Food Suggestions!

Lyzelle

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#1
If I had the ability and freezer space to feed Raw/BARF on a continuous basis, I totally would, but I can't. And with the recalls and Zander's not doing totally well on CORE...I'm on the hunt for something new!

Currently he is on Wellness CORE, the fish formula. He's overall okay, but he still has goopy eyes and he fluctuates weight pretty easily. He's definitely on the fluffier side, and only getting 2 cups total a day. And his poop isn't ideal either.

Only requirements are:
--Not terribly expensive (I'm only looking at a 30lb bag every three weeks, though, so I'm okay with a $60 limit or so.)
--Grain-free (including oatmeal!). Preferably low-carb in general, actually.
-- Either fish or red meat formula available. He's allergic to both processed lamb and processed poultry.

I'm okay looking at ordering online, but I'd need suggestions as to where.

I've been looking at Acana, Annamaet, and a few others, but I'd like some other reviews, suggestions, and opinions as well. :D
 
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#2
Panzer eats raw but I feed Solo Orijen and Acana. Orijen has a fish formula and a red meat formula and is a step above Acana, though made by the same company. I find that Solo does equally well on all formulas of both brands.
 

Saeleofu

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#3
I was pretty happy with the couple bags of Nature's Variety INSTINCT I tried. It's in the $40-$60 range depending on sales. I think I even managed to get one bag for around $35 with coupons from Petco. I still feed canned Instinct on occasion. I'm not sure if there is a fish formula, but they do have a few different ones. I think chicken, beef, rabbit? and maybe venison? Can't remember for sure.

I now feed Victor dry, but it's not widespread yet, so where you're located it's very possible it isn't available yet. There are only limited varieties, though, no fish and no strictly red meat formula. They do have a high-protein/low-carb formual that's 42% protein. It was too rich for my dogs so I dropped down to the regular ALS formulas which is 33% protein.
 

Kat09Tails

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#4
It's pretty rough trying to avoid the diamond recalls right now. Maybe Acana or Orijen would be the best way to go until this all blows over? Shoot - even purina pro plan selects chicken and brown rice might not be so bad.
 

Maxy24

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#5
As far as price goes Earthborn Holistic is priced like TOTW.

Nature's Variety Instinct or Acana would probably be my first choices if I had a bigger budget.
 

Lyzelle

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#6
Thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking long term, so I'll keep looking into Acana and Nature's Variety INSTINCT.

Is Earthborn Holistic available at Petco? I do actually have one of those here, so it might be something to keep in mind for a cheap&easy option should I forget to order food, it doesn't come in on time, whatever.
 

Saeleofu

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#7
Thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking long term, so I'll keep looking into Acana and Nature's Variety INSTINCT.

Is Earthborn Holistic available at Petco? I do actually have one of those here, so it might be something to keep in mind for a cheap&easy option should I forget to order food, it doesn't come in on time, whatever.

Petco does not have Earthborn, but they do have Nature's Variety.
 

PWCorgi

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#8
I was pretty happy with the couple bags of Nature's Variety INSTINCT I tried. It's in the $40-$60 range depending on sales. I think I even managed to get one bag for around $35 with coupons from Petco. I still feed canned Instinct on occasion. I'm not sure if there is a fish formula, but they do have a few different ones. I think chicken, beef, rabbit? and maybe venison? Can't remember for sure.
The chicken instinct isn't badly priced, but their Salmon and Beef/Lamb are pretty high. I know a 25 pound bag of Salmon Instinct retails for over $70 per bag here.

As far as price goes Earthborn Holistic is priced like TOTW.

Nature's Variety Instinct or Acana would probably be my first choices if I had a bigger budget.
Earthborn is really nicely priced, but not particularly low in carbs. They have a fish formula (Coastal Catch) but it is higher in carbs and their red meat formula has both bison and lamb, so that wouldn't work.

With Orijen and Acana you would be limited to Pacifica/6 Fish as their red meat formulas both have lamb in them.
 

PWCorgi

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#9
Also, FWIW both Solid Gold and Wellness have put a 100% stop to any of their foods being processed by Diamond.

About FRIGGIN time!
 

JacksonsMom

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#10
I've always had the best luck with Acana. We are using the grain inclusive (which does have oats) but we've had good luck with the grain-free Acana too. Pacifica would probably fit your bill.

Also, Nutrisource/Pure Vita and Precise may have a few formulas you could use - both, I've heard, are in the same price range as TOTW (maybe a little more? Not sure). But they're both smaller family owned companies, no recalls, made in-house, etc.

I would think if you're looking for low carbs though, Acana and Orijen would be it. NV Instinct is high priced around here.


Also, FWIW both Solid Gold and Wellness have put a 100% stop to any of their foods being processed by Diamond.

About FRIGGIN time!
Oh, they both have? Nice!

I know Canidae is moving to a new facility too.
 

PWCorgi

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#11
Oh, they both have? Nice!

I know Canidae is moving to a new facility too.
Yeah, they actually did a few months ago, but their bags were still in production for the recalled bags. I'm betting they are now wishing they had changed earlier.
 

Maxy24

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#12
We went to switch foods today (we were on TOTW) and Acana was the same price as Earthborn (well the bag was 1/2 pound smaller...but close enough for us), I could have sworn Earthborn was a lot cheaper last time I looked, I wonder if the store bumped it's price after the recall. They were completely sold out of grain free Earthborn varieties due to the recall.
 

Lyzelle

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#13
Thanks everyone! I think we might just go with Acana. It seems the easiest so far, and if I can get a better food for the same price as a lower food, I'll go for it. Any suggestions on where to order it? Just on amazon?

I wouldn't mind sticking with Diamond products, considering it's only salmonella, but...eh. Zander isn't doing terribly well on it, Wellness CORE was better, but not best....and I'm out in the middle of no where, so choice isn't an easy option. Might as well just ship in the best I can afford...no con in it.
 

sillysally

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#14
I have started feeding Back to Basics. I have tried about a bazillion premium and super premium kibbles over the years and honestly this one has made the most positive difference of all of them. Sally has smaller poops and is actually MUCH less itchy than she normally is for this of year--we haven't had to give her benedril yet which is pretty impressive. They do have a pork recipe. http://backtobasicspetfood.com/
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#15
Back to Basics is pretty great. Harleigh does fantastic on their foods, but they can get a bit pricey. I buy it online because it isn't carried anywhere near me, it is free shipping though so woo! lol
 

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