to those who feed orijen

[poosdarling]

I just switched my babies yesterday to the adult one.
Now this is getting me worried because I bought the biggest bag ever. =/

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by linda44

Thats exactly what Im thinking. Well Im going to try to do some more research and see if I can find a good dog food with no grain but lower protein. And Jenny your right headaches, grey hairs and all are worth it I wouldnt trade mine for the world either..............thanks.

Linda, I ordered a bag of the Acana Grasslands (33% protein) that is supposed to arrive Monday. I'll be glad to send you a bunch to try if you want. Take a look at the ingredients and pm me with your address if you're interested. I know how frustrating it is to spend money on a food that doesn't work out for you.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by kate07

I was wondering about Orijen for my little girl, but I've read that with such the high protein levels it's more suited for larger breeds???

See-- I always thought the opposite. I thought smaller breeds required more protein. There was a sign hanging up in Petco once that stated this... and when you read Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble they state alot of times "keep in mind, this food may only be acceptable for adult dogs, specifically in the case of large breeds." Who knows! LOL.

I know that Jackson seems to do best on grainfree foods so we will keep him without grains. He likes them a lot better for one thing. He only poops about 2x a day, he's got soft shiny hair, etc. So it just works for us.

Right now I feed Nature's Variety Instinct. That's what I've been feeding the longest but for 2 months in between he was eating Fromm Surf and Turf and he *loved* it but I switched him back to NV thinking his eye goop problem may be food related... I still don't know for certain but I can say his eyes have been extremely better since getting back on NV.

I really like Acana and their company and would love to try feeding Acana after this bag is finished, but they only sell the bigger (I think 11lbs?) bags at our local store and I didn't wanna buy one that big! And if the eye goop came back... then I would know I have to keep him on NV I guess. I also had him on Merrick's Before Grain at one point and he did well on it. I can't remember why I stopped... but he still eats the BG cans mixed in with his NV kibble. Food is so confusing!

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by bonbon

Linda, I ordered a bag of the Acana Grasslands (33% protein) that is supposed to arrive Monday. I'll be glad to send you a bunch to try if you want. Take a look at the ingredients and pm me with your address if you're interested. I know how frustrating it is to spend money on a food that doesn't work out for you.

Bonny, I can send Linda some (sorry, didn't think about it)...since we live closer.

Linda, if you want to try Acana Grasslands, just PM me & I'll send you some. If I recall correctly, I think you said your local pet store didn't carry Acana, so you went w/Orijen. Do you think they can order it for you?

Brit, the place where I buy the Acana has trial size bags of Orijen only for $2.99. I can get you those, or if you want to try Acana Grasslands, PM me & I'll be happy to send you some.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

Too strange....the higher protein in the ACANA made my guys more energetic. This is one of the reasons why we love it...when they were on 22% (Natural Balance), Izzy had NO energy. Once we switched to ACANA, she went back to her happy playful self (and my other guys have been happy on it as well).

Hi Tammy, my concern over protein levels is probably dramatized lol. Momo had an acid bile test that was slightly elevated, but our vet sent the results to an expert & they said not to worry & have him tested again in a few months. Ever since I started them on Acana, he's been sleepy after he eats. He's very active & playful, but he's been lounging around most of the day. So I'm a little concerned, bc of this slight change & am not sure if it has to do w/the food or he's just being lazy. He loves going for walks & at exactly 6pm, he starts getting excited.

[_Chrissy_]

Originally Posted by Britster

See-- I always thought the opposite. I thought smaller breeds required more protein. There was a sign hanging up in Petco once that stated this... and when you read Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble they state alot of times "keep in mind, this food may only be acceptable for adult dogs, specifically in the case of large breeds." Who knows! LOL.

I know that Jackson seems to do best on grainfree foods so we will keep him without grains. He likes them a lot better for one thing. He only poops about 2x a day, he's got soft shiny hair, etc. So it just works for us.

Right now I feed Nature's Variety Instinct. That's what I've been feeding the longest but for 2 months in between he was eating Fromm Surf and Turf and he *loved* it but I switched him back to NV thinking his eye goop problem may be food related... I still don't know for certain but I can say his eyes have been extremely better since getting back on NV.

