Looking for a premium dog food following allergy testing. Any ideas?

Question

Our Golden has always been fed Innova EVO but had chronic ear infections. We had him allergy tested, and the results were whoppers -- food allergies include pork, eggs, soybean, lamb, flax or flaxseed oil, barley, brewers yeast and green peas. Also, no grasses (you'd be surprised what's in some dog foods).

I'm trying to find a HIGH quality kibble (no freezer room for raw, and canned is bad for his teeth) which does not have any of these ingredients, and preferably lists a protein as the first 2 or 3 ingredients. At this point, the only thing I've found is Royal Canin's Veterinary Diet Potato & Venison Large Breed, but the quality doesn't thrill me.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=892&cat=8

solid gold barking at the moon. it is grain free

Answer 2

If you want to try science diet go with Z/D, it is only available from the vet but they use alternate protien sources. The only food that will truely avoid all of those things is Exclude but it is expensive and has the consistancy of oatmeal, most dogs don't like it.

Royal Canin's isn't a bad food, and unfortunately you may be limited in what you can use.

Good luck

Answer 3

Hello deety3,
I had the same worries when trying to select a premium dog food for our Bostees. I have a busy schedule and am unable to do the raw food diet, but wanted something that was of quality and had good ingredients. A friend of mine introduced me to Blue Buffalo. They have different combinations and formulas for different dogs needs. They pride themselves in quality ingredience and no preservatives. It can be found at Petsmart and other pet supply retail stores. We feed the Fish and Sweet Potato recipe, that includes little life source bits that provide extra vitamins and minerals. They are really neat. I have included the link so that you can read up about it. They also have testimonials of other people who have tried the food with problems like your dog has that have been resolved. I would HIGHLY recommend this food compared to Royal Canine and other grocery store brands. The dogs really love it to and find it very appetizing. Good Luck!


Here is a comment about the Life Source Bits that are very appealing for this food:
LifeSource Bits are COLD formed to maintain the full potency of all ingredients. Other brands-even the super premiums, process all their ingredients with HEAT up to 280 degrees which means their added vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients can lose up to 75% of their potency. Our unique LifeSource Bits are formulated and processed to do exactly what their name implies. A precise blend of nutrients and antioxidants selected to strengthen your dog's immune system, help offset the negative impact of environmental toxins and provide support for specific life stage requirements.

Answer 4

Royal Canin IVD Limited ingredient diets use potato for starch and fiber, and have a variety of protein sources (venison, duck, etc). We prescribe the IVD Venison and Potato for about half our food allergy patients.

The other half are mostly eating the Purina H/A, with hydrolyzed proteins that won't irritate the allergies (allergies are reactions to foreign proteins, hydrolyzed proteins are broken down and almost unrecognizable to the immune system, but still usable for metabolism).

Answer 5

Wow, I looked up ingredients to several good quality brands I could think of, but they all either have Flaxseed or Barley in them. I'll keep looking, but hopefully someone comes up with something!

P.S. Person above me mentioned Canidae, but it has Flaxseed and Lamb meal. Also as Sun cured Alfalfa, which I assume falls under the 'grass' concept.

Science Diet Light has Soybean Meal/Oil, Flaxseed and Dried Egg product, so again, not what you're wanting.

Answer 6

Wow! all of the good ones I can find have at least one of the ingredients that you listed..Flaxseed oil, or barley.
For this dog, you might just do better to make your own food for him.
The world's oldest living dog died last year at the age of 27. She was fed a vegan diet, of only lentils, rice, and fresh garden vegetables.
The current oldest recorded dog will be 27 this summer. He is fed nothing but kangaroo and emu meats.
The organic homemade diets seem to be the very best..

Answer 7

My dog also is very difficult with food and she likes Science Diet Light so that she doesn't gain too much weight but at the same time it is made of natural stuff that our vet recommended. I don't know if that would work for you dog...but good luck!

Answer 8

try a hollistic food such as california naturals . that is what i have been using since my chihuahua developed food allergies when he was 6 mos old . You can call around to some pet shops and see if they have it . if you can t find it then please email me and i know of a lady that owns a pet shop that would be more than glad to ship it to you . good luck to you .

Answer 9

My shar pei has skin and ear issues/infections with most foods. He has been on Hills Prescription Diet, Z/D ultra hypoallergenic for several years, and it has done wonders for him. It is expensive, and you have to get it at a vets office, but I find it worth it, especially when you consider the $ saved by not having to have infections treated.

Answer 10

Try Canidae All Life Stages. The quality is excellant and my puppy loves it.