Switching to a better food and have a few questions

[Bronwen Watts]

Thanks in large part to this discussion group, I have decided to try switching Tyson's food. I am leaning towards Acana's Pacifica, but I am wondering if anyone here has tried it and how it has worked for their dog(s). More importantly, is anyone purchasing it online, and if so, from where? The only place that sells it around me is 2 hours away, so if I could find a place online to buy it from that would be great. Thanks!

[Bronwen Watts]

Thanks for the information, and you're right that it is a good idea to have a back-up in mind. We have just had so many tummy issues with Tyson, that when I find something that works it is hard to think about changing it around again! But so far he is really enjoying the Acana, even though he's only getting a little at this point as we phase it in. I found a place only an hour away from me--where I happen to go to frequently--that sells the Acana so I do not need to buy it online.

I noticed you recommended California Natural in another discussion as a food being good for yeast issues. What specific yeast issues, and do you think the Acana Pacifica will be good for those problems too?

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

We've been using Acana for many months on the advice of 3 better pet stores in the area. We started with the Acana Prairie (chicken), but Baker was doing alot of paw chewing, which can be a sign of allergies. We switched to the Acana Pacifica (fish) & the paw chewing stopped, although it took a few weeks. We have an 11 year old lab & an 11 month old goldendoodle who eat the same food. They are both doing great on the Pacifica. I heard Orijen may be too high in protein for non-working dogs. Good luck...I think we all want to know that what we're feeding is a healthy choice.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Orijen is definitely not too high in protein for non-working dogs. Jack's specialist recommends it specifically because of the protein, it is very beneficial for skin conditions in particular. Both Acana & Orijen are excellent foods, with protein percentages of 33% and 40% respectively.

[Bronwen Watts]

Thanks Diane. Tyson is loving the Acana so far, which is really exciting because he has never been interested in any dry food alone before. We are also using the Pacifica, and I am hoping it will work for Tyson. I feel good about the choice to switch to this food, so hopefully it will end up being a good decision!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Glad to hear! You may wish to consider throwing in an alternative bag to this on occasion such as Petcurean's Go! or NOW! They have a nice grain free Turkey, Salmon and Duck formula. Also a Canadian company with great quality food. The reason I suggest this is to have a plan B, sometimes the shipments get held up by the FDA and I would hate to see you caught with no options. Build them in ahead of time, besides it is ALWAYS a good idea to know where you would go next if you encountered an issue today.