topic Re: Grain Free Dog Food? in Community Chat

Grain Free Dog Food?

Txblond — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 14:09:36 GMT

Can you please give me your opinions on the best grain free dog food? My Cairn has the itchies a lot - I really don't think it is the food causing the allergies, but who knows? I am feeding her Blue Buffalo, Senior Small Bites.

Any ideas on a medication or topical treatment that might help?

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

AnikaBrodie — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 15:24:10 GMT

We have a 12 year old cairn and a 9 year old keeshond. We've fed Taste of the Wild for several years and both dogs eat every morsel, so no waste. This food is completely grain free and they love it. It's a little more expensive but worth it to us.

I love the cairns. How old is yours? Per your post I assume she is a senior. Our cairn is a certified therapy dog and we just retired him this year after over 1,000 therapy visits. He earned it!!! He will be 13 in August.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 16:31:29 GMT

If it is the food, it may not just be the grains. Some dogs can be allergic to the protein (i.e. chicken or beef). I would see if you could fine one with limited ingredients and an unique protein source.

You might also try adding fish oil to his diet. This winter has been hard for a lot of dogs skin. Many of my friends with dogs are having the same problem and this has given them some relief.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

geezerette — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 17:00:01 GMT

I can't speak to itching, but I have a 13-year-old Lhasa Apso with back and leg problems. She's also prone to bladder stones so has been on a prescription food for that for several years. Problem with that is that it is very low in protein (to help prevent stone recurrence) and high in carbohydrates. The lack of protein began to aggravate her leg pain and weakness, so at my wit's end I tried a grain-free food. She totally improved and hasn't had bladder problems either.

I use Orijen Senior Grain-Free. It's not only grain-free, but all natural steamed food (not raw, but much better quality than 'regular' dog food). However, it IS expensive--about the same price as her prescription food. To me, it's worth it because she is much more mobile, less pain, and her little legs don't shake or collapse nearly as much. It's made in Canada and they have several varieties. It is available at some pet stores, Amazon and other on-line pet retailers.

If you do try a higher protein, grain-free food, I suggest you introduce it very gradually as many dogs have problems digesting it. Some never can tolerate it and continue to have diarrhea or stomach problems. My dog had no problem switching, but she has pretty much a cast iron stomach.

I also suggest you check with your vet about other causes for your Cairn's itching. It could be several things other than food. Good luck--I hope you find a solution for your poor pooch!

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 17:41:24 GMT

We feed our dog Nature's Domain, from Costco. I've read that it's their private label packaging for Taste of the Wild. It comes in three formulas - Turkey, Beef, and Salmon, all with sweet potato and grain free. All I know is that our dog (Golden Retriever) is doing great on it.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

AnikaBrodie — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 18:08:29 GMT

I wanted to add that our dogs eat a small amount of fruits. Every time I or DH eat an orange they are there for a few small pieces. They also like small apple slices, blueberries and bananas on occasion, but not as much as oranges. Never ever feed them grapes. So, you could try fruits for your cairn and see if she likes them.

Check out this website for fruits that are safe for dogs. You may have to cut and paste the link.

<cite>www.yourdogquestions.com/can-dogs-eat-fruits</cite>

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Sheltie Mom — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 18:40:59 GMT

Hi Txblonde! I feed my Sheltie Orijen. She was real itchy, scratchy and since I have switched her over last year she has been much better. Like geezeretee said, it is made in Canada, so sometimes the feed store I get it from has trouble getting it. I just don't wait until I'm almost out to go get some. l would check out their website for more info, the food is all supposed to be species appropriate with all local ingredients. I've even started feeding my cat that brand and he loves it.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

geezerette — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 00:09:18 GMT

On 2/25/2014 Sheltie Mom said:
Hi Txblonde! I feed my Sheltie Orijen. She was real itchy, scratchy and since I have switched her over last year she has been much better. Like geezeretee said, it is made in Canada, so sometimes the feed store I get it from has trouble getting it. I just don't wait until I'm almost out to go get some. l would check out their website for more info, the food is all supposed to be species appropriate with all local ingredients. I've even started feeding my cat that brand and he loves it.

