Ok so for the last 4 days I began to gradually ease Balon onto Orijen, since yesterday he has the big D like a faucet!!! Now what? And he doesn't like it, what should i try next? I don't want to keep switching but its obviously too rich for him!

Sorry to hear that Balon got the runs. Hopefully it firms up for you soon, it really isn't enjoyable picking that up.

Unfortunately it does indeed come with the territory of switching from one food to another, which I'm sure you knew already. We always tried to limit it by "easing" our dogs onto their new food as well however it can take some dogs much longer than others to make a dietary change from one brand to another.

We've always used roughly four weeks when switching foods. It's a bit overkill but it does the trick in limiting the chance of diarrhea. It can take some of the more sensitive pups up to a month on just the food alone before you really know if they can handle it or not.

Reading your other post it appears you were doing about the same pace as I would have, so like you said it might just not agree with Balon.

Quote :

And he doesn't like it

And in the end that's all that really matters. If he doesn't like it he doesn't like it.

Again some popular choices on this forums are, in no particular order:
- Taste of the Wild
- The Honest Kitchen
- Blue Buffalo
- Acana
- Kirkland
- What are you feeding your Husky

In your other post Val suggested Orijen puppy or Acana. I trust Val's judgment on a lot of things, and when it comes to food especially. She does her research and knows more then just the ingredients list when it comes to food.

If Orijen didn't work for you maybe give Arcana a try like she said.

But it's just a game of roulette until, like I said, you find that food that is healthy, is kind on your pups digestive system, and in the end they are willing to eat.

Best of luck to you,
~Chris~

How much Orijen and his old food was Balon on when the diarrhea occurred? Just to know if the switch may have been part of the problem.

Do you know if Balon can tolerate grain?

My top picks for puppy food would be Orijen of course, but also Acana, The Honest Kitchen, Grandma Lucy's, and Fromm. Acana, THK, and Grandma Lucy's all have grain free puppy or all life stages formulas. I *think* (not 100% positive) that Fromm's puppy formulas contain grain but you'd have to double check on that.

If it were me in your shoes and Orijen was definitely a no go, my next tries would be Acana, Grandma Lucy's, The Honest Kitchen, and Fromm (if your sibe can tolerate grain) in that order. But that's just me.

I agree; if Orijen isn't working out I would try Acana next...lower protein levels and different options for formula / flavor.

I would try to make the change as gradual as possible

Fromm is also a good option. Fromm Gold has grain. Fromm Four Star products vary with formula...some are grain free some are not, but all still good products overall.

Huskyluv wrote:

How much Orijen and his old food was Balon on when the diarrhea occurred? Just to know if the switch may have been part of the problem.

Do you know if Balon can tolerate grain?

My top picks for puppy food would be Orijen of course, but also Acana, The Honest Kitchen, Grandma Lucy's, and Fromm. Acana, THK, and Grandma Lucy's all have grain free puppy or all life stages formulas. I *think* (not 100% positive) that Fromm's puppy formulas contain grain but you'd have to double check on that.

If it were me in your shoes and Orijen was definitely a no go, my next tries would be Acana, Grandma Lucy's, The Honest Kitchen, and Fromm (if your sibe can tolerate grain) in that order. But that's just me.

I was doing 1/4 cup Orijen, and 3/4 cup Nutro Ultra until Sunday am when the bad diarrhea started, I stopped adding Orijen and today he is firmer, I swear he was doing good on the Nutro Ultra, but my vet originally wanted him on Iams Puppy, and I wanted something better so I went with Orijen, which he didn't really like anyway. I think at this point I will keep him on the Nutro Ultra for a while and try again later when his stomach settles down, honestly his poop was firm on the Nutro and he likes it. I dunno maybe I have a brat on my hands lol love him though!

Thanks so much for all the help to this newb!

I have to think he can tolerate grain because there is grain in Nutro Ultra and he was absolutely fine on it.

If having some quality grain in your dogs food is an option, there are quite a few more possibilities for finding another food.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Nutro...the company has had quite a few recalls (plus I know someone who lost their dog due to Nutro...one of the recalls several years ago). If you just google Nutro recalls I'm pretty sure you'll see quite a few. I think you could find another, healthier option, but again, just my personal opinion.

Balonsmom wrote:

I was doing 1/4 cup Orijen, and 3/4 cup Nutro Ultra until Sunday am when the bad diarrhea started, I stopped adding Orijen and today he is firmer, I swear he was doing good on the Nutro Ultra, but my vet originally wanted him on Iams Puppy, and I wanted something better so I went with Orijen, which he didn't really like anyway. I think at this point I will keep him on the Nutro Ultra for a while and try again later when his stomach settles down, honestly his poop was firm on the Nutro and he likes it. I dunno maybe I have a brat on my hands lol love him though!

Thanks so much for all the help to this newb!

I have to think he can tolerate grain because there is grain in Nutro Ultra and he was absolutely fine on it.

dealing with recalls, seems like all the food have had some, can't find any for Acana or Orijen, Orijen is out he just doesn't like it nor did it agree with him. Sigh back to the drawing board.

when you say Blue Buffalo, are you talking the regular one, or wilderness?

Quite a few companies have had some recalls....but some have had more than others.
I know Acana and Fromm have never had any US / Canada dog food recalls, and I'm sure there are others that haven't had any either (don't think Great Life or Honest Kitchen have had any either).

It definetly takes some time to find the right food for you and your puppy based on quality ingredients, what your dog likes, budget, etc.

Balonsmom wrote:

dealing with recalls, seems like all the food have had some, can't find any for Acana or Orijen, Orijen is out he just doesn't like it nor did it agree with him. Sigh back to the drawing board.

It is so true, practically everything from Diamond, Nutro, Iams, Eukanuba. It's funny because I have never had a problem with any dog on food before. Haha little Balon has me stumped, but not for long, thanks so much for all the help, oh and when people say Blue do they mean Wilderness or regular or both?

probably wilderness, its a good food

yep that is what I hear, I'm going to let his tummy settle for a few days first though

Blue Wilderness is their grain free product.
Over all it is a pretty good food, but personally speaking it wouldn't be my first choice.

Balonsmom wrote:

It is so true, practically everything from Diamond, Nutro, Iams, Eukanuba. It's funny because I have never had a problem with any dog on food before. Haha little Balon has me stumped, but not for long, thanks so much for all the help, oh and when people say Blue do they mean Wilderness or regular or both?

Blue Wilderness is a good food. That what my 9 month old GSD eats. She has a beautiful glossy coat.