Uggh...

    • Gold Top Dog

    Uggh...

    So I was feeding Tootsie EP Holistic  Sardine forever and she started not eating it. So I switched to NB Ultra Premium and  thought everything was fine,but Now shes itchy and her coat is dull and flaky. Stools are fine though.I think I'll go back to EP, but the duck formula. What do you think?

    • Gold Top Dog

     Possibly something else fishy, since the fish was working....

    • Bronze

     Is Tootsie sensitive/allergic to any particular foods - specific proteins or grains perhaps?

    The NB Ultra contains barley (whereas the EP Holistic does not), and some dogs react to barley.
    The Ultra also contains Brewers Yeast (the EP does not) - again, some dogs react to this.

    Also, if you compare the ingredients listing for both foods, the Ultra looks like it has a higher proportion of grains; that in itself could contribute to coat issues with some dogs. Or otherwise it's the amounts and proportions of Omega 6 & 3 ... the EP Anchovy/Sardine looks like it would be quite high on Omega 3.

    Have you considered giving Tootsie a daily capsule of fish oil while feeding the Ultra? 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Have you tried the NB allergy line?  They have three varieties, and all are grain-free, they all come in dry and canned varieties.  They are: Potato & Duck, Sweet Potato & Salmon, and Sweet Potato & Venison.  I rotate between the three flavors for Harry; each time I buy a new bag I get a different flavor.  I was pretty sure he was reacting to grains in his previous food, and ever since I switched him to the NB allergy line a couple of months ago, he's been doing great.  I also add a raw egg yolk to his food every other day, and that has helped with the dry, itchy skin.  He loves it when he gets egg yolk, too!!  He gets so excited when I pull out the carton!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Can you get Orijen Fish where you are? 

    • Gold Top Dog

     She gets salmon oil and vit. e daily. I'll have to check on the orijen. I have a feeling that it is the brewers yeast. I can get orijen fish and it sounds great. Maybe I'll try that. Since its a fish food:) should I keep supplementing with the salmon oil and vit.e?

    • Gold Top Dog

     The Orijen fish is really really fishy so you may not need to, I'd just go with your feeling once you start it.

    • Gold Top Dog

     Well I decided against the orijen, a little to spendy right now and went with the NB Sweet Potato and Salmon Grain Free, so we will see. She also went to the groomers yesterday and was flea free, so the itchies were from the food. I try so hard to give Tootsie the best of food to keep everything looking good, ie. coat, stool, breath, etc... and this happens. So wish us luck!

    • Gold Top Dog

     Actually, if you still have trouble with NB, rethink Eagle Pack Holistics.  I rotate the Holistics varieties  (by the way, they don't like the fish).  I tried to change to Canidae because it is easier to get locally and a bit less expensive, but after a couple of months,  coat quality and stool consistency just never got to the same level as with Eagle Pack.  I tried mixing the two, but ended up going back to EP and coat were gorgeous again and poops were less profuse.

    Good luck. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Dogs can stop eating food for a number of reasons but as long as they are healthy and it is working with their systems why switch?

    Humans get bored easily and need variety.....as do dogs so maybe next time try adding something fun like warm rice, veggies, warm water, raw eggs to spice it up a bit. You dont have to go overbaord or unhealty to add a lil fun to their food.