|
|
Post by amumwithapony on Oct 24, 2011 8:26:22 GMT
Well I have now had my puppy a full week, and need to get her some more dog food. The plan was to just feed dried food as I had heard it was better for them, cheaper and easier for us. However, to get her used to her new dried food I bought some puppy pouches to act as toppers to the dried food. She loves the toppers so much I am reluctant to take them away from her. She is also very food orientated, and for the first couple of days would go nuts if I was cooking anything that smelled nice to a 6 month old whippet. Shes calmed down a bit now, and has quickly learnt not to come round us whilst we are eating and when we have finished our tea, she then has her pouch in her bowl. I have heard good and bad things about wet food. Some people say it is the devils work and should never be fed. Some people have fed it for years (myself included when I last had dogs) with no issues at all. My brothers dog (one of the big bull breeds, American Bull Dog I think?) is fed exclusively on dry food, and is very well behaved anywhere. Until food comes out. She recently embarrassed herself at a family BBQ over a tray of chicken wings  and I don't want my dog to be as food orientated as that. I also think it is nicer for the dog to have a tea to look forward to. I keep dried food down all day for her to pick at, then mix what is left with her wet food and she eats whatever is left then. So my question is would you feed wet and dry together. And if so what wet (canned or pouches) food would you use? Its more complicated feeding a dog than the ponies LOL. |
|
|
|
Post by thecremellosociety on Oct 24, 2011 9:15:40 GMT
Dried a dog will not starve itself, by giving "toppers" is like licking the icing of an otherwise bland cake, i use royal canin nothing else, he gets training treats and dental chews but nothing wet, same as the cat, poohs are nice ( as pooh gets) a dog isnt like us they eat what they are given, you should really feed at set times also not leave it down all day, dry more economical on the pocket, better for teeth, and the top notch ones like royal canin and science diet, in my opnion do what they say on the bag, they have good coat and skin, the only exception being if you have a dog with allergies then a james wellbeloved is better x ( relativly new to owning a dog but worked in the pet industry and took some nutritional tests  ) |
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Oct 24, 2011 10:33:36 GMT
I feed Burns, which is dried, but put water on it - apart from anything else I don't like paying for water that otherwise comes out of the tap! I swear by Burns, very pure and formulated by a vet - we've had all our dogs on it for years and they live to a healthy old age with good coats and not fat. I'm not denigrating any other makes, just haven't felt the need to try them. I second what EJ says, ours are fed in the evening and are trained not to bother us otherwise, which they don't. They do let us know when it's dinner time though, if they could put on bibs and bang knives and forks they would, so definitely do look forward to it. They do get table scraps etc but in their bowls mixed with the rest of their food, and sometimes the water might be stock or with some left over gravy, nothing's wasted that they would like.
|
|
|
|
Post by amumwithapony on Oct 24, 2011 10:58:52 GMT
Well I've currently got her on Wainwrights which is pets at home equivilant to James Wellbeloved. I know you are paying for tap water in the canned food but as I only have 1 dog the cost isn't really an issue. I've also been studying the dried foods labels and most of them (including the premium brands) only have around 25-35% protein content, whereas some of the canned/pouched stuff has a higher content of around 40-50%. Presumably the protein content is a reflection of the meat content? And if a dog should eat a mainly meat diet then is the canned stuff is better for them? Or would it be better to feed a meat diet supplemented with veg/fibre? Sarahp what table scraps do you feed? I gave her some of our tea that was left the other night and got told off (in the nicest possible way  ) by a friend on here who breeds and is also very knowledgable and who's opinion I value. But we have always fed scraps to our dogs without any ill effects? And have always had some sort of biscuit or dried food down during the day, then a meal at night, especially for pups? I think (like children) pups sometimes go through a growth spurt and are hungrier on some days than others. If she ends up a fat whippet then I will reconsider leaving her dried stuff down, but she does pick at it during the day, usually when I get up and just after her afternoon walk. I suppose its like anything else these days. The internet provides a good source of information, not just forums like this but also more specific sites, BUT there is so much conflicting information you end confused.com! Especially when you then start studying feed bags etc etc etc! And breeders feed differently to the majority of pet owners as well. Most I know feed a dried food with a tripe, so a wet/dry combo. Don't fancy stinky tripe every night and don't think its that convenient for a 1 dog household but they obviously think it works? |
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Oct 24, 2011 12:50:11 GMT
Pass - I'm not a nutritionist or a dog breeder, just a pet owner who is very fussy about the quality of food everyone eats, be it human, equine or canine! There is a helpline, you could ask that. I only know it's easy to feed, contains food not additives or water, and all my dogs have done very well on it. I can remember comparing them with a friend's lab fed supermarket tins, which was overfat, had a starey, scurfy coat and bleary eyes whereas mine were bright eyed and bushy tailed, lovely coats and the correct weight.