I really like Acana and their company and would love to try feeding Acana after this bag is finished, but they only sell the bigger (I think 11lbs?) bags at our local store and I didn't wanna buy one that big! And if the eye goop came back... then I would know I have to keep him on NV I guess. I also had him on Merrick's Before Grain at one point and he did well on it. I can't remember why I stopped... but he still eats the BG cans mixed in with his NV kibble. Food is so confusing!

My stores here sell Acana Grasslands, Pacifica and Prairie in the .88 lb sizes.
If you want any or all of them to try just PM me your address and what you want to try. I will gladly get them out to you.
Call and ask your store if they carry the .88 size. Often they do not put it near the bigger bags because they hang on a clip stand.
My boys like the Grasslands the best.
Annapolis Store:
Pet barn
167-G Jennifer Road
Annapolis, MD 21409
This store should have it. Ours does.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Bonny, I can send Linda some (sorry, didn't think about it)...since we live closer.

Linda, if you want to try Acana Grasslands, just PM me & I'll send you some. If I recall correctly, I think you said your local pet store didn't carry Acana, so you went w/Orijen. Do you think they can order it for you?

Brit, the place where I buy the Acana has trial size bags of Orijen only for $2.99. I can get you those, or if you want to try Acana Grasslands, PM me & I'll be happy to send you some.

Ok, just let me know.

Linda, if you decide you like the Acana let me know & I'll give you the website I ordered from. My favorite site doesn't carry Acana (yet - I emailed asking if they would), and I so didn't want to pay the high shipping most of them were asking. Unfortunately, no one carries locally here either.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by _Chrissy_

My stores here sell Acana Grasslands, Pacifica and Prairie in the .88 lb sizes.
If you want any or all of them to try just PM me your address and what you want to try. I will gladly get them out to you.
Call and ask your store if they carry the .88 size. Often they do not put it near the bigger bags because they hang on a clip stand.
My boys like the Grasslands the best.
Annapolis Store:
Pet barn
167-G Jennifer Road
Annapolis, MD 21409
This store should have it. Ours does.

Thanks! I drove by this store the other day (just recently found it) and it was closed so I didn't get a chance to go in! I will stop by maybe tomorrow or Monday and see if they have the trial bags. Also my friend had some (she buys the bigger bags) and gave me a little baggy to try of the chicken one (I think Wild Prairie?) and Jackson was eating it straight out of my hand, which he has only done for like 1 other kibble.

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Bonny, I can send Linda some (sorry, didn't think about it)...since we live closer.

Linda, if you want to try Acana Grasslands, just PM me & I'll send you some. If I recall correctly, I think you said your local pet store didn't carry Acana, so you went w/Orijen. Do you think they can order it for you?

Brit, the place where I buy the Acana has trial size bags of Orijen only for $2.99. I can get you those, or if you want to try Acana Grasslands, PM me & I'll be happy to send you some.

Thanks!! =] I will let you know -- I'm gonna go check out this new store tomorrow.

[linda44]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Hi Tammy, my concern over protein levels is probably dramatized lol. Momo had an acid bile test that was slightly elevated, but our vet sent the results to an expert & they said not to worry & have him tested again in a few months. Ever since I started them on Acana, he's been sleepy after he eats. He's very active & playful, but he's been lounging around most of the day. So I'm a little concerned, bc of this slight change & am not sure if it has to do w/the food or he's just being lazy. He loves going for walks & at exactly 6pm, he starts getting excited.

Jenny and Bonnie both, thank you so much for being such great friends. I have them back on their old food for now, I really dont think I like the way they act on the high protein foods. (Except Dakota he is thriving!), so he is still on the orijen, the rest Im going to give their tummys a rest and I will try something again later. Our little pet store does have the acana, it was the now they dont have. Poor little Gidget had a pretty bad tummy ache this morning and runny poo's. I took her to the vet just to be sure as she never gets sick. Vet said just a tummy ache. I have to say thank you again though, you guys are the best! Just having someone to talk thru my worries is more help than you will ever know.

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by linda44

Jenny and Bonnie both, thank you so much for being such great friends. I have them back on their old food for now, I really dont think I like the way they act on the high protein foods. (Except Dakota he is thriving!), so he is still on the orijen, the rest Im going to give their tummys a rest and I will try something again later. Our little pet store does have the acana, it was the now they dont have. Poor little Gidget had a pretty bad tummy ache this morning and runny poo's. I took her to the vet just to be sure as she never gets sick. Vet said just a tummy ache. I have to say thank you again though, you guys are the best! Just having someone to talk thru my worries is more help than you will ever know.

