Grain Free & Protein %

[MyLeeNut]

Hey guys,
Wondering if any of you feed your adult yorkies grain free foods? If so, which brands do you prefer? Do you feel as though there is any downside to grain free or just positive thoughts? Doing lots of research and going to consult with a holistic vet nutritionist prior to switching my 3 yorkies food and would like a list of foods to bring with me to the appointment. Also, what percent protein are you all feeding your babies?
Thanks in advance,
Rachel
& Peanut, Haylee, Mya

[MyLeeNut]

Also, Do any of you have experience with FROMM, Artemis, or Go Natural brand food? I found that they are all 5-Star foods during my research. The 6-Star brands are too high protein content in my opinion.

[tokipoki]

I have fed Toki each of the grain-free Fromm formulas...it is definitely my top pick and a favorite here (especially the Game Bird formula for us) My sister feeds her yorkie the grain-free Acana Regionals which has a comparable protein % to GF Fromm (~30%). And I know that Natural Balance has some grain-free formulas (their Alpha line ) that are even lower in protein (~26%) if that's one of your considerations. Also if you like Go!, you might look into Now Fresh which is made by the same company but is lower in protein. I'd feel comfortable feeding any of these foods!

[Lovetodream88]

I feel grain free is a lot better for dogs and more like what they would have ate in the wild. My yorkie appears to be allergic to grains or a grain. I had fed her grain free food for a year or so then switched to a non grain food and she got itchy and ended up with a skin infection so back to grain free we went and no more itchiness. We had been using Blue Buffalo Wildreness small breed for almost a year but Callie was not eating the life source bits and would spit them out and it felt like such a waste so we switched to Wellness Core small breed and she loved it and we were very happy with it until Wellness had there third recall so I gave up on them and we switched to Fromm Grain free and it took her a week or two to decide she likes the Fromm but she is happy with it now. Blue Buffalo also has a new grain free food that is lower protein then the wilderness. Do research on not just the ingredients but the company as well.

[brezofleur]

Zeus and Ody are fed a RAW diet. Homemade so I know what they're getting. I can't praise enough the difference in them after switching. They're beautiful, energetic, healthy...no stinky farts, doesn't poop as often...and their coats!

[tinalove]

I was concerned about the protein levels in grain free food as well.

[sganow]

We like Horizon Legacy. It has similar numbers to Acana. We have fed Fromm 4-star grain inclusive formulas too, but still prefer the Horizon Legacy (it is grain free).

[Moses Mama]

Moses gets Primal raw chicken formula in the nuggets. I try to supplement him with Blue Buffalo for sensitive stomach, small breed. he really liked it for awhile, but had an episode with my daughter's kitten's food, and now won't touch the kibble. But he loves the Primal raw, so I am not messing with his food until he decides we need a change!

[FidoTheYorkie]

I'm feeding Regal, but I'll switch to Acana (Grain free) as soon as I finish these 15 kilo bag

[mimimomo]

You have to consider the protein coming from legumes (peas, chickpeas, etc.), tomato pomace & eggs (also other dairy products) etc. The actual protein coming from a meat source will be much less, esp in kibble. So, I wouldn't be too concerned w/the protein levels in the grain free kibbles.

[teeneythebetta]

We feed Wellness CORE to our dogs (and cats).
The small breed dog formula has "not less than 36%" protein content
Wellness CORE is grain free, by product free, gluten free, and they use no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

Although Buddy has only ever eaten grain free food, before I knew anything about nutrition I fed my cats the lowest of the low quality corn based food. I switched them over to grain free and their coats became unbelievably soft and shiny, a very noticable difference. They also dont eat as much of the high quality food because it is more nutrient dense.

Ingredients: (WELLNESS CORE SMALL BREED FORMULA)
Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato Pomace, Natural Chicken Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Biotin, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Choline Chloride, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Spearmint, Chicory Root Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Taurine, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.
This is a naturally preserved product



Another brand I have used is Blue buffalo Wilderness. Although I havent used the dog version, I have used the cat version & it is grain free.

[concretegurl]

I only feed grain free.

We used TOTW for a long time but after the Diamond issuea I feed BARF diet now, I do feed a little Fromm for the vitamin content-cheaper than formulating myself.

[Yano]

My little guy is 6 yrs old now. I've been feeding him EVO. It is about 43% protein. I like it because the grain is sourced from the U.S.(since the dog food scare) When the vets ask me what I feed him, they always say "good" when I tell them I feed him this food.

See the link for more info:
Meat- and Poultry-Based Pet Food ? Premium Dog Food, Cat Food, Ferret Food, Dog Treats ? EVO Pet Products

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by teeneythebetta

We feed Wellness CORE to our dogs (and cats).
The small breed dog formula has "not less than 36%" protein content
Wellness CORE is grain free, by product free, gluten free, and they use no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

Although Buddy has only ever eaten grain free food, before I knew anything about nutrition I fed my cats the lowest of the low quality corn based food. I switched them over to grain free and their coats became unbelievably soft and shiny, a very noticable difference. They also dont eat as much of the high quality food because it is more nutrient dense.

Ingredients: (WELLNESS CORE SMALL BREED FORMULA)
Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato Pomace, Natural Chicken Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Biotin, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Choline Chloride, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Spearmint, Chicory Root Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Taurine, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.
This is a naturally preserved product



Another brand I have used is Blue buffalo Wilderness. Although I havent used the dog version, I have used the cat version & it is grain free.

Just a note on this Wellness as had three recalls just this year

[Wylie's Mom]

When trying to learn about grain free - this white paper can say it way better than I can, it's a fantastic paper: http://files.championpetfoods.com/OR...hite_Paper.pdf

I love grain free for dogs unless there is an existing condition that contraindicates it - like liver issues etc.