Ok, Cody has been on the same food for 2 1/2 yrs now. Thought there were no problems but I think he might have a slight allergy. He rubs his face in the carpet and I was reading this could be an allergy. He's actually been doing it a little more often recently.

Anyway, without starting a controversy I'm just looking to get an opinion on changing foods. Currently he's on Nutro Adult Large Breed, it has chicken meal and corn gluten meal listed. I was thinking of trying their Lamb and Rice formula which does not have any corn meal.

He was on holistic food when he was a pup but did not do well - it gave him the runs...
Because of this I am not a big fan of trying that again.

The Lamb and rice is mostly made up of rice and not a good choice IMO

Try a grain free food but you will have to feed less as it is much higher in calories, to prevent soft stools.

Evo, Nature's Variety Instinct, Orijen

www.naturesvariety.com (http://www.naturesvariety.com)

www.championfoods.com (http://www.championfoods.com)

www.naturapet.com (http://www.naturapet.com)

I am curious about the face rubbing. My Maddy does big time face rubbing, against the couch, on the floor, sometimes out in the yard in the sand. But for her, it's a direct result of eating and we normally attribute it to her enjoying her meal. Head and shoulders are on the ground rubbing, butt in the air. Some time she just lets out a big belch! LOL

How are your dog's ears? Any biting or chewing on his feet? It may not be an allergy. But if you want to change, I would stick to Chicken and Rice, just a better brand: Cal Natural, Nature's Variety, Candiae all make nice formulas.

Face rubbing could be more of an indication of seasonal allergies if it is getting stronger lately..mine do it with pollen. It may also mean that he needs his ears cleaned. I wouldn't immediately jump to the food.

I also wouldn't switch to a lamb and rice food.

I am curious about the face rubbing. My Maddy does big time face rubbing, against the couch, on the floor, sometimes out in the yard in the sand. But for her, it's a direct result of eating and we normally attribute it to her enjoying her meal. Head and shoulders are on the ground rubbing, butt in the air. Some time she just lets out a big belch! LOL

How are your dog's ears? Any biting or chewing on his feet? It may not be an allergy. But if you want to change, I would stick to Chicken and Rice, just a better brand: Cal Natural, Nature's Variety, Candiae all make nice formulas.

Comparing 7 dogs here: Some do this to get the food off their chin. Others wipe there chin on their front legs and then lick off the food, and still, the youngens will drive the older ones nuts licking the food off the older guys faces.

thanks for the replies, I do think it's allergies because he has also begun biting his paws. I've been checking out the dog food analysis site and trying to decide what to switch him to.

thanks again

If you really feel it's the food then look for one that is wheat, yeast, soy and corn free. Possibly beef as well because beef is a big allergen as well. I currently feed Natural Life Lamaderm to my highly allergic senior lab and he does wonderful on it..he also has seasonal allergies that will flare up in the Spring and he will pick himself raw on his back legs :( thankfully it's shortlived and seems to only last a short time.

I don't care for Nutro..turned my dogs into poop machines...on the current food they poop twice a day and it's small firm and dry.