Eukanube Challenge Wrap Up: WIN A FREE BAG OF DOG FOOD!

So Winnie and Bruno finished the Salmon formula a long time ago and have been working on the Rottweiler formula for the past few weeks. Now that it is the only option, they eat it readily and seem to enjoy the taste and even whine for more when they are done.


The 28-day challenge was a great experience for Bruno and Winnie. We saw their coats improve remarkably and they definitely have improved energy. Going forward we will mix it in with their regular brand so that they get some of the benefits of its vitamins and minerals while we don't break the bank.

If you can afford the All-natural Salmon formula, in particular, I'd recommend it. I think pit bulls in particular can have trouble with rough short and sometimes patchy coats (especially our sweet rescues!), and I was happy to see Bruno's coat smooth a bit with the fish oils. We also loved seeing how much they enjoyed the fish-flavor. We never would have known that since we figured chicken or beef was just fine!

If you want to give it a try, I'll be giving away a FREE bag of food to one of my readers (up to 40lb bag)... Just add a comment to my blog about why you'd like to try Eukanuba too and I'll be choosing a winner soon!! The voucher will be redeemable wherever Eukanuba is sold.

Eukanuba Challenge Weeks 4 & 5

We decided to give it a little longer till we updated you all on the food challenge and it's a good thing!
For the first time since we have had him (over a year now) Bruno's coat it starting to soften and become shiny. He still (charmingly) lacks eyelashes - which causes his eyes to tear oh-so-cutely, but his ear hair is coming in nice and soft. (finally!)

The pups still love the taste of the wild salmon formula and since we cut back on the cups for Winnie we haven't seen the weight gain we started to see before.

The best thing about the food really has been that they have had no trouble adjusting to it- we have even had to go back and forth to their old food on trips to our parents' homes and they never had a single belly-ache!

We'll wrap up the challenge soon and let you know how you can win your own Eukanuba in the next post!

Eukanuba Challenge: Week 3

Quick update: Winnie and Bruno still love their Eukanuba food, although I have noticed that Winnie appears to be putting on some weight, check out this pic of her lazing around with a slightly growing belly.

Usually she and Bruno are somewhat trim and very muscular, although she puts on weight a lot more easily than Bruno and it all sits in her mushy little belly- which makes her all the more cuddly. That must be the Rottweiler part of her.

The problem is she has weak joint and knees- so the trimmer we can keep her the better.

Eukanuba Challenge: Week 2

Well, I have noticed that the pups have more energy for sure! (I'm not entirely positive this is a good thing, because they have been tearing through the house, playing with their toys, and climbing on Chip and I to go on walks.) They also have been gobbeling up their food heartily.

Salmon food PLEASE!?

However, on the taste test, the Rottweiler food is the clear loser. Unfortunately, it does not appeal to Winnie or Bruno. I'm not concerned that - given no other options - they would starve, but with the fishy all-natural Salmon formula around, they snub their noses at the Chicken-Rottie food everytime.

My theory on the food is this: Umami flavor wins out.

Umami is the mysterious fifth flavor after Salty, Sweet, Sour, and Bitter-- in Japonese it means "pleasant savory taste." The Umami Info Center.com describes it as:

"Taking its name from Japanese, umami is a pleasant savoury taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, and ribonucleotides, including inosinate and guanylate, which occur naturally in many foods including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products. As the taste of umami itself is subtle and blends well with other tastes to expand and round out flavors, most people don't recognize umami when they encounter it, but it plays an important role making food taste delicious."

Not surprisingly, breast milk is most mammals first exposure to the flavor- which is what makes it so irresistable to us. Besides touch, taste is the only sense dogs have developed at birth. This means that while they cannot hear or see their mom, they can feel her warmth and taste her milk.

Is Umami in your dog food?

Dogs' sense of taste is only 1/6 as good as ours (ever wonder how they can eat such strange things like plastic?) - but they still like to have their food smell good and taste good- and not give them a tummy ache. I think the fact that their first experience with food and comfort is umami-flavored, it makes sense that they would want to replicate that later on.

