Notice a change in Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice?

[Elaine]

For those here who feed Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice… have you noticed a change in your dog’s condition (weight and muscle mass) with this new shredded Chicken formula?

At first I liked the new formulam and the dogs seemed to love the taste of the new version, but I notice that they’ve all dropped weight and their coats are not a nice was they were with the former Pro Plan Adult Chicken and Rice formula. Also, I am feeding almost twice as much of the new version as I did before.

I saw an email last week saying that Purina (in response to customer complaints) is bringing back the old / previous Pro Plan Adult Chicken and Rice formula… they say it should be on the shelves in January of 2009. Not sure I want to wait. And frankly, I have no clue if our feed dealer will carry both versions of Pro Plan Chicken and Rice, doing so may be too much of a hassle and require too much shelf space. I suspect that for most people, the fact that the dogs love the taste of the newer formula may trump the health and conditioning benefits of the older formula. I guess I need to switch feed, because I do not like what I am seeing with the dogs, but I hate switching. I may simply put every one on Purina Performance. If we had a butcher within a 20mile radius I’d have them make up a mix for me and cook for my dogs. What are you all feeding?

[katdobemom]

Elaine
I do strictly all cooked for my two.
I started on cooked years ago when one of my dobes had allergies and we have just continued with the cooked.
We did a Petco event this past Sunday and took Dallas. On hand were two rep's from I think Innova and one approached me asking what I feed and mentioned that Dallas coat was one of the nicest he had seen.
I had said strictly cooked so he didnt spend alot more time with me:)
My two get mostly chicken and fish but occassional beef.
Brown or white rice, tons of veggies minus corn, barley.
I also occassionally mix in a bit of fruit on the side. In the winter its mostly dried cranberries and blueberries but in the summer months melon as well.
They get a multi vitamin and additional supplements as well.
Their coats are very soft and not even a hint of any brittle at all.
The comforting thing as well is the fact I know exactly what is going in their food bowls without being concerned with recalls or questionable ingredients that dog food contains.
Both are very muscular.
They NEVER walk away from the food bowl either.

[Sheila]

Elaine I'm feeding California Natural herring and sweet potato. Grain free and dogs seem to like it. Good for Raker with his allergies too.

Sheila

[abowman]

Hi all:

Well, I started with Innova then switched to Nature's Varity-Praire then to Chicken Soup and now back to Innova. The Innova food has proven to be the best for Lexi's coat and skin. When she was on the Chicken Soup food she broke out all over her back and her coat was not as shinny has it was on the Innova.

Hope that helps.

Angela

[Kissntell]

I use to feed Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice. But I noticed that I got twisty legs with growing puppies. I have seen that on others' puppies too.

So this time, I fed Bil Jack. I think it is made in Ohio and not foreign. That was one of the reasons I chose it.

Anyway, I had good luck with it. But just all of a sudden, I have a dull coat that itches. In fact I saw a bald spot now occur. It may be ant bites and dust. Because last show in the end of October people commented that her coat looked wet like a mirror it shined so much.

Could it be the season that has changed? I'd like to know because I have more upcoming shows. And, I don't want what I'm seeing right now. I've fed Bil Jack for some time now. Did they change their formula too?

I live in a dry humidity most of the time area.

[doberdogsfd]

Elaine.....you already know how I feel about Pro-Plan, so I won't go there....LOL!

I like the INNOVA products pretty well. Their grain free stuff is nice. I know Sophia feeds California Natural and has for sometime. A mix of hamburger or bison with it is a good idea.
I would probabley recommend trying that with your guys. I suggest that combo to clients on regular basis.
All of the good Doctor's crew have beautiful coats and skin and are in great condition.

What I feed (Abady) is hard to get. They are limited to the North East pretty much , but you might check their website out and see what shipping to you would be, if you like it. Waggintails.com will ship the frozen raw and dry right to you also.

If you want anymore info on that, shoot me an email.

Cheryl

[Elaine]

Cheryl,

How 'bout I just buy what you are feeding... you can quit BestBuy and go into business as a canine caterer...:)

[doberdogsfd]

I am in!!! I promise myself every year that there isn't another Black Friday left in me.....and here I am....planning the assault.
Actaully it is the best day for me and my guys....we are able to lock a few jackasses up and not have to be so PC. :)
My Marines that work for me P/T love it as do I!!!

Let me know if you need anything else regarding the diet. I can email you thes basics and you pick form there what will work for your household.

CB

[Lou's mom]

That's not good to hear, since it's time to go dog food shopping.

Brenna turned me onto Purina ONE as a ProPlan alternate. Gets 11 points/lb in the ProClub rebates too.

