Question about California Natural

[CleasMommy]

Hey all.
Well I'm thinking about switching the pups over to California Natural. After Innova left Dozer having really loose stools and constant eye boogers, I switched them over to Canidae ALS. They seem to be doing OK, but it hasn't helped Dozer and his loose stools, and i've noticed him itching a little more than usual. After reading I thought that maybe it was having too many protein sources, so I've been thinking if the stools don't get better (It's been 2 weeks since the change) that maybe I should try feeding his California Natural.

My main question is California Natural considered an all life stages formula? I would like to put him on the Adult Chicken and Rice, and just wanted to make sure that that would work for Dozer my 6 month old pup and Clea my 7 year old?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[julsquincy]

Have you told the vet about the loose stools? With a puppy, something more than the food might be the cause.

I've had my 7 1/2 yo on IAMS large breed all his life and he's a fit and trim 95lbs with a soft, shiny, smooth coat and no skin or eye problems. I know members of this forum think IAMS is crap but since reading about Candidae, EVO and the others, I got some samples and gave it to Quincy and he wouldn't eat it; not even as a treat. He's always been somewhat of a fussy eater (I need to sit with him)... but now I give him the IAMS and lightly coat it with canned Natural Balance or Nutro Max. He loves it. I always want the best for his health but I've been out of work off and on the last year and if I don't budget food spending we may not have a roof over our heads. What I look for on the label is the order of the ingredients and stay away from anything that says 'meal'. I haven't seen the California Natural but I've been reading so many labels they turned out to be so much of the same. To narrow it down, I went for the best value of quality and cost for what works for me. Good luck on whatever you decide.

[brunie's mom]

Yes, the Adult California Chicken & Rice is fine for your pup and older dog. It's high in calories...so watch that you do not overfeed.

Gina

[happyface]

I have a 11 monthe old rottie and she has been on a cheap brand of food for the past 8 months and I haven't had any problems with her at all, I did make sure that the food that she eats has 2 meats in it also she weighs about 80lbs, I'm not sure if that the correct weight she should be at, but the vet said that she is just fine and her coat is very silky and black. Can someone please let me know if I may encounter some problems in the future because of the cheap food that she is eating?, I would like to switch her food if it keeps her from having any problem down the road.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by happyface

I have a 11 monthe old rottie and she has been on a cheap brand of food for the past 8 months and I haven't had any problems with her at all, I did make sure that the food that she eats has 2 meats in it also she weighs about 80lbs, I'm not sure if that the correct weight she should be at, but the vet said that she is just fine and her coat is very silky and black. Can someone please let me know if I may encounter some problems in the future because of the cheap food that she is eating?, I would like to switch her food if it keeps her from having any problem down the road.

It's never a bargain to feed cheap food to a dog.
She may develop ear infections, hot spots, itchy skin and other chronic medical problems down the road. What you are saving on food now by feeding cheap stuff...you will spend at the vets office.

Also you may not be getting such a bargain feeding cheap food...if you have to feed twice of the cheap stuff...and only half of that amount of the good stuff.

What food are you feeding? Even if it has two meats...if the meats are followed by all sorts of grains and grain fractions...it means there is very little meat in the food. A good food should have two or three meat sources in the first 5 ingredients...should be no corn, wheat or soy or fractions of these....and no by-product meats.

You would also notice much less poop being produced, by feeding a higher quality food...because dogs are meat eaters...they can no thrive on grains.
Also most dogs eating cheap food are notorius for producing stinky, smelly gas

Why feed cheap food, when there are so many good foods? This breed lives a short enough life as it is...you should try to feed your dog a healthy food and give it the best chance.

Gina

[CleasMommy]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Yes, the Adult California Chicken & Rice is fine for your pup and older dog. It's high in calories...so watch that you do not overfeed.

Gina

Thanks Gina. I think once they are done with this bag of Canidae I may switch them over! I appreciate your help!

Katie

[MarleysMama]

Originally Posted by julsquincy

and stay away from anything that says 'meal'.

Actually, "Meal" is a good thing. When an actual meat is listed as the first ingredient, that also includes all of the water thats in the meat as well... so once that water is taken into account, it would be indeed further down on the list than #1. Canidae has "meal" and they actually remove the water from the meat so that it truly does belong as the first ingredient.

