Best Allergy Food--Need Opinions

jjsmom--THANK YOU

I still think I'm not getting a direct answer.

I want PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. Timber Wolf is NOT an option.

All the things i listed ARE within my price range:

-Natural Balance
-Wellness
-Canidae

WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON THAT??

As I said twice already, I am NO LONGER doing the ELIMINATION diet, and yes, I am well aware that when doing an elimination diet, you do not feed treats, bones, scraps, etc. And I never did any of that.

Now that I have narrowed down what I believe she can and cannot eat, I would like to switch foods.

Willow, and jjsmom, thanks for your help. I am just having a hard time getting STRAIGHT answers.
I am already having a very hard time with my sick cat, and it is becoming expensive as it is, so I would like to switch foods.

If your pup is doing well on a salmon and potato formula, then I would start with that. I'm a big fan of the Natural Balance because its as close to the prescription allergy formulas as you can get. I've never fed the diet though, just the treats. My allergy dog is on Eukanuba right now, he looks great, and I'm going to keep him on it until I've determined what exactly he is and is not allergic to.

Sorry, I tried to help. [] Like I said, I would feed one of the Natural Balance allergy formulas. Also, the all caps and yelling at people who are trying to help is a little rude.[8|]

I had good luck with Natural Balance Potato and Duck with my allergic cocker.

I sent you a PM too![]

Dulce-
 I would perhaps try the NB food first. It didn't work for my JJ with his allergies but has been VERY effective for many people. I have tried the Canidae and liked that as well, But JJ has allergies specific to rice so it didn't work out. 
 
I am not sure if you have had time to look at the link I posted for you at the beginning of this thread, but if not, here it is again:
 
[linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=151532]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=151532[/link]
 
If you truly want to know A LOT more opinions about any 3 of those foods, then go to that link.  ALL 3 of those foods are reviewed countless times by idoggers... 
 
 

I would like someone with Fish, or Duck, and potato and sweet potato.

 
My bad--I keyed into this statement---I did recommend as a choice the Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish.  I agree with misskiwi--if she is doing well on a salmon/potato based formula, I would keep her on that combination.  You may also try Natural Balance Potato and Duck formula as well--I have a friend feeding this to her allergy lab with great results!!  No more itching/hotspots.  Good luck & sorry for the confusion.
 

Luvntzus,
 
Don't be sorry you tried to help. []  You answered very well in explaining what a true elimination diet is.  The OP was not originally clear (at least not by me) that she had been, but was no longer doing an elimination diet.  And I think she asked what one was later on in the thread.  Maybe she has mentioned it in other threads, but I missed where she had said she was no longer doing the diet in this thread.  So, you were very helpful to what was asked, and you weren't the only one who missed that information.
 
It gets frustrating sometimes working out what our dogs can and cannot tolerate - and sometimes that frustration leads us not to be very clear in our questions or answers. 
 
But, anyway, I hope Dulce Pit Bull finds something that works well for her and her furbaby.  Sorry I missed that you had already done the true food trial.  Just out of curiosity, I would like to know what your dog was allergic to.  (we are still in the middle of our months - and - months long trial).  So, just being curious as to what yours was allergic to.
 
One additional thing I would like to say is that it will be a matter of trying each food.  Some dogs can have issues with the types and forms of minerals and that might vary between the foods. Monica Segal has a dog that has problems with every form of calcium except for lactic acid.     Also, if a particular food runs a batch after a different type of food in whatever manufacturing plant there is, then there can be leftover residue of certain proteins.  A dog that doesn't have severe allergies shouldn't be affected by it, but it can happen.  Just read the epilepsy thread and DoctorJ said that it took a suprising few amounts of protein molecules to affect an epiletic dog, so I would guess in theory the same could be true for a true food allergen.  Hopefully any true food allergen isn't as severe as this, but it's just a point to say that you might have to switch around and see. 

Thanks guys!

jjsmom-Thanks again. I lost the link before, but have now saved it to my favorites so I can go back and read it.

I am almost positive she developed and allergy to the Innova food. When she was on that, she would get massive hives all over her body.

She does have environmental allergies, but they do not cause the hives.

I also bathe her once a week, and give her flea medication every 2 weeks to rule out fleas as a problem.

I am VERY careful with the treats that I do give her. (Only on special occassions)

I do use the Natural Balance "semi" moist food rolls, in lamb and rice for training treats. She LOVES it, and hasn't had a problem with it either.

I think I will look into the Natural Balance.

Couple more questions...what is everone's thought on Natures Recipe??

And, is it wrong of me to add in REAL veggies to her food?

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

Sorry, I tried to help. [] Like I said, I would feed one of the Natural Balance allergy formulas. Also, the all caps and yelling at people who are trying to help is a little rude.[8|]

Oh, I wasn't yelling at any one by no means! I'm not at all angry, I'm just frustrated with the amount of options I have.

And no, I was not rude, and I don't appreciate the rolling eyes.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who has helped. Chow--I got your PM, thank you! And misskiwi, you are always helpful, thank you.

I will wait and see. I'm going to the pet store tonight to look at all my options, and I will keep you all posted! THANKS AGAIN!!

I had checked out Nature's Recipe a few months ago.  They also have a Fish and Potato formula.  It's catfish.  But, I hesitated for a couple of reasons, one being that it also has barley which gives Willow a problem.  It could possibly cause an allery issue for your dog too.  And, I wasn't sure if the fish was preserved with ethoxyquin. 
 
Honestly, I'd go with the Natural Balance.  If you e-mail them they will probably send you some coupons too.  I know Petco has the buy 10 bags get one free plan too. 
 
