Feeding my springer spaniel

Hightower13

Hi everyone!

Just 2 quick questions - I have a 4 year old english springer spaniel and at the moment, I am quite short on money and I find dry dog food quite expensive to buy for him. (Its the only food he will eat) I was wondering how much food is recommended each day for him?? Also, is there any other cheaper ways to feed my dog apart from 'normal' dog food ??

Thanks for reading my post! Hope it makes sense. :-)

Swans1912

Boiled rice is good and easy for the dog to digest

foreign_correspondent

boiled rice is easily digested but not very nutritious, and long term would cause health problems if fed as a large part of the diet instead of a balanced food.

When you say you are looking for a cheaper way to feed your dog, what dry food is he on at the moment and how much does it cost per month?

Some people find feeding bones and raw food (BARF) works out cheaper, but you do need to research it to ensure you provide a balanced diet.

I am sure someone who raw feeds will be a long soon to advise!

Swans1912

Sorry I should have explained better, can you do half boiled rice, half dry food?

foreign_correspondent

iKennett wrote: »

Sorry I should have explained better, can you do half boiled rice, half dry food?

Yes, for a little while, but not long term - the dog needs fats and proteins, as well as other nutrients, all of which would be almost halved if you fed 50% rice... so long term would become malnourished, unless these nutrients were added to the rice and dog food as well.

You could try swapping to a cheaper complete food and adding a small amount of mashed sardines or leftovers to make it more palatable? A healthy dog will never starve itself!

Debt_Free_Chick

Have you tried bulk buying to get a cheaper price? Difficult if you don't have that much cash now, but may be worth squirreling some away if the price saving is worth it.

Indeed, where do you buy the dog's food?

Working dog's food is VAT free - but, again, might not work out cheaper. Chudleys do a range of VAT free food for working dogs, which would suit a Springer even if you don't work it.

If you want to try raw bones, ask your local butcher if he can get you a whole tray of chicken carcasses. Mine gets this for £2 a tray!!!! You'll need to do some research on RAW but to be honest, I don't think it will do any harm if you replace 3 or 4 usual meals a week with raw chicken carcasses. My Springer will eat 3 as a meal - and he's a fussy little beggar! He loves raw chicken but is not keen on "manufactured" dog food :mad:

As to your original question, the amount you feed is really based on the brand. Is there no guide on the packet?

suki1964

Hightower13 wrote: »

Hi everyone!

Just 2 quick questions - I have a 4 year old english springer spaniel and at the moment, I am quite short on money and I find dry dog food quite expensive to buy for him. (Its the only food he will eat) I was wondering how much food is recommended each day for him?? Also, is there any other cheaper ways to feed my dog apart from 'normal' dog food ??

Thanks for reading my post! Hope it makes sense. :-)

We need to know what it is you are feeding him

Each brand of food has different recommended feeding amounts

The food I feed my cocker is £35 a 15kg bag which lasts around 3/4 months which works out to about 30 - 35pence a day - very cheap for a premium brand food

How cheap are you wanting to go?

UKTigerlily

Dry tends to work out cheaper than wet, my 13kg Staffy costs £2.50 a week to feed on Orijen, she has 100g a day. The amount you feed would depend on lots of things like whether you want it to lose or maintain or even to gain weight, it's activity levels & so on

Hightower13

Hllo,

Thanks for all you commnts!

I am currently feeding him Bakers Complete 'Tasty Chicken and Country Vegetables' or the Chicken Meaty Chunks. I buy the 1.5kg boxes and they usually cost about £3.50 a box. I mostly shop in Tescos. I usually go through at last 2 boxes a week, and thats without fresh meat I give him.

With regards to how much I feed him, I don't have feeding times or anything. I just fill his bowl in the morning and when its empty, I just refill it throughout the day - so I don't know if I'm over-feeding him ?? I looked on the box and it says the daily feeding guide is 190-380 grams a day.

Maybe I should start measuring out his food and see if it lasts longer ?? Or change to like Tesco brand dry dog food ??

Thanks for all your help!!

billy858

Best to feed half the suggested amount twice a day. My dad uses Dr Johns. It's for working dogs and can be bought really cheap. This was recommended to him by the dogs breeder. It must be good because when it comes to his dog money is no object!! Buying in bulk as opposed to supermarket sized bags will also work out cheaper. Hope this helps.

orlao

Hightower13 wrote: »

Hllo,

Thanks for all you commnts!

I am currently feeding him Bakers Complete 'Tasty Chicken and Country Vegetables' or the Chicken Meaty Chunks. I buy the 1.5kg boxes and they usually cost about £3.50 a box. I mostly shop in Tescos. I usually go through at last 2 boxes a week, and thats without fresh meat I give him.

With regards to how much I feed him, I don't have feeding times or anything. I just fill his bowl in the morning and when its empty, I just refill it throughout the day - so I don't know if I'm over-feeding him ?? I looked on the box and it says the daily feeding guide is 190-380 grams a day.

Maybe I should start measuring out his food and see if it lasts longer ?? Or change to like Tesco brand dry dog food ??

Thanks for all your help!!

Ok, Bakers isn't cheap! or very high quality IMHO! I know nothing about Tesco's dog food so I can't compare them.

Do you have an independent pet shop locally? If you do, go and talk to them - I've seen Dr Johns in them for about £8/15kgs, they usually have working dog food (no VAT) for a similar price. A lot cheaper when you consider that the same amount of Bakers would cost you £35:eek:

There are other slightly dearer brands available eg Wagg, Chudleys, Autarky which still work out a lot cheaper and much better quality then Bakers.

Regarding the amount you're feeding, it does seem a lot, nearly 500g a day plus "extras" - as an example my 4 kg JRTS only get 75g a day of Autarky and the 45kg rottie has 300g a day.