I currently feed Ella Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Junior (combined with a mixed raw diet) as this is what the breeder fed her and it seems to suit. Recently I've been looking into Black Hawk as an alternative kibble (Australian made premium kibble) for two main reasons. Firstly it's not only Australian made but Melbourne made so it's a local food. This is appealing as I'd be putting money back into the local economy but also as I'm not sure about possible negatives of imported dog food. Royal Canin is imported from France so spends a long time on a boat then a long time on the docks. It's incredibly hard to find accurate information but I believe it is heat treated but not irradiated once it gets here (in the USA the packaging has to say if it has been irradiated but we don't have the same laws here). My second reason for considering a switch is the financial aspect. Comparing standard prices, Royal Canin usually costs about $110-120 for a 12kg bag (53-58 pounds) where as Black Hawk costs about $100 for a 20kg bag (47 pounds). Is anyone familiar with any negatives relating to the treatment of imported dog food? Am I crazy for considering changing her food when she seems happy and healthy on the kibble she currently eats?
Can't help you much on the pros and cons of changing and in the import of the RC kibble. I've changed Juno's diet twice on advice from our vet. The first time after het spay to the RC large breed junior neutered and from that to Hill's Prescription Diet for her ED. I would only seriously look to change again if there was a problem with the Hill's and she wasn't doing well, but that's me personally.
I have to start my comments with the information that Molly does appear to have a rock solid stomach. I am lucky as I know many people have dogs with dodgy tummies. Molly came home on Royal Canin. I changed her to James Wellbeloved Turkey and Rice kibble simply because my previous dog, Holly, spent 13 happy healthy years on it. Holly came from the Rescue Home on a fairly cheap food. To put it delicately, her gaseous enemations could clear a room and make the paint blister. JWB cured all that You may find yourself needing to feed more of a cheaper food, and the dog will probably produce more waste on a cheaper food. So it may not be cheaper after all. Personally I would give your locally made Black Hawk a try. Take it gently, mixing her old and her new over a few days. The best way to upset a pups tum is an abrupt change of food. Dog food is a mine field. I certainly believe it is worth paying for a good food, but some of them are eye wateringly expensive, so you have to pitch it to your purse. It is always worth remember that Ella will need less food as she matures. Molly, at 2 years is on 225 grams a day and that is sufficent to keep her weight stable and her healthy. When she was six months old she was on twice that.
Sounds like you have almost convinced yourself to change,so long as the ingredients are similar to the Royal Canin I cannot see a reason not too, just take it slowly introducing the new food. And remember that the amounts that you use may not be the same. I know that you are not in the UK, but this dog food site makes interesting reading. http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/ Sue.
To my mind saving money is a valid reason to change foods. We are not made of money. But I'd ask the breeder if he/she can recommend an alternative. That said, when I decided to rotate foods my breeder's food was working just fine, was economical. So I took the protein, fat and kcal/cup numbers and tried to find foods very close. To me this is only logical, if a certain % of each works why change that? I did look for completely different main protein and carb sources. It worked, I fed three foods with no change (or improvement) in coat, stool or energy. ONe, the grainfree one was a bit lower in Kcal/cup so I did have to feed a bit more of it.
Thanks for the input everyone ☺. I might do a little more research into the specific ingredients and makeup of Black Hawk before I consider any change. I'm also considering just keeping her on the RC until 15months when she's supposed to move from junior to adult are reassessing then. Hmmm decisions, decisions ☺
I think there are so very many myths around about kibble, it makes it much harder to make a decision. People say all sorts of things about kibble - it's the work of the devil, it's ok if it contains no wheat, meat is better than meat meal, additives cause [insert horrible disease], high protein is good, high protein is bad, fillers are bad (er....define 'filler') and so on...blah, blah, blah. Do you think heat treated is bad? Or irradiation is bad? It wasn't clear from your post. In any event, why do you think that? If you want to sort it all out, you have to put in a fair bit of time (or, chose something that is likely to suit you, your dog and your pocket, and if that turns out to be true, great). Linda Case's book "Dog Food Logic" is a great starting point: http://www.amazon.com.au/Dog-Food-L...448654774&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+food+logic+book
Black Hawk has a reputation as a good quality food, and there's nothing especially spectacular about Royal Canin, so I'd be comfortable making the switch if I were you. Nothing wrong with reducing the air miles of your doggie's dinner either
JulieT, thanks for the link, I'll have a look. It is difficult as I'm not dog nutrition expert so at the end of the day I'll be relying on someone's opinion. I just need to do enough research to ensure that I believe the information I'm reading is objective and unbiased. After a quick 10 minute comparison of the foods I know that I need to put a lot of time in (maybe this is a good project for when I finish up at work before the baby comes)! Black Hawk has three puppy kibble types; lamb and rice, chicken and rice and large/giant breed chicken and rice. As RC has "poultry" as it's main protein source I decided to look compare it the chicken and rice. Looking at protein alone, the BH normal chicken and rice has a greater protein % thank RC and the BH large/giant breed chicken and rice has lower protein % than RC! In terms of heat treatment and irradiation, I'm not sure yet. I'm definitely interested in others knowledge and opinions. On face value I'd say irradiation appears to be a little concerning as there is evidence that it can break down some cells (in the food - not your dog) and cause a reduction in a number of vitamins within the food (it's actually banned on cat food as it appears to destroy vitamin A which cats need to source from their food). I've seen a couple of websites that seem to support this view (here is one, with references http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com...od-irradiated/) but I will not be fooled by websites and will have to do some more research before I feel I can form an objective opinion. Ok, I've convinced myself not to switch anything yet but to spend the time doing the research so that I can can make an informed decision. I also need to consider the fact that Ella's meals are not purely kibble so I have to factor the raw food component into my research. Wow, I could make a full time job out of choosing a dog food! Haha
Dogs Naturally Magazine lost all credibility in my eyes when I read an article in it arguing that vaccines caused cruciate disease in dogs - I found that shocking nonsense.
Bella was on royal canine junior which breeder gave her but as she had terrible sloppy poo I changed it after a few months. She's now on James well beloved and it has been good for her but now looking into other options like hills due to her regent joint problems . I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
Haha I love your honesty! That is exactly why I won't rely on one or two sources when trying to make a decision. There is so much information out there these days so it can be a nightmare sorting through it all
