which dog food

ian103

we have two dogs, our original springer / collie is 8.5 years old and a new rescue male collie cross (we think) who is about 8 months old, the older dog is mega fussy with food, currently eating James Wellbeloved dry food (senior) with a small amount of butchers lean and tasty wet food mixed in, young dogs eats anything but the food he is on at the moment creates a lot of poop, is there a food we could use for both? The old dog will go off JWB at some point as its happened with every food we have brought. I was going to use JWB for both but on a reveiw site it doesn't come out that well,

krlyr

Check out https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

There are quite a few studies that found older dogs don't really need the lower protein diet often sold for them - but instead fare better when given a diet not lower in protein, but with better quality protein that is more easily digested by their aging kidneys. Less cereals means less strain on the body to try to digest - so a top quality grain-free food would probably suit both (more digestible ingredients/less fillers means less poo too)

Paradigm

Agree with all krlyr says above.

Dogs digestive systems don't deal well with grains (or veg protein eg: pea) which are used a cheaper fillers.

Try a good quality high meat grain free food, the intial expense might be offputting but you will feed less so the cost per day isn't much more than the cheaper, grain based brands.

Two examples
http://www.simpsonspremium.com/80-20

http://www.millieswolfheart.co.uk/

You can find others using the link krlyr posted.

ian103

Thanks, we thought JWB was a good food, but it appears its not as good as the sheds say. I am going to try and see what our local store supplies - the web link recommends eden dog food so I'll see if I can get it down here

Paradigm

ian103 wrote: »

the web link recommends eden dog food so I'll see if I can get it down here

Be cautious with Eden, I've tried it & had no real problems but some have. If your dog does ok with it it's a great food but...

It is worth noting though that, despite its obvious quality and the multitudes of avid supporters, Eden doesn't seem to suit all dogs. Of course, this can be said for any dog food but with Eden more than any similar brands, there does appear to be a proportion of dogs, albeit a small one, that have difficulty digesting it.

This leads to sloppy, black poos.. not what you want!

ian103

probably not good for the older dog then, she's a worry - she will go days without eating, then will only eat certain food (recently she'd only eat aldi food) she even turns her nose up a wet food, the JWB seems to be her food of choice at the moment - the younger dog eats anything (skinners made him sloppy - or that could have been the stress of the rescue kennels - not keen to try that again) its just a case af finding a quality food that suits him and our budget

Paradigm

Has the older dog had a checkup at the vet? A dog not eating for days isn't normal, it could be something simple eg: teeth

It might not be just a food thing, I would be getting her checked out if she were mine.

ian103

She was like it when we first got her, we're her 3rd owners, her previous owners fed her cheese and gravy bones, we stopped that but shes always been a faddy eater ever since. We used to worrybabout it a lot, but her weight is good and the vet has not shown any concern in the 7 years or so since we had her, shes fit active and very energetic, its just a challege to keep her interested in food.

Paradigm

Fair enough

Katiehound

Not which food as such but interestingly I am trying to put a bit of weight on my new boy- he needs up to 2kg more body weight. I find that if I feed him extra carbs in the form of pasta- yucky poos, however extra carbs in the form of potatoes fine. (being a hungry hound he will eat anything!)

teddysmum

I used to have a fussy eater (cavalier and one of four). He would eat JWB off and on, but rarely refused Butcher's original , which a vet told me is gentler than the rest of the range.


He also liked Pero Gold (one of the ethical manufacturers) because the pasta spirals and kibble have a sweet tasting vegetable coating.


I use Fish4Dogs working dog, although my two don't work, as it's the same as the regular kibble but gets VAT relief by being marketed in plain wrap and as 'working'. I buy 3 sacks, when on offer, as then I get the offer plus a % off for larger spend.