Moved from Cat board.

Southern RI--Changed from Natural Life Lamaderm due to recall of one of their products (my dogs were fine) and then  I had been feeding my 2 goldens Instinct kibble grain free for two months but I decided to change only because I had read that fat should not be in top 5 ingredients with large dogs for increased risk of bloat--I had no problems and the dogs looked great and loved it but wanted to reduce my risk of another pet catastrophe (one has cancer and both cats had ARF) and I don't even know if that's absolutely true about bloat but-----changed to Barking at the Moon (still high protein and fat not top 5) but had to change due to my husband's retching at the smell!  I had wanted grain free as we originally thought it was a rat poison (maybe in grain storage IMO)

I started feeding my dogs and cats a raw diet by feeding Natures Variety (2 years ago). The nugget size was very convenient to start the switch off of dry pet food. The dogs took to it right away and some of my cats gradually began to eat it. (the cats were used to dry and canned and probably were just adjusting to a new food taste/texture). All liked the rabbit, chicken and the turkey formulas. Chicken/turkey was always the top favorite flavor. Most did not care for the beef, lamb or venison (venison also has lamb ingredients).

I chose NV because it is based on only 5% plant matter and has no artificially added vitamins. It has an unusual odor that I'm not sure what ingredient(s) causes it. (not a bad or spoiled odor just an odd smell). It is pretty expensive to feed more than a few pets so I have since moved onto other frozen raw brands (without plant matter) that the cats seem to prefer. The dogs love them all! <smile>

Very quickly there was a noticeable difference in a whole range of things. My senior dog put on weight, became shiny, very frisky, and was waiting to be fed as early as 5 am!

(cats and dogs both->) All food is eaten right away. The poops are just a small little piles. They are odorless in a few minutes, eventually turm whitish or light in color. All animals drink very little water and look great.

See thread re Instinct Chicken Meal Forumula or dogs/possible GI issues.  See expiration dates.

Instinct Chicken Meal Formula displays a “best if used by” date of 1/3/09 or 1/10/09,

http://itchmoforums.com/your-problems-with-pet-food/natures-variety-grain-fee-kibble-trouble-t3910.0.html;msg50572#msg50572

Instinct Canned Rabbit
13.2 oz cans

Best by:  052310 23RDM2  (I believe made 05/23/08)
1230

Dogs and and adult cats liked it.

Dogs have been on Nature's Variety RAW in the mornings for almost two weeks now - They are loving it! That in combination of going to the Grain-Free Orijen Regional Red, I'm seeing some weight loss (they needed to lose a couple of pounds) and more muscle tone. I'm doing a 30 day challenge to go RAW + Grain-Free and so far things are going very well. I did give some Ultra Holistics Duck and Oatmeal in a can + the kibble for a couple of days when Angeles and Louis started to get a little constipated. I'm sure it is just the transition. I have noticed that Angeles and Cotton poop 1st thing in the morning and then before going to bed at night. Louis is almost on the same schedule now. After eating RAW in the morning - no pooping until after being fed kibble at night. So I think more is digesting into their bodies YEAH!!!!!

They like the beef, lamb, venison, rabbit and bison. I haven't tried the chicken yet.

My experience with Orijen is here: http://itchmoforums.com/dog-food-experiences-by-brand/orijen-adult-dog-food-t1167.0.html;msg150217#msg150217

Thank you for the heads up!