For a while we’ve been wanting to try Orijen & Acana by Champion Pet Food.While I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from many dog owners it was one that was not yet on our island to try so we couldn’t try it.Lucky for us when we went today to pick up more can food for Lacey I looked around Naturally Pet like always to see what’s new.One thing I found was there was no more samples to try and pick up but I also found Orijen & Acana.There were big bags not sure of the size in weight going for close to $20 and small bag less than a pound going for $2.90.With the excitement I felt I just had to pick up a bag of Orijen.There was one for Acana too but we didn’t get it this time.Still I looked online at every single flavor of Orijen & Acana and both brands are very promising for Lacey.There is about average of 2 grains in majority of the formulas,1 grain in some and grain free for the rest.Some are “quite” fishy which means Lacey would take an average of 1/8 cup at a time vs 1/4 cup if she’s eating chicken,bison etc.We’ll have an update later on how she does on Orijen and her current ranking of foods.Check back for an update.
Update October 23 2010:There is no doubt in my mind or Lacey’s mind that she prefers Orijen to Halo’s!I placed one piece of Orijen & 1 piece of Halo’s side by side.She took a sniff at Orijen then a sniff at Halo’s.Another sniff at Orijen,quick sniff at Halo’s.A few more sniffs back and forth and she ate it(Orijen)without hesitation.There is no doubt that Orijen/Acana will be one of our main brands.
Updated brands for Lacey
Orijen/Acana(Both are fairly grain free 2,1 and none in all formulas from both brands)
Taste of the Wild
Wellness Simple Solutions
If there are ever issues with these above we’d go in this order
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural
Earthborn Holistic Ocean Fusion
Solid Gold Barking At The Moon
Merricks Before Grain
Blue Buffalo Wilderness/Blue Buffalo Basics
Nature’s Variety Instinct
Natural Balance LID
NOW! from Pet Curean Pets is finally available at Natually Pet..Not that Lacey needs to try it anytime soon but it’s on our list to try if we ever need to
Lacey is eating Orijen as I type.
Category Archives: Halo Spot's Stew
Halo’s Spot’s Stew Wholesome Lamb
Crude Protein 27.0% (Min), Crude Fat 15.0% (Min), Crude Fiber 6.5% (Max), Moisture 10.0% (Max), Omega 6 Fatty Acids* 2.5% (Min), Omega 3 Fatty Acids* 0.3% (Min), Taurine* 0.1% (Min)
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
Calorie Content ME (calculated): 4,350 kcal/kg, 435 kcal/cup
Lamb, Whole Peas, Eggs, Oats, Pearled Barley, Chicken Liver, Pea Protein, Vegetable Broth, Flaxseed, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa, Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Inulin, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum.
Halo’s posts a response
Finally Halo’s has posted their sincere apologies about many people who have posted on facebook that they will either switch brands after posting their pets are getting sick on the new formula.I am curious to see what type of results others are going to get from calling Halo’s.We’ll need to hear lots of good comments for reassurance before we can consider even placing Halo’s back as her main diet.Look back for an update later.
We probably will not purchase Halo’s again
Lately there have been so many disturbing comments about Halo’s such as they are sending customers expired products(ie treats),have switched up the recipe without notifying buyers,dogs and cats not being able to digest can/dry food and having diarrhea,smells different, makes me really wonder if we can continue to buy it…Right now I am having Lacey finish up the last 6-8 cups of Halo’s.One brand we are looking to transition to is Taste of the Wild as one of her main brands then Blue Buffalo Wilderness & Earthborn for long term use.
Out of all the foods she’s been on as an adult she’s been on Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural the longest since December 2009.I am always looking for new foods for her to try to add in her rotation over the years.
Types of Dry Food and Lacey’s reactions
So so far we know Lace can’t have 3 grains or higher,can’t have a lot of duck/lamb and fish though some fish based food(dry) is okay as long as it’s not heavily based ex are Wellness Simple Solutions Rice & Salmon,Halo’s Wild Salmon..Earthborn Ocean Fusion…
Meat based food seems more appealing and she does best on.Grain Free is also good but we have to watch the fish/lamb/duck based foods.She likes chicken,beef,bison,vension,turkey the best.We will be selling the Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish and TOTW Pacific Stream.Next time we buy Halo’s we are defiantly keeping the receipt in case the change of ingredients DOES affect her otherwise we NEED to hunt down another dry food that’s high quality which she will eat fairly regularly.
Halo’s Ingredients Changes from Summer 2010
Wild Salmon
New
Salmon, whole dry egg, pea protein, oats, vegetable broth, pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), pea flour, chicken liver, whole salmon, flaxseed, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea fiber, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, green beans, carrots, cranberries, zucchini, alfalfa, inulin, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, taurine, salt, folic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium longum, enterococcus faecium, lactobacillus plantarum, calcium iodate, biotin, sodium selenite
Before
Salmon, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Vegetable Broth, Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Whole Peas, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa, Inulin, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum.
Wholesome Chicken
New
Chicken, whole dry egg, pea protein, oats, vegetable broth, pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), pea flour, chicken liver, wild salmon, flaxseed, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea fiber, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, green beans, carrots, cranberries, zucchini, alfalfa, inulin, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, folic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, calcium iodate, lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium longum, enterococcus faecium, lactobacillus plantarum, sodium selenite
Before
Chicken, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Vegetable Broth, Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Whole Peas, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa, Inulin, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum.
