Can someone suggest a food for me?...

   Why are you changing from Eagle Pack; the holistic formulas don't have barley and the calcium levels seem low enough. If you're worried about the recalls, their nutritionist just posted this;  [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=321496&mpage=7&key]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=321496&mpage=7&key[/link]=;

Dyan...sorry I did not reply. I was attending a pet food seminar on safety in pet food. And we are being swamped. First, not to worry. We do not use wheat gluten in dry or canned, and what the label says you can believe. We do not use Rice Gluten/Protein in any dry or canned food with exception of one Prism label. The Rice Gluten was removed and bags stickered to reflect the true contents. New bags are due May 10. Holistic Transition shows Rice Protein and has been tested as safe but the next label will show stabilized rice bran and that is what will be in the product.The primary thrust of the food safety seminar was "Know Your Source", and that means the true source, not the U.S. company that imported an ingredient for you. There is a lot more I could say but I don't know how much company specific info I can post. I would be delighted if anyone wants to email me, but give me a day or so to respond.

[Deleted by Admins]

ORIGINAL: janet_rose

ORIGINAL:  Misskiwi67
 
I wouldn't be afraid to go with a low ash grain-free formula. Protein of up to 35% would be ok for a senior dog in my opinion.

How does the idea of "high digestibility" correlate with "low ash"?  Does a high mineral content make a protein less "digestible"?

Ash does not correlate with digestability at all. You would expect that high ash would mean lowered digestability, but there are several studies on pubmed that I skimmed last week, and there didn't seem to be any correlation whatsoever.

The importance of the low ash is the lower mineral content to take it easy on an old dogs kidneys. Protein has NOT been shown to be detrimental, and old dogs need more protein to maintain lean body mass. I'm waiting for the senior foods to catch on and update their formulas, but right now most senior formulas have low protein.

You might look into large breed( maybe even puppy) formulas. They have low mineral content and high protein. Watch the calories and fat though...

How about Nature's Logic.  The use millet, which is a grain but a naturally nutritionally dense grain.
http://natureslogic.com/products/dp_dry_ven.html

Don't be afraid of the animal plasma, it's beef blood.

Thank you all so much for your input and helpful suggestions. I checked out all the websites that you listed and will definitely give it some thought.
 
Right now I'm waiting for Charlie *B*'s (age 11) bloodwork to come back from the lab and then depending on how it looks will make a final decision.
 
Thanks again. This is a TERRIFIC board, so full of advice and intelligent dog owners.
 
 

ORIGINAL: beaglemama

I checked out the food online, the calcium level is 1.5, that's a bit too high, I'm suppose to stay 1.0 or under.
 
It's amazing how many dog foods are out there on the market but when you start really filtering through them to find what's best for your dogs individual needs, and the recalls and the availability to purchase, the list gets very small.
 
Thanks for your help.

Calcium percentages don't tell the whole story.  If you're feeding a lower calorie food, you have to feed more by weight to meet daily calorie requirements.  This means you could end up feeding just as much calcium with a low calorie 1% calcium food as a higher calorie food at 1.5% calcium.

littlesaint, thanks for replying.
 
It's all so confusing. I'm trying to understand things but the more I think I'm doing something right, I find another wrong. *sigh*
 
The values they list for particular dog foods are not to be taken at face value? I mean if the number is what I think it should be (range limit wise) it's still not exactly that when you take the other values into consideration? I'm confused.
 
I was told for Charlie *B*, age 11, he needs to watch his minerals so as not to tax the kidneys.
 
Charlie *B* eats Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken kibble
Protein                     24%
Fat                         15%
Fiber                        4%
Calcium                  1.10%
Phosphorus             0.80%
Sodium                  0.31%
Magnesium             0.17%
Potassium              0.68%
Carbs                  43.20%
cal. per cup          386
 
 
With Oliver, age 3, his CBC total protein level is 7.5 (normal range is 5.0-7.4), he's had the same number 2 yrs. in a row.
His Sodium level is 168, (normal range is 139-154), he's had this same number for 2 yrs. in a row.
 
Oliver eats California Natural chicken and rice kibble.
Protein          21%
Fat               11%
Fiber               4%
Calcium           1.55%
Phosphorus      1.18%
Sodium            0.36%
Magnesium       0.10%
Potassium        0.36%
Carbs             45.90%
Cal per cup       511
 
I wish there was an easy answer but I guess not.
 
Thanks anyway for all your help.

How about Eagle Pack Holistic Senior for your 11 year old boy. I think it would be perfect for him. I feed EP Holistic and it's one of the few companies that I trust and that I like all of the ingredients.

Thank you Luvntzus,
 
Yes, that looks like a good food too. I am currently giving my older boy EP Holistic Chicken.  I like the EP Holistic line as well. I'm thinking of rotating him between the ck, fish, duck and senior.
 
Do you think the numbers would be okay for Oliver, my young boy whose got a few issues...see above? I didn't consider a senior food for him, but maybe?
 
Thanks again.

You're welcome. [] I think the fat in EP Senior Care would be too low for a younger dog.... I think it's ideal for a senior, but EP Holistic Duck Meal & Oatmeal would probably be better for Oliver.