[fedfan]

Right now we are using Just Foods for Dogs. I buy the vitamin mixes and homecook. I have made the chicken and rice, lamb and rice, and now the venison and rice recipes. My dog is really enjoying it and eating most meals! I'm very happy because before, he was on Merrick canned food and had vomiting/soft stools occasionally. He is doing really well on JFFD with none of the issues! I don't think I will ever go back to commercial dog food & I'm researching more about vitamins in homemade dog food. My goal eventually is to cook a balanced diet without supplement powders but I will be using JFFD or other vitamin mixes this year.

There are two other vitamin mixes I found that I was wondering if anyone had used:

1. The Farmer's Dog DIY (Currently backordered, but I hope they'll be available soon!) This looks very healthy--has anyone tried The Farmer's Dog?

https://www.thefarmersdog.com/diy

2. Canine Life Muffins: This sounds really interesting to me and looks VERY easy to make! I would love to make Alfie muffins once in a while that he could get for breakfast to have some variety. Has anyone heard of this?

Canine Life

 

[Samantha113]

Hi, all of my options and recommendations are grain free, and I can't choose other than that :/
Last year it turned out that my Cooper has food allergy...He was itching like crazy and shaking his head constantly and I suspected he had ear inflammation or something like that, but didn't expect to be told that it was caused by food allergy. It turned out that ear inflammation, diarrhea and even chronic gas are the symptoms of food allergy. Our vet even asked me if my dog lick his feet....??!!
Vet also said that most pets are usually allergic to more than one thing, but luckily, Cooper has 'only' a grain allergy. It's not something you wanna hear when you think you are doing it all right Anyhow, when I realized that Cooper needed special diet, I switched to Ivorycoat grain free food and it still works ok
If you have any other recommendations regarding grain free food, share!

 

[Dminnar]

Hi everyone, I made the food for Minnie and Bits (sweet potatoes, peas and green beans)and mixed it with a dry kibble I got in Austria. Bits was allergic to most foods and this worked for them. My daughter lives there and it was fairly easy for me to get with our visits back and forth when I get my new baby I’ll be looking for recommendations however the European brands are very superior.

 

[unicorn1098]

Dolly... oh Dolly. Many may not agree with her diet but below is literally the only thing I have found that will get her to gain and maintain her weight. She’s finally 3 pounds 10-12ish oz at 6 months old and thriving.

Everyday:

Morning: Boiled 3/4 Fromm Duckenpfeffer mixed with 1/4 Maltese Puppy Royal Canin.

All day: Free fed same combo but not boiled.

Night: Stella and Chewy Patty (flavor depending on what I buy.)

It seems to finally have her at a weight and energy level that the vet and I are both happy with. She’s a rescue and I don’t know her background although I can guess puppy mill. She had zero interesst in food the first 3 months I had her.

I don’t love the Royal Canin mixed in but... she does and if that’s what it takes then she gets her Royal Canin. LOL!

 

[Samantha113]

Hi everyone, I made the food for Minnie and Bits (sweet potatoes, peas and green beans)and mixed it with a dry kibble I got in Austria. Bits was allergic to most foods and this worked for them. My daughter lives there and it was fairly easy for me to get with our visits back and forth when I get my new baby I’ll be looking for recommendations however the European brands are very superior.

Hm, thanks for sharing, will see with my vet if there are any European options here in AU

 

[Samantha113]

Dolly... oh Dolly. Many may not agree with her diet but below is literally the only thing I have found that will get her to gain and maintain her weight. She’s finally 3 pounds 10-12ish oz at 6 months old and thriving.

Everyday:

Morning: Boiled 3/4 Fromm Duckenpfeffer mixed with 1/4 Maltese Puppy Royal Canin.

All day: Free fed same combo but not boiled.

Night: Stella and Chewy Patty (flavor depending on what I buy.)

It seems to finally have her at a weight and energy level that the vet and I are both happy with. She’s a rescue and I don’t know her background although I can guess puppy mill. She had zero interesst in food the first 3 months I had her.

