Shopping for a new food. Advice appreciated.

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trblmama
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Shopping for a new food. Advice appreciated.

Post by trblmama »

I am shopping for a new food since the addition of another permanent dog to our home. He has allergies (air/environment, not food) and I know there are better foods then the nutro we are feeding.

I have a pit bull that is sensitive to foods with a lot of corn, a chow that has allergies (seasonal, she gets yeasty ears a lot) and now a flat coat retriever x that has the allergies mentioned above (he also gets yeasty ears a lot).

I have always fed Nutro and due to a horrible reaction to a sample bag of Science Diet fed to Troubles by a volunteer I have been afraid to switch foods. My head tells me that *ummm hello it was Science Diet but ugh if you could have seen the hives on my poor boys body. I do not want to go through that again and I'm sure he doesn't either.

We have narrowed it down to Innova Evo but I am hearing bad things about a high protien diet although I can not find a lot of info to back up claims either way. The other food is California Natural.

I know the bottom line is what the dogs like. I'm basically looking for personal opinions and experiences with different foods. Info about high protien diets would be also be great.

I have looked into the raw diet but due to my life and work schedule I know it is not something I can commit to right now.

Thanks!
Steph
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Babs
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Post by Babs »

Hello,

I was having problems with Niaso, with her diet..She was having stool problems....very sensistive stomach.. :(

I tried Nutro which helped a little ...But the best food I found is Natural Balance..
which you should be able to get at any pet store... also ask for the infomation booklet..

My dogs LOVE the Sweet Potatoe & Salmon....
:lol:

I hope this helps
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Post by chowfrnd88 »

Hmm... I others will be able to give you more advice and options, but based on somse very very good advice we got here, we have switched Special Dark to Solid Gold Wolf King Bison and Salmon and it is great! He looks better, he scratches less, no more yeasty residue, etc. It's been a little less than a month I think. Good luck!
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kiwani
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Post by kiwani »

Re: "We have narrowed it down to Innova Evo but I am hearing bad things about a high protien diet although I can not find a lot of info to back up claims either way."
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Evo is really a performance food - you could do a search on high protein and bladder stones. Depending on how active your dogs are and how often they get to void their bladder, this could be a concern.

There are a lot of 'allergy' and yeast issues with Nutro because of the high levels of inflammatory type fats and by-product grain fragment ingredients. You'd have to move towards omega-3 based formulas (anti-inflammatory) - fish, venison, bison, free-range meat sources, etc. There are a lot of recent threads on nutrition/brand favorites, in the health forum.

Best wishes!
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

Kawaini, Where are you getting your Info about Nutro, I have 3 bags of different blends of Nutro and not one bag says anything about grains, fillers or by-products except once where it says Absolutely no by-products and no ground yellow corn. Pekoe has been eating Nutro from Day one, 10 years later has never had any allergy's, yeast issues or inflammatory problems. Pekoe's Oncologist, Nutritionist and Pekoe's real vet all feed their dogs Nutro. Everytime I ask if I should Change they all say no stay with the Nutro.
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Post by Samorrathis »

Nanuk is eating Innova Evo and we are both very happy with it.
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Post by kiwani »

Re: "Kawaini, Where are you getting your Info about Nutro"
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I read their ingredients lists, and their web site.



Re: "Pekoe's Oncologist, Nutritionist and Pekoe's real vet all feed their dogs Nutro. Everytime I ask if I should Change they all say no stay with the Nutro."
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And aren't you the one always saying that vets are swindlers and crooks, that Pekoe's vet is a jerk, and that none of them can be trusted?

; )
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Post by kingalls »

I have been trying to make the switch from Nutro to Solid Gold because I wanted to give my two a higher quality food and Mr. N has a tendancy for ear infections. Unfortunately, their poops are really on the side of being diarreha (sp?). I can't say it's the Solid Gold but it seems to coincide with having mixed in Solid Gold with Nutro. I bought more Nutro today and plan on giving them that without Solid Gold to see if that makes a difference.
I think that it depends on the Chow. Some will do great on Solid Gold (Special Dark) and others have had problem with it. It seems to be a process of trial and error until you find which product works for your Chow.
I think that Solid Gold is a good quality but it might be causing the messy poops with my two. Nutro is going to be a hundred times better than a run of the mill grocery store brand.
Karen, Shiloh, and Mr. N
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Jeff&Peks
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

