Dog Community

What would you buy?

Posted : 8/20/2006 8:58:09 AM

I just want to get some ideas of what everyone would use as an alternative if they could not use a holistic brand kibble.

papillon806

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:01:37 AM

Well since I am in that boat, I am trying Bil-Jac. What is Willow allergic to again? Is it chicken?

Other non-holistic brands to consider (I find holistic hard to define so excuse me if I list one that is considered "holistic"):
Nutro
Royal Canin
Purina Pro Plan (and Purina ONE)
Bil-Jac
Iams and Euk. (not great, but certainly not the worst)
Authority (my friends feeds their various formulas and her dogs look AMAZING)

...I may add more, I'm having a brain fart, lol [8D]

sooner

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:03:47 AM

Well, I don't know if this counts as not holistic because it is all natural, but most people consider it mid-grade. I'm using [linkhttp://www.sensiblechoice.com/SCHDLRA.HTM]Sensible Choice Lamb & Rice[/link] which is working better for us than Innova, California Natural, Timberwolf, Eagle Pack, or Canidae did.

willowchow

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:09:22 AM

Thanks guys. Where I'm going with this is that I'm trying to find a new kibble but most likely Willow isn't going to eat anything "holistic" AKA, the best brands. I'm going to try a few that are new that weren't out when I tried last time. But, I'm not going to spend months doing it considering her GI issues. Just trying to get some options. I haven't been looking at kibble in over a year so I just wanted everyones ideas since there might be a lot of new stuff that I haven't seen yet.

shamrockmommy

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:37:05 AM

Well, I'd have to call around and find out what urine pH their food produces but I'd probably look at Eukanuba, since so many of the show people I worked with feed it (and their dogs look outstanding). I've fed Authority in the past when my minpin was a pup and he did great on it too.

But as long as I can get and they do well on PetGuard Lifespan, I'll be feeding that.

glenmar

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:45:26 AM

Isn't Willow also allergic to WHEAT? That makes it really tough. I know that most of the foods I posted on the other thread are considered super premiums, but it wouldn't hurt to check out some of those.

Beth

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:57:57 AM

I would try Royal Canin. I have seen several show kennels whose dogs do wonderfully on it. One of the brands I feed at times to my picky English Toy, I think it is one of the better ones. I like Bil Jac, but still have some concerns about the BHA/BHT, otherwise it works great for others I know. I would stay away for Eukanuba and Iams because of their ethics.

jjsmom06

Posted : 8/20/2006 10:26:18 AM

To my surprise, Costco Brand (Kirkland- Lamb and Rice) isn't even close to being one of the worst ones out there. I know there was some sort of problem awhile back with Diamond foods but I don't think it included this brand.

The rescue I work with occassionally has to buy this food if they aren't able to get food donated (it is expensive to feed up to 28 dogs at a time!) and this food is only $17 for 40 pounds. The greyhounds actually do pretty well on it (ie- almost no gas and firm poop). The ingredient list can be hard to find online (I think I found it listed one time under a golden retriver online forum). If you have a costco in your area, it might be worth looking into.

Good Luck!

Twin

Posted : 8/20/2006 3:26:56 PM

Maybe try and get a few samples of the ones people have listed here. I know samples have helped me a ton, because they have told me which ones my pup will eat and which ones he will flat out NOT touch. If they do not carry samples at the store, I have e-mailed the companies and most are more than happy to send out a nice array of samples. [

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Jessie Adams

Posted : 8/20/2006 4:07:36 PM

My dogs are on holistic foods... Timberwolf Organics, and Wellness.

If I could not feed a holistic food, I would use Royal Canin or Nutro Natural Choice.

ColleenC

Posted : 8/20/2006 4:31:57 PM

I've been most satisfied with Bil-Jac. Less clean up, great coats, and never a problem with my dogs eating it. I also was very happy with Eukanuba Lamb and Rice. My dogs did quite well on both of those foods. Now, I feed just the Bil-Jac, but recommend both at work.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/20/2006 4:47:39 PM

Well since I am in that boat, I am trying Bil-Jac. What is Willow allergic to again? Is it chicken

According to Lori's other thread, she can't have chicken, chicken fat, or barley.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/20/2006 4:52:18 PM

Well, I don't know if this counts as not holistic because it is all natural, but most people consider it mid-grade. I'm using Sensible Choice Lamb & Rice which is working better for us than Innova, California Natural, Timberwolf, Eagle Pack, or Canidae did

Kelly, has it helped Boomer's dandruff? I think Sensible Choice is a good food; Willow can't have it though because it has chicken fat.

Melaney B.

Posted : 8/20/2006 5:15:43 PM

I would stay away for Eukanuba and Iams

I agree with you on staying away from these brands, Last time i have seen them is when i was dogsitting for my cousin. He was feeding her Iams and when i feed her, i noticed how salty and greasy it felt!

sooner

Posted : 8/20/2006 5:31:15 PM

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

Well, I don't know if this counts as not holistic because it is all natural, but most people consider it mid-grade. I'm using Sensible Choice Lamb & Rice which is working better for us than Innova, California Natural, Timberwolf, Eagle Pack, or Canidae did

Kelly, has it helped Boomer's dandruff? I think Sensible Choice is a good food; Willow can't have it though because it has chicken fat.

It's not as bad as it was, but it's nowhere near being cleared up. I think I'm going to get Derm Caps or something similar. I can't feed the salmon oil every night because it upsets his tummy, so I don't know if those would work either.