Which dog food?

Rosie75

Georgina wrote:

I was merely replying to your questions. I am on a very slow network here, so other posters had answered your questions before my machine caught up.

The OP did not specify what size bag/sack would be required for under £20 - so don't be sorry - I did read it.

I too didn't see this, but it is irrelevant as we are pointing out that there is no point buying something that costs £20 per bag if it only lasts half as long as something that costs £30. We are only letting OP know what food works for us and our dogs, there is no need to shoot people down because you happen to dislike a particular food for some reason.

**purplemoon**

Here's another thread posted recently (took me a while to find it again) discussing buying cheaper zero-rate VAT dog food, primarily manufactured for working dogs but the OP tells you which ones are suitable for domestic pet dogs.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=251615

singlehouseholder

iams and eukanuba may be high cost quality feeds promoted by vets, but since i found they test on animals they can keep the brand. my dog gets asda own brand complete adult food and I do indulge her with pedigree select cuts, ok, not the cheapest but she is getting on and who am I to deny the lovliest little old lady in my life some comforts in her last few years. She also gets bowls of dinner, if i make bangers and mash I put an extra sausage on for her, she loves smart price gravy on her dinner!!
Suppose you just got to give a few brands a go, wouldn't buy git big bags though, case lil woofer says i'm not eating that!!

GSD4ME

I have bred German Shepherd dogs for years. They are big and have VERY dodgy stomachs. I usualy feed them on Omega, which is cheap and plain and therefore good for their dodgy guts. James Wellbeloved is very good, organic stuff etc. etc. but VERY !!!expensive. I certainly could not afford to feed my gang on that.

I work for the local vets and the general principle is that plainer food is better for dogs. The more expensive stuff has lots of protein etc. which upsets them.

I find Omega fine and it does not give them the !!!!!!, very important with 6 big dogs!!!:eek:

Rosie75

gizmoleeds wrote:

Feeding a dog only dried dog food is like feeding a child nothing but McDonalds.

I can't see how feeding a dog dried food is anything like feeding a child nothing but McDonalds. If you fed a child nothing but McDonalds it would be obsese, ill and probably have ADHD. Plenty of people on this thread, and on dog forums I frequent, have healthy, energetic, happy dogs and feed them on dried food. Of course, there will always be dogs that don't get on with a particular food and then it is necessary to look to alternatives. But I can see no reason to change to something like BARF (which I am assuming is where you're coming from) if a dog is already happy and healthy with a beautiful coat.
One thing I have learnt from dog forums is that everyone swears their way is the right way. People who feed BARF seem particularly hardline! But the right way is what suits your dog best. As a previous poster has noted you may need to experiment to find out what that is, but there is no right solution for everyone.

squibbs25

gizmoleeds wrote:

Feeding a dog only dried dog food is like feeding a child nothing but McDonalds. Several times recently, without even trying, I have come across articles about dogs becoming ill as a result of eating nothing but dried food.

Google "dried dog food" and you'll soon see what I mean. The only wesbites telling you dried food is good are the ones from the people trying to sell you it. Interspersed are websites like this.

Personally, I would never feed a dog on dried dog food.

I'm sorry but i disagree with this comment.

I can only use JAMES WELLBELOVED (which was recommended by a family friend NOT the vet) as my dog has a very sensative stomach so has to be on a very strict diet, She is a German Shephard and they are well known for this.
I have been advised by our vet that i must not keep changing her food. Neither is she allowed any form of meat, whether it is caned dog food or a lump of beef!
I would dearly love to spoil my dog with doggy treats, but i would only be giving my dog total agony for days on end. I cant even change the flavour of the food, as it will upset her stomach immediately.
Sorry if this post offends anyone (as its not meant to) but i have to do whats right for my beloved woffer.
I have found that since putting her on a stable diet, her motions, coat, teeth and general health have improved drastically.
I understand that not all dogs are the same, but this works for our dog.

Squibbs

KayEdwards

I have an English Setter with a sensitive stomach. I have fed her on James Wellbeloved since she was a few months old when I doscovered it. She's on a formulation specially for older dogs and she looks fabulous. More importantly she is well on it. One bag lasts for nearly 3 months so that works out about £11 a month - no extras - just that. Not bad for a large dog. I know there are cheaper brands out there but Tilly has thrived on this and she was so very poorly as a puppy. Just my 2p worth! Oh and she has small firm poos!!!!

kenshaz

Rosie 75 you have proved to me through your posts that you have an extremely intelligent approach to animal husbandry,I have no axe to grind about Burns,an extremely good product ,but the same results can be achieved with a cheaper product and that was what the poster wanted.
So I hope that my frustration has not been taken personaly by any posts ,you included

pondie1

our elderly border collie was put on an hills diet by vet,as it was getting expensive £22 for 5kg (i think) we decided to look at burns website,they sent us samples and a list of stockists and £5 off voucher,our dog is now on this at £32 for 15kg,and his diet is goin well

kenshaz

pondie1 wrote:

our elderly border collie was put on an hills diet by vet,as it was getting expensive £22 for 5kg (i think) we decided to look at burns website,they sent us samples and a list of stockists and £5 off voucher,our dog is now on this at £32 for 15kg,and his diet is goin well

Hills is pound for pound more expensive than gold
Vets have this product as nice little perk ,recommend it and then sell it ,poor customers feel obliged because they want to do the best for their pets,they want to do what the vet has recommended. I am not saying that it is not good,but marketing and vets getting a cut has made this almost a little unfair,trading standards need to look at this one,stop the vets making a profit,recommend that the animal owners buy it elsewhere other than from the vet and I might reconsider my view