Any opinions on Natures Variety Instinct? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Teegy · 03-31-2014, 09:21 AM

I have friends who use this brand and like it very much.
I buy the dehydrated nuggets to take with me on our long summer walks.

If you are going to feed only raw, then wait until you're almost finished the kibble and wean them off slowly over a couple of weeks with cooked chicken or turkey.
Or you can go full transition from one straight to the other. Many people don't have issues doing this. I did the weaning thing personally. Expect a bit of stomach upset, but get some good probiotic and some slippery elm bark powder to help you along.

Teegy · 03-31-2014, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb1

Not the fish prevent sensitivities but changing the protein so they don't get used to just one protein and then become sensitive or allergic. Tatiana doesn't tolerate chicken. She gets real gassy and has loose stools. Chicken seems to upset her tummy. So that is why I would like to try fish as an alternate protein. I found when I switched to a grain free, potato free, chicken free food that Teeka and Tatiana stopped having skin issues. But when I almost ran out of their food over the holidays, I gave them boiled chicken to stretch their food, Tatiana became very gassy, bloated when just eating it for a couple of days!

You want your dog to eat mostly red meats as their proteins. Fish is okay once in a while but I wouldn't recommend it all the time. Rabbit and Quail are other options you could try

mimimomo · 03-31-2014, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb1

Not the fish prevent sensitivities but changing the protein so they don't get used to just one protein and then become sensitive or allergic. Tatiana doesn't tolerate chicken. She gets real gassy and has loose stools. Chicken seems to upset her tummy. So that is why I would like to try fish as an alternate protein. I found when I switched to a grain free, potato free, chicken free food that Teeka and Tatiana stopped having skin issues. But when I almost ran out of their food over the holidays, I gave them boiled chicken to stretch their food, Tatiana became very gassy, bloated when just eating it for a couple of days!

I have 4 different proteins right now that I rotate for every meal. Duck, Lamb, Pheasant, & Rabbit (S&C & Primal). They all love it & are doing excellent!
You don't need to rotate it for every meal, I just do since I have it & I like that they're getting the variety. I also give them digestive enzymes, probiotics & krill oil as supplements everyday.

Fish makes Mimi's anal glands fill up, thinking it has something to do w/fish sensitivity. But I do give them unsalted sardines once in a while, they go nuts for it!

Teegy · 03-31-2014, 09:43 AM

I give the boys a frozen smelt every once in a while and their normal treats are dehydrated lamb lung and achovies. I've heard good things about Stella and Chewy and Primal too.

mimimomo · 03-31-2014, 09:49 AM

They sell a huge package of dehydrated haddock (or is it pollack, can't remember) @ the Korean/ Asian market...they go bonkers for that too! The fishier the better loll.

OwnedByJezebel · 03-31-2014, 10:21 AM

Just don't give raw fish. There is a parasite in salmon and some other types of fish that does not affect humans but can kill a dog: Salmon Poisoning Disease in Dogs | petMD

kay6688 · 03-31-2014, 11:16 AM

I feed mine the Nature's Variety Prairie Salmon & they have done so much better with the itching & scratching! They love it & I have been very happy!

Justrunningthru · 05-03-2014, 08:15 PM

I LOVE this brand of kibble to death. I have 4 girls- Lab, shih tzu, Yorkie and yorkie/pom mix and they all do amazingly on Instinct. Every now and then we'll swap to their rawboost formula and as treats I'll feed them the raw bites. They adore every bit of it! Shiny coats, bright eyes and my girls only see the vet once a years (in other words they never have other issues!). Faith and Guinea are 4 and are just recently needing their first teeth cleaning. My cats on this and my ferret as well...lol. Can I gush anymore?! Also, if you sign up for their mailing list you get a coupon ALL the time and Petco usually has great sales on their natural and holistic foods! What better than quality food I always get with discounts?!

Britster · 05-03-2014, 09:01 PM

Some of their formulas are dangerously high in ash. Otherwise, the company itself doesn't seem terrible.

03-31-2014, 09:49 AM	#20
mimimomo Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,874	They sell a huge package of dehydrated haddock (or is it pollack, can't remember) @ the Korean/ Asian market...they go bonkers for that too! The fishier the better loll. __________________ Jenny Mimi Momo Princess Turbo Madan Pin Brush: www.toplinepet.com

03-31-2014, 10:21 AM	#21
OwnedByJezebel YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,921	Just don't give raw fish. There is a parasite in salmon and some other types of fish that does not affect humans but can kill a dog: Salmon Poisoning Disease in Dogs \| petMD __________________ Life is merrier with a Yorkshire Terrier! Jezebel & Chuy ... RIP: Barkley Loosie & Sassy

03-31-2014, 11:16 AM	#22
kay6688 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,163 Blog Entries: 1	I feed mine the Nature's Variety Prairie Salmon & they have done so much better with the itching & scratching! They love it & I have been very happy! __________________ Jaxon Macy Remi and R.I.P. Trixie's Mom Kay

05-03-2014, 08:15 PM	#23
Justrunningthru YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 263	Ok, so SUPER late to respond BUT... I LOVE this brand of kibble to death. I have 4 girls- Lab, shih tzu, Yorkie and yorkie/pom mix and they all do amazingly on Instinct. Every now and then we'll swap to their rawboost formula and as treats I'll feed them the raw bites. They adore every bit of it! Shiny coats, bright eyes and my girls only see the vet once a years (in other words they never have other issues!). Faith and Guinea are 4 and are just recently needing their first teeth cleaning. My cats on this and my ferret as well...lol. Can I gush anymore?! Also, if you sign up for their mailing list you get a coupon ALL the time and Petco usually has great sales on their natural and holistic foods! What better than quality food I always get with discounts?!

05-03-2014, 09:01 PM	#24
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,815	Some of their formulas are dangerously high in ash. Otherwise, the company itself doesn't seem terrible. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

03-31-2014, 09:21 AM	#16
Teegy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,631	I have friends who use this brand and like it very much. I buy the dehydrated nuggets to take with me on our long summer walks. If you are going to feed only raw, then wait until you're almost finished the kibble and wean them off slowly over a couple of weeks with cooked chicken or turkey. Or you can go full transition from one straight to the other. Many people don't have issues doing this. I did the weaning thing personally. Expect a bit of stomach upset, but get some good probiotic and some slippery elm bark powder to help you along.

03-31-2014, 09:43 AM	#19
Teegy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,631	I give the boys a frozen smelt every once in a while and their normal treats are dehydrated lamb lung and achovies. I've heard good things about Stella and Chewy and Primal too.