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Permalink Reply by Joanna Kimball on December 26, 2009 at 7:21am

Is there a reason that you're unhappy with the Innova puppy? If you're liking it, you should stick with it, or move to Innova adult, or (if you want to switch to Wellness for some reason) go to the regular Wellness.

Wellness Whitefish and Sweet Potato is a specialized food for dogs with protein allergies. It is actually a lower-quality (less meat, more grains, more fiber) food than Innova. It fits the needs of dogs who can't tolerate chicken or lamb or beef, so it's great that it exists, but it would never be my first choice for dogs who are fine and healthy and don't need to severely limit the kinds of proteins they can eat.

Innova is the ONE puppy food that actually limits the protein and calorie content; they actually understand that puppies are supposed to grow slower, not faster. So it's the one puppy food I'd be happy with corgi puppies (of either breed) being on long-term. If you like it and he seems happy and healthy, stick with it.

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Permalink Reply by Alex on December 26, 2009 at 9:04am

We're thinking of switching because we think that he's scratching himself often.
Unsure how often he scratches himself when we're gone but he also tries to bites certain parts of his body (Right thigh, in between his left hind leg).
Do normal and healthy puppies scratch often or at all?
He does not have fleas and we don't bathe him too much where it can cause skin issues (Once per month).
We wipe his paws after every outing even when it is just our backyard.
I furminate every other day and brush his coat daily.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna Kimball on December 26, 2009 at 2:14pm

I'm fine with a certain amount of scratching but I don't like to see them doing it constantly. He should scratch just about as often as you do - a few times a day to get an itch. Not often.

Is he on flea preventative? I can't tell you the number of people who SWEAR their dogs don't have fleas but they've actually picked up a couple. Just one or two can drive a dog crazy.

I would bathe as often as you'd like. Frequent bathing does not cause skin issues and in fact can help cure them if the problem is that he's itchy and dirty. My crew gets bathed once a week or even more often, and they have beautiful skin and coat. The trick is to use a gentle shampoo and to dilute it before you put it on (don't apply straight), and then rinse like crazy. Rinse, digging your fingers through the coat, over the entire body until you feel ridiculous, then rinse five minutes more. If the problem is dirt or soap irritation, frequent bathing and rinsing will help immediately.

Aside from getting him clean and dry and flea-free, I'd add an omega-3 oil to the food. Salmon oil is wonderful, or you can use something different.

If those things don't work and if he's showing real signs of allergy (rubbing his face against furniture, chewing his paws), then switch foods, but I really don't like to see people switch to a hypoallergenic food unless they have to. The foods are just not as high-quality and if a dog can stay on a normal formula it's generally much preferable.

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Permalink Reply by Kristen on December 26, 2009 at 2:02pm

I feed my puppies Innova Puppy Food. It actually rates as an excellent all like stages food. I use the puppy food mostly because of the kibble size...I can't find the small bites adult food where I live. If you are switchinhg to Wellness or the Adult Innova you really don't need to wait until they are a year--they are both rated as excellent all life stages foods. if the food you are switching to is higher protein you should expect some loose stools as you make the transition. I have also found that a bit of salmon oil on the food does help with skin conditions and another food to consider is Natures Variety Prairie Salmon another good All Life Stages Food. My dogs love it and my vet has started to recommend for his clients with allergies. Good luck to you!

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Permalink Reply by Alex on December 26, 2009 at 3:37pm

Thank you very much for the wonderful replies.
We're scheduled to give him a bath next week prior to our New Year's party and his neuter appointment on the 2nd.
In regards to the Omega-3 oil to the food, any recommendation on the brand and where I can get them? I want to make sure we get the right one.
Also, how often and how much do we add to his food? He is around 20lbs.

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Permalink Reply by Sky and Lyla on December 26, 2009 at 6:55pm

Just get some fish oil caps from the drugstore. I think this is the cheapest way to go. I actually recently bought a large pump bottle of salmon oil that was high quality but quite expensive, and then the vet told me he likes them to get 1000-15000mg total but in as little oil as possible. The pills seem to have around that amount in a small quantity of oil. Just prick it with a fork and squeeze over food. Also, make sure it is 100% fish oil and no flaxseed.

Also, if your are concerned about food causing itching, which would be surprising on a high quality food like Innova (from what I understand it is pretty rare for puppies and young dogs to have true food or skin allergies, more often it is environmental irritants or a weak immune system allowing mites to get a hold, or of course fleas), then you might consider elimating grain in the food. A grain allery is probably more likely than a protein allergy in a pup. The same company that makes innova makes Evo which is grain free. Orijen is also a good brand. That's what I feed and both my dogs do excellent on it.

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