I am feeding mine on Orijen now that Nutro is no longer going to be available in the UK. My lot are certainly doing very well on it

Hiya Terri - derivatives is quite different. Meal is basically the powder residue left after all the bones, carcass, skin has been boiled up and then dried out. I tried my dog on a sample of orijen and it gave him the runs as it's so concentrated. Ive since found out from my homeopathic vet that all dry foods are basically made from chicken meal, wheat and then a few other things to make it palatable. Fresh meat with grain and ingredients like lentils, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds seem like a good mix and my dog adores Lilys Kitchen. I do think organic makes a difference as at least you know that its been check over by the organic agency and there's no nasties in there. Meal does not sound appetising and its not much good for our dogs either.

The thing is, there's a wealth of research been done over the past 50 years on dog nutrition, and the results seem to suggest that a a food based upon 18-20% protein is fine, with fat contents around 9-11%, which is where most complete foods are - other than Orijen which is loaded with protein. Grains vary in their digestibility, with wheat at the bottom and rice/maize at the top.

That is correct. I wouldn't go with the other due to the grains.

I've got 3 dogs on Orijen and haven't had any problems, they are all bundles of energy and because it's high in calorie you don't have to feed a lot.

I did find one of my dogs did have the runs for a few weeks after switching but after that he has been fine.

I also switched my grandad's Chihuahua onto Orijen, he had been on Bakers Complete with his previous owner. He had the WORST smelling sloppy poop for about 3 weeks, after 4-5 it became solid and he is doing really well on it, I think with some dogs it just takes longer for their digestive system to get used to it if it is vastly different to what they have been on before.

One brand I'd like to try now is the Applaws dry dog food which came out recently, it's also grain free with a high meat content. Has anyone got any yet, I think you can only get it from Mutley and Mog at the moment but Jollies Pet Store said they were considering stocking it also.

I too have been lookig curiously at Applaws, here is a list of the ingredients

Applaws Dry Dog Food - 75% Chicken

Ingredients: Dry Chicken Meat, Dry Potato, Poultry Oil, Fresh Chicken, Poultry Gravy, Salmon Oil, Beet Pulp, Dry Whole Eggs, Cellulose Plant Fibre, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cranberry Extract, Yucca Extract, Citrus Extract, Rosemary Oil Extract, Seaweed Extract, Chicory Extract, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Extract, Thyme Extract, Carrots, Peppermint Extract, Rosehip Extract, Paprika Extract, Turmeric Extract, Carob Extract, Fennel Extract, Dandelion Extract, Oregano Extract.

Typical Analysis: Protein 37%, Oils and Fats 20%, Ash 9.5%, Fibre 3.5%, Calcium 1.8%, Phosphorous 1.2%, Vitamin A 12,000 iu/kg, Vitamin D3 1,200 iu/kg,Vitamin E (a-tocopherol) 600 iu/kg. Copper (cupric Sulphate) 14 mg/kg. Contains Tocopherol rich extracts of natural origin. <18.5% Carbohydrates. No added colourants, flavourings or preservatives.

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Hi

Just wanted an opinion on the Pets at Home own brand -
Main Flavour:
Main flavour(s): Chicken

Min % Incl. Main Flavour(s):
Minimum content of main flavour: 31%

Ingredients:
Maize, Fresh Chicken (Min. 20%), Barley, Rice, Poultry Meat Meal, Sugar Beet Pulp, Poultry Digest, Brewers Yeast, Egg Powder, Flaxseed, Potato Protein, Animal Fat, Cellulose, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Methionine, Marigold Extract, Yucca Extract, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract. With Antioxidant EC Additives (Vitamin E and C). Total Chicken Min. 31%.

Typical Analysis:
Moisture 8%, Protein 19%, Oils and Fats 9%, Fibre 4.5%, Ash 5% Calcium 0.7%, Phosphorous 0.6%, Vitamin A 12,000iu/kg, Vitamin D3 1,200iu/kg, Vitamin E (A-Tocopherol) 600iu/kg, Copper (Cupric Sulphate) 12mg/kg. Contains Tocopherol Rich Extracts of Natural Origin. No added colourants, flavourings or preservatives. Vitamin declaration is valid until best before date printed with batch number on back of pack.

Just wondered if this was better than the Europa ...sorry to keep asking just not sure of what I am looking for

Does anyone know the Glucosamine, Chrondoitin, Omega 3 and Omega 6 levels?

I think you'll find that the Glucosamine and Chrondoitin are there courtesy of the chicken meal (it's in the ground bone within the meal) and is actually present in all dried foods containing meat meal (as I understand).
I'm not convinced a 37% protein content is good for many dogs, and that's not the way that a lot of nutritional research by the major pet food companies has shown - rather the opposite, that a lower protein coupled with good digestibility leads to a nice lean, healthy dog.
Here's another to throw into the ring - Whites Salmon & Rice Sensitive:

Ingredients: Fresh Salmon, White Rice, Oats, Peas, Salmon Oil, Hydrolysed Salmon Liver, Sunflower Oil, Seaweed, Tocopherol Rich Extracts, Minerals and Vitamins

Analysis; Protein 18.5%, Oil 9%, Fibre 2%

The analysis is almost identical to Burns, the ingredients look very tasty (!) and it's got the fish oils for Omega fatty acids. It's just under £30 from Pet Pantry online

Ive got my 11 year old on Orijen senior which is very high in meat protein (40%+) fat or oil is at 15% I think (reasonably high) - its helped him loose weight better than anything we've ever done though, part of a good diet regime (basically cutting out table scraps). His health has improved on a weekly basis, there is a lot of talk about protein and kideny function in older dogs, but if your dog is healthy the kidneys should be able to function normally in extracting nutirent, good amounts of water will also help flush them too