I've considered trying my cat on it, too. Especially if I could just feed him just the dry Orijen. Right now he gets canned and dry 'regular' food. He drives me crazy because I never can tell which flavor of canned food he'll eat on any given day. I vary the flavors with the theory that he won't get bored, but one time he'll like one and the next time he hates the very same type. It's frustrating. He does love the little "appetizers" I get him which are human food-grade, so I've been thinking perhaps he would go for the Orijen. It is more expensive than what I'm feeding him right now, but if I keep throwing out cans, it won't be!

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Kachina624 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:09:37 GMT

Did you know that there are websites that analyze and rate various brands of dog food? Here is one of them......http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showcat.php/cat/4/page/5

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Wahoogaz — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 03:31:21 GMT

I agree with CrazyDaisy - if its a food allergy it could be a lot more than just grains. My 3 year old DDB is allergic to wheat, corn, cheese (so probably other dairy as well), root vegetables, beef, duck and chicken ... and that's just what I know for sure. I tried a couple of the commercial hypoallergenic dog foods, but she flared up on those. Because of her allergies, all my dogs are on Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Hydrolyzed Protein dry food. I have to get it through my vet, but it's no more expensive than other high end food. When we switched to that almost two years ago, my vet at the time said the factory that this food is made in was the only one in the country certified by whatever group does that (she named it, I just can't remember it) to only produce this one type of food so there was no chance of cross contamination. I don't know if that's still true or not.

I've also found that she can eat brown rice flour, pumpkin and butternut squash - so I make homemade treats for the dogs using those.

If you find that your dog's problems are caused by food, you'll have to be a food detective and really pay attention to what causes the flare ups. My old vet told me about the allergy tests they can perform, but she didn't have confidence in their accuracy so she didn't do them.

Good luck!

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Txblond — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:05:46 GMT

Thank you all for your input. I intend to do a lot of checking on these suggestions. Dixie weighs 2l lbs., so I have to be careful about fat content. I know about introducing new food very slowly.

AnikaBrodie - We love Cairns too. Dixie is our 2nd rescue dog & we've had her about a year now. Our first Cairn, who we loved dearly, passed away from cancer & of course, broke our hearts. Dixie just turned 10yrs. old in January - she's a darling girl.

How neat that your Cairn was a certified therapy dog. Most Cairns are very sweet natured & love social contact.

Thanks again everyone - your suggestiions are very helpful!

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

NeNe1010 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 20:18:48 GMT

We alternate Wellness Ocean with Taste of the Wild with Duck with our Minature Schnauzer, Grace. Beef and Chicken can sometimes be allergy inducing so less common sources of protein like fish, duck or even buffalo may be better for an itchy dog. We previously had West Highland White Terriers and the breeder we got them from said not to feed them Beef. We also give a supplement called the Missing Link. You can check it our on Amazon. The one we use is especially made for the coat and skin. Hope your itchy baby feels better.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

SandGirl — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:11:52 GMT

On 2/25/2014 JeanLouiseFinch said:
We feed our dog Nature's Domain, from Costco. I've read that it's their private label packaging for Taste of the Wild. It comes in three formulas - Turkey, Beef, and Salmon, all with sweet potato and grain free. All I know is that our dog (Golden Retriever) is doing great on it.

I'm happy to see this! I have 3 labs on Natural Balance - With a GR you know how expensive it would be to feed THREE - I keep thinking of switching but my 12 year old has been on the same food his whole life, I worry about switching but I'm tempted!!