Guess what dog food ingredient contains the most umami? Fish- it is filled with it (140mg per serving of the main ingredient, free glutamate)- and chicken? Not so much, only 44mg. Want to drive them crazy with taste? Cheese has 1200mg- that's why they act like they are going to tear your carpeting up at the first sight of a cheeze ball!

My guess is Winnie and Bruno go crazy for the fish the same way they go crazy for cheese. Do you find this is true with your dogs too?

Eukanuba 28 Day Challenge- Week 1

Bruno and Winnie are Beginning Eukanuba's 28-day dog food challenge this week.
Bruno's food is Naturally Wild: North Atlantic Salmon and Rice Formula

• Salmon as the #1 Ingredient: 100% Real salmon provides an excellent source of protein as well as vitamin-rich fish oil. That's why it's the #1 ingredient.
• Healthy Carbohydrates: Unique Multigrain blend includes barley and rice and is a quality source of carbohydrates that helps maintain healthy energy levels.
• Natural Prebiotics: Natural FOS (fructooligosaccharides) works in your dog’s digestive tract to support strong defenses.
• Antioxidants: Made with a unique antioxidant blend including vitamin E to help dogs stay healthy and live long lives.
• Natural Fish Oil: Natural fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. These nutrients also help support the immune system and nervous system.
• Only the Good: No Fillers, corn, or artificial preservatives
• DentaDefense®: Clinically Proven to reduce tartar by up to 55%

Winnie's food is Rottweiler Formula - because she is part Rottie, has really bad joints (hip displaysia and a torn/repaired ACL), and we think her coat is a classic Rottie coat- gorgeous and silky black/brown.

Eukanuba Rottweiler is specifically made to nourish the overall health, including strong muscle tone, joint health and shiny coat of Rottweilers. This food provides high-quality animal proteins to help build and maintain strong muscle tone and body condition. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. FOS, a natural Prebiotic, is included to support your Rottweilers's strong defenses from within the digestive tract. Natural fish oil helps Rottweilers maintain that sleek and shiny coat they’re famous for. Feeding Eukanuba Rottweiler will help keep your dog as toned, and magnificent as he was bred to be.

• Lean Muscles: Higher protein level to help maintain strong muscle and body condition (vs. Large Breed Adult)
• Heart Health: Guaranteed Taurine and L-Carnitine levels, vital nutrients for a healthy heart
• Healthy Joints: Formulated to maintain a healthy weight and minimize joint stress.
• FOS (fructooligosaccharides): This Prebiotic works in your dog's digestive tract to support his strong defenses.
• Chicken as the #1 Ingredient: Real chicken as the #1 ingredient provides an excellent source of protein.
• Antioxidants: Made with antioxidants such as Vitamin E to support your dog's immune system.
• Natural Fish Oil: Natural fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
• 100% Nutrition, 0% Filler: Your dog deserves the best, so there’s no room for fillers like artificial preservatives, artificial flavors or colors in our food. In fact, every carefully chosen ingredient serves a specific purpose in promoting your dog’s overall health. It’s our 100% commitment to you and your dog.
• Wholesome Grains: Made with highly digestible barley and grain sorghum to help maintain healthy blood sugar and energy levels.
• DentaDefense®: Crunchy kibbles with a coating of micro- crystals scrub your dog's  teeth with every bite, reducing plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to bad breath.

Week One:

Bruno and Winnie eagerly attacked their food last night...

Winnie's Rottie food is a little hard for her to chew- it took her about twice the amount of time Bruno took to finish (the kibble size is bigger than the salmon formula).

This morning, however, it became super clear that they prefer the Salmon (1st ingredient Salmon) over the Rottie formula (1st ingredient Chicken). Given extra of both- neither of them finished the Rottie formula- the fish smells and oils may be too much to resist- they couldn't get enough of it!

Here's Winnie- eagerly waiting for some of Bruno's salmon formula before even touching her own.