Good info about the hypothyroid. Thanks!
I discovered that Diapers.com sells Orijen and will deliver for free and it’s about $5 less per 27 lb bag than what we would have to pay locally, and no sales tax. I’ve got 3 to feed now. I haven’t tried TOTW. I really want a food that is 20% fat content, the Orijen is 18%, TOTW is 15%. 20% is supposed to be optimal for keeping working dogs bodies able to cool as efficiently as possible. I guess I could always supplement some fish oil, but I don’t want to *have* to do it on a daily basis.
There’s another food I’ve found called Earthborn Holistic that I’m still trying to do some research on. The Whole Dog Journal seems to like it. Ever heard of it or tried it?
Innova is 18.9% which is *close* but it sure doesn’t address the price issue.
http://www.innovapet.com/products/1743
My dogs loved it.
http://www.petco.com/product/100593/Solid-Gold-Barking-at-the-Moon-Grain-Free-Adult-Dog-Food.aspx
Solid Gold is also a power house but it, too, is pricey.
I give my dogs coconut oil.
Have you tried that?
The health benefits are wonderful, especially with normalizing/optimizing thyroids.
I’ve never seen Earthborn so I just looked.
The protein sources jump to peas too soon for my comfort [second ingredient] and except for the slightly higher fat, it doesn’t seem as good as TOTW, from what I can see.
I guess it depends on what your dogs like and do well on.
Lots of Dobe owners have had issues with some foods being “too rich” and their dogs do better on cheaper stuff.
Every dog’s tummy is different.
Years ago I tried to get Odin on a super-premium food I’d found and it gave him terrible diarrhea.
Didn’t matter how gradually I switched over, his system just said no.
None of my dogs have *ever* been able to deal with Blue Buffalo and they’ve had too many recalls for me to be happy, anyway.
I guess I should ask before I run off hunting stuff up for you...are you trying to stay grain free or are some grains acceptable and if, so which ones?
I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember good ol’ Yorco dog food.
It was basically powdered beef and blood meal with crushed whole yellow corn scattered throughout for “fiber” and vitamins.
ALL dogs loved it and thrived on it.
The stuff had to be mixed with water before use and at least doubled in volume so a 25 pound bag was actually at least 50 pounds of good food.
We kids fought over who got to ‘slop’ the dogs because it smelled *wonderful*, like roast beef.
My cousin said it tasted great...LOL
Sure wish they still made it.
It would be a grand kibble “topping” for picky eaters.
I forgot to mention that my dogs get cooked ground beef/venison/chicken/turkey and salmon as well.
I’m sure those are altering their overall nutritional status by some degree.