Grainless Kibble?

[AngelBunny]

Our current foster is on a raw prey model diet. He was moved to this diet as per my vet after being fed two different premium kibble (first Canidae, then CA Nat about 3 mo on each) over a 6 month period of time. During this time, he failed to thrive. Sailor's coat was disgusting--thin, dry, brittle, yet it had a greasy feeling to it and your hand got coated with a grey film if you pet him for any length of time. He tested hypothyroid and was put on thyroid meds, tho my vet always had a suspicion that he was suffering more from sick thryroid syndrome than hyprothrodism. His frequent enormous poops--that varied from firm to soup--indicated his body couldn't make use of what he was being fed kibble.

He had his first raw meal for dinner June 26 and has been fed raw since. He eats no grain

Sailor is a foster. It is going to take a special person to adopt him. He's 5-7 yo, has a dickey value in his heart, has a touch of arthritis in his spine, he may or may not be hyprothyroid (Dr Donna and I are working to figure this out), and he's fed a raw diet.

I talked to a friend in my kennel club the other night about Sailor. She told me about a grainless kibble, Barking at the Moon. Feeding kibble--even an esoteric kibble--may make Sailor more adoptable than if he needs to be fed a raw diet.

I am interested in hearing about experiences other RDNs have had with diets for what appears to be a grain intolerant dog and specifically, what experiences any of you have had with grainless kibble. I haven't yet had an opportunity to check Barking's web site, but I will and I plan to phone the company to talk to a rep. Sailor looked like a disaster when he was on kibble and now looks spectacular (his nickname is the Velveteen Rabbit because his coat is simply so astonishing).

Thanks.

[rottiesnumberone]

I just posted recently looking for feedback if anyone here feeds no grain kibble. I noticed wellness put out CORE no grains five meat sources and Innova put out EVO no grains also. Expensive but if it works well for the dog, it may be the right choice. I wanted to try one of these because my boy is packing on afew unwanted pounds and maybe a higher protein,m less carbs will be good for him plus exercise of course.

[spidey]

I rotate between a few grain-free kibbles (plus occasionally ones with grain), I've had good success with Barking at the Moon, EVO (both regular and RM), and the new Go! Natural grainless. I haven't tried the Wellness yet, but I will.

[brunie's mom]

There is also Orijen in two flavours. One has poultry, and the other is 6 Fish formula. The ingredients are great.

Orijen is made in Canada, but I know that it's available in the States now.

Gina

[AngelBunny]

Thanks for the input--you've all given me foods to research.

Sailor was on Evo, but it was only briefly before being moved to raw.

He looks a different dog on his raw diet--his coat is nothing short of spectacular and it was simply dreadful when he was on kibble. If he was our dog or we were adopting him, I wouldn't think twice about keeping him on a raw diet, but since he's a foster, I'd like to find something that an adopter will feed that's good for him and will agree with him.

[flyballmom]

I'm currently using Pinnacle's option, "Peak Protein Formula." It's not grainless, but the grain is quinoa, not something most dogs have been exposed to. I'm loving the amount of poop output (little) and coat appearance, but am NOT liking one certain side effect (PEWWYYY!)
Another option that I'll likely switch back to is Nature's Variety Raw Instinct...I loved everything about it (or everything about my dogs while they were on it)...but like others here I rotate foods. Due to the "stinky" issue I likely will take Pinnacle "Peak" out of the rotation, but "that" problem is just Blitz.

PS. Barking at the Moon is made by Solid Gold, and...not sure about your location but the PetCo near me sells it, so readily available.

[hcelsa]

I prefer the grainless kibbles and/or raw foods for my guys (or a combination of both). My vet friend also is totally sold on the grainless kibbles for her gang (of Bearded Collies), she's really happy with Orijen right now.

For what it's worth I tried Canidae once quite a few years ago and wasn't impressed.

There are quite a few grainfree dog foods you could try (my dogs do well on the EVO, NV Instinct, and Timberwolfs W & N and are currently eating Orijen):

Innova's EVO (poultry or red meat)
Nature's Variety Instinct
Solid Gold's Barking at the Moon
Orijen
Timberwolf Organics Wild and Natural
Honest Kitchen (multiple varieties)
Wellness CORE
Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Venison
Blue Buffalo Fish and Sweet potato (the dog that's hanging out with me for board and train the month is eating this and he looks great!)

[AngelBunny]

You're all terrific! Thank you so much for the suggestions.

[Ayoka]

What about pre prepared raw foods?

[groupieindenial]

Timberwolf's Ocean Blue I believe is grain free, as well as the fish formula for Natural Balance.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

What about pre prepared raw foods?

Sailor belongs to the rescue program for which I volunteer. In asking about grainless kibble, I'm trying to see if there's a diet he could be fed that agrees with him--that the average adopter will feed. I have no problem feeding him raw, but the chances of him getting adopted increase if he can be fed kibble.

Sailor has several considerations.

He's between 5-7 yo.

He has a dickey valve in his heart.

He has arthritis in his spine.

He may (or may not be) hypothyroid. (My vet and I are trying to figure this out--she's long thought he may have sick thyroid syndrome from years spent eating food that was completely wrong for him.)

And to top it all--he's on a raw diet.

If I can eliminate one or two of the above, his chances of adoption improve.

[Ayoka]

I was thinking cost might be the factor you were looking at over convenience (and I know nothing about how much prepared raw costs maybe it's not a less copstly option anyways.)

I agree, kibble would be more convenient for most than raw...I hope you can find that special home for this guy, sounds like he could really use one.

[poohbearsmom]

I do have a hypothyroid dog who's stools have always been rather cow-pie-ish in nature... This dog was on CN Chix rice, Salmon and sweet potato made it worse. So I went back to Chicken and rice, and when I mixed in EVO, the stools firmed up. My thinking is that this is the result of fewer grains in his food. I just don't feel comfortable feeding straight EVO because of the ultra high protein content.

I do have a question: I've never heard of 'sick thyroid syndrome'. Is this the dog version of hashimotos' hypothryroidism, in that it's an autoimmune problem in which the system is rejecting the thyroid?