Glenn,
If you are going to try a new food, take a look at Honest Kitchen Embark
I have been very happy with it (other than the price) and I have a dog that broke out in hives from a chicken neck. It might be worth a look.

I did look at the Honest Kitchen because Ed sells and endorses it. The problem is the cost, as near as I can tell it would cost twice as much as the premium kibbles regardless of brand.
If it gets to that (and it might be closer than I thought) I would probably try the raw diet as much as I don't want to.

As for the food and the presense of some grains.........I know. My logic in trying this food was mainly driven by the knowledge and experience of the lady that owned the store. When she told me that folks with similar situations have had positive results with this food I was pretty much sold. The other thing is that I'm not sure that this dog has a problem with grains (as far as the gas goes) and I'd bet big that the problem is in fact chicken. I will only give this food the time for her system to adjust and then if there is any problem whatsoever it will be back to a non chicken, non grain of any type food. If there had been any corn, wheat, soy or any of the other really bad grains I would not have purchased it. None of the foods she carries has those ingredients. I started introducing the new food tonight, should know something definative in a week or so. hopefully <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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I did look at the Honest Kitchen because Ed sells and endorses it. The problem is the cost, as near as I can tell it would cost twice as much as the premium kibbles regardless of brand......

I'm pretty sure it's not even close to that in price. When I feed THK (which I do when I travel, when I have a dog-sitter, and as general backup for raw), I add the add-ins of chicken backs, or meat, or whatever I have, to the extent of the directions. The THK is poured over it, the way I feed it. Of course, you can feed it thicker, too, and you can certainly use it as the only food, but the way I use it, I feel certain that it doesn't cost as much as you think.

Sorry I'm not more specific; I think it's not that high with the 50% add-ins per the package directions, and not when you figure it by the rehydrated weight.

http://www.leerburg.com/honestkitchen.htm

When I get a chance I'll work out the $$. But I'd suggest not counting it out. Dehydrated no-grain raw is a great idea (IMO) for those who aren't ready or don't want to feed raw.

Connie's totally right. I did the math (don't have time to go over it all right now) and it's about the same as Evo or Raw Instinct when you figure out price per pound. You have to figure out how much each size REHYDRATES to, and if I remember correctly, it's almost identical in price to MY definition of 'premium.' Of course, if you mean Canidae or similar when you say 'premium', it's more expensive. But to compare raw/no grain to raw/no grain, I want to say they're all roughly about $2 in my area. Here's a great comparison: web page

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........I did the math (don't have time to go over it all right now) and it's about the same as Evo or Raw Instinct when you figure out price per pound. You have to figure out how much each size REHYDRATES to, and if I remember correctly, it's almost identical in price to MY definition of 'premium.' Of course, if you mean Canidae or similar when you say 'premium', it's more expensive. But to compare raw/no grain to raw/no grain, I want to say they're all roughly about $2 in my area. Here's a great comparison: web page

Right. THANKS! I know someone in our training club was working out the price with two errors: one was he was comparing the un-rehydrated per-pound cost to canned (!) and two was that he was leaving out the addins, which reduce the amount of THK you use.

Using the unrehydrated pound cost was hilarious; it was about a zillion dollars a pound per his calculations. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good comparison site, and it doesn't even adjust for the add-ins (which I guess it can't, since not everyone will use them; and again, it's not at all required).

I buy it from Leerburg, though, because it's easier (since LB carries everything doggy) and LB ships really fast.

Ok so I must have way too much time on my hands, I have a spreadsheet on the dogs food consumption among other things so here goes.

Since June 18th (first day of Embark) the average price per lb is $1.69 (re-hydrated) but more importantly the average price per meal is $1.36.
I am very lucky in that we have a retailer here that sells the Embark on a buy three get the fourth free deal. Per meal number is based on 1 ¼ cups per meal, 2 meals per day for a 70 lb active dog no additions.

Hope this helps.

Connie,

My dobe weighs 57 lbs which according to that web page would call for 2 to 2 1/4 cups per day. You don't feed it exclusively so for my dog would I feed a cup of the HK along with a pound of chicken backs, turkey necks or some other kind of raw meaty bones? What about additional supplements, are any needed?

The way I remember my experience trying the raw diet the meaty bons were not an issue (other than semi grossing my wife out) the pain was the vegetable mixture concoction that hade to be ground up in mass and then mixed in. It seemed like I was making that up way too often and I got tired of it pretty quick. I know the honest Kitchen eliminates the need for that and I understand reducing the overall cost if you add some inexpensive meat source to offset the use of the HK. What ratio do you use?

Thanks

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.......The way I remember my experience trying the raw diet the meaty bons were not an issue (other than semi grossing my wife out) the pain was the vegetable mixture concoction that hade to be ground up in mass and then mixed in. It seemed like I was making that up way too often and I got tired of it pretty quick. I know the honest Kitchen eliminates the need for that and I understand reducing the overall cost if you add some inexpensive meat source to offset the use of the HK. What ratio do you use?....Thanks

I don't have the bucket in front of me (with the directions), but I use maybe half THK and half RMBs. Since I am using chicken backs and necks, which are an excellent bone-to-meat ratio on their own, I consider it to be a very good basis for a canine diet anyway. Of course, THK is meat, too, and calcium, in balance.

If I were adding cooked meat (boneless, of course), say, then I'd follow the package directions so as not to go astray with the calcium-phosphorous ratio. (I think the directions say up to 50% of the amount of THK can be added as add-ins, but don't quote me. The THK site will have that detail, plus an email address and phone number.)

I agree 100% that THK can make the RMBs into a perfect and varied b.a.r.f. diet with no produce effort at all. (Again, I have it pretty streamlined by now and find straight raw pretty simple, but I'm all for finding ways to make it simple for *everyone*! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Not everyone wants to do even the minimal shopping and prep that I do....... understood!)

I do add salmon oil. There's no diet I wouldn't add fish oil to.

I never thought "Gas" could be such a highly talked about subject. ROFLMAO!!!!

Just kidding

Funny

I have to agree with you Lorenzo!!!!

Debbie