HDZ2004

Yes Orijen is EXPENSIVE so looking at the vet foods is about on par with what I'm paying now. Don't worry I know all about changing foods lol. I usually give it a bag maybe two before I call quits on a food. My vet recommended Nupro that has lots of digestive enzymes and probiotics that I currently use with the one so I'll likely start giving it to them all to help them adjust. My girl has a vet appointment next week so I'll get some advise from the vet. (She's a huge greyhound lover and has three of her own)

I've always done water too or yogurt. I agree thank you. Corn just never seemed to work for my greys or poultry. Fish has always worked best. I hope we get more brands going grain-inclusive.

I'm very upset that Zignature was on the list. I did a lot of research before putting my one grey on it and I liked that had vets and dog nutritionist working with them plus it is made here in the U.S. They made a statement and sort of shrugged the whole thing off instead of saying "hey to address you're concerns we will start working on new formulas that have grains" they basically said going to keep on keeping on. I guess I'm going to have to go with Eukanuba. Purina hasn't worked in the past I believe because of corn (talk about gas!) in a lot of the formulas though they have added some new products so I might give it a try. I'm not too impressed with Royal Canin personally since rice and chicken by-product is usually the first two ingredients. Hill's looks better but I've been warned off it by a vet, food store owners, and a few others because of a noted correlation of cancers (maybe true maybe not).

Thanks I will try. Zignature is the only brand I use that has realized a statement about DCM. The reason I'm seriously looking right now is because I just about ready to open new bags and I know with the greys I need to mix to get them switched. Purina unless they have seriously changed their formula since about 5 years ago when I was trying to mix things up it is off the plate for the greys at least. Talk about deadly gas. They offended themselves and poor Hawkeye smelly runny BMs luckily petsmart has a good return policy about food. Also thanks for the concern about my family not easy and now I'm worried want to do with two picky greys and a dog that already has health problems from poor care.

So as most people have heard about this DCM issue and grain-free diet I came here looking for suggestions on how to put grain-back in my dogs' diets. I have three dogs two greys and a mix beagle/ACD/misc. All of them are on grain-free but it was all sort of a thing I stumbled on. My first grey, Hawkeye, had horrible GI problems and skin issues. It took me nearly 2 years trying every brand/formula/flavor and supplements I could get until I finally got him on Orjien Six-fishes and a digestive supplement. He has been on it nearly 8 years now and his coat and skin are perfect and he has normal BMs. My second grey, Daisy, was never a good eater according to the rescue and they actually had to sit with her and hand feed kibble. When I got her I again tried lots of food until I found a Zignature formula she loved and she's been on that since then. My third dog, Zee, was suppose to be a temporary thing but has become permanent. He was on Blue buffalo chicken and rice for years but once he stole some Orjien out of Hawkeye's bowl he refused to eat the BB. Long story short I now have three dogs on grain-free and now I'm very concerned about the research however inconclusive the FDA says it is about heart issues. Zee already has a heart problem due to his former owner's wife "accidentally" poisoning him with psychiatric drugs. Zee shouldn't be a problem to change I believe as long as it is high quality and fish based but Daisy is supper picky and I worry about Hawkeye's GI issues especially now that he is almost 11. So suggestions? My head is spinning looking through dog brands. I'm thinking maybe doing a 40/60 mix of the current foods or maybe just making a rice/oat/barely porridge for them (though I have no idea how to even go about making or feeding portions for that). Many posts talk about home cooked or raw diets but financially that is not an option since I have my mother-in-law with Lupus living with me and my husband was diagnosed with it just a year after we were married so medical bills take up most our three incomes. Still I want to do the best I can for these dogs they were here before life got complex and promised to give them a happy healthy life.