If you Feed EVO, I would like your advice

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

EVO was the first high protein grain free kibble, I believe. For that reason, I think people are more familiar with it. It's also made by a company everyone is familiar with and has a great reputation...at least it did before it was sold.

How funny. I had never heard of it until the free bag promotion. I figured it was a great way to try the grain free before committing to the switch.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

How funny. I had never heard of it until the free bag promotion. I figured it was a great way to try the grain free before committing to the switch.

Evo might not be the best choice. Out of all the foods, it's pretty much the richest of the richest. Plus, it was just bought out by Proctor & Gamble (Iams, etc) so who knows when the quality will go down hill.

If you can find it in your area, definitely check out Acana and/or Orijen. I love Acana and so does Jackson, which is amazing for him! IMO, it's one of the best kibbles you can get on the market today. Check out the video on the Champion Pet Foods website-- my dogs food is coming from better places than my own food! Other than that though, there's a lot of other good choices out there now... Natures Variety Instinct, Go! Naturals Endurance, Fromm, etc.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Britster

Evo might not be the best choice. Out of all the foods, it's pretty much the richest of the richest. Plus, it was just bought out by Proctor & Gamble (Iams, etc) so who knows when the quality will go down hill.

If you can find it in your area, definitely check out Acana and/or Orijen. I love Acana and so does Jackson, which is amazing for him! IMO, it's one of the best kibbles you can get on the market today. Check out the video on the Champion Pet Foods website-- my dogs food is coming from better places than my own food! Other than that though, there's a lot of other good choices out there now... Natures Variety Instinct, Go! Naturals Endurance, Fromm, etc.

Kaji LOVES Orijen chicken. Adi started feeding Missy that. It's to the point that he knows Saturday is his playday with Missy, and he'll wait to eat till we get there so he can eat her food. He's such a stinker!!!

[Rhetts_mama]

Where can you find Acana or Orijen? I've tried the feed stores around here and none of them carry it. The specialty food store that I used to go to closed, but I don't ever remember seeing those brands there, either.

We tried Evo- Scarlett bulked up (my 7 pound girl...) and Rhett got diarrhea from it. I can find TOTW without any difficulties- but the amounts the bag says to feed them just seems so unreasonable (if I remember right, it was something like 1 1/2 cups/day!)

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

So... my cute furry munchkin is overweight. That I knew, but the vet got really snippy with me. Well, technically with my boyfriend as he's the one that actually went to take Kaji to the vet. Anyway, she said that I should be feeding Kaji less than 1/2 cup of kibble a day, without knowing what food I feed him.

Well... I feed the Evo grain free food. I know Kaji's activity level has dropped to practically zero, and I try to make up for that by feeding him less. He should weigh 7 lbs, but I feed him as if he weighed 6 according to the guideline in the back. He gets 1/4 cup in the morning and 1/4 cup at night. I even stick my finger in the measuring cup so he gets slightly less than a 1/4 cup. I try playing fetch with him until he decides he's not sharing the ball with me anymore. Should he be eating less?

PS. If I'm feeding him correctly, then I'm blaming grandma, grandpa, and uncle MJ (my little bro) for sneaking my little chunky butt extra tidbits.

Let's focus on the important part: BOYFRIEND took Kaji to the vet? What a sweetheart! I need a boyfriend to do that for me.

Hope Kaji finds the right food to maintain his perfect casanova physique. Have to stay trim for the ladies.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Let's focus on the important part: BOYFRIEND took Kaji to the vet? What a sweetheart! I need a boyfriend to do that for me.

Hope Kaji finds the right food to maintain his perfect casanova physique. Have to stay trim for the ladies.

It's the first time he's ever done that. I thought for sure Kaji would freak out since I dropped him off at bf's house at 7 am and picked him up at 6:30. I thought for sure he'd jump in the car and want to rush home. NOPE! He didn't want to leave bf's side. I asked Kaji if he wanted to go home, which usually gets him to shoot up and run to the door. Instead, he walked over to bf, and cuddled with him.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

It's the first time he's ever done that. I thought for sure Kaji would freak out since I dropped him off at bf's house at 7 am and picked him up at 6:30. I thought for sure he'd jump in the car and want to rush home. NOPE! He didn't want to leave bf's side. I asked Kaji if he wanted to go home, which usually gets him to shoot up and run to the door. Instead, he walked over to bf, and cuddled with him.

Awwww! That is so sweet. Don't worry, he still loves his mommy.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Awwww! That is so sweet. Don't worry, he still loves his mommy.

You know what, I actually got a little jealous!!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Where can you find Acana or Orijen? I've tried the feed stores around here and none of them carry it. The specialty food store that I used to go to closed, but I don't ever remember seeing those brands there, either.

We tried Evo- Scarlett bulked up (my 7 pound girl...) and Rhett got diarrhea from it. I can find TOTW without any difficulties- but the amounts the bag says to feed them just seems so unreasonable (if I remember right, it was something like 1 1/2 cups/day!)

I order Acana online here www.pawschoice.com. One store in town finally started carrying it, but it's a 45 minute drive one way to that store so ordering is easier for me. I set up a recurring order with this company and they gave me free shipping.