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Topaz Gem — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:44:35 GMT

My kitties love Halo Grain Free Chicken dry food. I know they have a formula for dogs too. I trust Halo because their food has never been recalled. I lost a beautiful Maine Coon a few years ago to a Nutro pet food recall and since then NO MORE cat food comes from China.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

MTH — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 22:13:05 GMT

Good Morning: I have labrador retrievers and they are notorious for skin issues too. While I currently feed my two labs Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free for Adults, I also give them a supplement I was turned on to several years ago when my then yellow lab was developing terrible "hot spots". The itching was not from food but from environmental allergies my dog had. A friend told me about a product called SeaMeal by a company named Solid Gold. It almost looks like fish food and I just sprinkle about 1/2 a teaspoon into their regular food. My yellow lab's skin cleared up within a very short time and I never had a problem again for the remainder of his life. I now give it to all my labs as a preventative. Not sure what dog food stores you have near you, but I get mine at my local store (All Pet Emporium). As many have mentioned, it is always good to check with your vet, but I have found this product to work wonders on skin issues of any type not just from food allergies.
Best of luck.

MTH

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

pistolino — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:49:23 GMT

On 2/25/2014 CrazyDaisy said:
If it is the food, it may not just be the grains. Some dogs can be allergic to the protein (i.e. chicken or beef). I would see if you could fine one with limited ingredients and an unique protein source.

You might also try adding fish oil to his diet. This winter has been hard for a lot of dogs skin. Many of my friends with dogs are having the same problem and this has given them some relief.

I agree that the protein could be the issue also. I went from ProPlan to Merrick Pork & Sweet Potato Grain-Free and Earthborn Primitive (switching off every bag) to my poodle who was tearing his skin up scratching and after switching to that plus limited-ingredient treats, it solved the problem without having to go to steroids.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Txblond — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:32:57 GMT

MTH - I looked online at the SeaMeal & it had rave reviews. Our Petco carries it & is out right now. But, I will check back on Thur. to see if it came in. Not really knowing if it is food or maybe grasses, etc. in our yard, SeaMeal probably would be worth a try.

Thanks everyone for the input & I'm looking at all the suggestions.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 03:48:30 GMT

On 2/28/2014 Sandgirl said:
On 2/25/2014 JeanLouiseFinch said:
We feed our dog Nature's Domain, from Costco. I've read that it's their private label packaging for Taste of the Wild. It comes in three formulas - Turkey, Beef, and Salmon, all with sweet potato and grain free. All I know is that our dog (Golden Retriever) is doing great on it.

I'm happy to see this! I have 3 labs on Natural Balance - With a GR you know how expensive it would be to feed THREE - I keep thinking of switching but my 12 year old has been on the same food his whole life, I worry about switching but I'm tempted!!

Oh my, what puppypie lovin' must go on at your house! Ours is younger, came to us at 10-11 mos., and was on a different food. I kept him on his usual food for about the first six months. We did a slow transition last summer and he never had an issue. In fact, he used to get some occasional runny stools out of the blue. I'd end up feeding pumpkin for a couple of days to clear it up. Since being on the Nature's Domain, he hasn't had a problem. I think the bag is around $30 for 35 lbs. Our boy gets 1.5 cups twice a day so it lasts pretty log.

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

MTH — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 01:45:52 GMT

On 3/4/2014 Txblond said:
MTH - I looked online at the SeaMeal & it had rave reviews. Our Petco carries it & is out right now. But, I will check back on Thur. to see if it came in. Not really knowing if it is food or maybe grasses, etc. in our yard, SeaMeal probably would be worth a try.

Thanks everyone for the input & I'm looking at all the suggestions.

Hi Txblond: I'm glad you were able to find it locally. It is so hard to know what's going on with our babies when they can't actually tell you. Let me know how it works for you. I'd be curious to see the outcome and I'm certainly keeping my fingers crossed that it helps.

MTH

Re: Grain Free Dog Food?

Txblond — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 14:13:04 GMT

MTH - Petco has been out of the SeaMeal - I hope to be able to get it Monday. I'm so anxious to try it. There are other Petco's, but none even half-way close to us. If it takes too long, I will get it online.

I told the lady who is in charge of the Cairn Rescue in our area about the product & she is going to get some immediately. She has three Cairn "kids", and only one of them has the itchy skin problem.

I will get back to you as soon as possible - thanks again for the recommendation.