[dobesign]

They are coming out with the old formula of pro plan again. my dogs haven't had problems with the new stuff, and i've never had problems with the old stuff (chicken and rice only), so i'll be the stick in the mud and stay with what i've used. :eek:i know, i know...i'll get a bazillion comments of why i should change. but until i have a problem, i'm not planning a change.:cool:

[doberdogsfd]

You probabley won't get many. JMO that it is on you what you feed your dogs.
One can make suggestions, but it comes down to what is good for you and your lifestyle.

So, if it is working for ya....cool!

Cheryl

[Elaine]

I have a crushing deadline this morning… a project that is - at best - extremely draining… will require that I pull a rabbit out of the hat, yet again. I am getting too old for this kind of drama in my life… I put off while E2 was here… and now I have to attend to it (at times like this I need a staff)…anyway, after Monday I will have time to fool around again.

About Pro Plan, like Brenna, I am sticking with the product line, but not with the new formula… it is not working for my dogs. In general, I do not like switching the dogs unless I could reliably get a steady, consistent supply of food from someone I trust (like Cheryl). If I lived in a different part of the country I'd cook for my dogs, but with the resources I have locally (e.g., we have NO butchers) I am concerned that the diet would change too much meal to meal or day to day.

[Lindsay]

When feeding kibble, I feed Orijen. I have tried many kibbles including Canidae, Timber Wolf, and Innova BUT like ORIJEN the very best. Both of my dogs have excellent tone and great coats. I feed the fresh fish formula.

It is sort of costly but my dogs only get first class. I feed kibble in the am and raw in the pm.

http://www.championpetfoods.com/

[dobesign]

E1...I like the original formula also, but two of my dogs prefer the new stuff, so i'll see what blending the two does. I hear the old formula will be back on shelves soon. I hope that means VERY soon.

[andyhilt27]

Often I find myself wainting on delicious pop tarts to jump from the toaster. I too fear changing my feed. I will go prepare some pop tarts right now.

[Elaine]

I just picked up a bag of Performance... we'll see how it goes. No question, the dogs liked Pro Plan's new shredded chicken and rice formula... but I did not like the muscle and conditioning I was seeing.

I have a "project" with a deadline of Monday morning November 17th... afterwards I will have some breathing room.... more and more I think I'd like to cook for the dogs... I did that years ago with the Giants... and it went well.

[katdobemom]

I just picked up a bag of Performance... we'll see how it goes. No question, they liked the new shredded chicken formula... but I did not like the muscle and conditioning I see...

I have a "project" with a deadline of Monday morning November 17th... then I willhave some breathing room.... more and more I think I'd like to cook for the dogs... I did that years ago with the Giants... and it went well.



Elaine
I SWEAR by the cooked thru and thru. When Dallas came to us a bit over a year ago he had been at the shelter for a bit. Altho his coat wasnt horrendous like many we see that come in, it wasnt great either.
I immediately started him on the cooked and I bet within a week we saw change.
Kayla at 8 1/2 looks amazing with a sleek shiny red coat.
I also like that you can cook enough a head as well, that it can be frozen.
The cooked is a lot of work but IMO well worth it.

[Lili]

When I brought Brentano home I switched both dogs to Pro Plan Chicken and Rice since Brentano was eating it and Bella has never been a good eater. I have been feeding it since then and they both eat well. I accidentally brought home a bag of the new stuff and Bella threw up and had diarrhea all over the next day. I took it back and have been able to get the old formula since then. I hope it comes back before I can't get it anymore so I will be able to keep things the same around here. By the way Elaine, Brentano eats in the house right next to Bella and he has lost his sloppy ways with dinner. When he is done he comes to me to get his chin wiped and give me a kiss. Drinking water is still the same. He makes a river on the floor and I have to keep cleaning up before I come down the stairs and land on my butt again. It only takes once to remember. He has more lip than my Great Danes had. He sucks in the water and can dribble it out for a mile. He is also great at flinging wall wangers. But he is the best eating dog I ever had. He even makes Bella clean her bowl. So life is good and hopefully Pro Plan doesn't mess around with a good thing again.

Lili

[Rauschund]

I have been feeding ProPlan Sensitive Stomach for my older girls and Proplan Select Turkey and Barley for my pups, but I have changed the old girls back to Canidae Platinum. I noticed their coats lost alot of their luster on the Proplan and havd much more stool. I am in the process of switching my puppy oss over to Canidae All Life Stages, I have always gotten great condition and beautiful coats, especially reds.
Have been waitingfor photos and comments!

[Sonquest]

I have been using the new formula for about a month now and love the fact that Nash, who is 2 1/2 has found a food he loves. For the first time since he was a puppy, he doesn't look like I starve him. The things I don't like are the fact that the bags are 2 lbs less and cost the same and I have to feed almost twice as much to keep good weight on the good eater-Contender.
As an aside, I think one of the reasons that we all see different results with the same food (besides the fact that all dogs are different) has something to do with our water. I know with myself, my hair had a much better texture and laid nicer when we lived in the city than it does now on county water.

