Need food recommendation

[Kirsten]

I'm having some trouble with Cole's diet.  It appears he has an allergy to chicken.

I need to find a good quality kibble that contains no chicken, and is not salmon flavored.  Yes, he is a picky dog and hates fish.  Fish ingredients are fine, so long as the actual flavor is something other than fish.  I fed him a salmon formula and he lost ten pounds practically overnight refusing to eat it.

I've tried every formula of Proplan I can find, and all but the Sensitive Stomach formula contain some amount of chicken, including the lamb, beef, and turkey formulas.  This dog despises fish and the Sensitive Stomach formula is salmon flavored.  I have a local source that will donate Proplan for him because he is a service dog, but that is the only brand they will donate.  I am willing to purchase a food if it will improve his health.  Cost IS a problem as I live significantly below the poverty level, but I will find a way.

I tried TOTW and he still had allergies, which is what makes me think it is the chicken since TOTW has no grains.  Their only chicken free formula is...you guessed it:  fish flavored.

So, oh wise community of SDC...any other suggestions?

[Spectrum]

Diamond Naturals has a couple formulas that have no chicken meat, but they do have chicken fat. If he's allergic to the protein, it should be fine, but some dogs react to the fat, too. Logan eats the Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete formula and does great on it. They also have 4health, which is essentially the same thing (with a bit more meat), and is sold only at Tractor Supply, but they also have chicken fat in them. 

Diamond Naturals Beef Meal and Rice

Beef meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, rice bran, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), beet pulp, egg product, flaxseed, natural flavor, brewers dried yeast, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice

Ingredients
Lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, millet, egg product, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), rice bran, beet pulp, flaxseed, natural flavor, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

Wellness has some allergy formulas. Wellness has a lot of good formulas, but these have rice as the first ingredient. I wouldn't choose it for my dog, but I like relatively low-grain or grain-free formulas.

Wellness Simple Solutions Lamb and Rice

Ground Rice, Lamb, Lamb Meal, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Tomato Pomace, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Choline Chloride, Taurine.

Wellness Simple Solutions Duck and Rice

Ground Rice, Duck, Rice Protein Concentrate, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Tomato Pomace, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Natural Duck Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Choline Chloride, Taurine.

I can't think of anything else off the to of my head, but I'll do some digging and see what I can find.

[Spectrum]

Someone just pointed out to me that Solid Gold's Hund-n-Flocken doesn't have chicken in it:

Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Millet, Rice Bran, Oatmeal, Ocean Fish Meal, Canola Oil, Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (source of DHA), Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Parsley Flakes, Pumpkin Meal, Almond Oil, Sesame Oil, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Thyme, Blueberries, Cranberries, Carrots, Broccoli, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Panthothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid

[Spectrum]

Also Wellness Super 5 Mix Whitefish and Sweet Potato:

Deboned Whitefish, Ground Barley (de-hulled), Rye Flour, Menhaden Fish Meal, Ground Pearled Barley, Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Tomato Pomace, Natural Fish Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a natural preservative).

[Spectrum]

EVO also has some chicken-free formulas, particularly their Red Meat formula. However, it's VERY expensive. I had a coupon for a free 6 pound bag, and it would have cost $22 if I didn't have a coupon 

[PupFashionista]

I just checked and the food I feed the girls has no fish or chicken. California Natural Lamb and Rice.

I'm more than happy to give you some so Cole and try it if you like. If he doesn't like it, you won't be out anything. I buy it at Lizzie and Rocco's for about $40/30# bag.

[Kirsten]

Thanks, Chriss!  I'd like to give it a try.  He does like the Proplan Lamb and Rice, so it is a good possibility he would like this as well. 

[PupFashionista]

My program got canceled tonight due to the rain, so I'm off to buy a bag for the girls. I'll call when I'm done. If you're home, I drop some off tonight or tomorrow morn.

[Spectrum]

Someone just pointed out to me that TOTW has a lamb formula now - Sierra Mountain. I'm using my cellphone right now so I can't get a link but it's o the TOTW site.  I haven't seen it in stores yet though.

[Roxie]

2 ideas: Purina One Adult formula Lamb and Rice.... 16%fat.

Diamond 4 Health.

Roxie

[Kirsten]

"Sierra Mountain Formula"

Lamb, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, canola oil, potato protein, roasted lamb, tomato pomace, natural flavor, salt, choline chloride, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative and source of vitamin E) dried chicory root, taurine, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products/dogs/sierra_mountain_canine_formula/

None of these companies specify what is in their "natural flavor" which I know as a vegetarian is most often a chicken product.  Very frustrating.  I'll ask at Lizzie and Rocco's about the Sierra formula.

[hopesclan]

None of these companies specify what is in their "natural flavor" which I know as a vegetarian is most often a chicken product.  Very frustrating.  I'll ask at Lizzie and Rocco's about the Sierra formula.

You can call the company and ask.

[Ilghaus]

Someone just pointed out to me that Solid Gold's Hund-n-Flocken doesn't have chicken in it:

I use this as Karl doesn't do well on chicken. He gets half this and half Purina Sensitive Skin & Stomach which you already said Cole will not eat. If the California Natural Lamb and Rice doesn't work out try the Hund-n-Flocken. See if they will give you a sample. It does have Salmon Oil (maybe not enough for Cole to turn it down) and Ocean Fish (that is usually not a strong fish).

I've been thinking of trying some TOTW for the other two of mine and see your's and Spectrum's posts about the Sierra Mountain Formula. I might give that a try.

I might even try Karl with that as it doesn't have any flaxseed or grains in it but I'm on the fence since it does have other things that I would like to try to stay away from for him. Potatoes which the TOTW has and also tomatoes (the Hund-N-Flocken also has that though) - both members of the nightshade family*.

*Studies with people show nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant) worsen symptoms of arthritis for some people.

[Spectrum]

*Studies with people show nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant) worsen symptoms of arthritis for some people.

Hmmm, I never knew that. That's interesting.  It is unfortunate that most grain-free formulas do have a ton of potatoes in them 

Orijen Regional Red doesn't have chicken, but it, too, is pretty pricey. If I could afford it, I would feed Orijen in a heartbeat, but it's much more expensive than the TOTW

[Ilghaus]

If someone has a dog with allergies or an autoimmune disorder.

Chicken ~
Seems like I am hearing of more and more dogs developing allergies to chicken which makes me think it is something that they are now feeding chickens and maybe not chicken meat itself.

Flaxseed/Flaxseed Oil ~
Some dogs do great on this while it tears other dogs up with scratching or itchy eyes

Grains ~
Some dogs can eat them all, some dogs limited types, some dogs none at all.

Dairy Products ~
Same as grains.

Herbs ~
If your dog is on prescription med. might want to check these out. Some herbs affect some medicines for people so I would think it is a possibility that it is the same for dogs.