They get any scraps I'd think suitable - meat and veg scraps, bits of bread, leftover stock or gravy. Not cake or biscuits, but then we don't eat much of those either. Current ones don't get fruit although I used to give them that - the old collie adored pear cores and they all ate grapes until it was publicised that they can be poisonous, when that stopped. But it's a very small part of their total diet, it just seems a waste to throw away stuff they could eat! It's on top of their usual diet, not a substitute for it. Ponies get veg peelings too.
When we got our skinny, still growing rescue saluki (so also a sighthound) he had two meals a day rather than leaving food down - anyway with at the time two other dogs the wrong one would doubtless have eaten it. He then grew, his eyes went large and clear, he muscled up (so must have been getting sufficient protein) and his washy markings, hardly visible when he came, got far more distinct.
|
|
|
|
Post by brindlerainbow on Oct 24, 2011 13:14:44 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 24, 2011 18:14:05 GMT
Really depends on the dog, it's work, it's lifestyle.. and what dog likes... My dog is on Macks Mix a hypoallergenic food that is similar to Burns but half the price. I mix a little of wet (Nature's Menu tinned) into it to make it more interesting, if i fed her complete dry 24/7 she'd stop eating. Had a tough time earlier this year with colitis and found it very hard to feed her and not make her ill at the same time.... Because of her known allergy (gluten) it's transpired now that she also has a sensitivity to Rice.. so now on tins rather than pouches of Nature's Menu as it contains potato, not rice. (she gets the right measure of the dry to fill her, and a little very little of the wet to make it that bit more tasty) If you want to feed a combination of wet and dry I would suggest Tinned Chappie and a plain mixer that isn't a complete nutritionally based diet... (Winalot is one) Big supermarkets (Morrisons/Tesco's etc) do their own. You would feed this half and half I think Why pay extoritonate prices for two complete diets, when one will do.... but to serve protein you also need to serve carbs and roughage. I'd recommend you stay away from Pedigree Chum, and Bakers at all costs.  |
|
Milliesmum
H G Addict
COCKERP00S RULE!!!
Posts: 23,901
|
Post by Milliesmum on Oct 24, 2011 19:05:39 GMT
Whatever suits you. Millie has bakers complete, this was after a lot of trial and error and turning up of noses. I did want her on dried though as she's a bit of a grazer, she doesn't eat it all in one go. She doesn't have people food, just dog feed and dog treats. And she's a healthy weight and we don't get tummy upsets. Only thing I've noticed is on the odd occasion we have a bbq and the kids sneak her anything warm, she tends to be sick.
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 24, 2011 19:27:34 GMT
Bakers is fine if the dog is of working stock and actually has a job to do, ie, Cockers who beat.. otherwise the dog can become over anxious and really hyper this is only my opinion though, and based on my dog when she was on it, but I know others who think the same as me, and agree. |
|
Milliesmum
H G Addict
COCKERP00S RULE!!!
Posts: 23,901
|
Post by Milliesmum on Oct 24, 2011 19:48:20 GMT
Not heard that before jaysmum, she's been on it long term with no problems but Def worth knowing. I'm kind of working on the principle of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' though!
|
|
|
|
Post by Jessica on Oct 24, 2011 19:56:27 GMT
We feed our Cocker spaniel Bakers and then wet food, He is a complete nutcase, (he is only 2) but seems to have so much energy, even though he is walked, and spends his whole time on the go?! Do you think this could be down to the bakers??
