A comprable healthy dry dog food to switch to from The Honest Kitchen Revel Chicken recipe

[gloria]

Good Evening!

As I wrote yesterday, I have been following this site since we brought home our baby Bella in November 2016.  She was born on Sept. 12, 2016, she is a brown Multigenerational Australian Labradoodle and her name is Bella. We were told (based on parents) Bella would be a Medium size 19 inches tall and no more than 20-25lbs.  A visit with the vet this week let us know she will be on the smaller side of those numbers.   She is 7 months old today and she ways @ 15 pounds. 

    We have  been feeding her The Honest Kitchen Revel food since we have had her.  She is growing fine and doing well.     Thanks Karen, we started our 2 x a day feeding down from 3x a day...such an easy transition for all!  

I do have another question.   We have loved the honest kitchen...however it is a little messy on her (beard/mouth) after she eats we always need to clean her up or her fur gets sticky and messy.   Honest kitchen is pricey....the revel is the least expensive (even through Chewy) at almost ($30 per 4 lb. box)@ $1.87 per day.    The other Honest Kitchen products are even more expensive...especially the grain free foods.  Dry food would also be easier to "pack and go". 

So...Which dry dog foods (adult formula-thanks Karen!)  would folks recommend?   Would like something healthy for her.  Is it better to give her a food with "whole grain"  or "grain free"?   

Someone told me NULO medal series was a good dog food.   Do folks like this brand? Or...??  I would like to thank you for any and all info...I have so enjoyed this site for information!  Gloria & Bella

[Lindsey Holt]

There is a recommended brand list here and that is a good place to start.

Grain free is most recommended because most dogs really do better without grain.

I'm sure Karen will have more to add.

[gloria]

Thanks for the help Lindsey!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I looked at Nulo and I like the brand. I have to verify sourcing before adding it to our recommended list. 

Bella's current food is chicken based and does contain grains, so if you switch her to a dry food, she would probably be okay with healthy grains, although most of the better dry foods are grain free. But you could try the Nulo. 

I won't be surprised, though, if she doesn't want to eat it. The wet foods are much more appealing to dogs, lol. And truth be told, probably healthier, although I totally understand your reasons for wanting to switch. 

[gloria]

HI Karen,

   Thanks so much for all of your input!  We will stay with HK for a bit longer...then switch over to the Nulo..  thanks again!  Gloria & Bella

[Sandy Aicher and Bailey]

Honest Kitchen is expensive but as Karen said is a great healthy option - human grade ingredients. I understand the mess.   I started wiping Bailey's mouth with a wet paper towel after she eats.  She actually lets me!!  No one else does this but me but I find it does cut down on the fur around her mouth getting messy. Good luck!  

[gloria]

Thanks Sandy!   Will continue with the HK and the face washing for a bit longer....lol   Gloria & Bella