I know it's been talked to death but can we do it anyway?

Looking for affordable grain free food. What have you used? What do you like or dislike about it?

Thanks!

Allergy or insensitivity? There is a difference. Grain free foods are not what they're cracked up to be and they are not carbohydrate free. If your having problems and you think it's the food then you need to do an elimination diet to figure out what ingredient is giving you the problems. What may be the answer for one dog might not be the answer to yours.

FWIW,
I worked extensively with a veterinarian who specializes in nutrition, and she says (per extensive research) that true food allergies are a reaction to proteins, not carbohydrates or grains. Secondly, if your dog has other sensitivities or allergies (seasonal, contact or environmental) changing the diet doesn't help - you need to remove the source of the allergen (in my case this was a specific type of fiber in my carpet.

So, feed what you feel good about feeding.

Grains may also contain protein. Often the proteins are considered "incomplete" proteins because they lack some of the 9 essential amino acids. But, indeed, grains such as oats and millet have a considerable amount of protein in them. Some of the more exotic grains such as quinoa actually have all the essential amino acids.

I am not a nutritionist, merely a person who has developed some allergies over time, mostly inhaled. I've learned that you have to be careful in defining an allergy. It is quite difficult to figure out what is actually causing the allergic reactions.

All that being said, I have feed grain-free foods to some of my dogs and had improved coat, elimination of lick sores, improved stools, and improved ear cleanliness. I have fed Taste of the Wild salmon and California Natural fish and sweet potato. Both seem to be well-balanced foods, and the dogs like them.

there's something in the house Caleb reacts to, also. But his ear infections and scratching has definitely improved since switching him to NB almost 3 years ago. The only thing I don't like about it is the price- a little over $2/pound (my husband has been unemployed for almost 2 years now), but it's what works best for Caleb, so we're sticking with it.

I've been feeding Blue Wilderness (the chicken formula) to one of my dogs and been very happy with it. Allergies/sensitivities were not a concern ... she just maintains her weight better on it than she did on other things we tried with her.

Costco is selling a salmon/potato no grain food now.

I am now on my 2nd bag of the Costco grain free salmon. Blue bag and called "Nature's Domain". NO problems. I switched from one of the higher priced grain free foods. Other than Costco, TOTW is the other that I have tried and been happy with. They are affordable as far as grain free goes.

My vet told me that any dog with allergy-like symptoms (not talking food allergies as we know most allergies are not that kind) should be on a grain free food to boost their immunity.

I don't know but I do know that there has been a lot of info coming out regarding humans and how simple carbs cause inflammation in the body. I have read this a lot recently -- it seems this time of year there is a lot of health info out there. What I have been reading is that this inflammation caused by simple (vs. complex) carbs causes belly fat.

So to answer your question, perhaps it is controlling the inflammation that boosts immunity?

Grains are not meant for a dog's diet but you see it in so many dog foods. It's a great filler and serves the dog food companies well when it comes to saving on cost.

Canine cancer specialists recommend a grain free diet because it does help affect a dog's immune system. Grains are also not good for dogs who have seizures.

Every since our local Costco started selling Nature's Domain, our dogs have been eating it. Their coats, muscle development have been awesome on this kibble.

I feed Nature's Domain from Costco.
There is a Salmon and Rice and a Turkey and Rice.
Both are grain free 35lb bags.
Salmon is about $30 and turkey is about $26.
My labs love the taste, coats are great, stools are firm and there are fewer of them!

Infinia holistic dog food.

Uses brown rice, oatmeal, millet, barley instead of corn, wheat and soy.

Also, those of you looking for limited ingredient diets, make friends with a hunter!!! I've never known a hunter or fisherman who finishes all they put up in the freezer. Anything they are looking to throw out to make room for this season is perfectly good for dogs. Soak it in slightly salted water and the meat is just fine!!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't rice considered a grain???

Also, do we really know that grains are bad for dogs and that they don't eat it in the wiild or is that the marketing line we bought way back when. - my dogs graze on grass, and I'm sure, if they had the choice, would. Maybe, it's how the grains are processed that makes a difference? I 'm just asking, but I think we all get so much information and so much of it comes from dog food companies. just thinking out loud...

I feed a grain free food because every time we turned around there for a while it was contamination of the corn with melamine that was killing dogs.... It works great for some and not others... to see any real results, it will be two months or better to really evaluate if it helps... obviously sooner if it makes things worst.

The contamination of corn has everything to do with the sourcing of ingredients by your dog food company. Choose your dog food company wisely.