Growing up with our family's dogs, I never knew about their intricate eating habits. It was only after becoming an adult, and adopting my own dogs, that I became privy to how dogs should eat.One thing I never knew, and I still don't know how people learned this, is that dogs can be sensitive to changes in kibble ingredients and brands. You have to actually mix the new food with their old food until they become accustomed to the new food.
I don't know how I know this, because I definitely didn't know it when I first got Miss M. At the time I decided to try an expensive higher protein formula only to have her throw it all up while I questioned what terrible--non-food related--disease she could potentially have; I didn't realize it was due to the new food.
Which leads us to our new quandary: we just found out Natura Pet Products has been bought out by Procter & Gamble. These include the California Natural brand we use along with Innova, Evo, Healthwise, and Karma. Last weekend as we forged through a downpour, and a street festival, just to pick up the food at the dog store, the owners informed us about the buyout, and the fact things may be turning quickly as much of the natural ingredient and dietary information has already been removed from their website. Our pet store has decided not to carry the brand anymore as P&G will likely sell a cheapened, less wholesome formula under the same name; not to mention how they are barely a pet-friendly company as they do all types of absurd animal testing.We have about a month's time to ween them off the California Natural and onto the new formula. We haven't researched much, but we're considering Fromms. Does anyone have experience with Fromms, or use another type of dry food that they would recommend?
28 comments:
I don't know anything about Fromm, but DogTipper.com recently reviewed Proportions Canine Nutrition. You can try a sample for free with coupon code TNTrial12.
I've ordered some for Ernie and Dex, to see what it's all about.
Wellness and Natural Balance might be contenders... I think they're both in a slightly higher price range than California Naturals, but you could also consider Blue Buffalo if you want something a little less expensive. Does your local pet store give out samples? Ours does - they get them free from the manufacturers and hand them out to people looking to try a new food. Ask!
I've heard good things about Fromm, but never tried it. Our two eat Wellness Core, primarily the fish flavor. Ollie has some grain allergies and doesn't do as well on the chicken flavor brand. We've been very happy with this food.
I don't know about Fromm either, but I've heard lots of good things about Wellness. It was too rich for our dogs to eat everyday, but they LOVED the taste. I could use the kibble as treats. :)
We will feed the girls Taste of the Wild- it is totally grain free.
My pittie has been eating Fromms for the past 3 years and loves it. When I changed food I noticed a big change in his coat and muscle mass. Plus they have many different flavors, all that agree with his stomach. And most of the pet stores in the city (Krisers, Wiggleyville, etc.) carry the food which is a plus, and if you keep the Proof of Purchases - after your 12th bag the next one is free.
We recently learned of food allergies, food fillers, and overall bad dog food after my Bobo started having severe itching. We figure it was due to corn. We swiched slowly to Blue Buffalo. We have seen a big decrease in itcing and he loves it. We reccomend Blue Buffalo. Sorry to hear that P&G bought your fav food brand. Thats not cool!
-Katie
the momma
I use Canidae for All Life Stages, which I believe is fairly comprobable to Innova in quality. I also like to feed them raw chicken backs/livers/gizzards, canned salmon and mackerel, turkey necks, etc.
P&G sucks, grrrr. I've used Natural Balance but have recently switched over to Taste of the Wild, after seeing the difference it made in my former foster dog (now adopted by my sister). Both foods have been excellent so far (though it might be a bit early for judgment on the Taste of the Wild). Good luck, I've been hearing from a lot of folks affected by the buy-out.
Thank goodness we switched from Innova a few months back. Darwin's currently on Prairie and she seems to like it.
I strongly urge you to check out Nature's Select. We have been feeding it to our dogs for about a year now and we love it.
The company is great and I have nothing but good things to say about them.
Their website for Chicago is:
http://naturalpetfooddeliverychicago.com/index.php
I am not the doggie to ask at the moment. Momma is currently experimenting with my kibbles for similar reasons and my tummy is not happy.
Slobbers,
Mango
I've never heard of Fromm's. We've been using Nutro and I'm hoping not to do any switching for a while. It seems to help with Bunny's allergies and we've been happy with it.
