Lacey & Bison

Lacey’s UTI that she had on Bison Meal(Earthborn Holistic Great Plains..Grain Free & the first ingredient was bison meal..see blog for details)has cleared up…Last night(April 17,2011)Lacey ate about 1/8 cup of Orijen regional red(a sample bag we picked up several months ago she still has some left)and it has deboned bison…I checked this morning…No odor in urine or no swelling or redness around the vulva..leads me to believe she will be okay on bison,deboned bison but not sure about freeze dried bison in treats or in frozen raw…That remains to be seen maybe like sometime this year when we go to Hawaii Kai or Kailua to pick up more Nature’s Variety.

Lacey shows a potential allergy reaction BisonMeal as the main ingredient

Yesterday,April 14 2011,Lacey was given about 1/8 cup of Earthborn Holistics great plains(grain free dog food) for the first time…Bison in the ingredients list is/was the first named meat meal…Other than that nothing was different…She has had pig ears,lamb ears,lamb based dog food since at least November 2010,the usual chicken,turkey,beef etc treats with no reactions..In the past she’s had Bison but looking at the ingredients list for Taste of the wild high prairie there is/was bison as the first ingredient BUT it was not a named meal so therefore it only served her maybe 4 servings and that’s it…There was roasted bison too but that was even further down the list as well so it could be that since there was less bison compared to bison meal she probably would not have showed a reaction…Just a thought to ponder on next time if we ever buy a food with Bison Meal again..We will think twice about that next time…

It was about 12-15 hours later we noticed her vulva was red after I had brushed her last night which was about 8ish at night.Her vulva was clear of blood….This morning it was so it must have happened overnight and since this was the first time she’s shown a reaction to any meat on grain free even three grains she’s good but I rarely buy her dry food with three grains..Most times it’s grain free…so it was kind of surprising since I have never seen her reaction to Bison(See above about Bison vs Bison Meal for potential allergies).She also has an odor in her pee so we’re going to treat it as a UTI as we did back in February and give Brownie the rest..In the future I will be more careful purchasing dry dog food with Bison Meal..

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)

We are very excited to say that Orijen & Acana has finally came to Oahu!

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.

Taste of The Wild Ingredients for Dry/Can Food as of October 2010

High Prairie Dry
Protein: 32% Fat: 18%
370 kcal per cup
Bison, lamb meal, chicken meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, roasted bison, roasted venison, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Can
Protein 6.5%, Fat 3.5%
482.25 per 13.2 oz can
Bison, venison broth, lamb broth, lamb liver, egg, peas, potato starch, sweet potatoes, potatoes, roasted venison, roasted bison, ocean fish, guar gum, natural flavor, tomatoes, sodium tripolyphosphate, canola oil, salt, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, chicory root, iron proteinate (a source of chelated iron), zinc proteinate (a source of chelated zinc), yucca schidigera extract, vitamin E supplement, cobalt proteinate (a source of chelated cobalt), blueberries, raspberries, copper proteinate (a source of chelated copper), manganese proteinate (a source of chelated manganese), riboflavin supplement, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement
Pacific Stream Dry
Protein: 25% Fat: 15%
360 kcal per cup
Salmon, ocean fish meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, canola oil, salmon meal, smoked salmon, potato fiber, natural flavor, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Can
Protein 7.5% Fat 3.0%
365 kcal per 13.2 oz can
Salmon, fish broth, water, egg, peas, potato starch, sweet potatoes, potatoes, ocean fish, smoked salmon, guar gum, tomatoes, sodium tripolyphosphate, natural flavor, salt, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, chicory root, iron proteinate (source of chelated iron), zinc proteinate (source of chelated zinc), yucca schidigera extract, vitamin E supplement, cobalt proteinate (source of chelated cobalt), blueberries, raspberries,
copper proteinate (source of chelated copper), manganese proteinate (source of chelated manganese), riboflavin supplement, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement
Wetlands Dry
Protein: 32% Fat: 18%
375 kcal per cup
Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, roasted quail, roasted duck, smoked turkey, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Can
Protein 7.5%, Fat 3.5%
385.6 per 13.2 oz can
Duck, duck broth, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken, egg, peas, potato starch, sweet potatoes, potatoes, ocean fish, roast duck, roasted quail, smoked turkey, guar gum, tomatoes, sodium tripolyphosphate, natural flavor, salt, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, chicory root, iron proteinate (a source of chelated iron), zinc proteinate (a source of chelated zinc), yucca schidigera extract, vitamin E supplement, cobalt proteinate (a source of chelated cobalt), blueberries, raspberries, copper proteinate (a source of chelated copper), manganese proteinate (a source of chelated manganese), riboflavin supplement, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement
Sierra Mountain
Protein: 25% Fat: 15%
338 kcal per cup
Lamb, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, canola oil, potato protein, roasted lamb, tomato pomace, natural flavor, salt, choline chloride, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative and source of vitamin E) dried chicory root, taurine, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

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.

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

Lace recently started eating TOTW Pacific Stream.I can tell it’s far from her favorite.In the beginning she’d nip at it.Her bowels at first was soft and liquidy but as time went on it got better.On the Wetlands it was always soft.From the way her body reacts to all of the TOTW dry food she can handle High Prairie the best,Pacific Stream then the Wetlands.Remember each dog is an individual.What works for Lacey may not always work for another maltese/toy poodle or any other dog breeds.
Update august 23 2010:Lace is having difficulty digesting pacific stream but seems to do good on about 1/16-1/8c.1/4c seems to be too much for her.We’ll try it for a few more days and see how she does.Now,we’re mixing 1/8c pacific stream + 1/8c high prairie to see if it makes a difference.if not we’ll give it away for free….

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.

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