Out of all of the high end, grain-free kibbles we tried, the only one that solidified their stool was Wellness CORE chicken. If your dog has allergies to poultry, then this might not help. But we blend the CORE (chicken, because they didn't really like the Ocean [fish] flavor), Orijen Red Meat Formula, and now Acana Grasslands together. In the past we blended Innova EVO (pre-Proctor & Gamble takeover), TOTW, Solid Gold, Life's Abundance, and others. But the CORE has always given the best stool results. Good luck!
Considering switching to Natures Variety kibble
What do you think? My guy needs better poop and to gain weight. Hes 11 months old. Im driving myself crazy on food choices. For those who havent read my gazzilion posts hes on orijen lbp right now but I think its too rich for him. Im thinking of this right now:
Nature's Variety Prairie: Natural, Holistic Kibble for Dogs: Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Medley | Nature's Variety
Nature's Variety Prairie: Natural, Holistic Kibble for Dogs: Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Medley | Nature's Variety
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I've fed Nature's Variety Instinct rabbit kibble and frozen raw chicken patties since the pups first day home- they love it, poops are good, nice shiny coat. My vet recommended the rabbit because it's high protein but I've mixed in the chicken as well at times to make the rabbit go farther. But you might give the CORE a try after reading counter's post.
What about Taste Of The Wild?
I feed both of my dogs this kibble, my 70 pound GSD mix gets 3 cups a day and my 80 pound GSD gets 3.5 cups a day.
I buy a 30 pound bag for $39.99
It is rated a 6 star out of 6 stars on
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They have 3 different formulas
Here are the ingredients for their High Prairie Canine Formula
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.
Calorie Content: 3,719 kcal/kg (369 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy
I feed both of my dogs this kibble, my 70 pound GSD mix gets 3 cups a day and my 80 pound GSD gets 3.5 cups a day.
I buy a 30 pound bag for $39.99
It is rated a 6 star out of 6 stars on
Dog Food Reviews - Main Index - Powered by ReviewPost
They have 3 different formulas
Here are the ingredients for their High Prairie Canine Formula
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.
Calorie Content: 3,719 kcal/kg (369 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy
O, and I forgot to add that both COREs (original [chicken] and Ocean [fish]) had the same stool-solidifying effect. They just preferred the chicken flavor over the fish. If your dogs like fish better than chicken, or will at least eat fish, and if they have chicken allergies (which I know a lot of GSDs do), the try the Ocean. It was like overnight solid stool magic! The stool would come out dark, but solid, and they loved the flavor and their coats and skin were gorgeous! EVO and Orijen are their favs, but without the CORE blended in, those rich foods would give them the constant runs.But you might give the CORE a try after reading counter's post.
Laren I was thinking of TOTW but It has a lower calorie content then others. I may try it. Again, this morning he had awful poop. A big pile of Slop. Hes been tested for everything under the sun. The vet said its not EPI because he is gaining since hes been with us. The parasites are gone, hes almost done with the anti biotic. If he has diagel it helps him firm up a bit... it has to be the stupid food 
I liked California natural puppy formula but they too have been bought out by proctor AHHHH
I liked California natural puppy formula but they too have been bought out by proctor AHHHH
In regards to grain free, I read something about grain free and LB dogs. Maybe the protein or something? its not supposed to be good
Their Wetlands Formula hasLaren I was thinking of TOTW but It has a lower calorie content then others. I may try it. Again, this morning he had awful poop. A big pile of Slop. Hes been tested for everything under the sun. The vet said its not EPI because he is gaining since hes been with us. The parasites are gone, hes almost done with the anti biotic. If he has diagel it helps him firm up a bit... it has to be the stupid food
Calorie Content: 3,750 kcal/kg (375 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy
A difference of about 18 calories a day :laugh:
Dogs do not need grains in their diet.
Some grains can cause allergies.
Some grains can cause allergies.
"Most commercial diets are not well-suited to the dog's and cat's physical make up and metabolism. In other words, they are not 'biologically appropriate.' They are primarily made up of grain products.
Contemporary canine nutritionists explain that dogs do not process complex carbohydrates (grains) well. Studies demonstrate that unlike humans, dogs do not 'carbo-load,' that is, store up energy from meals high in complex carbohydrates. While human athletes successfully practice this technique, it results in an accumulation of lactic acid in dogs (which causes the muscular pain experienced after unaccustomed exercise).
Grains are also full of carbohydrates which can be easily converted to sugars. Cancer cells feed on sugars, and it is believed that by decreasing the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, we may greatly reduce the risk of cancer (which is a growing problem among modern dogs and cats).
The makers of prescription dog foods advertise the use of high-quality, whole grains in their food. They say these provide and "excellent source of protein" for dogs. Large amounts of grain may be an appropriate source of protein for some species...but NOT so for animals primarily designed to eat meat!
Which brings me to what 'grains' in commercial pet food really are. When whole grain is used in dog food (and even cat food), it has often been deemed unfit for human consumption due to mold, contaminants, or poor handling practices. Some brands reportedly contain damaged, spilled, and spoiled grain known as "the tail of the mill." This can include the hulls, chaff, straw, dust, dirt, and sand swept from the mill floor at the end of each week, which are totally unnatural nutritional ingredients! Most of these ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used strictly for "filler" and have no nutritional value at all! They are also economical for the pet food companies!
GRAINS - Could this be why my pet scratches constantly?
Yes, grains (mainly wheat and 'the tail of the mill' ingredients) are one of the most common causes of allergies in pets. Grains can also be responsible for "gunky" ears, yeast infections in the ears or on the skin, ear infections, head shaking, allergies, skin irritation, itchy feet and genitals. Other symptoms of grains and yeast infections may be as broad ranging as: malabsorption of food nutrients, joint problems, arthritis, diabetes, colitis and kidney or bladder infections.
