Is expensive dog food really best?

LittleMissRolo

I think the best advice would be speak to a vet.

Rolo, our 3 year old choc lab is a loon! She's on Pedigree light tins (£3.65 for 6 at [EMAIL="P@H"]P@H[/EMAIL]) with pedigree mixer.

I tried her on Bakers dry food as advised byour vet but she refused to eat it, and she wolfs everything - leaves/twigs/hats/shoes/sky remotes (x2)

She's 30kg, and the lightest we got her down to was 24kg which the vet was happy with. We just can't seem to shift the weight off her now though, even on the light dog food. She always seems hungry too.

Her diet probably consists of 1 denta stick a day, 2 markies, 1 tin of pedigree light with 2 handfuls of pedigree mixer. Her coat and teeth are perfect. The vet is happy with her health, although she is a bit on the heavy side.

The vets always said dry dog food is best (her own is on the bakers light and she has a lab). Rolo just wont eat it.

I've just priced up a 15kg bag of chappie on pet planet so i might give that a go and see what she thinks (only £13.49)

LittleMissRolo

Just read online that Iams has a chemical in it found in anti freeze :S

for cheap dog food try

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/category.asp?dept_id=669

and

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food are offering 10% off your first order

LittleMissRolo

Pets at home

http://www.petsathome.com/find/brand-is-hills_science_plan/product-is-V00075

Hills science plan light adult 15kg + 3kg free at £37.99

Kerriebaby

I dont feed a commerical diet ( raw feeder ) but if I did then I would use either JWB, Orijen or Burns, if on a budget then Chappie.

I would avoid anything with Wheat, Maize, Too much cereal, meat and animal derivatives, high levels of sugars/salts, colourants or anything that had cereals/potato/veg listed before the meat content.

Many "cheap" foods are a false economy, they contain a lot of fillers ( equals more poop ), colourants and sugars can cause behavioural problems ( Bakers aka Rocket Fuel ) can cause health problems in the form of allergies ( due to the cereals ) digestive problems ( ditto ) and a whole host of other problems.

you have to feed a lot more than you would a premium brand

Also, many vets do not have that much experience in nutrition ( not saying all vets before anyone shouts at me ) So to rely on what many of them say would be like me telling them how to perform a castration!

( if my vet fed his dog Bakers, I would change vets )

STORMS_GIRL

HI, DO NOT FEED YOUR DOGS TINNED DOG FOOD NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT SAYS IT IS ON THE TIN. GO TO ICELAND OR A SUPER MARKET AND BUY BAGS OF FROZEN MINCE=£2.50 CHICKEN=£3.00 FISH=£2.00 LIVER =£1.00 THESE BAGS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO GET AT LEAST 3 MEALS OUT OF EACH BAG FOR LARGE BREED DOGS,MORE FOR SMALLER BREEDS. JUST BOIL FOR A FEW MINUTES. I HAVE ROTTWEILERS AND THATS WHAT I FEED THEM AS WELL AS DRIED FOOD AND TINS OF TUNA.MY VET TOLD ME TO LOOK UP ON THE INTERNET WHAT GOES IN TO DOG FOOD AND IT IS TRULY SHOCKING.YOU MAY THINK IT IS GOING TO COST TOO MUCH BUT IN THE LONG RUN YOUR DOG WILL BE GETTING REAL MEAT NOT ALL THE RUBBISH SO IT WILL BE HELPING THEM TO BE HEALTHY AND NOT GETTING CANCERS AND OTHER ILLNESSES CONECTED TO TINNED FOOD.HOPE I HELPED YOU:j :rudolf: :xmassmile :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug

Kerriebaby

SG have you thought about feeding a RAW diet?

Do you add SA 37 to your dogs' food? bit concerning that they may not be getting enough calcium

RooBee

Kerriebaby wrote: »

SG have you thought about feeding a RAW diet?

Do you add SA 37 to your dogs' food? bit concerning that they may not be getting enough calcium

I'd be concerned about the balance of that diet too.

I know many vets aren't in favour of raw feeding but mine have no issue with it as long as it is done properly which includes feeding elements of the whole animal...meat, bones, muscle, organs etc. etc.

STORMS_GIRL

Kerriebaby wrote: »

SG have you thought about feeding a RAW diet?

Do you add SA 37 to your dogs' food? bit concerning that they may not be getting enough calcium

NO need for your concern my dogs are getting all they need,they are all vey healthy with strong bones,teeth and their coats shine some much you can see your reflection in it.:A

melbury

I've heard good things about CSJ dog food - even that it is made in the same place as Burns! However, it is substantially cheaper. Very nice lady there who is happy to send some samples. I am going to order a 15kg bag and see how my dog gets on with it.

Their website is worth a look: www.csjk9.com

LittleMissRolo

Rolo is now being weaned onto Hills Science Plan Large Adult Light (what a mouth full)

Costs £50.00 a bag but is on offer (as said above) so bought 3 bags which will last until April. I was concerned about the dry food because she snubbed Bakers last time i tried her on dry food but she's eating it (cos i think she thinks its just her mixer with tinned food atm). We're increasing it as advised by Hills over 7 days. It comes with a satisfaction gtee so if she doesnt eat it, and hasn't for a few days i can take the bags back (including the open one) and get a refund.

if it wasnt for this thread i wouldn't have known the crap quality of tinned food and she would've been on that diet forever so thanks