Acana Singles - shortage?

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I've been feeding the boyz Acana Duck & Pear for going on three years now, for no other reason than that my Bloody Picky Hound actually likes it and there aren't many kibbles that he really likes enough to ... ya know ... eat. Yes, I know he'll eat whatever I give him if he gets hungry enough, but it is nice to know that he likes what he's getting. Well, that and I do like knowing that the boyz are getting their nosh from one of the best pet food companies out there. So imagine my unhappy surprise when I stopped by the little pet supply shop that gets most of my paycheck to be told "Ummm, you need to know that we may be having trouble getting your food for a while."

She proceeded to explain that with the formula change for all of their singles foods (oats/potatoes to legumes) is causing a problem in the US and particularly in Washington state. (She wasn't certain about other states.) Apparently Washington has labeling laws that are preventing Champion from shipping these foods to our state? She tells me that there's one formula, I don't remember which (because my brain was screaming "Noooooooo!") that she's been trying for over a year to get back in stock.

I checked the major online pet food sources before writing this and most of them (Wag, PetFoodDirect, PetFlow) are out of stock. The only one listing the Acana Duck as in-stock right now is Chewy.

Believe it or not I'm actually getting to questions here, LOL. Does anyone else have any information about this? Should I be planning to switch foods? Fussy-Britches does like some of the Fromm formulas, so I could make a change now or wait and see how this falls out. Any ideas/opinions, gang? Karen?

Obligatory photo of Mister Picky-Pants:

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, very cute photo!

Champion has the best customer service around. Call them, tell them what you told us, and you'll get a better idea of what's going on. Then you can decide whether or not to change, and to what. Fromm would be a good choice if you can't stay with Acana. 

Have you ever tried the Pork/ Butternut Squash Acana formula? 

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Good idea, Karen. I'll give them a call in the morning.

I haven't tried the Pork/Squash formula and ought to, although I have a feeling this will be a problem across their entire Singles line for a while. The Chicken/Potato and the Lamb/Apple were both carefully picked out of his bowl and dropped on the floor for his brother to eat, all the while giving me this horrible "I knew it! You're trying to poison me! You don't love me any more *sob*" look from under his brows.

Yes, yes. He's a little spoiled.

[Chelsea Sifers]

I was in our local natural pet store, Natural Pawz, picking up some Lamb/Apple last week and the guy there mentioned that they were changing the Duck formula. I didn't ask any questions about it since that wasn't the formula I needed but just thought I would put that out there :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

They've just changed the Singles formulas recently, replaced the grains with legumes. I think that may have been what the store clerk meant. 

[Gail and Bailey]

No advice...just had to tell you how much your posts made my smile and chuckle!  

"Fussy Britches" and "Mr.Picky Pants"...........I love the names and I love the photo!!!  

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

My local pet store in Seattle had Duck and Pear as of yesterday. I understand the pick eater issue. I've got a picky one too, he will only eat duck and pear, regional red, and six fish (six fish was a recent addition as of last month). Most other flavors cause Oliver to go on a hunger strike (over 24 hours) and result in him vomiting bile. It's really bizarre. I would try regional red, it's Oliver's second favorite! :)

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Sounds like Oliver and Lachlan are related! Unfortunately Persnickety Puppy spits out the Regional Red like I'm trying to feed him moth balls or something.

Yet he eats rocks, grass, dirt, and cat poo covered in delicious pee-flavored sprinkles. Go figure. Shame nobody makes sock-flavored dog food!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know it isn't funny, but you cracked me up, Jen. You really have a way with words, I think you should do some blogging. ROFL

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Awww, thanks Karen! Honestly I'm not terribly stressed about this - I'll do the best I can to pick a food that he likes, but at the end of the day he'll eat whatever I choose and not starve himself to death. To be completely honest, I find Lach endlessly entertaining - he's so much his own dog, if that makes sense.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It makes perfect sense, and I think you have a wonderful attitude. 

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

LOL At least Lachlan is saving you money by hating Regional Red! 

Oliver likes his fair share of gross things, however, the most embarrassing thing that Oliver loves is the Costco brand kibble that some of my friends give their dogs. Oliver acts like a kid on Halloween when he goes over to their house. My friends, being aware that Oliver is picky and that I only allow him to eat certain brands, think this is nothing short of hilarious. I've tried explaining the rancid fat, that it's like McDonalds... Their dogs eat Oliver's food like it's filet mignon--why can't Oliver just be grateful for his high quality food?! Spoiled brat... :)

Good luck with the Fromm, I don't think we've ever tried the kibble, but Oliver loves canned Fromm and it looks like a soup made for humans!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Update - I managed to get through to Champion customer service this morning. The young woman I spoke with was absolutely delightful, but confirmed that "due to a delay in getting the new labeling approved in Washington state" they won't be able to ship any of the Singles line to WA for "at least two or three months."

I stopped by the pet store on my way home this afternoon and was hooked up with a whole bag of Fromm samples. Will do a taste-testing this weekend and pick one to switch them to.

I really should try to catch Lachlan getting a new treat on video. It's priceless. First he carefully sniffs it. Then he sticks his tongue out and verrry cautiously touches the treat with just the tip. Then he pulls his tongue quickly back into his mouth and makes that squinchy-face like a toddler does with an unfamiliar food. Then he'll either poke the tip of his tongue back out like "bleah" and walk away or he'll take the treat and roll it around in his mouth for a moment before nervously biting down. If he likes it, then he'll chew and swallow. If not, that sucker's hitting the floor.

Meanwhile I'm retrieving my hand from his brother's throat. I doubt Declan's ever actually tasted anything in his life.