Too much money has already been spent by American pet owners to their veterinarians, to find out the cause of the above-mentioned symptoms. It's a shame that most veterinarians do not take their patient's diet into consideration FIRST, when, in fact, most of these symptoms are directly related to what the pet is eating. Instead, great amounts of needless money are spent on pills, creams, antibiotics, injections, blood work and frequent vet visits.
Contemporary canine nutritionists explain that dogs do not process complex carbohydrates (grains) well. Studies demonstrate that unlike humans, dogs do not 'carbo-load,' that is, store up energy from meals high in complex carbohydrates. While human athletes successfully practice this technique, it results in an accumulation of lactic acid in dogs (which causes the muscular pain experienced after unaccustomed exercise).
Grains are also full of carbohydrates which can be easily converted to sugars. Cancer cells feed on sugars, and it is believed that by decreasing the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, we may greatly reduce the risk of cancer (which is a growing problem among modern dogs and cats).
The makers of prescription dog foods advertise the use of high-quality, whole grains in their food. They say these provide and "excellent source of protein" for dogs. Large amounts of grain may be an appropriate source of protein for some species...but NOT so for animals primarily designed to eat meat!
Which brings me to what 'grains' in commercial pet food really are. When whole grain is used in dog food (and even cat food), it has often been deemed unfit for human consumption due to mold, contaminants, or poor handling practices. Some brands reportedly contain damaged, spilled, and spoiled grain known as "the tail of the mill." This can include the hulls, chaff, straw, dust, dirt, and sand swept from the mill floor at the end of each week, which are totally unnatural nutritional ingredients! Most of these ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used strictly for "filler" and have no nutritional value at all! They are also economical for the pet food companies!
GRAINS - Could this be why my pet scratches constantly?
Yes, grains (mainly wheat and 'the tail of the mill' ingredients) are one of the most common causes of allergies in pets. Grains can also be responsible for "gunky" ears, yeast infections in the ears or on the skin, ear infections, head shaking, allergies, skin irritation, itchy feet and genitals. Other symptoms of grains and yeast infections may be as broad ranging as: malabsorption of food nutrients, joint problems, arthritis, diabetes, colitis and kidney or bladder infections.
Too much money has already been spent by American pet owners to their veterinarians, to find out the cause of the above-mentioned symptoms. It's a shame that most veterinarians do not take their patient's diet into consideration FIRST, when, in fact, most of these symptoms are directly related to what the pet is eating. Instead, great amounts of needless money are spent on pills, creams, antibiotics, injections, blood work and frequent vet visits.
Be a step or two ahead of your veterinarian...look at the ingredients in the food you're presently feeding, study them and see just what particular ingredient could be causing your pet's allergic reaction(s). If you're still feeding one of those popular commercial pet foods, I can almost guarantee that more than one ingredient is the culprit! "
Actually that is NOT entirely true. While some companies have had issues with poor quality control with the different molds in grains, it is NOT true of the majority.Which brings me to what 'grains' in commercial pet food really are. When whole grain is used in dog food (and even cat food), it has often been deemed unfit for human consumption due to mold, contaminants, or poor handling practices. Some brands reportedly contain damaged, spilled, and spoiled grain known as "the tail of the mill." This can include the hulls, chaff, straw, dust, dirt, and sand swept from the mill floor at the end of each week, which are totally unnatural nutritional ingredients! Most of these ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used strictly for "filler" and have no nutritional value at all! They are also economical for the pet food companies!
As an example: corn in dog food IS NOT the same corn used in human food nor is it even the same product. Corn is NOT corn so to speak. There is field corn and sweet corn for example. Field corn is used in animal feed and is lowwwwww in sugar. We humans eat sweet corn which has more sugar. So the statement about "tail of the mill" doesn't hold water.
It would be good to see the FACTS behind the statements above. There are no links to point to any evidence and seems sort of "scare tactic like". Amazing all the dogs that have eaten food with grains are not dropping dead like flies.
Now the argument for or against grains in food (or even potatoes as a starch) will continue to be debated. That isn't my argument. Just want to point out the information above is NOT entirely true. Or at least I don't see any evidence to it having any truth. No brands are even listed so which are the reported brands? Peanut Hulls are used as a fiber source - maybe not the best, but they are used for fiber sources, especially in diets that are for weight management where fiber is used to make the dog or cat feel fuller while consuming LESS calories.
This is where I got it fromActually that is NOT entirely true. While some companies have had issues with poor quality control with the different molds in grains, it is NOT true of the majority.
As an example: corn in dog food IS NOT the same corn used in human food nor is it even the same product. Corn is NOT corn so to speak. There is field corn and sweet corn for example. Field corn is used in animal feed and is lowwwwww in sugar. We humans eat sweet corn which has more sugar. So the statement about "tail of the mill" doesn't hold water.
It would be good to see the FACTS behind the statements above. There are no links to point to any evidence and seems sort of "scare tactic like". Amazing all the dogs that have eaten food with grains are not dropping dead like flies.
Now the argument for or against grains in food (or even potatoes as a starch) will continue to be debated. That isn't my argument. Just want to point out the information above is NOT entirely true. Or at least I don't see any evidence to it having any truth. No brands are even listed so which are the reported brands? Peanut Hulls are used as a fiber source - maybe not the best, but they are used for fiber sources, especially in diets that are for weight management where fiber is used to make the dog or cat feel fuller while consuming LESS calories.
Grains? In Commercial Pet Food?
The owner of the site doesn't provide any scientific facts (links to studies) or even the "brands" in question....I wouldn't put much stock in it. But that is my opinion. Remember - not everything people post is true.
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