With all the info in this Diet and Nutrition section of the board I'm considering switching dog foods. Just curious as to whether you experienced Innova and Canidae folks would mind giving me your take on which is better. My dogs have no allergies and iron stomachs. It's rare that they have dry skin but sometimes in the winter I notice it. Otherwise, their skin and coat look great. I saw some discussion of poo on some other threads and our dogs poo is what I consider normal and occurs about twice a day. I'm debating the food switch because what I feed them now has been working fine and when they saw the vet last (Mar.) he said they looked great, though Jessie was 2 lbs. overweight, which is my fault and not her food. I'd like them to have a little higher quality of food, but I also have to keep cost in mind. If there's anything comprible to Innova or Canidae I'd be happy to take suggestions. Appreciate all the help!

I have never used Canidae and probably never will...

I do feed a rotation and have been feeding Innova, EVO, California Natural (all made by natura which I feel is a great company and my dogs have done awesome on all of their foods), Merrick BG, Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. I like all of these foods because my dogs have no problem adjusting to them and love them. EVO was hard to adjust after going from a low quality food (Kirkland) to such a high quality food but once adjusted they have never had problems.

I use Canidae and used to love it but since the formula change in their ALS Lamb and Rice formula, I am bit hesitant to recommend it. So far my girl has had looser stools on the new Canidae but other then that she is doing very well. It is cheaper too.

With all the info in this Diet and Nutrition section of the board I'm considering switching dog foods. Just curious as to whether you experienced Innova and Canidae folks would mind giving me your take on which is better. My dogs have no allergies and iron stomachs. It's rare that they have dry skin but sometimes in the winter I notice it. Otherwise, their skin and coat look great. I saw some discussion of poo on some other threads and our dogs poo is what I consider normal and occurs about twice a day. I'm debating the food switch because what I feed them now has been working fine and when they saw the vet last (Mar.) he said they looked great, though Jessie was 2 lbs. overweight, which is my fault and not her food. I'd like them to have a little higher quality of food, but I also have to keep cost in mind. If there's anything comprible to Innova or Canidae I'd be happy to take suggestions. Appreciate all the help!

What are you feeding them now? Sounds like they are doing fine. EVO and Canidae are very different foods. EVO is grain free, Canidae has grain.

Why are looking to switch?

We are still using Canidae despite the recent uproar of the changed formula. With that said, we are still finding old formula bags of Chicken/Rice and Platinum, so we haven't tried the new formula yet. Nutritionally, it's just as good now as it was before, maybe better, but it's not a simple food like it used to be so it's not suitable for dogs with sensitivities.

I like the ingredients in Innova alot but unfortunately there is a rather large price difference between Innova and Canidae and with 5, I have to choose the best bang for the buck. We rotate between Canidae with some Kirkland Chick/Rice on occaison.

We feed Innova EVO (red meat and regular formula) a few times a year. We used to feed Canidae sometimes too, but with the new formula change, we'll hold off for awhile and let the dust settle. I like the Innova EVO a lot. My dog seems to love it too. She has an iron stomach like yours which is why we rotate through a number of foods.

I LOVE Canidae for my picky picky boxer boy and am getting the new rescue onto that slowly . . . I also add some Merrick from time to time. He used to eat Taste of the Wild and did GREAT on that but then stopped eating it one day - I blame him, not the food.

What are you feeding them now? Sounds like they are doing fine. EVO and Canidae are very different foods. EVO is grain free, Canidae has grain.

Why are looking to switch?


I feed them Beneful Healthy Harvest/Healthy Radiance but as I've been reading up on canine nutrition I've found that in addition to Beneful being generally not that great nutritionally, it is also loaded with sugar, and I don't have to tell you guys how labs are prone to being overweight. I monitor our dogs weight very carefully so they are within normal standards but I want to give them the best food that we can.

I appreicate everyone taking the time to give me your input.

I feed them Beneful Healthy Harvest/Healthy Radiance but as I've been reading up on canine nutrition I've found that in addition to Beneful being generally not that great nutritionally, it is also loaded with sugar, and I don't have to tell you guys how labs are prone to being overweight. I monitor our dogs weight very carefully so they are within normal standards but I want to give them the best food that we can.

I appreicate everyone taking the time to give me your input.

Understood. I have used Merrick, Innova and Canidae. canidae is what I am using for the last year with very good results. Good luck with your search!

I've had my girl on Innova lrge breed pup since I got her. She is currently on EVO-Red meat since she turned one (both are made by Natura). It's been five months now and the only difference I've noticed is an increase in energy and performance when I get her fetching at the dog park.

We tried Canidae and Moka didn't like the taste of it and seemed to get dandruff (could have been the food?).
She now eats Innova LB Puppy, she is doing well and loves it!

Kaiser was on Eagle Pack Lrg brd puppy and I switched to Innova Lrg brd puppy he seems to be doing much better than he was on the Eagle pack.

We have been using canidea and both my girls so really well on it. Sabrina had loose stools for a few days with the new formula but now is fine. I hate when they changed the formula as we just started using it last yr. Trying so hard to do my best for them as Sabrina has seasonal alergies and anna is a senior.We also give them a banana every day and some green beans with supper.If we get deer meat in the fall it is homemade stew for the girls NO onions.