The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Shelly, it is ok to change food. Just do it gradually by mixing the old with the new and decrease the old food as you go. There are a lot of considerations (allergies, sensative tummy, etc.), but you can check out this topic on the forum to analize food and help you determine the product you would like to try. viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2975
Hopefully, someone can give you an opinion on the Kirkland brand. I have never used it.

Please do your homework and look at the foods that have recently been recalled. Some Costco foods were in that recall.

If your dogs are doing well (no allergies, like the food, etc.), I wouldn't change their food.

I fed the boys Costco's Lamb and Rice for several years. I think it is the best inexpensive food (I had lost my job). Recently a friend of mine was having allergy problems with his new rescue (a Great Pyrenees). He's retired and "Hodges" eats 7 cups of food a day so to save $ he had been feeding food from Sams Club (which didn't look like a great food to me). Hodges has been doing great on the Kirkland food. This food was not recalled in California but was in some other states.

I switched the boys after they became tired of Costco. Before that I fed them Blue Buffalo (at Petco so easy to find). Currently I'm feeding them Acana from a local feed store which is fairly pricey but good.

I am also going to advise the "if it ain't broke don't fix it". If they are doing good on Pro Plan, I wouldn't change. Many on the forum have fed Pro Plan(me included-I fed it to all my dogs as puppies, breeder used it), and have had good results. Jim Zim also uses Pro Plan. Sometimes you can't go by dogfoodanalysis but have to go by what works with your dogs. However, they will have to switch to a senior food eventually, and that is when you may want to consider switching.

We would love to see pictures of your little ones. And welcome to the forum!

I'm also a member of the "if it aint broke don't fix it" club. Generally, the main reason people switch to a senior food is because it has a lower calorie content for less active dogs. If your dogs aren't having weight issues, I wouldn't switch. Perhaps just a glucosamine supplement for their joints, but other than that I'd leave well enough alone.

Agree. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'm feeding Cricket Nature's Domain, Salmon and Sweet Potatoes, that I buy at Costco (NOT Costco brand). It comes in a 35 lb. bag for $31.99.

Cricket came to me on this diet, she's eaten it for 3 years now, and is doing really well. She's somewhere between 5-8 years old.

I fed Feather Nutro Lamb and Rice, Senior Formula (because it has less protein and is easier on the kidneys), from the time she was about 14 until she went to the Bridge at 17.8.

Personally, I also would not make any changes if everything is going well for your dog.

Just out of curiosity - WHO told you it wasn't a great food? Now if it were your vet and there are reasons for the change I would ask what the rational is (i.e. does he/she feel they need less fat, more protein, no grains, etc.). That way you can research those foods that meet the criteria. If it were your neighbor who said "I wouldn't feed MY dogs that", then you can decide if that person is knowledgeable to make that determination and why.

If it works for you, great. As far as quality of ingredients go, it's not the best but it's not ol' Roy either. You can learn about dog food from several different sites. I like http://www.dogfoodproject.com. The site won't make judgement about specific foods but will give you the low down on ingredients. Also be careful with Costco foods. Kirkland, the house brand foods, specifically the lamb and rice, were under the huge recall Diamond had recently. Their FDA inspection turned my stomach. I don't trust them as a company anymore or any of the brands they produce. FWIW, I feed Instinct raw beef with fresh mix-ins.