Dog food changing my dogs behaviour?

you_wicked_gay

I have 5 dogs which have all been fed on Bakers Complete Puppy with no problems at all.

After watching 'It's me or the dog' during the week, the programme said that feeding your dog the same dried complete food everyday will get boring for them and they may go off their food.

So after hearing this I went out and purchased a bag of Frolic to try them with. I figured the meaty chewy texture would make a nice change from the crunchy kibble dry stuff they're used to.

However since giving the dogs the Frolic for the past few days, my Chihuahua/Jack Russell cross female has become on edge, aggressive towards my other dogs and very posessive of everything.

Could this change in behaviour be down to the ingredients in the food? It's only been since I gave them frolic over the last few days that this has happened, more so today.

Help anyone?

ariba10

Go back to Bakers and see.

Our dog has had only Omega for a good few years. He is as fit as a fiddle. (And never complains.)

Justie

I don't remember hearing that on It's Me or the Dog - it's not something that's recommended. Usual advice is to keep the dog's diet the same unless you need to change for health reasons etc in which case gradually introduce the new food over a few days by mixing it with the old food. And yes change of food can cause change in behaviour - sometimes it's a direct result of what's in the food and sometimes it's because the dog isn't feeling at their best because of the change in diet. If you want to add interest for your dog then add some veg or try some different treats but most dogs are better off with the same diet all the time (unlike cats who often prefer variety of flavours etc).

tiamai_d

Actually changing a dogs food will make them fussy.

Go back to bakers, it was doing them fine and don't change unless you have to. Then gradually introduce the new food.

Dogs do not eat to 'enjoy' food, they eat to stay healthy and happy. Its us that have this problem of wanting to give a dog different tastes and all it does is bring a whole load of trouble and expense later on.

If you really feel you want to give them a bit of excitement, you can give little bits of cooked left over meat, vegetables, fruit, natural yogurt, cottage cheese, cooked egg etc, in with their dinner.

Introduce each new food slowly (especially the dairy) one type a week, anything that gives them the runs don't feed again.

Stay clear of onions, raisins and grapes and chocolate as they are very toxic to dogs and can kill. Avoid chicken bones due to the risk of choking and splintering.

My dog is a picky eater, but he knows he gets his dry food and thats it and he does eat eat it. If I make chicken or mince, he gets a bit in with his dinner. Sometimes I will boil him an egg, and he is happy and healthy and growing big and strong (he is 8months).

louidog

We have a 2 year old Springer and the dog trainer at the classes said not to feed Bakers to any dog as they have so many artificial colours in. She also said that spaniels were really sensitive to such things. We took him off Bakers right away! Not sure if they were right or not but didn't want a hyperactive dog as well as a son with ADHD too!

We now feed him James Wellbeloved and chicken.

you_wicked_gay

Justie wrote: »

I don't remember hearing that on It's Me or the Dog - it's not something that's recommended. Usual advice is to keep the dog's diet the same unless you need to change for health reasons etc in which case gradually introduce the new food over a few days by mixing it with the old food. And yes change of food can cause change in behaviour - sometimes it's a direct result of what's in the food and sometimes it's because the dog isn't feeling at their best because of the change in diet. If you want to add interest for your dog then add some veg or try some different treats but most dogs are better off with the same diet all the time (unlike cats who often prefer variety of flavours etc).

It was said on this weeks show about the diet.

I think I shall switch back to the Bakers. I know about all the veg/fruit/meat you can add etc as I do this anyway. I have 5 dogs and they do enjoy fresh food.

you_wicked_gay

tiamai_d wrote: »

Actually changing a dogs food will make them fussy.

Go back to bakers, it was doing them fine and don't change unless you have to. Then gradually introduce the new food.

Dogs do not eat to 'enjoy' food, they eat to stay healthy and happy. Its us that have this problem of wanting to give a dog different tastes and all it does is bring a whole load of trouble and expense later on.

If you really feel you want to give them a bit of excitement, you can give little bits of cooked left over meat, vegetables, fruit, natural yogurt, cottage cheese, cooked egg etc, in with their dinner.

Introduce each new food slowly (especially the dairy) one type a week, anything that gives them the runs don't feed again.

Stay clear of onions, raisins and grapes and chocolate as they are very toxic to dogs and can kill. Avoid chicken bones due to the risk of choking and splintering.

My dog is a picky eater, but he knows he gets his dry food and thats it and he does eat eat it. If I make chicken or mince, he gets a bit in with his dinner. Sometimes I will boil him an egg, and he is happy and healthy and growing big and strong (he is 8months).

Thanks for your help but I already know all this - I have 5 dogs :rotfl:

I just worry about her sudden aggression for no reason - I think I may contact Mars Inc who produce Frolic and complain that their food is making my dog angry lol

Back to bakers it is - unless I can find a decent fresh food diet online for them.

ariba10

you_wicked_gay wrote: »

Thanks for your help but I already know all this - I have 5 dogs :rotfl:

I just worry about her sudden aggression for no reason - I think I may contact Mars Inc who produce Frolic and complain that their food is making my dog angry lol

I don't think Mars will hold their hands up and say that Frolic causes a problem with dogs.

you_wicked_gay

ariba10 wrote: »

I don't think Mars will hold their hands up and say that Frolic causes a problem with dogs.

Oh I know that, but they should be alerted of it, whether they take note or not.

It's a shame companies don't care about their customers - I was gutted to hear Mars have started to use animal rennet in their chocolate and other products, just because rennet is cheaper than the veg subtance they were using

Bromley86

Mars reversed that decision:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6673549.stm

you_wicked_gay

Bromley86 wrote: »

Mars reversed that decision:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6673549.stm

Ohh that's good to know