Transitioning to Adult Food - Rotation Feeding?

shortstuff · Jan 5, 2015

Bisou is 10 months old now and we've decided it's time to make the switch to adult food. She's currently on Taste of the Wild Puppy (salmon), and we're planning to switch her to the brand Shasta is on, Canidae, or stick with the Taste of the Wild if it's better for her. I know most of you feed Fromm, but unfortunately none of the stores near us seem to carry it. I guess I've got a few questions here and they all kind of build on each other...

What ingredients are in (or not in) Fromm that I should be on the lookout for? I want to find as close to a comparable brand as possible, and maybe even make the switch for Shasta too. Canidae has been great for Shasta, but I'm unsure if there's anything in it that wouldn't be good for Bisou. I know grain-free is best, but I've heard mixed reviews about other ingredients. If Fromm seems to work for everyone, I want to replicate that as closely as possible!!

Do any of you practice a rotation diet? If so, how often do you rotate the flavors? We currently rotate Shasta between chicken and lamb every other bag, which is every 3-5 weeks. Our experience with this has been great, but Shasta is a shepherd mix and not an allergen-sensitive Frenchie! I have done some research and seen that a rotation diet can prevent the development of allergies, but I've also seen this can cause digestive upset. What do you guys recommend?

If we do rotate Bisou, are there any flavors to stay away from? Canidae comes in chicken and lamb. Taste of the Wild comes in bison, salmon, lamb, wild fowl, bison/venison, and wild boar. She's done great on salmon since we got her and she came to us on Science Diet with no issues.

Thanks in advance everyone!

MaplesMommy · Jan 5, 2015

Holy cow I just looked at the Canidae. The Lamb flavour is 45.5 % carbohydrate! Wow! That means your dog is eating 45.5% sugar! Thats like eating candy for breakfast,lunch and dinner. The Chicken one is a little less but still super high.
The higher the protein content, the less carbohydrate.
In my opinion the best kibble out there is Orijen and Acana. They both have (Orijen a little more than Acana) high protein content, are grain and potatoe free and all ingredients come from within Canada (so not China sourced). This is the best it gets.
Ive heard quite a bit good stories about Fromm,however I don't like that in most formula their second or third ingredient is rice. Rice is super starchy and starch feeds yeast and breaks down into sugars.

Look for food that has at least 1 or 2 meat ingredients within the first 3 ingredients. Meat 'meal' doesnt count. And them try to stay away with anything containing rice, wheat,potatoes and other 'fillers'.

2bullymama · Jan 6, 2015

We feed Fromm grain free Pork and Peas, Beef Frittata or Game Bird -- all are great for my guys, but the Pork and Peas seems to be the best one for us

shortstuff · Jan 6, 2015

MaplesMommy said:
Holy cow I just looked at the Canidae. The Lamb flavour is 45.5 % carbohydrate! Wow! That means your dog is eating 45.5% sugar! Thats like eating candy for breakfast,lunch and dinner. The Chicken one is a little less but still super high.
The higher the protein content, the less carbohydrate.

WHOAH. Thanks so much for that info! That explains a lot as to why Shasta can't seem to lose weight. Well, looks like both pups will be making a switch!

davidh · Jan 6, 2015

I would say , stay with a grain free food and you should be fine. As far as switching favors, some brands will upset their tummies. That's another reason we like FROMM, you can switch proteins without tummy upset. Chicken is a known allergy for some bullies. I would also stay away from high protein foods for Frenchies, and bulldogs. Our vet doesn't like anything over 27 to 28%, and he is a bulldog specialist.

Cbrugs · Jan 6, 2015

I read in a Frenchie specific book not to give more than 28% protein. One time I tried a higher protein kibble and Jax did not do well with it.

shortstuff · Jan 6, 2015

Thanks for all the input, everyone!! I may stop by the store today and poke around at my options so I can run some foods by everyone. They're a pretty small store being way out in east county San Diego, but they seem to have (mostly) healthful options, though unfortunately usually brands I've never heard of.

MaplesMommy · Jan 6, 2015

I don't get why some vets are so scared of protein. Dogs evolved on a diet made of 49% protein(animal sorced), 45% fats and 6% carbs. The less protein is in a food the more carbs are in it! Or course they dont list that on the package but you can calculate it yourself: Add protein,fat,fiber,moisture and ash(usually 7%) together and then substrate that from 100. It all has to add up to 100 so whatever is not protein,fat,fibre,moisture and ash is carbohydrates. Dogs were never intended to eat a diet high in carbs.