I'd be interested as well. I feed Cal Nat Lamb & Rice currently, after poor results with Nature's Variety Instinct, which is grain-free.

 

i was excited when i first heard about it....but disppointed when i saw it. for me, i seek out grain free foods for the higher meat content and two of the three Cali Nat grain free dont appear to have it. i was hoping for a limited ingredient grain free with high meat content.

unless a dog needs a limited ingredient food, there are much better grainless foods available, imo.

 

This was my initial reaction, but then I thought about it...
The first ingredient is the only meat, BUT, that's one out of very few.
Other kibbles may have three meat ingredients, But that's three out of like 50 ingredients, so is it fair to say that it has little meat?

I don't think that what you look for in a grain free food in general is fair to compare with what Cal Nat grain free is marketed for. Most grain free foods are incredibly rich (I personally have not ever had luck with them. Ever.) and California Natural is made to be a simple good, easy on the stomach, so of course it's going to be a bit different. I don't think it looks bad at all, but what I am not really able to explain, is how it's grain free, and still "mild".

 

Which flavor has the highest meat content?

 

The chicken.

 

A diet containing only meat is about 18-24% protein....
I'm not so much looking for bag analysis, I can read. I'm looking for someone who has actually used the product with feedback. unfortunately, I have yet to find anyone, and i hate carrying a product no one uses. I guess it will be donated and swiped from the shelves.

 

Even though it is grainfree, they seem exactly like the other formulas, except for the grainfree part. The exception is the grainfree chicken formula. It's got alot more protein and uses chicken fat instead of sunflower oil. My point is, there probably just as good as the other california natural formulas and another option if dogs are allergic to grains. I think there another useful tool to have in the california line up, especially the venison formula. It might actually be a good idea, for allergic dogs to rotate between all the california natural formulas. This way they don't develop grain allergies, in addition to whatever other allergies they have. Sorry I couldn't give any advice from using them, but it's good to see them added to the CN lineup.

 

I have been using the venison formula since June. My rottie mix has problems with lamb and chicken, and she's got a sensitive stomach. Tried all the other grain free (EVO, Solid Gold, Orijen) and also Honest Kitchen. Just too rough on her stomach. She has done GREAT on this food. I agree about the meat content, so I top it off with some of the EVO canned (venison) or fresh ground raw buffalo meat (bought at Whole Foods). FWIW, I think the ingredients and meat content appear to be better than the Natural Balance LID with venison (meat isn't even the first ingredient on that one)! Hope this helps.......:smile:

Dana