I don’t love the Royal Canin mixed in but... she does and if that’s what it takes then she gets her Royal Canin. LOL!

Haha, I know the feel. "I don't love it, but she does" <3

 

[kikiiniowa]

What flavors of the Fromm's grain free are you feeding?

 

[CottonCandy]

All,

Candy is now 12 weeks old. We have been feeding him Royal Canin Mini Starter and now trying to switch over to something more premium. I did a ton of research and it cannot get more confusing. Finally went ahead and got Royal Canin Mini Puppy as
1. I could not come to a conclusion on any one brand
2. He is doing really good on RC mini starter.

Please let me know if any of you have first hand experience on RC mini puppy.

here's a pic of him. He gets on the printer all the time and barks at us to get him down

 

[meadorgc]

Since it was recommended by many others and my breeder, that Maltese should not eat a protein level over 26%, I kinda had hard time getting Sammie's foods figured out. He did well on natural balance GF, but after all the recalls of 2011/2012 I switched to Fromm's grain free kibble. I don't like the canned Fromm only because it's so soupy.

AM: Grain Free Fromm: is little over 26% protein kibble, but best food I've found. Plus it's available in my small town at a dog speciality botuiqe only. I wanted a food that I didn't have to order. We buy the tunalina or wild game bird as they are lowest in protein. Sammie has elevated bile acids and his brother passed away very young with a shunt. So he needs lower protiens. He also has allergies such as head shaking if he eats dry grain type kibble.

PM: slice of Vital freshpet. I buy non fish ones mostly. They spit up the fish twice, not sure why.

I give natural balance GF treats, and fruitables too.
For teeth regimine: i rotate these. they get Sams Yams fries, CET dental chews, lebo dental spray, and a squiroften mouth of dental rinse and daily water additive.

 

[Mal-shi Mom]

This thread is so helpful - thank you all for sharing!

Our vet told me to avoid grain free food due to it contributing to heart problems. Is this not true?

 

[maggieh]

This thread is so helpful - thank you all for sharing!

Our vet told me to avoid grain free food due to it contributing to heart problems. Is this not true?

That is not true. It was spread by the FDA following articles (not actual research) by veterinarians with a tie to dog food companies.

 

[Snuggle's Mom]

There are Dog Foods with Protein levels under 26% but you would have do really search for them but they are out there. Our Chrissy eats Solid Gold Blendz Holistic and it has a lower fat and protein content level.

 

[Mal-shi Mom]

I ordered a sample of Dr. Harvey’s Oracle (chicken) for my guys to try. I thought for sure they wouldn’t touch it but they gobbled it up. So I plan to add a small spoonful to their Blue Buffalo kibble until it is all used up, then feed them Dr. Harvey’s exclusively. I also bought Dr. Harvey’s oil to add to their meals.

I have also started switching their little treats over to fresh or freeze dried fruits/veggies.
They just get tiny bits.

For their chewing needs I give them Himalayan cheese chews or bully sticks.

Bailey seems to be quite the chonker even though I don’t believe I am over feeding him. I am hoping that with the change in diet maybe his weight will go down some. We shall see.

 

[Dstevens]

Are fromm or wellness to high in protein?

 

[maggieh]

Are fromm or wellness to high in protein?

Every dog is different in terms of what they can handle in protein and fat content. My Sweetness does great on just about anything while my Tessa has chronic digestive issues that require a lower fat diet. So there's no one answer to your question. In general, both of those are fine.

Whole Dog Journal periodically publishes lists of recommended foods, including what to look for in a quality food. Their most recent list of recommended dry foods is in the issue I received Friday (February issue I believe).. It requires a subscription to view the information on their website but it's the best $20 a year I've every spent. I like the WDJ information better than Pet Food Advisor because they look at more criteria, including whether or not they're allowed to tour the manufacturing facility. Both Fromm and Wellness are on the recommended list.