The veggies are fine as long as they are prepared so the dog can digest them.

ORIGINAL: chasza

Luvntzus,

Don't be sorry you tried to help. []  You answered very well in explaining what a true elimination diet is.  The OP was not originally clear (at least not by me) that she had been, but was no longer doing an elimination diet.  And I think she asked what one was later on in the thread.  Maybe she has mentioned it in other threads, but I missed where she had said she was no longer doing the diet in this thread.  So, you were very helpful to what was asked, and you weren't the only one who missed that information.

It gets frustrating sometimes working out what our dogs can and cannot tolerate - and sometimes that frustration leads us not to be very clear in our questions or answers. 

But, anyway, I hope Dulce Pit Bull finds something that works well for her and her furbaby.  Sorry I missed that you had already done the true food trial.  Just out of curiosity, I would like to know what your dog was allergic to.  (we are still in the middle of our months - and - months long trial).  So, just being curious as to what yours was allergic to.

One additional thing I would like to say is that it will be a matter of trying each food.  Some dogs can have issues with the types and forms of minerals and that might vary between the foods. Monica Segal has a dog that has problems with every form of calcium except for lactic acid.     Also, if a particular food runs a batch after a different type of food in whatever manufacturing plant there is, then there can be leftover residue of certain proteins.  A dog that doesn't have severe allergies shouldn't be affected by it, but it can happen.  Just read the epilepsy thread and DoctorJ said that it took a suprising few amounts of protein molecules to affect an epiletic dog, so I would guess in theory the same could be true for a true food allergen.  Hopefully any true food allergen isn't as severe as this, but it's just a point to say that you might have to switch around and see. 

Oh! That is very helpful, thanks! I would love to have a serum test done on her by her allergist, but it is VERY costly, and I'm already broke because of my cats illness. But I hope that some day soon I will get to do that, to pin-point EXACTLY what it is she reacts to.

Again, no probs since I took her off the Innova. Does Innova has dairy in it? That may be a contributing factor..

Dulce,
 
After your last post, I wanted to make one more comment based on my experience with my allergy girl. (would still like to know if yours is allergic to grain or proteins, or both......)
 
Anyhow,  I truly, truly noticed a marked increase in her allergic type reactions after giving flea meds.  I know the topicals are not "supposed" to get into the bloodstream.  But, on several different occasions, I noticed the same type of severe response to the flea meds.  So, giving meds - especially every 2 weeks - could, in reality, be making the problem worse.
 
Might I suggest beneficial nematodes for outdoors and borax salts (NOT 20 team borax laundry powder), which is ordered from pet supply places that you place in your carpet and backs of furniture once a year (my vet uses these items and says it makes a huge difference).

"Jessies MOM-Would you respond to my thread? I would really like to hear what YOU  think.. "


  I love the picture of Dulce in your posts; she's so cute.[]  Misskiwi is a vet student and has a dog being treated by a dermatologist; she is probably more qualified to give you advice than anyone. You said you did a true diet trial; part of that is feeding the ingredients from foods she's had after she's been on the elimination diet for several weeks. You feed one thing at a time, each for a few weeks to see if it causes an allergic reaction; are you sure she's allergic to chicken, turkey, beef and dairy? It's possible she may only be allergic to only one of those foods and you may have more feeding options than you think. I have personally not fed any of the foods you mention but if you think she's allergic to chicken then Canidae wouldn't work unless you feed the Lamb and Rice. If you're considering a lamb and rice food I think Sensible Choice Lamb and Rice by Royal Canin is better; [linkhttp://www.sensiblechoice.com/SCHDLRA.HTM]http://www.sensiblechoice.com/SCHDLRA.HTM[/link].   It is a simple (meaning allergy) food and is 25% protein. I fed Jessie this for a few months and she did very well on it; her coat actually became shinier than when she was on Eagle Pack Holistic Fish; I was really surprised. She is currently on a Potato and Rabbit RX diet to see if she has any new food allergies; right now I'm feeding her beef with it to see if she's sensitive to beef. Many members feed Natural Balance and are very happy with it; the salmon oil in it has a lot of omega 3's, which are an anti-inflamatory and are good for the coat.  I noticed you asked if Innova has dairy; yes; it has cottage cheese. There's nothing wrong with adding real veggies to her food as long as they're cooked or pureed so she can digest them; dogs lack the enzyme to digest cellulose so you need to break down the cell walls of veggies for her.
  About chaza's comments concerning flea products making her dog itchier; the only topical I know of that doesn't enter the blood stream is Frontline but there may be others. I know that vaccinations trigger allergies in atopic dogs. My veterinary dermatologist recommends getting allergy dogs vaccinated in the winter when there are fewer allergens because she has seen a correlation between vaccinations and allergy flare ups in her clients dogs.  I waited until January for Jessie to have her vaccinations, and my vet scheduled them between her allergy shots; he wouldn't give them the same week. He also gave the Lepto a few weeks after the other vaccinations; so, there are many stresses on the immune system that can trigger a dog's allergies to flare up.

just thought I'd chime in that when you look at kcal/cp and cost per lb for me TWO wound up cheaper per cup than NB - by my calculations TWO Ocean Blue is the same $.48/cp as NB venison (the duck is pricier) but due to the greater kcal per cup of the TWO in our case it is $.71/day cheaper to feed. My dog needs about 2000kcal/day of kibble so YMMV

another thing is that on the NB venison his poops were HUGE, now on TWO he is pooping probably half as much in volume as on the NB

I am only letting you know my experience - good luck