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 24, 2011 19:56:58 GMT
Quite right.... if it's fine for yours, keep going, but seriously.. with Tara it could take her 45mins to calm down when visiting people..... now she's on Macks Mix (Glasgow) and nature's menu, and takes just 5 mins to calm down...lol Maybe I should eat it....... then I could chill a bit  |
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 24, 2011 19:57:56 GMT
Jessiica.. only one way to find out.... cut Bakers out for a few weeks/months... if she calms down, you'll know x |
|
|
|
Post by Jessica on Oct 24, 2011 20:00:01 GMT
Hmmm.. I might suggest it to mummyy, anything to try and make him 'chill' a bit, my westie is on it too, But he's a bit of a old chap! so doesnt seem to phase him! x
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 24, 2011 20:04:36 GMT
do you train him too? (the Cocker)
|
|
|
|
Post by Jessica on Oct 24, 2011 20:07:32 GMT
We want to train him! When he was little was going to take him to puppy training, But he is so hyper, he takes half an hour to settle and by the time we have got there, it was time to leave, and never got anything done!
Thought about dog agilty too!?
we take him up the woods, and he will run for hours on end, and just carry on!
i was thinking about maybe using him for a working dog? but he is scared of everything, even cats! (one appears on the wall, he runs at it barks, and then runs off with his tail between his legs ;D He wont fetch!
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 24, 2011 20:20:35 GMT
He needs to get some... try and find a good training club, that does all levels, maybe some trial training and agility & good dog citizen by kennel club
With agility they need to be trusted off lead and come when called due to commands for the obstacles.
Training is only effective if it's repititive, so keep at it, pick one command to learn and stick to it, til he learns, and reward with both pat and treat, or clicker train.
Just to add... Cockers are active dogs, but are also trainable... but there is a definitive difference between being active and hyper
|
|
|
|
Post by Jessica on Oct 24, 2011 20:24:48 GMT
He is a very quick learner, He knows sit, lay down, Even 'high five'
We have been looking for a good training club.. but its just finding one.. and with my mum being disabiled and i work full time. but we will find some where.
He is obedient. and comes when called.
But he is a baby still.
|
|
kayjayem
Happy to help....a lot
Posts: 10,046
|
Post by kayjayem on Oct 24, 2011 21:52:57 GMT
Mine are fed beta chicken and rice dry food. They are fit, healthy and have fab coats and boundless(contollable) energy and my vet commented on how good 9yr old Josie's teeth were when she had her booster. They have household scraps,if any available, mixed with their food as a treat. They do not stay in the same room with us when we are eating(although they would not beg at the table if they did as they know it wouldn't do any good). My old dog(RIP) had a mega sensitive stomach due to having a massive e-coli overgrowth as a pup and had dry James Wellbeloved and nothing else and she lived to be 16.
|
|
|
|
Post by autumn on Oct 25, 2011 16:07:42 GMT
I feed my whippet on Nature Diet (wet food) with a good quality mixer. She was a fussy eater as a pup, and underweight, so I HAD to find something that she would eat. I also wanted her on dry food only, but I don't think the choice is always ours. I only left the food there for 10 mins or so, but it didn't make any difference at the next meal time, she just ate a little, and then left the rest. She loves her Nature Diet, and now even tells me when it's time for her tea. Good luck finding the right food, I know it can be frustrating.  p.s she looks lovely, and they do become your permanent shadow ;D |
|
dazycutter
Happy to help
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his Tongue.
Posts: 7,933
|
Post by dazycutter on Oct 25, 2011 18:10:24 GMT
Bakers is fine if the dog is of working stock and actually has a job to do, ie, Cockers who beat.. otherwise the dog can become over anxious and really hyper this is only my opinion though, and based on my dog when she was on it, but I know others who think the same as me, and agree. fed bakers without issues.... you need to look at the protein content and feed according to the dogs age and weight etc. I feed dried with green tripe and all are happy and healthy.. don't get to stressed about the feeding...... these big manufacturers make you believe its a mine field, but in fact it is not. If dogs could, they of course would all eat roast dinners to tea, but they dont perceive food the way we do. They eat to live, not the other way around..get a good balanced dried feed and if you want to top it with wet, then go for your life and dont worry... |
|
|
|
Post by my dog on Oct 25, 2011 20:28:29 GMT
i feed my dog Wagg and Chappie i think its better to have dried food and wet food together.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannahj on Oct 26, 2011 8:24:04 GMT
I fed my 7year old lab on Bakers for 4 years until... Someone pointed out it's like feeding your dog mcdonalds every day! There are so many additives and colourings etc that it's not that great for them. I was horrified and changed her to Wainwrights (pets at home James wellbeloved copy). She is now a perfect weight and has a lovely glossy coat. I have since heard lots of similar comments about Bakers. The colours are there to make the owners feel better that they are feeding nice food to their dogs!!
