Sagittarian

No beef in the product at all - animal protein sources are chicken, turkey, lamb & fish meal. What about Artemis Maximal - it is chicken based, not mixed protein, and is grain free? Maybe trial one food for a few weeks and keep an eye on the things that are of concern to you. Sags

If you want grain free with a lesser protein then Canidae ALS has 34%. If you really want to stay closer to that 20%, then you won't find any grain free that comes close. The Canidae Lamb and Rice is 21% protein and like their other formulas, doesn't contain beet pulp. Also beet pulp free are the whole Artemis range, and the new Earthborn Holistic range, which includes a full fish based dry food. Sags

No, not all imported kibble is irradiated. And although I also prefer to buy Australian where I can, the reality is that many products (not just dog related) that are made here, are not owned by an Australian company, nor are all the ingredients Australian. Sags

Will report back in a few days as we just received our opening order and will be trialling it on Evie. It certainly looks promising. Sags

Hi sweet lady, We are thinking of you and wishing you volumes of happiness ahead. You're forever changed, but still so much the same. No greater courage, no deeper love, no stronger committment to your loved ones could have happened. The universe will be there for you. All our love, Phillipa & family

Hi Cassie, So sorry to hear this - it is a frightening and worrying event. Your ex did good and Hudson is a healthy young dog so is well placed to have a full recovery. Hugs from us, Phillipa

While the internet can be a great tool, it can also be a "tool". I'll be interested to see the response you get from Artemis - but why not contact Artemis Australia? They can give you the same information. Just as with human foods, pet foods come in a range of quality and grades, so it makes sense to seek for correct information when selecting products. Sags

Sorry, Souffie babe that I wasn't around to help out (the Jedster must be resting up, as she should!!). So, in case you are beset by options again tonight, I suggest starting with the merlot... at least until it becomes empty (the bottle, not the glass!) then followed by the Kahlua. It is important to drink all the of the merlot because it is rich in antioxidants. So says I. Sags

Yes, our lovely clinic does and has over many years, and sadly, many losses. As there are not a lot of other clinic in the area (at least not until recently), I don't think it was about keeping clients. Our vets have gone out of the their way to somehow make it easier, but you know you have a caring person there when they cry with you. Sags

What length do you need... have something in mind.

Is Gisborne a more accessible option for more northern people, as the full range is available there? Sags

And for those thinking there are no retailers between Melbourne and Ballarat... check out the Artemis website. You might be surprised. Sags :D

Vale Magnus. I can't say anymore about him right now, but wil. Jed, we care. Lots. Sags ;)

Welcome back, lovely lady. I've missed you greatly. Your strength, courage and spirit are an inspiration. Little Evie has been waiting... her gear is packed away as she gently sleeps and no doubt dreams of the adventures of the past.

Thinking of you, lovely lady, as I do many times every day. You have so much to get well for and so much to look forward to. I miss you a lot. Phillipa

That makes it hard when you have a chicken allergy. While more and more foods don't contain wheat (like Artemis, Earthborn Holistic and a couple of the Nutro lines), so many products are chicken based. Sags

Try reducing the amount you are feeding of the Maximal - this will generally stop the issue. Sags

They get into the country by being manufactured in an AQIS approved facility and complying to a long list of criteria. Same as Artemis, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Canidae etc. Not all manufacturers are the same, either. Some actually put the pet first and use human grade foods that are handled to a high level of care. Not simply use the bits off the floor. I've had the opportunity to go through a number of plants that had stringet quality control standards. Sags

The food has been here for some time now and it is not irradiated. For the opening poster - I've fed Evie on the Adult Vantage and Ocean Fusion - she enjoyed both but particularly liked the latter, she always likes fish! What I do like about the Ocean Fusion is that it contains no other animal proteins, so may be of benefit to those dogs who do have allergies in some areas. Meal is meat with the water taken out of it. Sags

Wow - I didn't think the title of this thread was - "dry v raw"!!!!! Great to be passionate, but being nasty and personally offensive doesn't add to any argument. PSA, can you clarify which Eagle Pack variety is grain free? Last time I read one of their brochures they specifically stated their view on grain free foods, and it wasn't pretty. Good to hear that more options are here - to join such foods as Artemis and Earthborn Holistic. Sags (who has fed raw and fed dry and everything in between and so far hasn't poisoned a dog).

Yup - move to Melbourne and knock on our door, you might get a different response. We encourage our customers to bring their dogs in. We occasionally have a staff dog in, but they are always confined and would never be permitted to interfere with a client! Actually, we see the dogs as the customers moreso than the human, and have been known to have several Rotties wandering the store checking out the latest treat or toy. At the same time, all our staff keep a close eye on visitors to make sure there are no little disagreements - not everyone brings in a friendly dog or keeps control - so that is our job for the duration of the visit. To have a bitch in season in the store is simply wrong, for her mostly, but also for any poor male that comes in. Or, maybe that is the intention of the owner... some new designer brand? Phillipa 4 Paws & More Pet Supplies This is the pet store I was referring to in my earlier post. I go to the Keilor Park store. Could not be happier. Thank you.

Yup - move to Melbourne and knock on our door, you might get a different response. We encourage our customers to bring their dogs in. We occasionally have a staff dog in, but they are always confined and would never be permitted to interfere with a client! Actually, we see the dogs as the customers moreso than the human, and have been known to have several Rotties wandering the store checking out the latest treat or toy. At the same time, all our staff keep a close eye on visitors to make sure there are no little disagreements - not everyone brings in a friendly dog or keeps control - so that is our job for the duration of the visit. To have a bitch in season in the store is simply wrong, for her mostly, but also for any poor male that comes in. Or, maybe that is the intention of the owner... some new designer brand? Phillipa 4 Paws & More Pet Supplies

If you feed your Saint RC, why not ask for a sample pack of RC Mini Mature and see if your little one takes to it? Don't know about Qld stockists, but Artemis Petfood Australia would be able to provide a list.

My girl's on Artemis Weight Management, highly suitable for oldies and generally very palatable. As an oldie, now more than ever it is vital to get her off a complete wet diet, if I'm reading right. If she won't go for any dry, then how about vets all natural - comes in both a premix that you soak then add your meat of choice to, and a well balanced meat mix. Or BARF patties might suit. Sags

Just for clarity purposes, no dry food imported in Australia was affected by the melamine horror. We still get customers coming in the with belief that all dry foods on the shelf are filled with poison, which kind of defeats the purpose of return business. Research, get samples, listen to everyone but make your own decisions based on common sense and how well your doggies do. Sags