Was that question that difficult to answer?
Yep I say it everyday all the time, Plus I do say 80 % are crooks, I am extremely critical about who touches Pekoe, So when I do say Pekoe's Oncologist, Pekoe's Nutritionist And Pekoe's real Vet, Notice I say Pekoe's, that means to me they are trusted enough to call them Pekoe's Medical group so when they say Nutro is ok I trust them enough to feed Pekoe Nutro but even with out their ok as I said Pekoe has been eating it for 10 years with no problems. aside from the melanoma her Senior test, Blood, Kidney, heart, all came back she is as healthy as a 3 year old. So where does your expertise and credentials come up with the Info that Nutro is bad.
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Zhuyos mom
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Post by Zhuyos mom »

I think Karen is absolutely correct. That the food choice is an individual thing and can sometimes be about trial and error. I've posted several times before that Zhu + Solid Gold = bad, bad skin reactions (hot spots, the itchies, etc.). He's also prone to ear infections but it's been so long since we did the food-go-round, that I'm not sure if that could have contributed in an ear infection. And to support Karen's statement, then you have Special Dark and the others who are able to do well. I had switched Zhu to Nutro lamb & rice when he got his second bout w/bloat, even though it was soaked, it did expand. Our family chow, Suntzu, lived on Pedigree all 15 years of his life and the only problem he had was a touch of the arthritis the half year or so of his life. He still has outlived all our other chows who were fed premium, high quality non-grocery store brands. Zhu is coming close at 14.5 years, but he's had many, many medical conditions - bloat, cancer.

Steph, my brother's late pit bull was quite allergic to things too. He ended up having to cook her meals... potatoes, carrots and the such. I sometimes cook meals for my two: white rice with ground lamb/ground turkey, and low fat cottage cheese and some olive oil. Sometimes I'll add a half of a crumbled hard boiled egg. Another member (s) on this site have recipes similiar and add a vegetable type of gravy which consists of frozen peas and carrots, I think spinach too) and blended to form that gravy. Might be too much to handle but it's worth a try to get your doggies into a stable dietary zone so you can try the brands you want to and figure out yea or nay quicker. My two are on Hill's Prescrption Z/D Ultra (that's their uber allergy food). I buy it from their vets. But your darlings may not be able to use it because I do think it has corn - it says starch, so I'll take that as may have corn in it. A friend of mine who does not own a chow but has 3 doggies switched to a B.A.R.F. diet. She cooks per the recipe and orders other things from a B.A.R.F. site and she told me her three have never been better. Good luck on your search.

Jeff, now, now! :wink: :P :)
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Post by kiwani »

Re: "Unfortunately, their poops are really on the side of being diarreha (sp?). I can't say it's the Solid Gold but it seems to coincide with having mixed in Solid Gold with Nutro."
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It also coincides with feeding Frosty Paws in recent days. Read about yeast die-off and diarrhea when switching to better foods. Frosty Paws would feed the yeast. You could keep feeding the yeast with sugar and starches, and keep the allergies, or get rid of the yeast and their toxins.

The Bil-Jacks and Jerky treats have sugars too.
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Post by ngraham »

I think the Nutro works great with my 2, but I also would not have a problem switching to something different if problems arose. I learned my lesson the hard way with Koda and how he suffered. I guess alot of it depends on the chow. In my less educated days, my poor Sasha was fed Wal-Mart's Old Roy High Protein dog food and loved it. She HATED Pedigree. I didn't have medical problems with her, including itching up until the end of her life. I have a good friend who has a 5 year old female black chow and she has fed her Purina Lamb and Rice (the same thing Koda was allergic to) all her life and her baby is just fine no allergy problems at all. In all fairness to Kiwani, I have seen some different articles concerning problems with dogs eating Nutro. Part of it being too high in Omega 6's I believe and there was something else about what they use as a meat base. The articles were posted on another board I am on. Now I could say "OMG, I better change my kids to something better" and honestly, I did consider it for a little while. But I finally decided if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Both Koda and Molly are doing fine on the Nutro and until it causes problems, if it does, they are going to stick with it. If one of them starts having problems, then we will work through that. I honestly don't believe there is a perfect dog food out there. After all, we all know Nutro, Innova, Natural Balance, Dick Van Pattens and all the rest of them (good and bad alike) were not around 2,000 years ago. What did the chows eat then? Too bad we can't go back to the earliest days of the chow nutrition.... I am sure there was alot less probleems with allergies, soft stools and tummy problems.
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Post by sweetpea »

