Dog food from Canada better than made in USA

[Rae]

I have been researching dry dog food for our two Goldendoodles. We're currently feeding Orijen Senior and Orijen Puppy. The problem is both dogs have unbelievable gas (like leave the room nasty stuff) and terrible breath. Our vet suggested they have "fish breath" and we might want to feed something without fish. I'd like to stay with a food from Canada because their standards seem to be much higher than those here in the US. Is this true? If so, which Canadian food, other than Orijen, is best and not contain fish? Our dogs are 8 1/2 and 6 months old. Thanks for your help!

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

One of my coworkers who I converted to Orijen was complaining to me about the exact same problem. I asked her two questions: if the treats she was feeding were also grain free and how quickly they were eating the food. She said that the treats were not grain free and that they ate the food quickly. I told her to start feeding grain free treats and feed them out of slo-bowls (economical solution if you don't want to buy a slo-bowl: feed them out of a muffin pan with the food split up among the cups) and just like that the problem went away completely :)

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

I was going to say the same thing about the treats!

[Rae]

They both eat out of slo-bowls - the puppy was totally sucking up her food then trying to get Rozee's. So that change happened 4 months ago. The only treats, besides carrots, are the grain free Orijen chicken treats.

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Are they still eating relatively quickly out of a slo-bowl? Do they finish the food in under 5 minutes?

Similar to humans, if they swallow a whole bunch of air when eating (which they typically do if they eat too fast), that air is going to come out the other end...

[Gail and Bailey]

You could try Acana.  We have no gas problems with it and it is made in Canada.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is a really hard question for me, because fish is just so beneficial for dogs. It's one of the few sources of the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA & EPA, which are so beneficial for skin & coats. Breath can be dealt with through teeth brushing and dental chews or sprays, lol. And I sincerely doubt that the fish content in the food is causing the gas. I don't know how old your pup is or how long he/she has been on Orijen, but it's pretty common for them to have gas for a couple of months when they are switched to Orijen from a food with grains, lower protein, and/or lower fat. It does go away. 

Acana is made by Champion, so you could stay with the company, and they make the Singles line, which are LID formulas that don't contain fish, but the problem is that I'm not sure that it would be appropriate for a puppy. It would be fine for your senior. You might look through Acana's Regionals formulas and see what is available that doesn't contain fish. 

Petcurean is also a very good Canadian company, so you might look at their formulas and see what is available without fish, too. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Karen, would a probiotic help at all with the gas?! I don't know much about dog digestive health, but we've had them recommended by physicians quite a bit to help with digestive health and issues in humans, and not necessarily for diarrhea.

I just feel like it would be worth it to try some alternatives before taking them off orijen?

Our dogs never experienced the dreadful gas that others have described, but a friends dog (while we were dog sitting) got into our food once and we knew what had happened pretty quickly, so I understand. It was horrible.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Abigail, a probiotic is a brilliant suggestion, and shame on me for not thinking of it! 

Even a prebiotic like Gentle Digest (Ark Naturals) would probably help, and it's fairly inexpensive. 

[Rae]

They are on probiotic.

[Tracey & Spike]

Maybe try Acana? It's the same company but the fish content is typically less than Orijen. After a call to Champion (FANTASTIC customer service) they suggested I try it due to my own personal Seafood allergies. So far It's working for both Spike and myself. He's still getting the fish he needs and I don't break out in rashes. Win win! The only gas I get from Spike is a happy little burp after eating. No room clearing gas like he had on his breeder food. He's eating Acana Puppy right now but will be moving to the Regionals line in the new year.

To reply to your question about who makes food better? I'm not sure it has to be a Canadian vs American thing. It has to do with the Company. Period. It just happens to be that most of the Multi-National companies produce their crap.. umm.. food.. in the States. But there is Fromm for example who is American and produces a great product. As a Canadian and as a Canadian who's worked in the pet industry.. yes we have very high standards. That's a fact. I can't speak to how the States governs their pet industry but it IS governed here. And closely. Hope this helps :)

[Rae]

Both girls take Proviable-DC daily and have for a long time. Cassie, the pup, has been on Orijen Puppy for just a little under three months. She went from Kirkland Salmon to Orijen Puppy and since both have fish we didn't think it would be a problem. Rozee was on Grain free Caster and Pollux Organix. We really don't want to switch but it's now hard to be in the same room with them and forget having company over! LOL! We really appreciate all your suggestions!

[Chelsea Sifers]

My goldendoodle had horrible gas when we first switched her to Orijen puppy - the smell was horrifying but it went away after a few weeks and now she NEVER has gas.