Today we ran out of cooked meat so I took some raw meat from the freezer last night.unthawed it and gave Lacey 2 pieces of raw beef or to eat her Dog Food Mix:1/4 cup Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb,1/4 cup Dogswell Happy Hips Duck& Sweet Potato Stew with some cooked Beef that Pa decided to heat up for Lacey Girl.Lacey did in fact eat some of the can food today but would rather prefer to eat 2 pieces of raw beef in between bites!She gobbled up the 2 pieces of raw beef like nothing but wouldn’t do that for raw Chicken! Still,after she ate she made poop so fast I didn’t even realize it till I checked her Puppy pad.Sure enough,there’s one good piece of poop waiting to be picked up!I’ve never seen her poop so fast in a matter of minutes!I try to give her raw meat every so often.So far,it’s not a daily thing but for now every now & then.
Category Archives: Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb
Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb Review continues
Continuing to see excellent results with tear stains & it seems or so that she’s itching less but can’t seem for sure YET as I just noticed it about a day or so ago…She seems to be “protected” from fleas/mosquitoes with the ACV in her dog food.So far without any natural flea spray we have YET to conquer any fleas/mosquitoes on her YET.
Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb Review
Originally,the plan was to sell or give away the Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb because well,Lacey wasn’t taking to it very well BUT..one night she started refusing Acana Grasslands(the one she’s supposed to finish up before opening Acana Wild Praire & Acana Pacifica)Acana Wild Prairie is mostly Chicken & Whitefish.Acana Pacifica is mostly Salmon,Herring and Whitefish.The plan was to do Chicken & Whitefish Proteins.Both bags remain unopened currently.When she started refusing the Acana Grasslands(which is graciously going to Brownie as there’s less than 2 pounds left),I gave her the Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb.The next morning there was very little tear stains and this morning(Sunday) there were absolutely none at all.Not even the slightest bit was seen on her face!Truthfully,that is a SHOCKER!No other food(that hasn’t had apple cider vinegar)in the list has ever Chicken,Beef,Turkey,Fish,Lamb,Duck has ever stopped her tear stains this much.Certainly higher quality foods do help as most people say with almost every high quality brand of dog food has said BUT none of those past foods has ever had ACV in it..However the truth stands with Nature’s Variety Instinct…Not a bit of tear stains.We’re seeing such good results I am going to keep her on it for at least 6 weeks to see if we can find any more improvement then we’ll try Acana Pacifica which does not have ACV and see if tear stains come back.If they do,that will tell us feeding Lacey food with ACV has a big part to do with her tear stains & that would prioritize how we feed her a great deal BECAUSE a lot of foods don’t have ACV and if that DOES help with tear stains we WILL BE adamant to stick to foods with only Apple Cider Vinegar such as possibly all Nature’s Variety Prairie(Possibly as it has ACV that’s supposed to help prevent UTI’s & may give it a shot in the near future)& Nature’s Variety Instinct with being consistent of Primal Frozen Raw or Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw which means can food would likely be out of the question.Whether she’ll take the Primal or Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw or not she’d have no choice.We’d eliminate all other dry food options if it comes down to the fact that tear stains do clear up more on ACV based foods than non based ACV dog foods.
We weren’t really going to switch off of Acana/Orijen completely but we may have to rethink things if ACV does help with tear stains so we’ll see where we’ll stand with dry foods/can foods after a month on Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb followed by a month of Acana Pacifica.