I feed only grain free - I switch between blue buffalo wilderness, wellness core and natural balance LID. I think all 3 are about equal. I did try the tast of the wild but my dogs never adjusted to it well - I think it was too rich. I havent heard anything about Fromm though.
I've never heard of Fromm. Our pups eat Nutro Ultra. It's all holistic. They seem to really like it....well....I mean all things considered....Mack will eat ANYTHING!
Wags and woofs,
Mack and Mia
I'm very sorry to hear about P&G's buyout of these companies, I buy very little of their products due to their animal testing, but it seems like a trend to buy natural/organic companies. They purchased Tom's of Maine last year as well. Guess they're trying to make themselvesw look good???
Anyway, I switch food about once a year just to give my pitties some variety, and I've have them on Solid Gold right now. They're one of the first people to come out with holistic, chemical free dog foods. I believe they originated in Germany. They have different varieties, beef, fish (wild caught), bison, etc. They have a web site too. Good luck!
My dogs eat Wellness CORE, and we will soon be switching to prey-model raw.
Taste of the Wild is highly rated, but contains ethoxyquin.
Natural Balance is also highly rated, but nearly killed my friend's 2 dogs AND her foster because they refused to admit that they were using ingredients involved in the recalls a few years ago. Then, they refused to compensate my friend for her dog's care.
Have heard great things about Fromm, Merrick and Orijen, although they are pricier than Wellness.
It's too bad P&G bought out those companies. It seems like a trend, they purchased Tom's of Main last year as well. It's like they're trying to improve their image....and think we're so easily conned.
Anyway, I change my pitties food every six months or so to give them a variety. I always stay with organic/holistic foods. Right now they're eating Solid Gold. They're one of the first to come out with holistic, chemical-free food. I think they originated in Germany. Check out their web site and the FAQ page.
Good Luck!
Oh man, that stinks that they are changing the formula. Just when you find something good...We feed Levi Canidae and he does great on it. He'll eat anything, but we did the slow introduction when changing from the food he was on when he lived at the vet clinic. I usually find the people at the small pet stores to be very knowledgeable when it comes to food. You can probably pick their brains.
We use Nature's Variety "Prairie." It's made in Lincoln, NE (my home town) and it's awesome! I definitely recommend it to anyone who's looking for an all-natural dog food (and I checked their website and they do have places in Chicago that sell it!) Good luck finding a new food for your pups!
wow, thanks for the heads up. i'm annoyed to hear this because i just switched asa and booker over to california naturals no more than 2 months ago. they love the food, but i am no fan of P&G. i guess i will have to start the food search all over again!
the booker man and asa's mama
I feed my dogs Orijen with a meal of raw every few weeks...
Oh, that's horrible about those brands getting bought by that big company. Me and Brudder Ranger eat the Taste of the Wild High Prairie formula and luuuvs it! It's a really super great food! Somebuddy mentioned it has that ethoxyquin stuff but that's only for the fish formula (they use it to preserves the salmon or something).
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Fromm is a family company based in Wisconsin. They have great food, Rusty likes it.
We feed Wellness Core Ocean - all of the foster dogs that we've had have done well on Core Ocean as well.
I do rotate between grain free, non-chicken based food as well.
Darnit P&G, California Natural was a good food, now they're going to go and ruin it...
Hmmm. Not sure. I had my dogs on natural Balance and the Vet recommended Science Diet so we switched over. But I noticed no one mentioned that here, so now I am wondering. I also know Iams tests on animals, and I would prefer a product hat did not test on animals. This is a good thread.
Like Shauna, we do Orijen and raw. It can be pricey but it lasts longer I think than some others. For one 60lb. dog (in Nashville) it works out to about $10. a week. Too bad about Natura/P&G though I sometimes use a can of Evo beef for training purposes. It's like crack for dogs.
I was bummed to hear about Cali Naturals. We use that to calm any upset stomachs in our house
Fromm is a good choice.
It is also made in Wisconsin, so not too far from you!
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