I have no complaints with the Nutro either. Before putting Gracie on it, she would scratch alot, no fleas, just skin problems coming on. After switching her to Nutro her skin cleared up. If I wasnt a believer before that, after moving here I was down to just a few dollars left, my first paycheck a few days away and had just fed Gracie the last of her dog food so I had to buy just a cheap bag of food to get her thru a few days before I could get her Nutro. By the time I got my check, she was scratching again. First thing I did when I got paid was go buy her Nutro. I'm with Nancy, if Gracie has problems with the Nutro, I'll change foods too.
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Post by kingalls »

:) the Frosty Paws weren't well received - they didn't eat much of it like they did the first time I gave it to them last year so I can't say the Frosty Paws gave them the messy poops. The Bil*Jacks and Jerky treats might be suspect though! Shiloh hasn't give the Bil*Jacks more than a "no-way" sniff so I know her messy poops aren't because of the Bil*Jacks...that leaves the jerky treats...they have had the jerky treats prior to these messy poops but we can start making that adjustment, too. Like I said - trial and error!
The messy poops aren't just stinky - it's just not dignified to see soiled Chow breeches - especially when they want their butts scratched - that's when I do my humph! no way!

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Post by Jeff&Peks »

Actually I have made a food change starting as of last night. I've been going back and forth with Nutro Lamb and Rice and Nutro Ultra Senior, Pekoe seems to really like the Nutro Ultra its like night and Day, for some reason with the Ultra way more energy ( have to Check the Sugar level) With the Lamb and rice she sort of chases rabbits and Cats then Stops, today after the Ultra she jumped a 4 foot bush then dragged me through the bush and off we went no hesitation even tried to cut them off in the run, I thought she going to brake the leash, I haven't seen that much energy in months. Its been awhile since I have had to slow her down and not point out the critters it was to hot for her to be doing that much running. Usally she contols the heat herself if she gets hot she just plops down in the shade, today it was non stop running.

The Frosty Paws, Pekoe gives those a 4 paws up, She loves them. I'm sure they don't have the best ingredients but I've been giving her those for years, just in the summer and usually after a walk when she's hot. I don't give her that many treats so a Frosty paw once in awhile should be Ok. I haven't noticed any difference in her Poop. Her Poop is still good enough to bring home and frame. If we all are that critical of what our Chows eat then our Kids must be in really bad shape with all the junk and fast foods they eat. I'm a fried chicken with heavy salt addict topped off with a 2 litter bottle of diet coke.

Speaking of the Barf Diet, I just bought Pekoe 6 raw Buffalo bones what am I supposed to do with those things, the guy said not to cook them. I gave her one frozen she seem to like it. The only reason I bought them is I go into this store for no reason almost everyday so I thought I should buy something, I did, 6 raw Buffalo bones, . I didn't think about it at the time but who's killing the Buffalo and where are the bones coming from. I didn't think you could kill them in the US.
Last edited by Jeff&Peks on Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Zhuyos mom »

kingalls wrote::) the Frosty Paws weren't well received - they didn't eat much of it like they did the first time ...
Perhaps you got the wrong flavor like I did once. I don't give my two Frosty Paws much, but they do enjoy it. Zhu's enjoyed Frosty Paws since he was a chowling along with Suntzu, Sunshine, Confuscious, and Lao. I buy them just twice a year (if I remember) - for Z's birthday & PB's adoption day. Last time I bought them, I didn't know they came in different flavors and I just picked up the first I could reach. When I brought it home for the celebration, Zhu shunned his. PB went licking away. Apparently, I picked up the "Peanut Butter" flavor - a flavor Zhu is very discriminating on. Meaning, he usually doesn't like any treat with Peanut Butter. I was surprised that he ate up the new PNutz treat. Check if that's what you did, Karen. Maybe you picked up one of the new flavors versus the original.
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

Nancy, I don't think we are allowed to attack the neighboring villages kill the people and throw the bones to our Chows like they did 2000 years ago. Wish we could tho it would cut down on food expense and vet visits.
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Post by Zhuyos mom »

Jeff&Peks wrote:...Speaking of the Barf Diet, I just bought Pekoe 6 raw Buffalo bones what am I supposed to do with those things, the guy said not to cook them. I gave her one frozen she seem to like it. The only reason I bought them is I go into this store for no reason almost everyday so I thought I should buy something, I did, 6 raw Buffalo bones, . I didn't think about it at the time but who's killing the Buffalo and where are the bones coming from. I didn't think you could kill them in the US.
Do they have marrow in them or are they just long bones to chew on?

