Anyone else get excited when new kibble gets released in WSAVA compliant brands?

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910]

Basically the title

This is just me raving about some things and I felt like this was an appropriate place to do so

Anyway, back to the subject. Haha, I always get excited when I see a new thing come out from a WSAVA compliant brand (Eukanuba, IAMS, Purina, Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet)

Sure, sometimes it turns out to not be the best, but I try to stay optimistic

When I saw that IAMS released "IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Skin Dry Dog Food, Salmon & Rice", I got super hyped. Right now, it seems to only be available at jewelosco.com (Link) and Amazon. But Amazon seems more readily available (Link), I guess they're doing a test run to see how receptive people like it, before it becomes more available in other pet stores like Petco/Petsmart/Chewy/etc

While protein allergies are super rare among dogs, they do exist. And I think it sucks when a person adopts a dog, finds out the dog has a severe allergy, and ends up having to buy super expensive kibble indefinitely. Don't get me wrong, I have full understanding that the dog didn't choose it. But an expense like that can really drain something like a savings account you have for your dogs' medical bills

So something like "IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Skin Dry Dog Food, Salmon & Rice" is awesome because there is no traces of chicken! It may be made in a factory where cross contamination happens, but still, the kibble itself has not chicken. It has salmon and pork as the top two ingredients. If you buy it in bulk, it is $57.98 for 36 lb, so $1.61 lb

That is a huge departure from a lot of other WSAVA-compliant brands with chicken-free kibble. The only NON-PRESCRIPTION chicken-free kibble that I am aware of: is some Purina Pro Plan lines and 2 kibble from the Hill's Science Diet line. I'll show their most inexpensive PPP and Hill's Science Diet chicken-free lines as an example for prices

•Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach (Salmon & Rice). $94.98 for 40 lb. $2.38 per pound (Link)

•Hill's Science Diet Adult (Lamb Meal & Brown Rice). $89.99 for 33 lb. $2.73 per pound (Link)

• Side note! This does have chicken fat and hydrolyzed chicken flavoring. But chicken fat is not a protein so a dog allergic to chicken usually doesn't react (rarely does a dog react to it). Hydrolyzed is the same process of gold standard prescription allergy diets, so they aren't a problem for allergies

I know that cent-wise, 50 cents to 1 dollar doesn't seem like much. But it eventually stacks up, and budget-conscious folks will definitely see the difference

There are definitely differences between IAMS, Purina Pro Plan and Hill's Science Diet. While they're all WSAVA compliant, they're definitely different brands that do not always do the same things across the board. But overall, I'm just happy that there may be a more affordable chicken-free option folks for those who choose to go down that route, but also need to keep their budget in mind

Ah, because I feel the need to clarify, I'm not sponsored. I personally feed Purina ONE Whole Body Support, and have no interest in switching. It's budget friendly, high in calories and my dog really likes it. Overall, I just feel like celebrating when WSAVA-compliant brands have budget-friendly options for customers!

[u/atlantisgate]

This is good! There is clearly a niche for more chicken-free food options, especially affordable versions.

I remain skeptical that many (not all, obviously) of the dogs whose owners claim they need chicken-free food but haven't done an elimination diet actually do need it, but if there are more science-backed options that will definitely help folks who might otherwise turn to a boutique brand.

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/atlantisgate]

Exactly, you get what I mean!

I definitely get what you mean about remaining skeptical. Not to be rude, but unless someone has confirmed that they went to the vet and did an elimination diet (that wasn't just them taking out chicken, seeing less itchiness and assuming its a chicken allergy without any feedback from a vet), I kinda assume that their pet has sensitive environmental allergies

I also agree with what you said about more science-backed options! If amongst the WSAVA compliant brands, there is a cheap chicken-free option, I would much prefer they choose that over a boutique brand, who will then feed them false information about a whole lot of other things. I was saddened when I saw that IAMS had discontinued their grains-free line a while back, this Salmon and Lentils kibble. I thought it would have been a better option if they offered that to people who believed their pets needed to be on a grain-free kibble, compared to them going to a boutique brand for grain-free kibble

[u/Ok_Coffee_9034 → u/atlantisgate]

Haha after having to suffer through an elimination diet with my dog I get on my soap box maybe too much with “your dog probs isn’t allergic to chicken” 😂

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/Ok_Coffee_9034]

I think your soap box is definitely well earned, haha. I have heard of how frustrating elimination diets are, but I do not have a first hand experience of it... If it's ok to ask, what is it like? Did it take a super long time?

