No more food choices after Canidae at my local stores

[alessadry]

After my 11 month old puppies refused the new Canidae and having diarrhea, my hubby returned to the store to get an exchange. Ok, there were no real good foods. There was Diamond, Eukanuba, Purina, Chicken soup for the soul and Taste of the wild.

My hubby got taste of the wild per the owner's recommendation. I called all the other stores in town and nobody carries Orijen, Evo or California Natural. I am a bit worried of the protein amount of taste of the wild, it will be going from 24% of Canidae to 32% of taste of the wild. The good thing is that this food contains no grains.

Wow Canidae's new formula is 5 pounds less yet the bag increased to five dollars more. What a great deal, with all the incoveniences happening to so many dog owners nationwide!

Also how can I start them on this new food without making them get an upset tummy since I no longer have the old Canidae? Should I mix the new food in rice and boiled chicken?

[brutus'mother]

Once again, the increase in protein is NOT a problem. I'm not sure why there seems to be so many members that come here thinking a high protein diet is not good for dogs. As far as I am aware there is really no evidence to support that belief.
As far as switching over to a new kibble, you will find varying opinions. When I fed kibble, I made the switch both ways-gradually and cold turkey-never seemed to make that much of a difference.

[sweetlee]

I would usually say mix the two dog foods together, but since the Canidae is what made them sick in the first place I guess maybe not. Have they been eating a chicken and rice diet lately? That is how I progress after using the chicken and rice for a bout of the runs. I usually add the kibble in at a little less than 1/2 cup the first meal, and if that stays in or comes out solid I will add a little less than a cup the next meal etc.


Sharon

[alessadry]

Originally Posted by brutus'mother

Once again, the increase in protein is NOT a problem. I'm not sure why there seems to be so many members that come here thinking a high protein diet is not good for dogs. As far as I am aware there is really no evidence to support that belief.
As far as switching over to a new kibble, you will find varying opinions. When I fed kibble, I made the switch both ways-gradually and cold turkey-never seemed to make that much of a difference.

Don't know, I thought protein was bad too for young pups, and the store owner was a bit reluctant to sell it to me when he heard they were still pups but sold it because there was no other choice. But I guess it will not hurt as so many people on board here says it is ok.

I did switch cold turkey because I had no other option, as I finished the rice:(

I was a bit worried but as you said, they were fine! Actually my female that had bad diarrhea went back to nice solid poops. I never saw them eat a dog food with so much appetite. It may not be the best out there but at least it is better than the new Canidae!

[Crzycwgrl79]

You could try Wellness, I've never had a problem with it...or shall I say my dog hasnt:-) You can find it on canine smart pak's website if you can't find it locally. Has anyone tried Newman's organic dogfood?

[mjfish]

Originally Posted by alessadry

Don't know, I thought protein was bad too for young pups, and the store owner was a bit reluctant to sell it to me when he heard they were still pups but sold it because there was no other choice. But I guess it will not hurt as so many people on board here says it is ok.

I did switch cold turkey because I had no other option, as I finished the rice:(

I was a bit worried but as you said, they were fine! Actually my female that had bad diarrhea went back to nice solid poops. I never saw them eat a dog food with so much appetite. It may not be the best out there but at least it is better than the new Canidae!

As brutus'mother said, protein is not the issue...it's the Calcium:Phosphorus ratio that is the issue for large breed puppies...and since the majority of bone growth is done at around a year, your pups will be fine. And Taste of the Wild looks like a good grain-free food! I know you said they like it so far, but if things go south and you need to buy something from that store, I would try the Chicken Soup before I fed Euk, Ped, or Dia.

[vVRotts]

Both Taste of the Wild and Chicken Soup for the Soul are listed on Whole Dog Journal's approved dry foods list, so if the Taste of the Wild doesn't work out, agreed with mjfish that Chicken Soup would be worth a try.

[alessadry]

Thanks for the advice, they are eating Taste of the wild very well so far, so unless I incur in any problems I may stick with it for a little while and keep an eye on their over all condition. Chicken soup will then be my next choice.