The buffalo that roam in protected areas are against the law to kill... such as the buffalo in Golden Gate Park. However, they do have Buffalo Ranches and that's where it's done. Usually, organic certified ranches, because the meat are sold in places like Whole Foods. If you ever go to Fuddrukers in San Diego (a burger place), Buffalo Burgers are part of the menu. They are suppose to be a healthier and leaner type of protein.

**** Steph, sorry your thread has gone all over the place! *****
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

They have marrow in the center and raw meat on the bone, am I supposed to let them thaw before I give them to her? plus there is warnings all over the package, wash every thing the bone comes in contact with, wash your hands, If they are that bad are they safe.

Take a look at the post Karen responded to in the ChowChow rescue group section, Impossible to continue care.
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Post by ngraham »

Jeff&Peks wrote:Nancy, I don't think we are allowed to attack the neighboring villages kill the people and throw the bones to our Chows like they did 2000 years ago. Wish we could tho it would cut down on food expense and vet visits.
LOL Jeff. Hummmm I wondered how that was done. :) I actually wasn't sure how chows were fed 2,000 years ago... just figured they hunted (carnavores) and ate alot of rice and veggies. My point was just that they didn't have all of the premium dog food that our spoiled kids do now, and I am sure they were alot better off allergy, poop, and tummy wise. I am glad to hear Pekoe is doing so well on the Nutro Ultra. I had heard that on another board that someone else's dog had really liked the food and was like a new dog.
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Post by kiwani »

Re: "the Frosty Paws weren't well received - they didn't eat much of it like they did the first time I gave it to them last year so I can't say the Frosty Paws gave them the messy poops. The Bil*Jacks and Jerky treats might be suspect though!"
---

The point is that you're still offering these kinds of treats which *feed* the 'allergy' problems. Even one mouthful adds to the intestinal flora imbalance which already exists. If you want to get *rid* of the yeast overgrowths contributing to the allergy problems, don't feed them with *sugar* and refined junk food. When the yeasts start dying off, their toxins are flushed out (diarrhea) or through the skin - it's a detox effect. Since the intestinal flora *is* already imbalanced by the sugar and junk food, it means that changes to better quality foods which are working to kill the yeasts, should be gradual, and efforts should be made to increase the healthful intestinal flora.
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Post by chris »

Oh boy.. .I bet Im about to get a lashing, but... I use to use Ole Roy?... but when I got Steel vet said, BAD IDEA... He said use Iams... I have noticed that his coat is much more shiney. He doesn't have alergies.. at least not yet.. .but he does scratch. These dog foods you guys are talking about I have never heard of. :?

Oh and as far as snacks.. so far, Steels all time favorite is Charlie Bear little nuggets (cheese and egg).
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Post by pannw1267 »

Steph,
Miah suddenly developed diarrhea, so I too went searching for a new food, just in case that (Nutro cans) was the cause. We just returned from the vet and for now she is on a small bag of Eukanuba Low-Residue Adult. The vet says as we get close to the bottom of the bag to start adding back in her regular food. Not sure what that will be yet. (I did buy some cans of Wellness but have to wait before trying them.) Here's a partial list of what our chows' people are serving: Wellness, Eagle Pack, Nutro Lamb & Rice, Nutro Holistic, Trader Joe's Boogie Chicken, Innova Evo (Natura), Solid Gold, Nature's Recipe, Beneful, Natural Balance, Merrick, Purina Pro Salmon & Rice, etc. It sure is an individual and dog preference. :wink: Also, canned or dry? Leave dry out for snacking? Good luck :!: Search treat reviews for even more. :arrow:
Jim actually feeds Max canned Pedigree with 2 pieces of turkey, ham, bologna, and cheese. :oops: I can hear your heads shaking. :lol: I'm trying to get him to feed smarter but I'm only able to supervise on weekends for now. :-x He also leaves out Purina One dry in case Maxi gets hungry. Miah imagines it must be like going to McDonald's if she can sneak a taste. :biggergrin:
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