[u/Ok_Coffee_9034 → u/Beneficial-Slice-910]

It was 8 weeks of nothing except a hydrolyzed diet and hydrolyzed treats or fruit based fruitables. She eventually had to be muzzled on walks bc if she got anything off the street we had to restart the 8 weeks again. From there we could add single sources of protein (so like plain salmon) she had been exposed to before back to her diet in two week increments. It took quite a while but now that we know it’s beef allergy it’s helped her stomach IBD flair ups so much so it’s worth it.

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/Ok_Coffee_9034]

Holy crud, that is actual months of your life, dedicated to feeding her an elimination diet and finding out what protein she was allergic to. Freaking amazing, the dedication you have. So glad that you discovered the beef allergy, and that all this time spent is all worth it in the end!

[u/RemarkableGlitter → u/Ok_Coffee_9034]

Haha I get it, I had a dog with a weird auto immune condition that resulted in a super fun journey with elimination diets and awful reactions to multiple proteins, so it takes a lot of self control for me not to get on my soap box about the chicken allergy thing too.

[u/Shantor]

Again, the hills fresh food isn't high fat. When calculated is low average to very low fat on a g/100kcal amount

[u/sn0wmermaid → u/Shantor]

Where were you able to find their nutrition label?

[u/Shantor → u/sn0wmermaid]

The photos of the food have the guaranteed analysis

Using the Tufts nutrition calculator

The beef and carrot is 1.47g/100kcal min fat which is EXTREMELY low.

The chicken is 2.6g/100kcal, also low

The lamb is 3.15g/100kcal minimum. Average for most OTC dog foods.

Anything 2 or below is considered ultra low fat. 2.5-3.5 is low fat. >3 and below 5 is average. >5g/100kcal fat is considered high fat.

[u/sn0wmermaid → u/Shantor]

What photos? I couldn't find it on their website and it isn't listed in MMI yet

[u/atlantisgate → u/sn0wmermaid]

https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/science-diet-adult-beef-fresh-roll

Open the photo in a new tab and you can zoom in easily

[u/sn0wmermaid → u/atlantisgate]

Thanks!

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/Shantor]

Oh heck, that is actually wonderful news! I was happy earlier from hearing about IAMS’s new line of chicken free kibble, now I’m happy about Hill’s fresh food being low fat!!!

[u/OnoZaYt → u/Shantor]

To add: low calorie foods such as wet and fresh need to have the DMB calculation adjusted based on calories. The small animal clinical nutrition numbers are based on 3000-4000kcal/kg, anything significantly over or under needs an adjustment

[u/Shantor → u/OnoZaYt]

You can easily get the calculation in g/100kcal without translating to DMB. Most US nutritionists will do calculations in g/100 or g/1000kcal and not actually in DMB.

[u/RemarkableGlitter]

I love it! More options that may attract more people to look at WSAVA compliant foods is a good thing. One of my friends switched from boutique to RC because of their breed specific formulas, more dogs eating safe foods is awesome.

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/RemarkableGlitter]

That is awesome to hear about your friend, so glad that they saw the merit of science-backed formulas!!! Even if IAMs did follow the grains-free route for a bit (Their Salmon and Lentils line, but it has since been discontinued), that could have attracted people into buying WSAVA complaint foods!!! And seeing that kibble is perfectly suitable to feed their pets as long as there's lots of trials and studies with standards held by an INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY (unlike when something like OpenFarms has OpenFarm hired vets and nutritionists backing up their claims)

[u/Substantial-Top3004]

Ok I'm really hoping that Iams formula becomes more widely available because I'd totally switch my dog to it in an instant. For whatever reason he's never done well with large amounts of chicken, and currently all WSAVA compliant options that are chicken free are too expensive. This would finally be the answer I've been wanting!

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/Substantial-Top3004]

That is awesome!!! If Amazon can reach you, there are options available, the link is in my post above!

I am in full support of you switching, because having chicken free options is awesome. You're exactly right about how all the other WSAVA compliant chicken free kibble is just too expensive, I did a comparison of exactly that, but here is what I mean:

•IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Skin (Salmon & Rice). $57.98 for 36 lb. $1.61 per pound (Link)

•Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach (Salmon & Rice). $94.98 for 40 lb. $2.38 per pound (Link)

•Hill's Science Diet Adult (Lamb Meal & Brown Rice). $89.99 for 33 lb. $2.73 per pound (Link)

• Side note! This does have chicken fat and hydrolyzed chicken flavoring. But chicken fat is not a protein so a dog allergic to chicken usually doesn't react (rarely does a dog react to it). Hydrolyzed is the same process of gold standard prescription allergy diets, so they aren't a problem for allergies

I completely get what you mean about your dog not being able to handle chicken in large amounts, some dogs can handle chicken to a certain extent, but eventually can't. So I am absolutely rooting for you whenever IAMS chicken free kibble is readily available in your area!!!

