Kibble Feeders: Who DOESN'T feed grain-free? Why?

[3ToesTonyismydog]

I feed Orijen, not because it is grain-free, but, because I feel it contains the cleanest ingredient's and the most meat. It also, contains the most Glucosamine and by a large margin, compared to any of the good food's made. I like rice and I really like brown whole rice. It seems all the grained dog foods contain a lot of other grain crap, crap, such as barley, pearled barley, oats, oat bran, wheat, sorghum, brewers rice, rice flour, soybean and other low grain crap.
I also like seeing whole meats, I know they are calculated wet compared to meals, which are dry, but meals are mostly bone. I have been researching meals for over a year now and I am surprised on how little meat is contained in "any" chicken meal or any named meals. Even the chicken meal used by the very best dog food companies, contain mostly bone and skin.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by selzer

Diamond Naturals Adult Chicken and Rice and Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete, 50/50, which is about 29/20 protein to fat, and around 420kcal/cup. It has no listed glutens, so they aren't dumping gluten in there to spike the protein levels artificially. The dogs have been on it for a little more than a year and they are all doing really good.
And it doesn't break the bank.

This is what I've fed to my dogs when they needed to gain weight. I think it really is an excellent kibble. I wouldn't recommend it for the average pet dog, as you only have to feed 2/3 as much as most kibbles; much more than that and your pet can get FAT. But it's fantastic for working dogs, sport dogs, or any dog that needs to put on weight.

[Rua]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

This also.
"for whatever reason", how about these reasons?
"Grain free" is a sales tool? Simply the latest fad??
How about, my dogs look and feel awesome on the food they eat?
And, I'm not one to jump on bandwagons? Those are but a few reasons
Your poll is way too limited, as well, for me to answer.

Originally Posted by Emoore

This exactly. I tried it, but I haven't seen the much-touted benefits of grain-free. I'm glad you have, but let's try not to judge the one's that haven't.

Ah here! Relax! I wasn't havin a go at anyone here. I wanted to get some opinions because I'm looking to CHANGE from grain free to non grain free.

And I'm sorry my poll is way to limited. There was an option for those who feed GF and one who doesn't. There was an option for those who chose to do both RAW and kibble (and I meant that in a general sense - ie: any kibble, though I should have probably specified that.) And then there as an option for RAW.

Is there another option you reckon I should've added?

[Rua]

Originally Posted by 3ToesTonyismydog

I feed Orijen, not because it is grain-free, but, because I feel it contains the cleanest ingredient's and the most meat. It also, contains the most Glucosamine and by a large margin, compared to any of the good food's made. I like rice and I really like brown whole rice. It seems all the grained dog foods contain a lot of other grain crap, crap, such as barley, pearled barley, oats, oat bran, wheat, sorghum, brewers rice, rice flour, soybean and other low grain crap.
I also like seeing whole meats, I know they are calculated wet compared to meals, which are dry, but meals are mostly bone. I have been researching meals for over a year now and I am surprised on how little meat is contained in "any" chicken meal or any named meals. Even the chicken meal used by the very best dog food companies, contain mostly bone and skin.

Really? That's interesting...I was always under the impression that meals were supposed to be higher in protein than whole meats. I didn't know they were so full of bone.

[jocoyn]

You can have some insight into the amount of bone in a meal by looking at the overall Calcium and Phosphorus content of the food.

Many folks like Orijen but there are plenty of other foods that are not "crap". If I am feeding a food with meat meal and no other significant source of proteins (such as peas, beans, lentils) then I am going to assume most of it came from the meat in the meal.

Ken made the best point! Use what works for your own dog.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I am now mixing grain frees (and trying to do like Ken said in looking at ingredients) with grain foods. I have four dogs who are 9 and up and I feel like they do better on the combo. Who knows, but that's my reason!

[jewels04]

We feed grain free but not because we want to we feed it because Jerry requires it. Grain free with no chicken. I am uncomfortable with feeding a puppy grain free because of growth issues but when he was feed food with grains or chicken and was sick and not gaining weight and just not seeming to thrive as his brothers did I was worried. Since going grain free he has gained weight appropriately, his growth is steady and slow as it should be, and he is doing much better. He was failing to thrive until being put on grain free foods.

[jocoyn]

Well I think that is, and should be, the point! Feed your dog what he does best on.

The whole thing about too much calcium for puppies and keeping the ratios of Ca to P in check is good advice, but when it comes to ingredients, the best food in the world is the worst food if your dog doesn't do well on it.

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Rua

Really? That's interesting...I was always under the impression that meals were supposed to be higher in protein than whole meats. I didn't know they were so full of bone.

Tony's info is incorrect. Meat (specified) meals is muscle meat.

[Doc]

Meal is not full of bone. Unless of course you are thinking about bone meal. Meal is meat that has had the moisture removed. At least it was when I studied.