I need food advice

[Rottygirl1]

Hello all:

I have been reading all about your food thoughts and how most of you feed your dogs Candae. I have never heard of this until now....why is it so special and where can I get it? When Diesel came home I started him on IAMS puppy food alternating with the yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs. I even put in some raw ground chicken which gave him bad diahrea for days, I had to take him to the vet for a shot to stop it. He really didn't like eating all that stuff as a pup and he even wasn't crazy about the kibble. I HAD 2 minipins (which I just gave to my mother, b/c Diesel and Dallas couldn't even look at eachother without going at it, and seeing how Diesel is 110lbs and Dallas is 16lbs I was afraid for his life) which I used to give Pedigree too, and Diesel would not eat his food but gobble down the Pedigree. So I decided why am I waisting my money on IAMS when I can get Pedigree for a whole lot cheaper if thats what he likes. So I stopped giving him all the additives and started giving him the Pedigree and he has been doing fine on it. He likes it, his coat is nice and shiny and like I said he is 12 months old on the 4th and is 110lbs (maybe more). He is not fat at all, he is very muscular and lean.

After seeing all your posts about the Candae and how "supermarket foods" are NO good, I'm considering giving him a better quality food. What do you think I should do? Should I keep him on the Pedigree and start adding the additives again or should I switch? Occasionally I give him the ground chicken and beef but I cook it first and then mix it with his food, but like I said its only occasionally, its not part of his regular diet. I have heard mixed things about the raw meats and since his first episode Im not sure I want to try it again. Please give me your advice, thanks:)

[AngelBunny]

Rottygirl1:

Just about every aspect you can imagine related to food--BARF, ingredients, how to read lists of ingredients, discussion of foods by name, vitamins, supplements, treats, and more--has been extensively discussed in Nutrition and Grooming.

Reading thru all the postings here will answer your questions, since the questions you asked have been answered repeatedly.

Happy reading!!

[Carina43]

Well, some would say if he's doing well on Pedigree, why change what works - however I can't in good conscience recommend a junk food like that!

Canidae is a very good kibble, but it's one of many excellent commercial foods. There's a whole list & lots of info here:
http://home.attbi.com/~mstraus/dogfeeding.html

[CarolineS]

If you're going to feed a good quality kibble, you don't need to add any extra foods. If your dog doesn't really care for dry kibble, just add a couple of teaspoons of a good canned food and some warm water.

There are lots of good quality kibbles around, Canidae is only one. Some others are Innova, California Natural and Wellness. There are more, do a search as was suggested. :)

Usually the cheaper foods only have one source of meat in the top five ingredients and if it is any kind of a byproduct, it is not a top quality protein source. The other four ingredients will be grains and grain byproducts of some kind. If fed to a dog as is, they wouldn't touch it, so Pedigree and some other cheaper brands will spray their foods with chicken fat after processing to enhance the taste. That's why so many dogs like Pedigree. That's also why the dog's coat is shiny, fats and oils will do that. A shiny coat is not always an indication of the overall quality of the food.

[Rottygirl1]

thanks caroline and everyone else,

I didn't know that dog food company's do that, no wonder why he likes it! I always assumed that b/c his coat is shiny then its good stuff. I never thought about all the other crap that is in there, ewwww! I'm going to switch his food this weekend to the Canidae. I have found a local Agway that carries it. I will see if they have the other brands mentioned also.

Thanks for all the help! :)

[SpotsNRotts]

Originally posted by Rottygirl1
I'm going to switch his food this weekend to the Canidae. I have found a local Agway that carries it.

OH, which Agway, RottyGirl1? My Agway in North Haven CT does NOT carry Canidae, so I am driving into Cheshire to get it from Pet Guard every 2-3 weeks.
I'm just curious if its the Agway in North Branford that carries it, as that would be closer for me....I shouldn't have assumed ALL Agways carry the same foods!

[Eyerman]

I switched to Canidae and it was the best change I could have made. My oldest was a picky eater and now she drowls when I grab the food bowl. It also does wonders for their coats. Everyone compliments me on how beautiful the 2 girls coats are. All I feed is Canidae and I do not mix anything else in with it. More expensive but you don't have to feed as much.

[RottiMomCT]

Melissa (SpotsNRotts) I think RottyGirl1 is in the Danbury area; which is good for ME since I'm about 20 minutes from Danbury...whoo hoo!!!!!

:D :D :D :D

might hafta swithc the furkids here to Canidae - at least switch Ben - I know the in-laws won't pay much more for food...they wanna switch cuz they think $30 for a 30 pound bag is too much $$ - don't really care that the dogs are doing fabulous on it!! Grrrr....ignorance - makes me NUTS!!!

[SpotsNRotts]

Originally posted by RottiMomCT
might hafta swithc the furkids here to Canidae - at least switch Ben - I know the in-laws won't pay much more for food...they wanna switch cuz they think $30 for a 30 pound bag is too much $$ - don't really care that the dogs are doing fabulous on it!! Grrrr....ignorance - makes me NUTS!!!

Go for it Anne! :D I noticed a big difference in the poop volume when I went from Wellness to Canidae, the dogs LOVE the Canidae and I get in Cheshire for about $36 for a 40-lb. bag. Ally & Sweet Pea need 2.5 cups a day and JD is on 5 cups a day right now since I am still trying to put a little weight on him. So the 40# bag lasts me about 2.5 weeks.

[Rottygirl1]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thanks :D I bought the Canidae today for Diesel and he gobbled it up without coming up for air :D I also bought a few cans of the Canidae to mix in, I wasn't sure how he would take to just the dry, he loved both. I'm glad to hear that it reduces the poop volume :D Diesel poops like an elephant and alot of it :D (probably from that junk food he was eating before...lol) I also paid $31 for a 40lb bag and $.99 for the big cans at Agway (just for you info!)


Thanks again
Michele

[SpotsNRotts]

Originally posted by Rottygirl1
I also paid $31 for a 40lb bag and $.99 for the big cans at Agway (just for you info!)

EXCELLENT!!! Glad you took the plunge and the dog likes it!! ;)