Considering switching from Iams to Canidae

[Cindy W.]

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted in quite some time, but, I am wanting some ideas on dog food as it relates to allergies.

I have been feeding Iams brand dog food to my 3 dogs (2 boxers and a Min. Poodle) due to its availability. I have tried ordering higher quality foods online and having them shipped to me, but, this proved to be both very inconvenient and expensive. I haven't had access to super-premium food up until very recently.

My Boxer, Bear, is plagued with numerous, repeated bouts of nasty ear infections. The other thing that is becoming a problem is, he is our very itchy dog. My other dogs and cats are fine, but, Bear ITCHES AND ITCHES AND ITCHES! He has two, I guess you would call them "hot spots" on each side of his penis. His underside is always bothering him. He gets little bumps near that area as well. He tends to chew his pawpads and lick himself, whereas, my other dogs never do that.

Could it be food allergies? I now have access to a store that is selling Canidae in town, and am very much leaning towards starting all of my dogs on it. I realize it is expensive, but, if it would relieve my poor Bear, I would do it in a heartbeat. Is there a particular type of Canidae that is suggested for the allergy prone dog? Or...would just their normal adult dog formula be enough of a difference to maybe ease the situation?

Let me know your thoughts. I'll be very interested in everyone's response.

Cindy W.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

[Cindy W.]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have also seen the other foods you mentioned online, in fact, was looking over the Wellness website today in regards to their Simple Solutions line of foods. The problem there again, is that I don't believe I have any local stores that sell it. Well, on Monday, I'm going dog food shopping and will see what the store that is offering the Canidae has available. Thanks again, Cindy W.

[Cindy W.]

Hello everyone,

I did my dog food shopping today and bought the Canidae! I checked the store over good for their different brands of dog food. To my suprise, they also had Chicken Soup brand! I asked about Wellness and Natural Balance, as well as Innova. The store manager said that he could order those for me if I wanted them I'm glad I checked it out!

Anyways, I now have a 40# bag of Canidae and need some suggestions as to how to switch them over from the Iams. I really don't want upset tummies/diarrhea by too sudden of a switch. I was thinking of mixing the food half and half until the Iams is gone, and then completely switch over to the Canidae. Does this sound reasonable?

One more question. How long before you think I will notice a change in Bear's itchcing. The store manager thought I probably wouldn't notice any significant changes until he's gone through the whole bag of Canidae, but, that was just a guess. Any ideas on how long it could take before his itching and hot spots get under control (if indeed it is an allergy to his dog food)?

I'll be watching for replies/advice.

Thanks a lot! Cindy W.

[gmacleod]

Good for you

It is quite likely that the Canidae will help with Bear's allergies and itching. Of course, it depends on exactly what it is that he's allergic to, but there are so many grains and fillers in Iams that aren't in Canidae that you've got a pretty good chance of solving things that way. If not, well, it sounds as though you've got plenty of other options now

As for how to switch - a 50-50 mix is probably fine to start. As long as there are no tummy troubles, you can gradually increase the percentage of Canidae in the mix until the Iams is eliminated altogether. I would think you could anticipate seeing signs of an improvement in Bear's condition within a few days of eliminating the Iams completely - providing of course, his allergy isn't to something that is also in the Canidae. Good luck Let us know how he does.

[Cindy W.]

Oh my gosh...I'm not too happy. I'm mixing the Iams and the Canidae half and half. Guess what? Bear, who normally eats like a pig and then some...doesn't seem to like his new, fancy Canidae food...AT ALL! And that is with it mixed with the Iams. Urghhhh. This morning, for the first time EVER...he REFUSED to eat any of his food. He wasn't sick. He just picks at it. I finally resorted to adding a little cottage cheese to it, to make it more appealing to him. He ate it...but, reluctantly. Picky Boxer! He has the fanciest food in town and he'd rather have the Iams. Next thing I know, he'll be beggin' for Ol' Roy or Sprout!!! He is hopefully going to get used to the Canidae. My other dogs seem to like it O.K. Has anybody else encountered anything like this? I just thought FOR SURE that he would love it, since it is so expensive and has all of the high quality ingredients. I'm kind of disgusted with the whole thing right now...can you tell? lol. Anyways...do you think he will develop a taste for the Canidae? Is there a palatability issue with the Canidae? Let me know...again...waiting for your words of wisdom. Thanks, Cindy W.

[gmacleod]

LOL - just like a kid who'd rather eat McDonald's Who doesn't know that feeling?

Rather than trying to tempt him with 'extras', I'd just give him 20 minutes with his food and if he doesn't eat it, pick it up. Don't feed him anything else, just give it back to him at the next meal time. He'll soon learn to eat when food is offered. No healthy dog will starve itself to death - but every dog will learn to manipulate their owner if extras are on offer

If you find that after a couple of weeks, he still won't eat it, then you might have to try something else. Canidae is a good food and it isn't a kibble that commonly inspires posts about dogs refusing to eat it - but not every dog likes every food, just as not every food agrees with every dog. Don't worry too much - he'll probably come to like it, but if not, there are plenty of other good choices.

[Cindy W.]

Hello again,

I thought I would write an update on the switchover from Iams to Canidae. Well...it isn't going so well. My dogs...all 3 of them, really do not care for this food much. They eat it, but, they certainly do not enjoy it, as they had the Iams. Guess they just don't realize what's good for them! I notice bowls left half eaten many times. With the Iams, I set the bowls down and the dogs just gobbled it up! I'm very disappointed that they don't seem to care for it, as I want to give them something that is good for them. I finally have a place that sells premium dog foods, and now that I buy it, my dogs hate it!

Another thing I've noticed is that my Boxers have really bad gas after being switched to Canidae. Much worse than before. Much MUCH worse!

My husband thinks we should just switch back to the Iams. Ugh...I don't want to go that route. I haven't noticed a huge improvement in Bear's ears and skin, but, I think that it has improved somewhat.

Do you think I should give it longer? How long should I keep them on the Canidae before you feel that I have given it a fair shot?

I do have the option of Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul (it is also avail. at the same retailer). I buy Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul and my cats DEVOUR it! I have heard that this brand has excellent palatability and that pets really enjoy the taste of it.

Hope to hear your thoughts Thanks again! Cindy W.

[Vela]

My dogs were on canidae for a year but i couldnt get them to eat it anymore. I switched to chicken soup and it's been almost a year with never a refused meal. It's a really good food and my dogs do have less gas on it. Good luck.

[courtney323]

Chicken Soup is a great food as well -- I just wouldn't go back to IAMS

Like Gmacleod said, your dogs probably prefer the "McDonalds" of dog food over the Canidae, but rest assured, they will NOT starve themselves

It sounds as though you are free-feeding them? If that is the case, that it the first thing I would change. Simply put their bowls down -- give them 20 minutes to eat -- and pick the bowls up and put them away until next meal time. Repeat the same. They will learn pretty quick that they must eat as soon as you put the bowls down. It worked quite well for my (notoriously) picky female, and she never misses meals now

Good luck

[Cindy W.]

Thanks for the responses.

I used to free-feed, but, haven't done that for a very long time (over a year). I set their food bowls down and when they were enjoying their food, they ate it quickly and I picked up the bowls. Now...I have been leaving the bowls out longer and longer, as they aren't eating the food like they had been. Probably a mistake. I'll try setting them a limit (like the 20 mins. suggested). Just wanted to state that I don't free feed! Cindy W.