Yogi's Mom

Just curious to know if anyone on the forum is feeding their dogs any of the grain free dog foods like EVO, Wellness Core or Orijen? If so, how are your dogs doing on the food?

Mikey T

I feed a rotation of different brands one of which is Solid Gold barking at the moon which is grain free. I have not noticed any particular difference in the dogs between the hi protein low fat diets I feed that contain grains and those that don't. Most of the grain free have even a higher calorie per cup so tyou need to feed less or the dogs will pack on the pound therefore becuase of the smaller quanity need I find it just a bit more difficult to regulate their body condition but I am fairy new to the food so a bit of an adjustment period is to be expected.


IMHO grain free is more hype than actual nutrional benefit especial with any kibble food, They are repacing grain with another carboydrate source that is just as atypical from grains as any arctypal food for wolves that the no grain idea is supose to be based, What is the value in subsituting tapioca, or potatoes for corn or wheat , not much and from a nutrional standpoint the grain are better.

All kibbly requires it be a minimium of 15% carbohydrate - starch in order to be formed and retain its shape so a dry dog food manufacture can not simply remover the grain with out replacing it with a different carbohydrate source.

Marcia

Until recently, our three hounds were on the Innova Evo..........their coats and vitality were great, but they started to have anal gland problems. We hadn't had any anal gland issues while they were on the Innova large breed formula - the problem seemed to be the fiber content. I added a fiber supplement and the issue resolved. We ended up switching back to the large breed formula and were able to drop the fiber supplement. I do know a couple of folks who feed the Evo and have not had problems..........I guess it depends on the individual.

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Loving Slave to Sally, Bliss, Waldo & Chloe kitties, and watched over by Daisy Mae and Rocky ATB