I did go back and do some searches on prior food topics. But want a fresh thread. As this topic is always changing!

I feed TOTW Pacific Stream. Chief's been on it over a year. Stella about 6 months. Both like it and do well on it. Never issues.

Now I am toying with the idea of switching foods, or am I over reacting to the prior thread about TOTW? And am looking for any input. What other's think. Feed? Why? Just an informative discussion.

I want them both on the same kibble.
Raw is not an option right now.
Grain free.
25ish % protein
15ish % fat

Thanks for anyone's time and input!

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When I went to get kibble tonight, I got the Now Grain Free by Petcurean to mix with a bag of TOTW, but now before I do, I guess I just want some other opinions. Sometimes I get overwhelmed in the pet store!

http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=160

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I agree with you. Raw is not feasible for us. We travel too much and I can't count on being able to be consistent with ability to get to (any) grocery (especially if camping) or ability to prepare and hold (refrigerate) the food safely.

It was recommended to us to use Fromm's by Daanis's breeder.
Fromm's was the first company to make human consumption quality kibbles, (according to their web site).
We use either the Whitefish and white potatoe, or the Duck and sweet potatoe. Right now the current household favorite is the duck.

(Please excuse me but I am doing this from memory) The bags are 30 pounds and run between $45 and $49.
While a bit on the pricey side, we have been very satisfied (both owners and Akitas) with the quality of the Fromm's brand.

Is a fantastic food. I'm proud that it's made in WI. LOL!

Acana is another really good one.

keep feeding them the same unless you NOTICE a change on them. But that's just me. If you found something your happy with, i'd keep it unless you noticed they were reacting bad to whatever changes they did to the food. Then switch. As long as our coats look good and no itching and poop is good.. i'd stay with whatever i'm feeding them.

But that's just me.

Elea, Sierra, Haylie & Kayden

nt

the thing with the ETQ in dog foods is that it won't affect them coat wise, poop wise, etc. It's a carcinogen... so you won't notice a change unless they get cancer.

There are also concerns of reproductive problems (not an issue with most of us), kidney and liver failure, etc. So... all of the effects are really after long term use, and you won't really see any short term symptoms.

If it ain't broke then don't fix it.You run into problems when you switch foods to often.

but this food is ok... not the best ingredients but my dogs like it:

Parallel grain-free dog food

http://www.ovenbakedtradition.com/en/nourriture-sans-grains/nourriture-parallel.html

still 34% but that is one of the lowest I have seen for grain-free...

Ingredients

Deboned chicken, Atlantic whitefish, ocean fish meal, egg product, lamb meal, pumpkin puree, chicken fat (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract), beet pulp, dried alfalfa, ground whole flaxseed, tapioca, whey protein concentrate, xanthan gum, salmon oil, inulin (prebiotic), fresh spinach, fresh blueberries, fresh apples, fresh carots, fresh sweet potato, yucca schidigera extract, salt, lecithin, garlic puree, choline chloride, taurine, dried kelp, catechin, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus lactis, and lactobacillus casei, vitamins and minerals (sodium bentonite, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, mineral oil, vitamin E acetate, copper proteinate, manganous proteinate, B12 vitamin, niacin, sodium selenite, calcium D-pantothenate, folic acid, vitamin A acetate, riboflavin, calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 ), natural flavor. (This product may contain trace amounts of peanuts)

Guaranteed analysis
Crude protein Min. 34.0%
Crude fat Min. 18.0%
Crude fiber Max. 3.5%
Moisture Max. 10.0%
Calcium Min. 2.0%
Phosphorus Min. 1.2%
Omega-6 Min. 2.6%
Omega-3 Min. 1.0%
Glucosamine Min. 400 mg/Kg
Chondroitin sulfate Min. 300 mg/Kg

Calorie Content
Calculated Metabolizable energy 3700 kcal/kg
440 kcal/cup

than low protein is the calcium/phosphorus ratio which should be around 1.2 (calcium) to 1 (phosphorus).

any prepared food at all Asia, I`ve said in Chrissy`s thread I cook all Asia`s food myself (I have to)and the results are amazing (the same for my sisters old border collie) Asia`s food is all organic veg, honey, cheese, yogart and any other organics I can afford, her chicken isn`t organic because its too expensive, but she only has a bit of chicken anyway, I skin the chicken and grill the skins until crispy and she has them as treats her treats have good stuff like cod liver oil in it, the only thing I'm having problems with is her teeth because she can`t eat any meat except chicken so I can`t find any bones for her to get her teeth into :)I might have to take her to the vet and get them de-scaled

...feeding whole chicken necks or backs? My dogs love those and they provide a good enough amount of bone to help keep the teeth clean. Just a thought. I can get 40 pounds of backs for around $15. Just ask your local butcher who their supplier is and go straight to the source for the best price. It also offers a good source of calcium and the cartilage offers a natural source of glucosamine. Beats going to the vet I think.

http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=160

Crude Protein (min) 26%
Crude Fat (min) 16%
Crude Fiber (max) 4%
Moisture (max) 10%
Calcium (min) 1.2%
Phosphorus (min) .8%

Acana Provincial isn't too much higher than TOTW, analysis wise.

Grasslands:
Protein .....................................33 %
Fat ..........................................17 %
Fiber ...................................... 3.5 %
Calcium .................................. 1.8 %
Phosphorus ............................. 1.2 %

Pacifica:
Protein .....................................33 %
Fat ..........................................15 %
Fiber ...................................... 3.5 %
Calcium .................................. 1.4 %
Phosphorus ............................. 1.1 %

I feed raw... but completely understand that that is not an option for everyone.

I added that post late above....That is what I bought last night to mix with TOTW and then to switch to, but then wanted input before I did.

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...are Natural Balance, Canidae All Life Stages Grain Free, Simply Natural Duck & Potato, and a few already mentioned like Now. My dogs are currently all on California Natural Chicken and Rice. When I am able I like to feed raw chicken backs in the morning and kibble at night. I supplement with bee pollen, salmon oil, and Canine Complete Joint Mobility - all from The Wholistic Pet. Oh, and I also add in a small amount of kelp periodically. So far, this combination has worked the best for my dogs. Everyone's skin and coat are in great condition, their teeth are nice and white, their waste is easy to scoop, they are happy, and they love their food, what else could I ask for?