New dog food for Lacey
Lacey will be starting and trying the fish protein starting on Sunday.Both formulas are fairly limited to fish & potatoes.Since there are limited dry food with a limited ingredient we’ve chosen Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish,Earthborn Holistic Ocean Fusion,Solid Gold Barking At The Moon(Beef & fish with herbs) and Taste of The Wild Pacific Ocean.What we’re doing is sticking to the limited grain/grain free diet and seeking which protein reduces her itchings the most or if all proteins are good in results we’ll just switch up[ the protein every few months.Our neighbor’s dog Brownie is finishing up the remaining of Halo’s Wild Salmon,Taste of The Wild High Prairie and Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural.Lacey has been on chicken protein since last July.Chicken is and was mixed in majority of the low and high quality dry food that she ate since then.
Finally a response from Halo’s!
At this point,I don’t know if I am going to switch her to Blue Buffalo or keep her on Halo’s.It depends on the outcome of the situation w/Halo’s…But the fact they did respond shows that they do care..Maybe not as efficiently but they still responded…Blue Buffalo does have more that she can have while Halo’s only has 2 flavors for dogs…Or maybe a combination with both Blue Buffalo & Halo’s for the primary diet??We’ll see…Thinking of switching mostly to Blue Buffalo either way simply because they have more variety of flavors,ingredients vary from each formula where as Halo’s & easily to get at Whole Food as well as PetCo where Blue Buffalo is being sold,is the same except the chicken or wild salmon.
Lacey will be transitioning from Halo’s to Blue Buffalo for the time being..
Lace will be transitioning from halo’s to blue buffalo wilderness & other blue buffalo lines as it comes in when we go we’ll take it by what petco has and take it from there.With Halo’s,while she did great on it–loved the taste.Very appealing to her…good price…all human grade quality…due to findings that were not food & contacting Halo’s on facebook which they have not responded to,that’s leading me away from Halo’s.Poor customer service & not caring enough to keep their customers happy.
I was looking at Petcurean Pet Foods for Lacey.The NOW!Grain Free in particular.The food is very similar to the way Halo’s was made except that Halo’s had 2 grains while NOW! has no grains period.The ingredients are slightly different but it’s very similiar to Halo’s though I doubt there’s dehydrated bits in it.Unfortunately it is not sold in Hawaii just yet but they are working on bringing their foods to Hawaii.When they do,hopefully in Honolulu,we will be sure to try it out for Lacey.
For now temporarily we’re going to place her on Blue Buffalo Wilderness & other Blue Buffalo formulas..If she eventually favors Blue Buffalo over other brands we might keep her on it permanently.Meanwhile,I am searching out other brands for her.I am looking at all quality levels & will be comparing what we’re looking for..
Although we won’t buy the food we will use other products from Halo’s but not the dry food.The neighbor’s dog is also helping us finish up the bags of Halo’s. Feeding her plus Lacey will help us get rid of the Halo dry food pretty fast.Noting that she eats about a cup & i am guessing her owner feeds about 1 cup.(the neighbor’s dog).Lace eats anywhere from an 1/8-3/8 cups on a daily basis.
Balancing grains & grain free feedings
Most people know that Lacey has started recently on Blue Buffalo & in the past we’ve had issues with grain heavy food.We’ve looked at Blue Buffalo for certain choices of food that she may be able to eat but when we got to PetCo we didn’t see what we were looking for so we picked up the Blue Buffalo Small Breed.Although I knew it did have some grains I picked one up because we drove all the way to Pearl City so we should pick up something so it’s not a “waste of time/gas”.I was going to do this several different ways with her dry food not to mention we’re trying to get her on mostly very low grains to grain free can food too.
The first way I was going to do this was switch out the brands/flavors every time she ate but I thought if I did it this way we couldn’t focus on the new brands…Later I was going to do exclusively BB & TOTW…But..I was talking to my mom and it seemed she was concerned about the amount of grains in the BB,however energy & bowels are also very good on it…One thing I remembered with grain free is as long as she doesn’t regurgitate the food we’re good with grain free so really it doesn’t matter when or what brand of grain free I introduce we’re good.She started grain free(Earthborn back in December 2009 & we’ve had no issues).The way I decided to go with my mom’s concern in mind was to do the usual amount(1/8-3/8 daily)and make 80-85% of her dry food very low grains & grain free with about 15% being moderate grains.Not to mention she will have can food available at lunch/dinner,also low grains-grain free.Out of 21 meals of dry food times 4 weeks=84 meals/month..more on another post.. a week only 3 would be BB.The other 18 meals would be Halo’s,TOTW,Earthborn…If we do good on this rotation with very little(3 meals per week of BB Small Breed) and no health issues we can choose from many types of BB..Her food would go something like this BB,Halo’s Wild Salmon,Halo’s Wholesome Chicken,TOTW,S&C Freeze Dried Chicken,Earthborn,Merricks then
Halo’s Wild Salmon,Halo’s Wholesome Chicken,TOTW,S&C Freeze Dried Chicken,Earthborn,Blue Buffalo.
AND I couldn’t give the BB Small Breed to the neighbor’s dog because on the BB small breed bag it says for dogs up to 30 pounds so Lacey would have to finish the bag
