Top five dog food brands

[Vrod85]

This is NOT in any order at all:

-Mulligans
-Orijen & Acana (made by the same people)
-Precise
-Enhance
-Merrick's Before Grain

All of these dog food brands are ALL natural and organic. They're a little pricy that regular dog food that you'll find at your local food store, but have you ever thought why those brands are SO CHEAP?

[Atti'sMommy]

Not to sound like an idiot, but what is ALS?

I really liked what I read about Acana, but there are not any local sellers in my area so I think I will start with the Orijen.

[malluver1005]

Not to sound like an idiot, but what is ALS?

I really liked what I read about Acana, but there are not any local sellers in my area so I think I will start with the Orijen.

My personal opinion, Orijen is better than Acana. I have tried my dog on Acana and he did excellent. But, he does better on Orijen. Evo is what he's on right now, and to me, this is better than both Orijen and Acana.

[Gwyn]

Hi,
I am new to the forum and following this one with interest. I have a 9 month old Standard poodle who has been on Orijen Puppy since weaning. She is doing well and I am very happy with her growth rate and overall health. During the winters here, she is less active then in Spring and fall. With the lowered level of activity, should I be changing to a lower protein food or mixing one of the lower protein ones with the Orijen? There has been concern about the high protein content and growing too fast but my Vet encouraged us to stay with the Orijen, saying he has other dogs on it and he is overall very happy with the results. Just throwing this out there to see what you all think.

[Todd]

Hi,
I am new to the forum and following this one with interest. I have a 9 month old Standard poodle who has been on Orijen Puppy since weaning. She is doing well and I am very happy with her growth rate and overall health. During the winters here, she is less active then in Spring and fall. With the lowered level of activity, should I be changing to a lower protein food or mixing one of the lower protein ones with the Orijen? There has been concern about the high protein content and growing too fast but my Vet encouraged us to stay with the Orijen, saying he has other dogs on it and he is overall very happy with the results. Just throwing this out there to see what you all think.

First of all, I wouldn't mix Origin with a lower protein food. Most lower protein foods contain grain, which digests at a different rate than grain-less foods like Origin, which can cause digestive upset. I would stick with Origin, and just feed a lower amount of food when she is not as active.

[LabbieMama]

Not to sound like an idiot, but what is ALS?

ALS stands for All Life Stages.

[Unosmom]

Malluver- I dont consider acana (provincial) to be lesser of a quality its just differently formulated, not all dogs do well on high protein, its best suited for highly active or working dogs. Right now Uno is on Horizon legacy and even though he's very active and gets a lot of exercise he always puts on couple lbs on the high protein foods no matter how much I reduce the ammount. So after I'm done with this bag, we'll be going back to acana which he loves just as much and stays trim on it.

[Gwyn]

Hello Again,
Just a question about the switch to Acana. My Stnd. poodle is on Orijen but soon to switch to an adult food. She is fairly active but I don't think enough at this point to warrant the high protein food. I have been adding Acana gradually to her Orijen puppy but have noticed a stool change. She goes more often with the addition of the Acana and the consistency is softer. Have anyone noticed such a change? Otherwise, she is quite happy to eat the Acana.
I will throw this out as well. I have heard there is an independent rating scale the says the Kirkland Signature Adult Chicken and Rice is rated a 5 star along with the Acana. I don't know anyone who is using the Kirkland but it is sold at Costco and is significantly cheaper than the Acana. I am not in a place where I need to worry about food costs and I know that I have had no vet contact in the almost year I have had the dog other than the origional shots. If this is due to the Orijen, she will be staying on it.
Looking forward to some discussion.

[CorgiPaws]

Hello Again,
I have been adding Acana gradually to her Orijen puppy but have noticed a stool change. She goes more often with the addition of the Acana and the consistency is softer. Have anyone noticed such a change? Otherwise, she is quite happy to eat the Acana.

This is normal during any transition between any two foods. Just keep the transition slow, and give it time.

I will throw this out as well. I have heard there is an independent rating scale the says the Kirkland Signature Adult Chicken and Rice is rated a 5 star along with the Acana.

Kirkland is significantly better than anything else in its price range. I don't know that I would say that it is as high of quality as Acana, but it's definately a good value. With that said, if you have good results with the Acana, and can afford it, no need to switch to Kirkland.

I don't know anyone who is using the Kirkland but it is sold at Costco and is significantly cheaper than the Acana.

My foster is on Kirkland right now. I buy a bag of the chicken and a bag of the lamb and mix them.
Origionally it was temporary as I was in a bind wedding planning and moving... but I have been suprisingly impressed with the results. I was dreadding the switch from the canidae he was on, and felt guilty even... but his stools and coat are more impressive on Kirkland. Money isn't as much of an object now. Not sure if I could afford to feed him Evo right now, but I could definately go back to Canidae... but with thee results, price aside, I don't think I want to.

[Jordan S.]

If you had to pick the top 5 dog food brands which ones would they be?

1. Ziwi Peak
2. Orijen
3. EVO
4. Natures Variety
5. Wellness.