It's tough when you have more than one to figure out food issues for....I have 4 Yorkies so I understand how tricky it can get. What works for one may not work for the other. Good luck finding the right food...I have made myself crazy worrying over what to feed my guys, too.

[kate07]

Originally Posted by Britster

See-- I always thought the opposite. I thought smaller breeds required more protein. There was a sign hanging up in Petco once that stated this... and when you read Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble they state alot of times "keep in mind, this food may only be acceptable for adult dogs, specifically in the case of large breeds." Who knows! LOL.

I know that Jackson seems to do best on grainfree foods so we will keep him without grains. He likes them a lot better for one thing. He only poops about 2x a day, he's got soft shiny hair, etc. So it just works for us.

Originally Posted by Britster

Right now I feed Nature's Variety Instinct. That's what I've been feeding the longest but for 2 months in between he was eating Fromm Surf and Turf and he *loved* it but I switched him back to NV thinking his eye goop problem may be food related... I still don't know for certain but I can say his eyes have been extremely better since getting back on NV.

I really like Acana and their company and would love to try feeding Acana after this bag is finished, but they only sell the bigger (I think 11lbs?) bags at our local store and I didn't wanna buy one that big! And if the eye goop came back... then I would know I have to keep him on NV I guess. I also had him on Merrick's Before Grain at one point and he did well on it. I can't remember why I stopped... but he still eats the BG cans mixed in with his NV kibble. Food is so confusing!

Haha. I know. The protein thing has me confused. Right now my little girl is on By Nature for Puppies and the Crude Protein level is 30% and the Crude Fat is 20%. She's doing great on it, but I really wanted to try her out on a higher quality food, however the protein levels and fat levels in most 6 star rating dog foods are much higher and the analysis say they are more suited for larger breeds. The By Nature Puppy I'm feeding my girl is a 4 star rated dog food and not bad at all, but I was hoping to find something with a bit better ingredients (no fillers) and if possible grainless, but all the dog foods that I see that are grainless are higher in protein & fat and it's hard to find a puppy stage good quality grainless dog kibble. The only one's I'm finding have the higher protein/fat levels. And I'm just not sure if the higher protein/fat is better or not for the smaller ones. Uggghh. I really like the ingredients and protein/fat levels in Merrick, Innova and Artemis. So I think I'm going to try those and they are all 5 star rated dog foods and seem very well suited for the little ones. The Merrick also has a wet food that goes along with it. Kind of nice as a treat once in a while. The only thing with Acana that I didn't like was the reviews that sated the food doesn't contain as much meat content and may need to be supplemented with real meat.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by linda44

Jenny and Bonnie both, thank you so much for being such great friends. I have them back on their old food for now, I really dont think I like the way they act on the high protein foods. (Except Dakota he is thriving!), so he is still on the orijen, the rest Im going to give their tummys a rest and I will try something again later. Our little pet store does have the acana, it was the now they dont have. Poor little Gidget had a pretty bad tummy ache this morning and runny poo's. I took her to the vet just to be sure as she never gets sick. Vet said just a tummy ache. I have to say thank you again though, you guys are the best! Just having someone to talk thru my worries is more help than you will ever know.

Poor Gidget!! I hope she's feeling better this morning.

[mimimomo]

Sorry to hear about Gidget, hope she'll feel better soon.

[_Chrissy_]

I got a couple of sample bags of California Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Small Bites.
The boys seem to love it as treats.
Anyone try this?
The protein is lower at 21% and 11%fat. it is 4 stars on DFA site.
The only other real options for lower protein foods I am seeing is Natural Balance LID line.

[viviansnickers]

Hmmmm the protein level in comparison to energy level has me intrigued. Snickers has always been on a grain free, "higher protein" diet and his energy has never altered. As he gets older, I do notice he is relaxing more and not as crazy as he was as a pup. He's laying around like a lump today but we went to the doggy mall yesterday and was out all day to his grandparents too.

Snick initially was on Evo and then decided he didn't like it anymore and then we switched to Acana and he has been golden ever since. He LOVES his Acana. I hope I never have to change again! (HIGHLY UNLIKELY)

I don't mind the protein level of Acana at all. Snick gets Primal Raw in the morning and that has 15% Crude Protein so the 32% in Acana seems just right.

Smiles-
Snick & Viv