Dog Community

Another food change for us- California Natural

Posted : 12/5/2006 9:58:53 AM

Well, after a wild emergency vet visit for my bichon (she ate some plastic pieces and it tore up her esophagus, stomach and intestines, poor thing!) and some unexplained diarrhea overnight for my minpin, all in the same week, I switched all 3 dogs off PetGuard

And also I couldn't get it in my area w/out ordering.

Before I pay shipping, I wanted to see how they would do on California Natural Chicken and Rice. I checked my notebook that I keep notes on how they do on foods and I noted that they seemed get dull coat and it thinned out- that was on adult formula (21%) protein. I am trying the puppy formula since it is the same percentage protein as PetGuard is. (26%). So far so good, though it's only been a week but I'm happy to report the pooping in the crate overnight has stopped! Yay! Everyone's poops are firm thankfully. We'll see what they look like in a few weeks.
Wish us luck

By the way, we're all settled from our big move to MD. Have to say, in a month, the bichons' tear staining and foot chewing has disappeared completely! Oklahoma was a major allergy problem for all of us- dogs and people. Phew, what a relief to not be handing out allergy pills to hubby, toddler, self, and 2 of the 3 dogs!!

M.W.Lewis

Posted : 12/5/2006 10:32:40 AM

That's great news that they are all doing so well now. Please keep us updated!

(was the plastic in the Petguard btw? I feed the canned sometimes.
Is your little Bichon going to be all right?)

Roxie865

Posted : 12/5/2006 12:50:33 PM

CA Natural is a fantastic food. Roxie did great on the lamb meal and rice (puppy).

Sorry to hear about your bichon's misfortune. [

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shamrockmommy

Posted : 12/5/2006 1:16:54 PM

The plastic came from a yogurt cup she swiped from my toddler! We call her Swiper now

chelsea_b

Posted : 12/6/2006 8:31:09 PM

By the way, we're all settled from our big move to MD.

Where in Maryland are you? I lived in Annapolis my whole life til two years ago.

I guess MD is pretty low allergen. Both Cherokee and my sister's dog have had at least a ten fold increase in their allergies since moving to California. It's really sad. I miss Maryland for a lot of reasons, but that one makes me feel the worst. [&o]

jode88

Posted : 12/6/2006 9:47:33 PM

Im particularly interested in how your pup does on the Ca Natural puppy. I just switched to Ca Natural lamb meal and rice puppy and so far I'm happy. It' s only
been about 5 days that we've been on it after transition. We were on EP which he did very well on, but since he/s so young I wanted a higher protein food. I also seem to have this uncontrollable urge to try different foods, It's an illness i think [

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Roxie865

Posted : 12/6/2006 11:46:57 PM

ORIGINAL: jode88

Im particularly interested in how your pup does on the Ca Natural puppy. I just switched to Ca Natural lamb meal and rice puppy and so far I'm happy. It' s only
been about 5 days that we've been on it after transition. We were on EP which he did very well on, but since he/s so young I wanted a higher protein food. I also seem to have this uncontrollable urge to try different foods, It's an illness i think []

I had that illness, too. Cost me a lot of money, time, and effort. I became a regular at the local shelter, because they were the recipients of extra food from Roxie and Trixie. Too bad I can't get the money back.

You need to nip the food switheroo in the bud, because it makes things worse down the road ...

shamrockmommy

Posted : 12/7/2006 8:22:44 AM

Man, I was a switcher too! Generally I'd try a 15 or 20lb bag of something and when that was gone, try something else. Resulted in a lot of coat loss, or dull coats, or poop issues.
BUT it did help me to find foods that work for my guys. I know that they do super on PetGuard (which isn't available in my area- might order it if they don't do well on California Natural).

So far so good on teh C/N chkn/Rice puppy. If they maintain coat and muscle tone and good poops (smaller than PG poops, which is nice) then we'll stick with it for a while. But pretty much have gotten over the urge to switch around- eventually you'll tire of it and then move on to biscuits LOL! Right now trying the Newman's own treats and when they're gone want to try the Evo treats

Oh, Im in the south end of Maryland, near the pax navy base. So far I really like it- the low allergens are much appreciated!

Pam

Posted : 12/7/2006 8:58:41 AM

Welcome to Maryland. I am in Bowie. That is so great your family is better. My cat developed hotspots when we moved from VA to MD. Thought it was the dirt.

I did Cal Nat chicken and rice for years. Her poops were nice. But she kept having yeast (lifetime problem) so I switched to a fish then raw...never did solve her problems poor baby. Bad immune system. I called the company and liked what they told me.

jode88

Posted : 12/7/2006 4:48:42 PM

I like the CN for far, I hope to stay on it or atleast keep it in a rotation. I like him
to have a little variety. I have learned tons from this board. I have fed my cats SD all their lives and after I switched, no more vomiting. Who knew a food could make such a difference.

ron2

Posted : 12/7/2006 7:09:11 PM

Good luck with whatever you do. If the puppy food ends up fading in usability, I could suggest an adult formula and supplement with something high in linoleic acid for the coat.

jessies_mom

Posted : 12/7/2006 8:44:55 PM

I have fed my cats SD all their lives and after I switched, no more vomiting. Who knew a food could make such a difference.

We have a Himilayan and she has fewer hairballs on Eagle Pack regular cat food than she did on any of the hairball formulas, including Science Diet and Nutro.