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Andy, here are the ingredients for the Nature's Select West formula you mention:

***************************

Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, White Rice, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Citric Acid & Rosemary Extract), Beet Pulp Shreds, Whole Ground Flaxseed, Brewers Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderme Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin A Supplement , Vitamin A Supplement with Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothentate, Choline Chloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, d-Biotin, Mixed Tocopherols, Silica Dioxide, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide.

Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Protein, 15% Fat

Crude Fiber 3.5%, moisture 10% KCal 431 per cup.

Vitamin C Min- 50PPM, Omega 6 Fatty Acids-Min 3.25% Omega 3 Fatty Acids-0.50%

************************************

I would say it is okay, but not a great food. The first ingredients before the first source of fat are two meat _meals_ and two rices. Not terrible, but, personally, I would prefer to see some whole meats in the mix. It also contains brewer's yeast and beet pulp which are controversial ingredients.

My second concern is that on their top page, they say their foods are "made from fresh ingredients in the USA." But they don't specifically say where those fresh ingredients come from. Are they also sourced in the US? They may be, but they don't say so. This is an important distinction, because so many dog foods and treats  are made from ingredients sourced in China.

For comparison, look at the ingredients for Orijen Puppy, made and sourced in Canada:

****************************

Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless turkey*, fresh whole eggs*, fresh chicken liver*, fresh boneless lake whitefish*, fresh boneless walleye*, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, fresh boneless herring*, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium.

****************************

I agree that it is probably not best to change Ernie's diet until he settles in. But I think it is a good idea to start thinking about higher-quality alternatives that are readily available and fit your budget. Many are available online.

There are many on DK who are more expert than I on all the ingredients and on puppy nutrition. I am sure they will comment soon!

Best wishes!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Elizabeth, you did a great job on that analysis. The only thing I would add is that whole meat sources, being mostly water, are actually much less nutrient dense and don't contribute as much protein by volume as meat meals do.

See below for the problems with the Oemga fatty acid content in the food. :)

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Thanks, Karen!

I guess I get hung up on the whole meats, because, to me, they are a hallmark of overall quality--more human-grade ingredients--even though they are not as nutrient-dense as meals.

Now to study about fatty acids! *^_^*

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do agree, whole meats indicate quality in a food. I love the animal protein content in Orijen for that reason, there is so much of both whole meats and meat meals.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When looking at the EFA content in a food, you first want to see a low Omega 6:3 ratio. It should be below 6:1, and I really like to see it below 4:1. Then, you want the Omega 3 content to be composed mainly of DHA and EPA, which are primarily found in fish, rather than from plant sources. When you see flax seed in a dog food (and it's common) that's there to contribute Omega 3, but it's in the form of ALA which dogs don't utilize very well. Obviously, flax seed is a whole lot cheaper than fish meal.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Thanks, Karen! That ratio is a great way to remember it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the Nutritional analysis for the Orijen puppy formula; take a look at the Omega fatty acid content and compare to the above EFA content in the Nature's Select:

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude protein (min.) 40.0 % Crude fat (min.) 20.0 % Crude fiber (max) 3.0 % Moisture (max) 10.0 % Calcium (min./max.) 1.5 % / 1.7 % Phosphorus (min./max.) 1.2 % / 1.4 % Omega-6 (min.) 3.0 % Omega-3 (min.) 1.2 % DHA (min.) 0.6 % EPA (min.) 0.3 % AA (min.) 0.1 % Carbohydrate (max) 20% Ash (max) 7.5% Taurine (min.) 0.35 % Glucosamine (min.) 1500 mg/kg Chondroitin (min.) 1200 mg/kg Microorganisms (min.) 120M cfu/kg pH 5.2

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Some of the formulas are better than others, nutritionally. Most of them are too low in protein, and all except the salmon based formulas are inadequate in Omega 3 fatty acids.

The Chicken and Rice "hi protein" formula is not at all high in protein; 25% is the bare minimum. It's grain heavy, and may create higher poop volume. However, the real problem with this formula is that the Omega 6:3 ratio is poor, and it's even worse than it looks, because all of the Omega 3 fatty acids are supplied by a plant source, flax seed, which means it's the short chain ALA form of Omega 3. Humans can convert ALA into the long chain forms, EPA and DHA, but dogs don't do this very well. The lack of Omega 3 is going to contribute to a dry coat and dry skin, among other things. If you want to feed this food, I strongly suggest adding a good salmon oil supplement.  

You are exactly right, it is extremely important NOT to switch foods or change anything at all about your puppy's diet for at least 2 weeks after he comes home, even if he's being fed the worst swill imaginable by the breeder. That includes treats as well. After the first couple of weeks, we can help you choose a better food if you would like.