Hi all.  I don't usually post, just 'lurk' on here, but I would really appreciate a bit of advice.  My 6 year old Labrador has just tested positive for a variety of food allergies, including beef, pork, rice and oats, meaning we need to change his complete food.  The vet has recommended either Hill's ZD, Wafcol Salmon and Potato or Royal Canin (forgotten the ingredients for that one!) as they are all rice-free but they are all at pretty extortionate prices (we're looking at around £60 per month!!!)  I wondered if anyone knows of/has fed cheaper alternatives or are these recommended foods really the best and am I just being skeptical?  Many Thanks
Zoe

Arden Grange do a whitefish and potato food that you can buy from Berriewoods for £36.39
Laughing Dog is wheat based dry complete so that's rice free. It's not filled with additives but meat isn't first on the list.

My dog eats Natures Menu frozen for breakfast most days and that doesn't have rice. It's a raw complete food and would cost about £1.50 a day if that's all you fed. (it's expensive for raw - his dinners are a lot cheaper)

That's a couple options. I'm sure others will be by with more.

you could also look at this new food - challange salmon & potato @ 27.35 for 15kg.   It has been developed in association with breeder/exhibitor of Uk gundogs. Available by direct order only at the moment.  http://www.challengedogfood.com/productrange.html

Karen

http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-2+dog/brand-is-wainwrights/category-is-2F+Food/product-is-V00052#ingredients

This one looks like it might be a bit cheaper and can't see any of ingredients you've mentioned.

Hi

Challenge Salmon and Potato has recently been launched, it's been co-developed with Sharon Pinkerton (Bareve German Wirehaired Pointers).  My breeder told me about it and I'm going to try some when I next see her - I like the idea of no rice.  My boys love the AG Salmon so I'm sure they'll take to this too.  It's currently free postage for 2 bags.

I've heard good things about AG White Fish and Potato as well.  If you ring direct or email them they will send some tester bags for you to try.  You can join their breeder plan but if you shop around you can usually get the same price or lower and with free postage too.  (Currently £36.39 for AG Breeders rates).

Edited to say:  I see klb also suggested Challenge food.  I'm sure that wasn't there when I hit reply - I must have taken so long to write the message :) !!

Many thanks guys - this has put my mind at ease and given me lots of options.  Will have a good think about these :) 

Looking at this wainwright's food - there doesn't seem to be any actual fish meat in it just fish proteins/oils/meal ....

Fish meat is composed of protein I believe. :-) But the labelling is rather vague - I think you would need to contact the manufacturers if you wanted to know more. ;-) It does not however appear to contain any of the ingredients the OP needs to avoid for their dog.

It is very vague.  Fish would be protein but I wonder how much of the fish protein is good stuff and how much of it is simply the rubbish part :(

I would avoid all grains if he is sensitive.

AG  Fish and Potato is a good heavy food that you do not need to feed high volumes.  Wafcol is a cheaper made version of it.

James wellbeloved have brought out a turkey and Veg one that is rice and grain free.  I saw it on line yesterday 2 x 10KG bags for £48 which is not too bad.