Best Allergy Food--Need Opinions

Natural Balance for a true diet trial... if you aren't doing a true diet trial, then it doesn't matter... 

I have to disagrree that the NB is a true diet trial food.  It is not a true diet trial if that particular dog has ever had any ingredient before.  My girl is on a true diet trial now, and we are on canned rabbit b/c she never had rabbit before.  New grain as well.   And as for doing a true allergy trial, then it's also good to do another food between the regular food and the trial food that also has never been eaten before.  I used Purina H/A for 3-4 weeks as the transition while I used Culturelle to help heal the gut.
 
The point is that anything consumed in the past cannont be used in a true diet trial.  But, if just looking to switch brands for reasons other than suspected allergies, then trying NB certainly would be a good choice as well as the others mentioned.
 
Now, personally I like California Natural and I know my speciality (allergist) vet sells it b/c it is considered a good food for allergies b/c it only has lamb, rice, and supplements.  My dogs were on this for a long time before doing the food trial.  Turns out the my girl is truly allergic to rice, so that knocks out alot of brands for us.  But, for most dogs, the California Natural is also a very good brand to try.   Innova as well - although I'm not as familiar with their ingredients.  Cal. Natural also has a line of fish and potato now, as well.

To do a true elimination diet, you have to feed ONE protein source, one carb source and NOTHING else...including the preservatives, additives, vitamins and minerals that are in any and all processed foods.  You can either do this in raw form or homecooked, but it's simply not possible to do a TRUE elimination diet with any product that has anything BUT the protein and carb.

ALthough many folks will likely disagree..I have my two older dogs on Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach (salmon base).  Considerable improvement in ears on the gsd and skin and coat on both and stool on both.  I cant argue with the results (and the availability)

ALthough many folks will likely disagree..I have my two older dogs on Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach (salmon base). Considerable improvement in ears on the gsd and skin and coat on both and stool on both. I cant argue with the results (and the availability)

This food along with the Purina One formulation is used with much success and has been a life saver on many of the other boards I belong too, but it will not be recieved well on this board.

I think I prefer the ProPlan sensitive skin formula to most of the Natural Balance formulas. It does have brewer's rice instead of real rice, and generic fish meal and animal fats, but at least it has a decent level of protein in it.
 
Proplan:
 



Ingredients:
Salmon, brewers rice, canola meal, oat meal, fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), salmon meal (natural source of glucosamine), pearled barley, brewers dried yeast, animal digest, salt, potassium chloride, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium carbonate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite 

 

Guaranteed Analysis %:





Crude Protein (Min) 
26 

Crude Fat (Min) 
16 

Moisture (Max) 
12 

Crude Fiber (Max) 
4 
 
Here's the fish formula from Natural Balance: basically a bag of potatoes with a little fish for flavor.
 
 



Ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Salmon, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols), Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B). 

 

Guaranteed Analysis %:





Crude Protein (min) 
21 

Crude Fat (min) 
10 

Moisture (max) 
10 

Crude Fiber (max) 
3 

Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min) 
3 

Calcium (min) 
1 

Phosphorus (min) 
0.9 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min) 
0.5 
 
 
Here/s Timberwolf Organics fish formula:  It's superior to ProPlan, but it has a lot of "stuff" in it that can be troubling for allergy-prone dogs.
 




Ingredients:
Low Ash White Fish Meal, Salmon, Potatoes, Sardine/Mackerel/Anchovy/Tuna Oils, Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Potassium Chloride, Amaranth, Carrot, Watercress, Spinach, Celery, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pears, Figs, Thyme, Anise Seed, Ground Cinnamon Bark, Fenugreek, Garlic Pieces, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Apples, Taurine, Spirulina, Choline Chloride, Lecithin, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Lactis, Bacillus Bifidum, Streptococcus Diacetilactis, Bacillus Subtillus), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), Lysine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine, Methionine, Carnitine, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iodine Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), Copper Proteinate, Selenium Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Papain, Yucca Schidigera Extract. 

 

Guaranteed Analysis %:





PROTEIN 
26 

FAT 
16 

MOISTURE 
9 

OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS 
3.4 

FIBER 
3 

CALCIUM 
1.5 

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS 
1.4 

PHOSPHOROUS 
0.9 

 

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy
Here's the fish formula from Natural Balance: basically a bag of potatoes with a little fish for flavor.

 
I dont' think you can make this assessment by these ingredient lists.  Proplan has 3 meat sources  NB has two but also has salmon oil.  Natural Balance has 3 grains listed while Pro Plan has 4.  The Pro plan may have higher protein but a good amount of it is coming from the Canola Meal which has 36% protein.  Also, sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritious carb sources you can find, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.  Both the sweet potatoes and regular pototoes have more vitamins than the brewers rice. The oatmeal in the Pro Plan has a good nutrient profile, though not quite comparable to sweet potatoes.
 