|
|
|
|
Post by amumwithapony on Oct 26, 2011 9:22:50 GMT
I've stopped stressing about it now LOL. Have had dogs all my life apart from the last 8 or so years, and never had any food related issues so am going to continue to feed wainwrights dry with a pouch of the wet stuff at night to make her (and me!) feel like she has had something nice. I have done the Kellogs cereal diet (with great success!) but find after the 3rd day I am bored silly and want anything but another bowl of cornflakes for my lunch, so a wet/dry combo it is. Wainwrights is OK to feed together like that. The pouches are only 150g (to feed her exclusively on pouches she would need around 6 a day!) so I don't think 1 a day will hurt. I have also had a chat with the rest of the family about what she is permitted table scraps wise. I think the issue of human food is things that are too sweet or too fatty or too wheaty for them to digest properly. She will be offered meat and vegatables, gravy and rice from us, and perhaps a small amount of pasta. But nothing else, and not the fatty bits that no one wants to eat. If I have any health problems then I will obviously review it, but shes fit and well on what she gets and I haven't had an upset tummy which I thought I may get as its a big adjustment to what she previously had. Thank you for your input peeps |
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Oct 26, 2011 20:24:37 GMT
The colours are there to make the owners feel better that they are feeding nice food to their dogs!! Yeah... Green kibble = It's a Pea.... Orange kibble = It's a carrot... wrong it's just coloured kibbled, nothing else... and additives and colourings fed to dogs can mean the same as coloured Smarties mean to Kids... Dazycutter - like I said in my post that you quoted.... It's My opinion and based on My dog. and "you need to look at the protein content and feed according to the dogs age and weight etc." well you need to do that with any form of food for any dog |
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Nov 1, 2011 10:14:51 GMT
Just for discussion and I'll keep my head down:- on the subject of table scraps, we defrosted and turned out our freezers yesterday and I have this morning boiled up a lovely mixture of pea soup, broad bean soup, what appears to be carrot soup (unlabelled) and game pie filling for our dogs, all I might add old but not off. They will be having it gradually on top of their usual Burns.
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Nov 1, 2011 18:40:27 GMT
nowt wrong with that.. using up food that would otherwise go to waste...
I wouldn't as I'd need to know what was in it before I gave it to my dog, she's got allergies, so would probably make her ill....
|
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Nov 1, 2011 19:29:42 GMT
Must admit all the dogs we've had - only pets, so not a huge number - have all been good, non-fussy eaters with no allergies and have very rarely had upset stomachs. As all this was for us originally, I do know it was all homemade, veg and stock in the soups and venison and pheasant in the game pie filling - lucky dogs! No colourings, preservatives or anything of that nature.
|
|
|
|
Post by JaysMum on Nov 1, 2011 22:23:17 GMT
mmm.. sounds good....
|
|
|
|
Post by amumwithapony on Nov 2, 2011 6:12:30 GMT
Sounds delish Sarahp, remind me if I'm ever in your neck of the woods to call in for supper at yours! I don't mind 'freezer surprise' if that's whats lurking in yours!
Now got maggie on Wainwrights trays (which is about 60% turkey) and the dried food down in the day, supplemented with our tasty table scraps.
She was lucky last night as we had homemade fish pie, and there was quite a bit of it left, so had a tasty supper of fish, mashed potato and some veggies mixed in.
She would much rather eat human food than dog food though. She had her meat down last night, with half a jacket potato as a 'side' dish as I wasn't sure if she would eat it. She ate the potato before the meat LOL. And if I let her she would permenatly have her head in the bin looking for bits and pieces out of there, sure she thinks its a lucky dip.
But shes looking very well on what shes getting. Loads of energy, coats gone nice and shiny and she's filled out and deepened up a bit too.
|
|
and I don't want my dog to be as food orientated as that.
)
) by a friend on here who breeds and is also very knowledgable and who's opinion I value. But we have always fed scraps to our dogs without any ill effects? And have always had some sort of biscuit or dried food down during the day, then a meal at night, especially for pups? I think (like children) pups sometimes go through a growth spurt and are hungrier on some days than others. If she ends up a fat whippet then I will reconsider leaving her dried stuff down, but she does pick at it during the day, usually when I get up and just after her afternoon walk.
p.s she looks lovely, and they do become your permanent shadow ;D