That being said....Marley has been on Canidae and we had quiet a bit of issues and we recently switched to CA Nat Sweet Potato and Herring and I am pleased with the product...the eye boogies have almost disappered, he no longer bites his paws, no more scratching.... I would definately recommend it.... but we are switching to Raw :D

[CleasMommy]

Thanks for all the input! Now, one more question! What would be best to feed them? The Chicken and Rice or Herring and Sweet Potato?

[MarleysMama]

I don't think one is necessarily better than the other, just a matter of what your dog tolerates the best. I know a few people who tried the herring and sweet potato just b/c they had issues with other protein sources. I am not certain what the main ingredient is in the Innova you were feeding, but I know it's chicken meal in Canidae...so maybe try a CA Nat that has a protein source other than Chicken... perhaps even the Lamb variety?

I have not searched personally, but be sure that the calcium:phosphorous ration is as close to 1:1 as possible. I remember reading somewhere that the protein shouldn't be more than 21% but I know Orijen protein % is much higher than that but it's fine for pups.

Hope this helps :)

[CleasMommy]

Thanks Marley's Mom! I appreciate your help as well!!!

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by CleasMommy

Thanks for all the input! Now, one more question! What would be best to feed them? The Chicken and Rice or Herring and Sweet Potato?

Feed the Chicken & Rice, the Herring & Sweet Potato is too low in protein (21%) and too low in fat (11%) for a 6 month old puppy that still has a lot of growing to do. The Herring & Sweet Potato is fine for an adult dog.

If that does not do the trick, you may just have to go to one of the grainless foods...but you cannot feed both of your dogs the same food. Orijen has a Large Breed Puppy food that would be fine for a Rottie puppy, but you cannot feed it the regular Adult formula till later.

You may also like to think about feeding raw. Then you would have complete control over the ingredients.

Gina

[shybird]

I just wanted to remind you that the eye boogers may not have anything to do with the food. Spring and summer have a lot of pollen and dust flying in the air that may be causing it. It irritates the eyes and some dogs are allergic to it. You have gotten pretty good advice about the food, so I don't need to comment except to to say that switching around can cause the mushy stools. You need to give them time to adjust. Their body needs time to rid its self of the other foods.

[MarleysMama]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Feed the Chicken & Rice, the Herring & Sweet Potato is too low in protein (21%) and too low in fat (11%) for a 6 month old puppy that still has a lot of growing to do. The Herring & Sweet Potato is fine for an adult dog.

If that does not do the trick, you may just have to go to one of the grainless foods...but you cannot feed both of your dogs the same food. Orijen has a Large Breed Puppy food that would be fine for a Rottie puppy, but you cannot feed it the regular Adult formula till later.

You may also like to think about feeding raw. Then you would have complete control over the ingredients.

Gina

The website actually says they both have 11% fat and the chicken meal and rice says 21% in one place and 25% in another.

There is a 100 calorie per cup difference though...so you would certainly feed less and it would probably save you more money b/c the herring is sweet potato is a little more $$ than the other Ca Nat kibbles (at least at the 2 store located by me), and if it's higher in calories, means less actual kibble your dog will eat, the longer your bag will last :)

[julsquincy]

Originally Posted by MarleysMama

Actually, "Meal" is a good thing. When an actual meat is listed as the first ingredient, that also includes all of the water thats in the meat as well... so once that water is taken into account, it would be indeed further down on the list than #1. Canidae has "meal" and they actually remove the water from the meat so that it truly does belong as the first ingredient.

My understanding of 'meal' is it contains all the beaks, claws, hoofs, hair, scales, etc. of the protein and 'by-products' is the soft flesh of the animal such as the internal organs of the protein listed as the main ingredient i.e. poultry or beef.

Please correct me if I have had it wrong all these years.

[JD102175]

Originally Posted by julsquincy

My understanding of 'meal' is it contains all the beaks, claws, hoofs, hair, scales, etc. of the protein and 'by-products' is the soft flesh of the animal such as the internal organs of the protein listed as the main ingredient i.e. poultry or beef.

Please correct me if I have had it wrong all these years.

Chicken meal is the dry rendered (cooked down) product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts of whole carcasses of chicken -- exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, or entrails.

Chicken meal is considered to be the single best source of protein in commercial pet foods. (Info from the Natura Pet Foods website)

Compared to:

Pet grade meat by-products consist of organs and parts either not desired, or condemned, for human consumption. This can include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers. (Info found here Dog Food Comparison)