If you want to base the decision on % protein I would choose the Pro Plan but for ingredients I would pick the NB. 

Dulce,
I wanted to give you a link to a REALLY good thread that was on this forum months ago. It is VERY long, but essentially it is owners telling what all foods they have fed and what they thought of each one and how their dogs did on it.   
 
The 3 foods you mentioned are listed countless times with people's opinions of them so this might be helpful to you.

Good luck in your search!
 
[linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=151532]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=151532[/link]

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

I think I prefer the ProPlan sensitive skin formula to most of the Natural Balance formulas. It does have brewer's rice instead of real rice, and generic fish meal and animal fats, but at least it has a decent level of protein in it.

Proplan:




Ingredients:
Salmon, brewers rice, canola meal, oat meal, fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), salmon meal (natural source of glucosamine), pearled barley, brewers dried yeast, animal digest, salt, potassium chloride, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium carbonate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite 



Guaranteed Analysis %:





Crude Protein (Min) 
26 

Crude Fat (Min) 
16 

Moisture (Max) 
12 

Crude Fiber (Max) 
4 

Here's the fish formula from Natural Balance: basically a bag of potatoes with a little fish for flavor.





Ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Salmon, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols), Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B). 



Guaranteed Analysis %:





Crude Protein (min) 
21 

Crude Fat (min) 
10 

Moisture (max) 
10 

Crude Fiber (max) 
3 

Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min) 
3 

Calcium (min) 
1 

Phosphorus (min) 
0.9 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min) 
0.5 


Here/s Timberwolf Organics fish formula:  It's superior to ProPlan, but it has a lot of "stuff" in it that can be troubling for allergy-prone dogs.





Ingredients:
Low Ash White Fish Meal, Salmon, Potatoes, Sardine/Mackerel/Anchovy/Tuna Oils, Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Potassium Chloride, Amaranth, Carrot, Watercress, Spinach, Celery, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pears, Figs, Thyme, Anise Seed, Ground Cinnamon Bark, Fenugreek, Garlic Pieces, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Apples, Taurine, Spirulina, Choline Chloride, Lecithin, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Lactis, Bacillus Bifidum, Streptococcus Diacetilactis, Bacillus Subtillus), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), Lysine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine, Methionine, Carnitine, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iodine Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), Copper Proteinate, Selenium Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Papain, Yucca Schidigera Extract. 



Guaranteed Analysis %:





PROTEIN 
26 

FAT 
16 

MOISTURE 
9 

OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS 
3.4 

FIBER 
3 

CALCIUM 
1.5 

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS 
1.4 

PHOSPHOROUS 
0.9 

The Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish  was recommended to my daughter by a vet dermatoligist who has authored several books on the topic. I have had my dog on that as well as 2 other NB allergy foods for a long time, and her coat and energy level is excellent.   The reason that the Potato is listed first in the ingredient list is because the potatos are not dried prior to calculating the percentage and the list uses the percentage of the ingredients prior to the processing.  Once it is dryed into kibble, then the fish or duck would be the highest percentage of the food since the potato is about 70% water by weight..  If you look at the ingredients of the same foods in canned form, the potato is not the first ingredient......

[linkhttp://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/UPDcanned.html#SPFAnchor]http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/UPDcanned.html#SPFAnchor[/link]

While I appreciate your responses, I'm not so sure MY question was answered, and now I am totally confused.

I don't know what a "true trial diet" is. If you're taking about an elimination diet for allergies, then that is what I have been doing, and I hate the food she is on now, so I want to change it.

She WAS on Innova when her allergies started. I believe Innova is a very rich food, with more protein than her, and most dogs can handle. I've hear a lot of people whos dogs have developed allergies to Innova.

Since I switched, she's had NO problems whatsoever. However, she is now on Eukanuba Fish & Potato. I HATE Eukanuba, and will not TOUCH "Purina".

I don't know if I mentioned it, but I do chop up and cook apples, carrots, potato, and sweet poato into her regular dry food.

So, can anyone give me specific formula's they would recommend?

Should I post links to what I've foudn that I think are good? What sould I stay away from? (Other than wheat, high protein, and corn?)

ORIGINAL: Dulce Pit Bull


She WAS on Innova when her allergies started. I believe Innova is a very rich food, with more protein than her, and most dogs can handle. I've hear a lot of people whos dogs have developed allergies to Innova.

I really don't think it's the protein level that dogs can't handle... My dog and others have eaten foods with the same protein level and been fine. I think it's some of the ingredients, or possibly a combination of ingredients in Innova that's the problem. The dairy products are my best guess.

A true trial diet is one where the dog is fed only 1 protein source and only 1 carb source that they've never been exposed to before. So if you routinely feed your dog potatoes and sweet potatoes, then a food with either of those ingredients would not be included in a true allergy diet trial. You also would not be able to give ANY treats, flavored hw pills, or foods of any other type during the trial. Based on what you've fed, the only novel food I can think of is something like kangaroo and oats possibly.