[joann4515]

EVO was bought out by P&G along with california natural,Innova, Iams etc I wouldn't fed it to my dog. Check out dogfoodscoop.com to find dog food ratings and why they rate some dog foods better than others. They also list current dog food recalls. You can also email them with any questions you have about any dog food and they will get you the information.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by joann4515

EVO was bought out by P&G along with california natural,Innova, Iams etc I wouldn't fed it to my dog. Check out dogfoodscoop.com to find dog food ratings and why they rate some dog foods better than others. They also list current dog food recalls. You can also email them with any questions you have about any dog food and they will get you the information.

I did check ratings on a site recommended by other YTers. But I guess the ratings are outdated to before Evo was bought out. End result.... Kaji is 1.5 lbs overweight. It doesn't sound like a lot, but for his small size and his bad knees it makes a HUGE difference. I'm going back to Lotus, as I had success with getting him to shed a lb with that before. (when we moved to a place he had virtually no outside time) I'll get his weight back under control and then I'll switch to Orijen. I hope my plan works out.

[lil fu fu girl]

I feed Evo for both of my two and have never had a problem with their weight. However, they walk about 1-2 miles a day. I know that your pup is having knee problems so maybe that might be contributing to the issue. Also if he has knee problems he might also be getting arthritis. Have you thought about asking the vet about aspirin? Maybe if it is pain that is keeping him from being as active as usual, you could get something to relieve it such that he might be more active. Poor little guy, I know joint pain is no fun. Hope everythingworks out for him.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

I feed Evo for both of my two and have never had a problem with their weight. However, they walk about 1-2 miles a day. I know that your pup is having knee problems so maybe that might be contributing to the issue. Also if he has knee problems he might also be getting arthritis. Have you thought about asking the vet about aspirin? Maybe if it is pain that is keeping him from being as active as usual, you could get something to relieve it such that he might be more active. Poor little guy, I know joint pain is no fun. Hope everythingworks out for him.

Kaji has grade 3/4 LP's in both knees. His weight aggravates his knees not the other way around. He's not slow, he's not inactive due to his knees, and up to this point, has not shown that his knees cause him any discomfort. The only reason I know he has it is because my vet (and 2 others) told me so when I took him for his first wellness check. (3 days after I got him) His lack of activity, due to our change in living situation, has affected his weight. At the begining, it was my fault. His activity went from 5 walks a day (ranging from 20 mins to 2 hours) to absolutely nothing. I fed him the same amount of food without taking into consideration his lack of activity. I made a modification in his portion size, he dropped the weight, and we hadn't had an issue with it for 7 months.

However, I recently tried EVO, because I wanted to try grain free for Kaji and, to be completely honest, I happened to have a coupon for a free 6 lb bag. I read the reviews before buying the bag, and went ahead with my purchase. Kaji was on that food for a month, and in that time frame his weight shot up. Everything points towards the food being the cause of the problem. That is why I'm switching back to his old food for a month or two, just to see what happens. If the weight comes off, then yes, it was the food. If it doesn't, then we obviously have a different problem.

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Kaji has grade 3/4 LP's in both knees. His weight aggravates his knees not the other way around. He's not slow, he's not inactive due to his knees, and up to this point, has not shown that his knees cause him any discomfort. The only reason I know he has it is because my vet (and 2 others) told me so when I took him for his first wellness check. (3 days after I got him) His lack of activity, due to our change in living situation, has affected his weight. At the begining, it was my fault. His activity went from 5 walks a day (ranging from 20 mins to 2 hours) to absolutely nothing. I fed him the same amount of food without taking into consideration his lack of activity. I made a modification in his portion size, he dropped the weight, and we hadn't had an issue with it for 7 months.

However, I recently tried EVO, because I wanted to try grain free for Kaji and, to be completely honest, I happened to have a coupon for a free 6 lb bag. I read the reviews before buying the bag, and went ahead with my purchase. Kaji was on that food for a month, and in that time frame his weight shot up. Everything points towards the food being the cause of the problem. That is why I'm switching back to his old food for a month or two, just to see what happens. If the weight comes off, then yes, it was the food. If it doesn't, then we obviously have a different problem.

I am so sorry about his LP, I did not know,(Or I forgot due to this semesters HEAVY course load..oyyyy) It is so hard when our living situation does change, as it effects not only us but our beloved pups as well. I know you will resolve this issue as you are so devoted to Kaji and his health. I know you will keep us updated, best wishes.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

I am so sorry about his LP, I did not know,(Or I forgot due to this semesters HEAVY course load..oyyyy) It is so hard when our living situation does change, as it effects not only us but our beloved pups as well. I know you will resolve this issue as you are so devoted to Kaji and his health. I know you will keep us updated, best wishes.

Thank you so much! I know about getting busy with real life and not keeping up with YT. I got a "new" job a few months ago and it takes up so much time! I honestly hate that one of my co-workers actually expects me to promptly respond to her texts after hours. Um... HELLO! We clocked out already, let me have my home time!!!