If I was to choose between Natural Balance Duck & Potato versus Wellness Duck & Rice which would be better? I want to try Autumn on a food with simple ingredients to see if that helps to have smaller and firmer stools. Any suggestions?

What is she on now? If firmer stools is what you're looking for and Autumn isn't having any skin issues, I would try a food with a less "exotic" protein source. Have you tried California Natural Lamb and Rice or Chicken and Rice? California Natural is a food known for simple ingredients. I would try that before taking the "exotic" protien route.

If you've already tried everything else and you're down to these two choice, I've had my yorkies (who have skin allergies) on Natural Balance Duck & Potato for over a year now and they do great on it. I've never tried Wellness Duck & Rice. I think more dogs tend to be allergic to rice than potatoes, though.

I've had her on the California Lamb and Rice and the Chicken and Rice. She tends to have large stools on them and not very firm but not mushy. My other two do awesome on the Lamb and Rice and have nice small and firm stools.

Have you ever tried her on a food with fewer carbs? Just thinking out loud, because each of these choices - California Natural, Natural Balance and Simple Solutions are heavy on the carbs, which in theory aren't digested as thoroughly.

That said, a lot of Labs seem to do very well on the NB potato and duck, and trying something with a different starch as well as a different protein might be helpful. Plus, it's on sale right now at Petco, which never hurts. :)

Have you ever tried her on a food with fewer carbs? Just thinking out loud, because each of these choices - California Natural, Natural Balance and Simple Solutions are heavy on the carbs, which in theory aren't digested as thoroughly.

That said, a lot of Labs seem to do very well on the NB potato and duck, and trying something with a different starch as well as a different protein might be helpful. Plus, it's on sale right now at Petco, which never hurts. :)

Any suggestions on which foods with lower carbs? She tends to gulp her food and never chew it, has been this way since I got her from the breeder. Tried cookie sheets and the brake-fast bowl but this is just how she is! Luckily she doesn't vomit when she gulps down her food.

Sorry, no advise for you Barb. Just wanted to say your sig is cracking me up. Poor Gunner. He looks like he's saying, "Geeze, why'd you have to make me sit between the girls Mom? They're touching me!!!!":D

Sorry, no advise for you Barb. Just wanted to say your sig is cracking me up. Poor Gunner. He looks like he's saying, "Geeze, why'd you have to make me sit between the girls Mom? They're touching me!!!!":D

LOL! Gunner always has that hang dog look!! He is a character!!

Any suggestions on which foods with lower carbs? She tends to gulp her food and never chew it, has been this way since I got her from the breeder. Tried cookie sheets and the brake-fast bowl but this is just how she is! Luckily she doesn't vomit when she gulps down her food.Dogs enjoy their food through smell rather than taste, so why bother to chew? :brow: They must have some ancestral memory that makes them think a hyena is in the shadows ready to pounce on their leftovers!

I cannot for the life of me think of a really limited ingredient kibble diet that isn't high carb. :( Maybe someone else knows.

Dogs enjoy their food through smell rather than taste, so why bother to chew :brow: They must have some ancestral memory that makes them think a hyena is in the shadows ready to pounce on their leftovers!

I cannot for the life of me think of a really limited ingredient kibble diet that isn't high carb. :( Maybe someone else knows.

LOL! She acts like she hasn't eaten in weeks the way she attacks her bowl and then Daisy on the other hand will take each kibble and bite it and takes forever to eat!! I might try the Duck and Potato to see how she does with that.

I cannot for the life of me think of a really limited ingredient kibble diet that isn't high carb. :( Maybe someone else knows.


I've researched quite possibly every limited-ingredient kibble out there and I can't find one that isn't carb heavy. But, Lia does wonderful on her NB Sweet Potato and Fish! It's the only food that Lia has actually had a solid, firm and formed stool on. Then again, Lia is probably NOT the best dog to gauge another lab against. Her wonderous digestive system really is amazing. ha. :rolleyes:

Angel has skin allergies etc So I feed her Natural balance sweet potato and venison. She is doing very well on it.

I just bought NB duck & potato, to add to my rotation. I've used it before years ago, and my dogs all did great on it.

I can say that when I first started using new balance- Angel had sloppy poo's. Now after about 6-8 wks Angel's poos are good.