Lacey will be transitioning to new proteins in the next few weeks
In the next few weeks Lacey will be transitioning to two new proteins(see the New Foods for Lacey Blog) as she’s almost done with Acana Grasslands.She’s got 1.5 pounds left so that would go down pretty fast.Right now,I have got her trying Acana Wild Prairie,will have her try Acana Pacifica/Orijen Adult(80-20) to see how she does/likes it but really I think she’ll do fine regardless.Those(Acana/Orijen)would be the easiest to find for us as it’s right in town but I’d really like to see if we can find the Earthborn Holistic Coastal Coast & Solid Gold Sun Dancer first at a couple other feed stores in town.Otherwise we’ll opt for Acana/Orijen or just do Nature’s Variety Instinct Chicken Formula & the Rabbit formula which we’d have to go to Kailua because while we can Special Order from Naturally Pet it is one of the more expensive priced dog foods(for a 4.4 pound bag)we have ever paid for that was even made in the USA.Acana/Orijen didn’t even cost ~$20.Acana/Orijen typically go for about ~$15-18.00 for a 5.5 pound bag.But then again Rabbit is not a protein Lacey’s had before.IF it were something like Chicken/Beef/Turkey/Lamb/Duck,a protein she’s had previously that’s not really a big deal for us but a new protein not knowing how she’ll do that’s when we try to get local if possible.Although we try to buy locally as much as possible unless we can not find it on our island(Oahu)then we consider special order.
Though with Lacey I don’t make her eat one specific one.She can choose to favor both proteins,eat it weekly/every other day switch proteins/daily whatever she wants as long as she eats something but as she gets older around 7-11 years old she won’t have that freedom with raw so I let her get a little finicky now.Once we get the new proteins she’ll finish up Acana Grasslands before opening the new bags.
As for the Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb we thought we were going to sell it but..(see the Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb Review) feeding raw may be coming sooner than we expected.
New Foods for Lacey after Acana Grasslands
Solid Gold Sun Dancer
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch
Acana Pacifica/or Orijen 6Fish (In replace of Coastal Catch)
Acana Wild Prairie(If we can find either one of the two above.If not we can Special order SunDancer or do something else)
OR
Acana Wild Prairie
Acana Pacifica/or Orijen 6Fish(If we were to stick to Chicken/Whitefish theme for dog food)
OR
Acana Wild Prairie OR Nature’s Variety Instinct Chicken(If we decide to see how her tummy reacts to other formulas on Instinct.On Beef & Lamb bowels can be unpredictable & difficult to transition back to Acana Grasslands but not as bad as on Wellness Super5Mix.See previous blogs on that.Does well on SIS but not sure on Wellness Core)
Nature’s Variety Instinct Rabbit
Dry Dog Food by Brands
***Please note that all the dry dog foods listed here are mostly 2 grains,1 grain or grain free.On occasion you might find one that is similar to three grains but not exclusively three grains.If you are looking for three grains or higher such as Wellness Super5Mix for an example I don’t have it posted but if your dog is sensitive to grains like Lacey you will probably find a decent food on this list that might work but remember what works for one dog might not work for another.You just have to keep trying!***
There are so many to list that I’ve made a copy for myself so if you want the nutrition facts email me or leave a comment on this particular blog and I will send it to you.
Acana
Acana Wild Prairie(Mostly Chicken & Whitefish)
Acana Pacifica(Mostly Salmon,whitefish & Herring)
Acana Grasslands(Mostly Lamb)
Acana Ranchlands(To be in stores in early Spring)
Addiction
Addiction Viva La Vension(Mostly Vension)
Addiction Salmon Bleu(Mostly Salmon)
Addiction Wild Kanagaroo & Apples(Mostly Kanagaroo with two grains)
Addiction La Porchetta(Mostly Pork with about 3 grains)
Artemis
Artemis Weight Management(Mostly Chicken & Salmon with about 3 grains)
Artemis Maximal Dog(Mostly Chicken)
Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy(Mostly Chicken with two grains)
Blue Buffalo Large Breed Natural Fish & Oatmeal(Mostly Menhaden Fish with two grains)
Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato(Mostly Turkey with two grains)
Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon & Potato(Mostly Salmon with two grains)
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon(Mostly Menhaden Fish & Chicken)
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Back2Basics(expected out in March 2011,website hasn’t been updated with info)
ByNature
ByNature Puppy(Mostly Chicken & Lamb with about 3 grains)
ByNature Pork & Sweet Potato(Mostly Pork with one grain)
California Natural
California Natural Chicken Meal & Rice Puppy(Mostly Chicken & Rice..about 2 grains)
California Natural Low Fat Rice & Lamb Adult(Mostly Lamb & Rice…about 2 grains)
California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Small Bites(Mostly Lamb & Rice…about 2 grains)
California Natural Grain Free Vension Meal Adult (Mostly Vension with potatoes & peas)
California Natural Grain Free Lamb Mea Adult l(Mostly Lamb with potatoes & peas)
California Natural Grain Free Chicken Meal Formula Adult(Mostly Chicken with potatoes & peas)
California Natural Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Senior(Mostly Chicken with brown rice)
Canidae
Canidae Pure Elements(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Canidae Pure Sea(Mostly Salmon & Menhaden)
Canidae Pure Land(Mostly Lamb with some Bison..If you want Bison primarily I’d suggest Earthborn’s Great Plains instead)
Canidae Pure Sky(Mostly Turkey)
Caindae Single Grain Protein Plus(A mixture of turkey,lamb,chicken and whitefish with two grains)
(Note:If your dog can’t handle pineapple I wouldn’t advise feeding Canidae.That’s my personal opinion though)
Earthborn Holistic
Earthborn Holistic Great Plains(Mostly Bison with good amount of lamb)
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch(Mostly Herring/Salmon/Whitefish)
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural(Mostly Turkey & Chicken & Whitefish)
Earthborn Holistic Ocean Fusion(Mostly Whitefish/Menhaden with 2 grains)
Evo
Evo Turkey & Chicken Senior(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Evo Turkey & Chicken(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Evo Turkey & Chicken Formula Small Bites (Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Evo Red Meat Formula (Mostly lamb with some Buffalo/Vension/Beef)
Evo Herring & Salmon Formula(Mostly Salmon & Herring)
Evo Weight Control Formula(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Healthwise
Healthwise Chicken & Oatmeal(Mostly Chicken with two grains)
Healthwise Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy(Mostly Chicken with two grains)
Life4K9
Life4K9 Chicken & Barley(Mostly Chicken with two grains)
Life4K9 Lamb & Barley(Mostly Lamb with two grains)
Merricks Before Grain
Merricks Before Grain Buffalo(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Merricks Before Grain Salmon(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Merricks Before Grain Chicken(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Natural Balance
Natural Balance Alpha Dog : Trout, Salmon Meal & Whitefish Formula(Mostly Salmon & Chicken)
Natural Balance Alpha Dog: Chicken, Turkey Meal & Duck Formula(Mostly Chicken & Turkey)
Natural Balance Alpha Dog: Lamb, Chicken Meal and Rabbit Formula(Mostly Chicken)
Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Bison(Sweet Potato & Bison)
Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Chicken(Sweet Potato & Chicken)
Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Vension(Sweet Potato & Vension)
Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Fish(Sweet Potato & Fish)
Natural Balance Potato & Duck(Potato & Duck)
Nature’s Variety Instinct
Nature’s Variety Instinct Chicken Meal(Mostly Chicken & Menhaden)
Nature’sVariety Instinct Beef & Lamb(Mostly Beef,Lamb & Salmon..Majority is Beef)
Nature’s Variety Instinct Duck & Turkey(Mostly Duck,Turkey & Salmon)
Nature’s Variety Instinct Rabbit(Mostly Rabbit & Salmon)
