So far, my recently adopted 5 year old Golden/Border Collie mix loves the stuff! I was a little worried after having read every single review and response here, but decided to try it anyway. Mia came from the pound, and she joined my other two on a raw diet. After 2 months of thriving on it, she suddenly came down with heinous itchies and was pulling her hair out. Her coat lost its luster and softness. Although it may be seasonal allergies, I really didn't want a red, bald dog. (Else I would have gotten a Mexican Hairless or a Chinese Crested)
Although I haven't taken her in yet, the vet suggested fish. The raw cost could be prohibitive, so I thought I'd try this. She LOVES it and gobbles it up. I was worried about reported diarrhea, but her stools are actually better than they were before. Another review suggested (in a lovely manner) that the diarrhea might be from the detox process of coming off grains and onto "good" food. Made sense to me. Mia is coming off 75% meat, 25% veggies, no worry about that. Also, the problem of gas from both ends seems not be be for her. Thank heavens -- she was already pretty gassy and belchy. Not much of a lady, in fact.
If Mia responds well to this diet, with some added raw meat, I may just put my other two on it, too. The cost of the quality raw meat and organic veggies is already pretty prohibitive -- why not make it easier on myself???
To be continued . . . .
OK, it has been a week on Orijen now. The digestive upset Mia had from before Orijen (gas and belching) is gone. The only thing is that she is pooping out more volume (for lack of a better word). I guess that's a good thing. I'm supplementing, for the time being, with 3V caps and a sardine in the morning.
I do have to agree with the reviews that say that the food is fairly stinky, but their breath isn't. At least the house is big and well-ventilated!!
One month into the 6-fish and I am very happy!! Mia's coat looks healthier and she is scratching much less. Her skin is clearing up, too. I'm hooked (so is Mia).
