Do you rotate your dog's food? (allergic, poop, vet, science) - - City-Data Forum

devney · 03-27-2009, 02:28 PM

I read an article on the dogfoodanalysis ste, as wekk as in Whole Dog Journal, that stated that rotating your dog's foods was beneficial. Annie is currently on Orijen (we started three weeks ago) and I'm VERY pleased with how well she's doing on it. I almost don't want to change! But then again, my last dog developed food allergies later in life (and i had no idea about nutrition then) and part of me thinks it would be wise to vary Annie's diet.

I'd probably stick with the grain-free options and just look for different protein/carb sources. A large bag of Orijen looks like it will last about 5-6 weeks. Maybe I'll do two bags of Orijen, then something new, then two bags of Orijen, then something else new....

I swear, I spend so much time thinking about this stuff!

What do you do?

Mearth · 03-27-2009, 02:54 PM

I switch between 2 brands: Beneful and Nutro. For Beneful I use the puppy formula (she's 9 months), and for Nutro I switch between regular puppy and large breed puppy (she's 51 lbs, likely going on 60). I'll probably stick with those brands - I think they have lifelong formulas.

Nutro is especially supposed to be easy to digest - I'd recommend switching that in with the one you're currently using.

I only use Beneful as my 2nd because the texture and flavor are more interesting.

Or, if you go to Rachael Ray's website, you can get a free sample of her new line of dog food, and it's big enough for a whole meal. (I haven't gotten mine yet)

I also vary her treats: various Milkbone brand, Zuke's healthy naturals (tiny so they last awhile), Goodlife Recipe (coupon on their website), plus the occasional fresh turkey and cheese.

These all seem to keep her tummy happy. But if I get her anything artificially flavored as beef or bacon, she'll fart all night long.

devney · 03-27-2009, 02:57 PM

Thanks, but I don't want anything with fillers or by-products in it. I'd prefer not to have any grains (or minimal) if possible. I've seen a big difference in her poop since I've taken her off grains.

Viralmd · 03-27-2009, 03:05 PM

Yes, I do change foods. I have a special issue because my pug needs a low calorie food that REALLY IS low calorie. So many of the 'low calorie' foods, when you look at the actual number of calories per cup are NOT particularly low in calories!

So we rotate among the TRUE lower fat/lower calorie foods, like the Chicken Soup, Proscience, etc. that have no fillers.

So far, so good: no allergies or other food intolerances! I'm a believer.

MAK802 · 03-27-2009, 03:05 PM

Good for you for choosing Orijen! It's one of the top foods on the market. We plan on switching our dog to it when he is closer to one, since the protein level did not agree with him and he stared to develop muscle too quickly when we put him on it. The vet suggested lowering the protein until he is fully developed.

Right now, we are using Fromm. We buy 4 of the 5lb bags at a time, and rotate the protein source after each bag is gone. The best thing about Fromm is that all the ingredients are identical, for the exception of the protein source, so he won't develop any reactions. He gets duck, salmon, whitefish and pork and never gets a chance to be bored with food. The Fromm we use in not grainless unfortunately, but this is only for a couple of months until he can handle Orijen and it's still a very high quality food, so we are not too worried. Fromm surf n turf is a grainless product, so maybe look into that.

Have you looked at Acana? They are very similar to Orijen, and have a fish formula that you might be interested in. Also, Taste of the Wild has 3 different formulas as well, and they are grain free. I firmly believe in switching up the protein source to avoid allergic reactions later in life. Other grainless foods are EVO and Wellness Core/Core Ocean.

devney · 03-27-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAK802

Good for you for choosing Orijen! It's one of the top foods on the market. We plan on switching our dog to it when he is closer to one, since the protein level did not agree with him and he stared to develop muscle too quickly when we put him on it. The vet suggested lowering the protein until he is fully developed.

Right now, we are using Fromm. We buy 4 of the 5lb bags at a time, and rotate the protein source after each bag is gone. The best thing about Fromm is that all the ingredients are identical, for the exception of the protein source, so he won't develop any reactions. He gets duck, salmon, whitefish and pork and never gets a chance to be bored with food. The Fromm we use in not grainless unfortunately, but this is only for a couple of months until he can handle Orijen and it's still a very high quality food, so we are not too worried. Fromm surf n turf is a grainless product, so maybe look into that.

Have you looked at Acana? They are very similar to Orijen, and have a fish formula that you might be interested in. Also, Taste of the Wild has 3 different formulas as well, and they are grain free. I firmly believe in switching up the protein source to avoid allergic reactions later in life. Other grainless foods are EVO and Wellness Core/Core Ocean.

All of those foods you mentioned are on my "to try" list, except for the Acana, since I can't find it here. Interesting about the Fromm ... I may have to give that some thought. I'm not opposed to grains per se, but I have a feeling that Annie may have some sort of intolerance since she was going 4x a day (and mushy poop) on the regular Wellness and I'm slowly seeing a reduction in the amount she goes since she started on the Orijen. Plus, it's finally firm. Yeah!

homesheba · 03-27-2009, 04:38 PM

yes most definetly!!
id hate to have to eat the same stuff every day...
i feel sorry for the poor animals who have to eat that cheap junk everyday ...

ZSP · 03-27-2009, 05:30 PM

Yes, I do, and regularly. My four regularly eat Orijen - they have three formulas and love them all. I prefer grain free too. I also like Natures Variety Prairie, but it does have a small amount of "good" grains. It's made for rotation feeding since you don't have to transition between them.

I also feed fresh fruits and veggies regularly and occasionally add a dollop of Merrick canned as a special treat. Canidae has an ALS Grain Free Formula now too.

I like grain free treats too - Zukes Beef or Chicken Filets, Mini Naturals - The Honest Kitchen makes "Pecks" that's grain free and Yummy Chummie Salmon Treats are like canine crack.

BrianH · 03-28-2009, 12:40 AM

I tried to rotate twice and the liquid squirts he had on the carpet made me throw up so I put that to a stop :| He loves to eat carrots so we feed them to him when feeding the Guinea Pigs. Other raw veggies he likes too so we give them to him to keep him happy and my carpet dry.

jbm32206 · 03-28-2009, 06:10 AM

Yes, I rotate the choice of food for my baby....she has her favorites of course, which I do get....and often, I'll get a couple different kinds and mix them together. She also gets 1/2 can of the wet food each day.