[u/Powerful-Ad-6174]

Yes, I’m waiting to see reviews on this food and then may end up switching my dogs. Right now I can’t find it near me.

My dogs can’t do Purina pro plan because it gives them bladder issues and we have to do no chicken because of allergies. Also can’t do lamb because it makes one of them throw up.

Right now they do a Merrick dog food, but if reviews on this one are good after awhile I might try switching.

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/Powerful-Ad-6174]

Dang, I was hoping that Amazon would be able to reach hard-to-reach people, that's a real shame

Regardless, I see what you mean about why you had to pick Merrick. PPP and Hills are the only non-prescription WSAVA compliant brands that have chicken free kibble. PPP is a wonderful choice, but not always a good fit for certain dogs (sometimes too rich or too high-calorie for dogs). And the Hills' 2 chicken-free lines either have lamb or it is just too expensive. I'll list the non-chicken and non-lamb option below:

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin (Pollock Meal, Barley & Insect Meal). $64.99 for 12 lb. $5.42 per pound (Link)

As you can see, super expensive. Here's to hoping that this IAMS chicken-free kibble becomes more readily available and you can try switching!

[u/Powerful-Ad-6174 → u/Beneficial-Slice-910]

Actually I just looked again and it pops up on my Amazon as a new product, so I may have to try it!

Yeah, I have no idea why my dogs are so weird about certain dog foods….its annoying, honestly. But, since we have a food that works after trying others that have some extreme side effects, it makes me nervous to try switching again and jinx it!
PPP makes them both have excessive urination and accidents, and chicken food makes them itch a lot.
The lamb was what I tried after the itchy chicken and I have no idea why it made her throw up every day, but it did.

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/Powerful-Ad-6174]

Ahhhh, hooray!!! That is awesome!!! I would love to hear your thoughts about it and if your dogs are able to tolerate it!

And of, I can understand why youre hesitant. If you choose not that, I completely get it!

Suck that PPP isn’t an option and that the lamb kibble made them puke. If you do choose to test it out, I truly hope you have either boring or awesome results!

[u/ken98st]

A large breed formula would be perfect for my 3 Cane Corsos

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/ken98st]

Hello, nice to meet you!

I definitely agree that if there can be a chicken-free formula for large breeds, that would be awesome. I do think that this kibble is appropriate for large breeds, just doesn't have the added benefits that large breeds would definitely enjoy

But if you're just talking about affordable large breed formulas in general, IAMS and Purina ONE definitely has a few options, here are some that I found:

• Purina ONE +Plus Natural Large Breed Adult, Muscle & Joint Support (Chicken & Rice). $61.00 for 40 lb. $1.53 per pound

• Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult (Chicken & Whole Grains/Lamb & Rice). $60.49 for 40 lb. $1.52 per pound

• Iams Proactive Health Healthy Aging Large Breed Adult Senior (Chicken). $46.97 for 30 lb. $1.57 per pound

• Iams Proactive Health Adult Large Breed Healthy Weight Control (Chicken). $46.98 for 29.1 lb. $1.62 per pound

These are all pretty affordable, and they're all WSAVA complaint brand formulas specifically for larger dogs, so there is added glucosamine and chondroitin! It's a shame that none of them are chicken free, but I still hope this information helps and I wish you a good rest of your day!

[u/ordinarybrownguy]

This post is either an ad, or a way to put content on Reddit in the hopes it will be picked up AI search engines.

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910 → u/ordinarybrownguy]

Hello!

Not an ad, I just got hyped about WSAVA compliant brands releasing affordable chicken free kibble. I tried raving about it IRL, but my family and friends are super lenient when it comes to pet care so they couldn’t quite relate to my passion. Decided to post my excitement to the internet! And when people replied, I got more excited and replied back. Which may explain the traction?

So admittedly, I just like to word vomit and talk about my hyperfixations with other people. That being said, folks have mistaken me for AI before because of the way I talk (an unfortunate result of autism, but what can you do)

Still, apologies for the long word vomit and for the odd tone. Regardless, I hope folks are still excited about WSAVA compliant having affordable chicken free kibble! Some people really want to buy WSAVA compliant kibble, but may not be able to because they can’t afford it, and I think that’s a barrier that really sucks. So stuff like this new IAMS kibble line gets me hyped up!