wolfgirl1987

So Bentley has given me nothing but trouble when it comes to food. He's been on Simply Nourish Salmon and Sweet Potato, Simply Nourish Chicken and Brown Rice, Pulsar Chicken, Orijen Fish, a chicken blend that Go! makes (can't remember which blend) and Nutram Turkey Duck and Chicken.

He did the best on the Nutram. But I really didn't want him on a chicken based food.

I made a switch to partial raw (by that I mean raw for one meal a day and kibble the other). He's been doing well on raw and has adjusted ok to chicken, turkey, quail, beef and just, recently, pork.

I can't go 100 percent raw because he has separation anxiety and can't be crated while we are gone. And the way we help him cope while we're gone is give him a kong wobbler with kibble and a frozen kong filled with kibble. This keeps him busy for the first hour we are gone and he essentially sleeps the remainder of the evening. We have carpet almost everywhere, so opting to leave him with a raw meaty treat isn't hygienic.

Anyways, after a few months of doing well on the Nutram I decided I wanted to look for a food that wasn't chicken based. I was suggested to try the Venison and Brown rice blend by Natural Choice. It fit in my price range so I thought I'd give it a try. He has done AMAZING on it. Save for a bit of adjustment gas, he has not had any diarrhea, and his poop is much smaller then it was when on the Grain free Nutram.

My dilemma: this blend, including the Grain free option, is given 3 stars on most dog food rating sites. But I have never had him do so well on a food. His poo has been perfectly formed and he really seems to like eating it. Should I just bite the bullet on the fact that it's not a 4 or 5 star food and just continue feeding it to him.

Rouleaux

Natural choice isn't a bad food and it isn't like you chose to put him on Beneful or Pedigree garbage foods. If he is doing well, he is thriving, and you and your wallet are satisfied, I would say stick with it until you feel another change is in order.

I tried my boy on Orijen Large Breed Puppy, and although I bit the bullet and paid so much for the food (which I liked at the time and would currently promote), but after meeting another DT member in my area and having our dog's play (they are best buds!), I decided to switch from Orijen to FROMM which in my area is cheaper (and one of the only shops that carries it is within walking distance of my house), but the results I am seeing are phenominal results.

Poos formed and less waste produced and that icky dober-gas is minimal! Plus I feel his coat is softer and visually shinier!

It is all what works for you and your dog

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MeadowCat

If he's doing awesome on it, stick with it. The best food is what's best for your dog.

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missabaldwin

I totally agree with this. I would also make sure you are comfortable with the ingredients/amounts in the food and stuff like that. As long as it works for him and you personally... I'd stick with it.

wolfgirl1987

Thanks guys. I think I just needed someone to tell me to stick with what seems to be working.