We switched our 2 boys to raw from kibble about 6 months ago. The switch came because we were simply exhausted from walking them 3 times a day because they had loose stool (we don't have fenced in yard, so we need to walk them to go to the bathroom). Our vet recommended more fiber in their diet to help with loose stool. This intuitively just didn't resonate with us. Basenji are one of the most ancient breeds of dog… why on earth would more fiber be a solution to their problem (I know the theoretical why, but logically it was counter-intuitive)? We read many sources or literature on the raw diet and thought this would be a good switch for them. Again, they are an ancient breed so moving toward raw foods seemed appropriate and logical. It took that about a month for them to get really accustomed to eating raw chicken quarters, rabbit halves or pork shoulders but now they have no problem gulping their meal right down, bone and all (for those of you who don't feed raw, gulping is a normal behavior and bone is an essential part of the diet). Their digestion issues have vanished and we've even seen marked improvement in their destructive behavior. Two super happy boys now, two super happy Basenji owners!!
Grain /wheat allergic dog food
-
I read this from Tanza and am considering it, although they recomend it (better than what I am feeding now?) they still say it's low in meat content.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tanza
I use Natural Balance Duck and Potato, since I have one with allergies…. and I have switched all of mine to this, was using Canidae Senior but didn't like the coats on my elders. All of mine are doing great on this dry... and I use some EVO 95% rabbit, duck, venison or Chicken/Turkey canned to mix. I also still do one or two days a week raw meat. Also give them veggies as treats...I have been really happy with all of them since I went back to a regular adult food. While I used Canidae regular for years and years and really liked it, I don't care for the senior much. And I have not really found a senior that I do like...
this is the quote from the site
about this food, which they recommend
Quote:
The main ingredient in the food is potatoes. Potatoes are a good carbohydrate source and a very good alternative for dogs that do not tolerate grains. There is a further potato ingredient 5th on the ingredient list (potato fibre), but this is non-nutritious filler.The second and third ingredients are both named meat products. The second of these is duck inclusive of its water content (about 80%) and once that is removed it is likely that this ingredient would be more accurately placed somewhat further down the ingredient list (ingredients are listed in order of weight). The meal version is the second ingredient in the food, so our overall assessment of the meat content is unaffected.
Canola oil is a good source of linoleic acid, and both salmon oil and flaxseed are good sources of Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Overall, this looks to be a good option for allergic dogs or those who cannot tolerate grains in the diet. We are not confident that the meat content of the food is significant, however.
-
It looks like the best bet so far is the Natural Balance Patato & Duck.
-
Mine have done really well on this food… and you can always add canned meat, like I said, I use the EVO 95% meat (Duck, Venison, Chicken & Turkey) if you are concerned about meat content.
-
I am going to have to try it. it says "Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance.
Dick Van Patten?
Last I saw of him was the movie Space Balls
-
Evo is great. Chance is allergic to most foods. After trial and error, Evo is working out great.
-
My pooch is allergic to aaaaaalll kinds of things like grains & poultry SO we feed Natural Balance Patato & Duck and Merricks Salmon Wilderness.
-
I also use natural balance either duck and potator or fish and sweet potato. Also watch the treats you give them. sometimes it will list flax which can also cause a reaction in grain allergic dogs. Just an FYI.
-
I bought a small bag of the Natural Balance Duck & Patato last night, to use as treats at first in small quantities.
Of coarse he hates it, spits it out. I tried mixing it with his other food and he picks out his regular food. The other dog likes it no problem, but she's not the one who needs it!
This dog I am going to rename to- "Difficult"
He is such a pain in the butt compared to our girl- they are so different from each other. Yes we love both, but…
-
Been slowing introducing he food and he seems to be accepting it, no redness on his underside or diarhea.
looks like we will be able to switch over
Still do not think Dick Van Patten's name is a plus
-
spoke too soon, while on a walk both have squirting diarrhea.
-
I use blue buffalo.. both dogs transitioned well. Mia had some loose poo a few times, but not really "the squirts"
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=354&cat=all
i dont know what types of grains and stuff you're dogs are allergic to, but check it out and see if it might work!
-
I switched my guys over to Taste of the Wild
http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com -
How about Solid Gold Barking At The Moon…you should also expect some diarrhea when switching foods. I add water to it so it's a little more tasty
-
Why is wheat and grains bad for dogs, do they have a hard time digesting them. Sometimes Sahara loves to have some of my peanut butter on wheat toast, is that bad for her. She loves it, so how about it???
-
Why is wheat and grains bad for dogs, do they have a hard time digesting them. Sometimes Sahara loves to have some of my peanut butter on wheat toast, is that bad for her. She loves it, so how about it???
The wheat and grains they use as fillers in dog food is not like the wheat you have in your bread… and little toast and PB will never hurt her...
And yes they have a hard time digesting the fillers they put in dog food, because IMO, it of lesser quality and if just what it appears, a filler.. Dogs are meat eater... for the most part