Nature’s Variety Instinct Salmon(Mostly Salmon,Menhaden& Herring)
Nutrisource
Nutrisource Chicken(Mostly Chicken)
Nutrisource Lamb(Mostly Lamb & Salmon)
Orijen(These are the newest formulas 80-20)
Orijen Puppy
Orijen 6 Fish
Orijen Adult(Mostly Chicken/Turkey with Herring)
Orijen Senior
Orijen Regional Red(Mostly Wild Boar mixed with some pork & beef)
PureVita
PureVita Salmon & Potato(Mostly Salmon with two grains)
PureVita Duck & Oatmeal(Mostly Duck with two grains)
Petcurean Go Natural
Petcurean Go Natural Salmon(Mostly Salmon with two grains)
Petcurean Go Natural Duck(Mostly Duck with two grains)
Premium Edge
Premium Edge Skin and Coat Salmon, Potatoes & Vegetables Formula(Mostly fish with two grains)
Premium Edge Healthy Weight I Weight Reduction Formula(Mostly Chicken & Fish)
Solid Gold
Solid Gold Barking At The Moon(Mostly Ocean Fish with a bit of Beef & mix of herbs..Ingredients are fairly limited)
Solid Gold Sun Dancer(Mostly Chicken with Whitefish)
Taste of the wild
TOTW Wetlands(Mostly Duck & Chicken with some quail,turkey)
TOTW High Prairie(Mostly Lamb & Chicken with some vension & fish)
TOTW Pacific Stream(Mostly ocean fish & salmon)
TOTW Sierra Mountain(Mostly Lamb)
Timberwolf Organics
TImberwolf Organics Wilderness Canid(Mostly Salmon with one grain)
Timberwolf Organics Dakota Bison(Mostly Salmon with two grains)
Timberwolf Organics Ocean Blue(Mostly Whitefish & Salmon)
Timberwolf Organics Lamb & Barley with Apples(Mostly Lamb & Salmon with one grain)
Timberwolf ORganics Wild & NAtural Dry(Mostly Chicken & Herring)
Timberwolf Organics Gaea All Life Stages(Mostly Chicken & Turkey and some Lamb with one grain)
Wellness Core/Simple Solutions
Wellness Core Original Recipe(Chicken & Turkey based)
Wellness Core Ocean Recipie(Mostly Whitefish/Salmon & Menhaden)
Wellness Core Reduced Fat(Mostly Turkey & Chicken)
Wellness SIS Rice & Duck(Duck & Rice)
Wellness SIS Rice & Salmon(Mostly Salmon & Rice)
Wellness SIS Rice & Lamb(Mostly Lamb & Rice)
Wysong(formulas still being worked on by company)
Trying to transition Lacey to Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb
It’s been roughly a month since she started Acana Grasslands so now we’re transitioning her to Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb.I offered it to her with 1/8c dry +1/8 cup can.At first she took to it somewhat then went back a few times so I made her the Acana Grasslands with can food(1/4c dry + 1/4 c can)..she ate some but ate the Nature’s Variety more which is good because we are trying to rotate between the two formulas on a month to month basis.When she ate 1/8 cup of Nature’s Variety by itself(dry) her bowels were decent so with 1/8 cup dry + 1/8 cup can we’re not sure how it will turn out..If it’s soft we will pick up some pumpkin to add to it over a few days and see if we can up it to 1/4 cup dry + 1/4 cup can eventually.Otherwise we’ll try the transition slowly by trying to mix the two formulas with can food(not to equal more than 1/2 cup) & possibly add pumpkin to it..Think she’ll take it eventually but we’ll try it and see..Hopefully this one(Nature’s Variety)doesn’t need to go to Brownie…
Check back for an update:Lacey does good on it by itself on an 1/8cup but together with can food we need to add pumpkin & add twice the people food topper than usual..We’ll probably end up using Nature’s Variety every now and then but not on a regular basis.
Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb Arrives today
Today we picked up Lacey’s Nature’s Variety Instinct Beef & Lamb Dry Food.The kibble is very small & in fact perfect for small dogs who prefers small kibble.It smells good… We were very surprised that to special order the cost was very reasonable..It’s about the same you’d get in store locally for Orijen/Acana…We paid $20.00 including tax.We thought it would come out to about $25 or higher.check back for an update to see how Lacey likes it…
Update:While I can’t say Lacey’s thrilled about eating it,she did eat & bowels are on it decent.I don’t think with Nature’s Variety Instinct that we’d even add can food to it but she’d have to eat it by itself.1/8 cup per poop.