If I were you I would probably just try Natural Balance Venison & Rice. I would personally never feed Pro Plan because of the "animal" fat, "animal" digest, barley, and menadione bisulfite. [8|]

Dulce--
 

  Since I switched, she's had NO problems whatsoever. However, she is now on Eukanuba Fish & Potato.

 

I don't know if I mentioned it, but I do chop up and cook apples, carrots, potato, and sweet poato into her regular dry food.

 
If you are feeding all these things with no problems, then a true elimination diet is not in order.  I would recommend Timberwolf Organics Ocean Blue--great ingredients, and the protein level is at 26%--a nice moderate number.  Here are the details:
 
Timberwolf Organics - Ocean Blue
Suitable for animals with allergies, sensitive skin and for overweight dogs

Note:
This product uses an alternative animal protein source and may be
suitable for dogs that are allergic to regular ones like chicken or beef.

Ingredients:
Low ash white fish meal, salmon, potatoes, sardine/mackerel/anchovy/tuna oils, kelp, alfalfa leaf, potassium chloride, amaranth, carrot, watercress, spinach, celery, parsley, fennel seed, blueberries, cranberries, pears, figs, thyme, anise seed, ground cinnamon bark, fenugreek, garlic pieces, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, apples, taurine, spirulina, choline chloride, lecithin, probiotics: (lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus lactis, bacillus bifidum, streptococcus diacetilactis, bacillus subtillus), taurine, mixed tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), lysine, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, thiamine, methionine, carnitine, niacin, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, iodine proteinate, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, folic acid, pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), copper proteinate, selenium proteinate, cobalt proteinate, papain, yucca schidigera extract

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein: 26%
Fat: 16%
Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 9%

 
Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato is nice, also--a bit low in protein for my liking, though.  Details:
 
Natural Balance - Sweet Potato & Fish Dry Dog Food

Note:
This product uses a single alternative animal protein source and may be
suitable for dogs that are allergic to regular ones like chicken or beef.

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes, salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), sweet potato fiber, DL-methionine, L-lysine, sodium chloride, salmon oil, flaxseed oil, rosemary extract, natural flavor, yucca schidigera extract, potassium chloride, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, Potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin K supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein: 21%
Fat: 10%
Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 10%




 

Timberwolf Organics - Ocean Blue
Suitable for animals with allergies, sensitive skin and for overweight dogs

Note:
This product uses an alternative animal protein source and may be
suitable for dogs that are allergic to regular ones like chicken or beef.

Ingredients:
Low ash white fish meal, salmon, potatoes, sardine/mackerel/anchovy/tuna oils, kelp, alfalfa leaf, potassium chloride, amaranth, carrot, watercress, spinach, celery, parsley, fennel seed, blueberries, cranberries, pears, figs, thyme, anise seed, ground cinnamon bark, fenugreek, garlic pieces, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, apples, taurine, spirulina, choline chloride, lecithin, probiotics: (lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus lactis, bacillus bifidum, streptococcus diacetilactis, bacillus subtillus), taurine, mixed tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), lysine, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, thiamine, methionine, carnitine, niacin, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, iodine proteinate, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, folic acid, pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), copper proteinate, selenium proteinate, cobalt proteinate, papain, yucca schidigera extract

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein: 26%
Fat: 16%
Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 9%


Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato is nice, also--a bit low in protein for my liking, though. Details:

Natural Balance - Sweet Potato & Fish Dry Dog Food

Note:
This product uses a single alternative animal protein source and may be
suitable for dogs that are allergic to regular ones like chicken or beef.

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes, salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), sweet potato fiber, DL-methionine, L-lysine, sodium chloride, salmon oil, flaxseed oil, rosemary extract, natural flavor, yucca schidigera extract, potassium chloride, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, Potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin K supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein: 21%
Fat: 10%
Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 10%

 
Tzu mom- I too feed timberwolf and have had incredible results with both my pups including my allergy dog, BUT I am not sure this will be the best food to feed in Dulce's case.. I think it is probably WAY out of the price range she is wanting to keep things in... based on this comment:
 

  I am really looking to change Dulce's food. I HATE the brand, and the price is practically unaffordable for me at this point. 
        

 
 
I believe she is currently feding Eukanuba which is considerably lower in cost than Timberwolf.  Not sure how something like natural balance compares to Eukanuba price... probably still higher I think.  Canidae would erhaps be cheaper (at least in my area it is) but I think their formulas have dairy???  Could be wrong though it has been awhile since I fed it.

I belive that mudpuppy's ingredient list for Natural Balance Sweet otato and Fish is outdated.  The one tzu mom posted is correct.