Tina

[Kissntell]

Is Purina High Pro the same as Purina High Performance?

I haven't fed Purina in years but I knew High Pro. So did they make a new one or is this the same old High Pro?

[Lou's mom]

My Bella got the squirts the DAY BEFORE I bought the new formula... :confused: Then I found the blanket pieces she'd been nursing on... oops.

...they both eat well. I accidentally brought home a bag of the new stuff and Bella threw up and had diarrhea all over the next day. I took it back and have been able to get the old formula since then. I hope it comes back before I can't get it anymore so I will be able to keep things the same around here. By the way Elaine, Brentano... has lost his sloppy ways with dinner. When he is done he comes to me to get his chin wiped and give me a kiss.

What's your trick? MyBella thinks I'm trying to take the food back outta her mouth when I go to wiping. I've been gifted w/after meal kisses that I don't even find until I go to bed :eek:

[dobesign]

NOPE! Not even close to the same thing. It's kinda like Hi Pro is to McDonald's hamburger as Performance is to Filet Mignon...:eek: You can often get all the ingedient and nutritional info from Pro Plan/Purina from their website. www.purinaproclub.com I think that's the site anyway....

[Kissntell]

Thanks. I haven't seen Hi Pro in ages. I imagine they still make it.

BTW I notice that the upcoming Long Beach shows and Eukunuba entry forms are sponsered by Purina.

Now of course Macy suppliments her meals by catching fresh opposum now and eating it. Oh such a delight! I found out when morning arrived that the early AM outing was a whole lot more than bargained for. And...oh is she buff now!

[Lou's mom]

email received from ProPlan:

"Dear Purina® Pro Club® Member,

This past November we sent an email informing you of our plan to reintroduce the original Pro Plan® Chicken & Rice Formula, which was initially discontinued with the introduction of Pro Plan Shredded Blend formulas. As many of you know, the original formula was developed to meet the needs of dogs in all life stages, even though it was classified as an “Adult” formula. As we bring back to market the original Chicken & Rice Formula, it will be classified as an “All Life Stages” formula consistent with Pro Plan Performance Formula. Rest assured that no product formulation changes were made to the original Chicken & Rice Formula. Chicken is still the number one ingredient with 26% protein and 16% fat.

We are about to begin shipping original 37.5 lb. Chicken & Rice Formula for All Life Stages to retail customers and pet food distributors. We expect this item to be located on shelf adjacent to Pro Plan Performance. A package image has been included at the end of this letter to assist you in identifying Pro Plan Chicken & Rice for All Life Stages at retail. Following is a list of retailers that have confirmed their plans to carry this formula to date:

Select Farm and Feed stores and most distributors beginning in February
Pet Supplies Plus beginning in April

We encourage you to speak with a store manager if you find your pet specialty retailer does not offer this item in store. We will continue to work with our retail partners to expand availability as quickly as possible.

The reintroduced Chicken & Rice Formula for All Life Stages (UPC 38100–13676) will have a Pro Club weight circle point value of 12 points per pound. All Pro Plan Shredded Blend formulas will continue to accrue at the 11 points per pound level.

Once again, thank you for your understanding and support of Purina Pro Plan. You are extremely important to us and we value your opinions. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact our experts at 1–800–PRO–PLAN.

Sincerely, "

[Lou's mom]

and another email:

"Dear Purina® Pro Club® Member,

Nestlé Purina and PETCO have reintroduced the original Pro Plan® Chicken & Rice Formula, which was initially discontinued with the introduction of Pro Plan Shredded Blend formulas. As many of you know, the original formula was developed to meet the needs of dogs in all life stages, even though it was classified as an ”Adult” formula. As we bring back to market the original Chicken & Rice Formula, it will be classified as an “All Life Stages” formula consistent with Pro Plan Performance Formula. Rest assured that no product formulation changes were made to the original Chicken & Rice Formula. Chicken is still the number one ingredient with 26% protein and 16% fat.

We have begun shipping original 37.5 lb. Chicken & Rice Formula for All Life Stages to the PETCO distribution centers.

We encourage you to speak with a PETCO store manager to find out about how to order this product and the breeder discount program. The PETCO order information on this product is . . . .

PETCO SKU# 1239279 PPL-DOG 37.5# C&R ALL LIFESTGS

The reintroduced Chicken & Rice Formula for All Life Stages (UPC 38100-13676) will have a Pro Club weight circle point value of 12 points per pound. All Pro Plan Shredded Blend formulas will continue to accrue at the 11 points per pound level.

Once again, thank you for your understanding and support of Purina Pro Plan. You are extremely important to us and we value your opinions.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact our experts at 1-800-PRO-PLAN."

I'll believe it when I'm lugging the bag up to the counter to pay...