What do you feed your dog and why?

[Silver]

Just another curiosity question and looking for something else for Thunder.

The Canidae is just not cutting it for him. His coat has improved a little but still not the greatest.

Thank you :D

[Skip]

I just recently switched from Wellness ($35.00 for a 30 pound bag) to Healthwise ($27.50 for a 35 pound bag). Several people on this forum highly recommended Healthwise as a premium high-quality kibble that was comparable to Wellness. Both foods use human-grade chicken. So far he really likes it. Healthwise also has a slightly higher calorie count per cup, so I can even feed him slightly less per feeding and still get the same results.

Skip

[nynewbie]

We feed Nash Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed. I like the glucosamine in it. She loves it, her coat is great and the problem she had with gas has disappeared. She could clear the room on Pro Plan. I also give her a tablespoon or so of Plain, nonfat yogurt in the morning.

[Skip]

Originally posted by Skip
I just recently switched from Wellness ($35.00 for a 30 pound bag) to Healthwise ($27.50 for a 35 pound bag). Several people on this forum highly recommended Healthwise as a premium high-quality kibble that was comparable to Wellness. Both foods use human-grade chicken. So far he really likes it. Healthwise also has a slightly higher calorie count per cup, so I can even feed him slightly less per feeding and still get the same results.

Skip

I forgot another benefit. His bm's have went from 3 daily to 2 on the Healthwise. Less yard mess to clean up.

[spoteet]

Sajan eats a raw diet. He has a sensitive digestive system and has constant diarrhea on ANY brand of kibble:D :p

[spidey]

My sister feeds her Irish Setter Innova and his coat is unbelievable, you can practically see your face in it - if you're not happy with Canidae, I would definitely suggest Innova (he was on Wellness previously, but it didn't work as well for him as Innova, and he stopped eating it, which apparently happens pretty frequently with Wellness, according to her vet). By the way, are you brushing him with a hound mitt or brush regularly? Spreading the oils around the hair can really help with shine too (and it's also good for them, and a good opportunity to check them all over). Or, you could try supplementing with Essential Fatty Acid capsules.

[Silver]

I have been giving him Omega 3 fish oil to see if that would help.

I had also tried the Wellness a long time ago and it was a no go form the start.

Yes I do brush him regularly. That's why I am thinking it's the Canidae. It was fine for our previous dog. I know Canidae is not for every dog.

I looked at Natural Blend by Royal Canin, and the ingredients seemed pretty good. The rep said it was free range chicken that they use and it doesn't have any corn, at least that I saw.

[Silver]

I also looked into the Solid Gold line. I'll have to investigate Innova and Healthwise.

[rottnkidd]

I've been feeding a raw diet since my girl was a puppy. She's grown into a healthy, beautiful, well-adjusted adult. Whether the diet has played into all of this, I don't know for sure. But I'm extremely pleased with the results. I did a tremendous amount of research into the diet before starting it, and will continue to feed this way to any other dogs that may join the household. I don't preach or try to convert anyone to feeding this way; it's a personal choice, and one that a person needs to be comfortable with and educated about. Best wishes to you, and I hope you'll soon find a feed that will work for your Thunder!
kathy

[Carina43]

You know, about a year ago I frequented another dog message board and most people did not like Canidae, there were frequent reports of poor skin & coat; other foods like Eaglepack, Wellness, etc were more often recommended. ::shrug:: - Guess it depends on what group of people you talk to! I used to feed it and was very happy - good coats, small stool, etc. There's certainly no shortage of excellent kibbles, though. This page includes a whole list of all the WDJ top ten foods, go to the "dog feeding info" page:
http://home.attbi.com/~mstraus/index.html

Anyhow I feed raw, like Kathy. I can't imagine feeding anything else, the notion of feeding kibble seems really bizarre to me now! And I too am very happy with it, & so are the dogs. :)

Is his coat dry, or are you having some specific problems? Maybe all you need to do is find a food that's a little higher in quality oils, (Innova perhaps?) or maybe he'd do better on something other than chicken based food. That page I linked to has tons of problem-solving info if you hunt a bit, plus a whole list of beneficial things you can add to kibble. Good luck finding a suitable food.

[Silver]

Originally posted by Carina43
This page includes a whole list of all the WDJ top ten foods, go to the "dog feeding info" page:
http://home.attbi.com/~mstraus/index.html

Wow, what a great informative site. Something like this should be listed so it can easily be referenced by people that come with questions like this. Thanks

Nothing specific really with him, the coat on his head is the shinest (maybe because I keep petting him there :D ) but as you go further back it gets dull. I mean there is a sheen but it's not up to what it could be, plus he poops 3-5 times a day. That doesn't seem right but I'm not sure.

[spidey]

You're right, actually. The coat on his head probably IS shiniest because that's where you pat him the most. Oils from your hands, combined with the oils on his skin being spread by the contact will give you a shiny coat (that's why brushing and rubbing with a towel is important for a shine). Also, the hair on the head can be shorter and finer on some dogs, and this can also contribute to its being shinier. As for the frequency of pooping, as long as he's eating a good diet which agrees with him, and he's healthy, that may just be what's normal for him - there is no one "right" number of poops per day, any more than there is with humans, it depends on diet, metabolism, activity level, feeding times and a bunch of other things.

[Carina43]

Originally posted by Silver
Wow, what a great informative site. Something like this should be listed so it can easily be referenced by people that come with questions like this. Thanks

Isn't that a handy site, I keep it bookmarked. That Mary person did a great job putting it together. :)
3-5 times a day seems like a lot, but I'm sure spidey's right, there are lots of individual differences. If you're in a cold dry state, and he's inside where you have dry heat, his coat could be a little drier in winter too. I know I use a TON of lotion this time of year, (on me, not the dogs :D ) and I up the fat content in the dogs' diet too. Maybe try adding some canned fish, like sardines, mackerel, salmon...?

My local Rite Aid drug store (of all places) has salmon on sale for $1/lg can, no limits, sometimes. I have several cases of salmon in the garage for the dogs!

[lblax]

i switched from canidae to california natural lamb and rice and he is in much better shape and no alergies i know of a lot of dogs that have not done well on canidae

[girlunderainbow]

I like Solid Gold and have fed it in the past..and also think california natural is good for dogs with allergies..But feed Nutro Lamb and Rice. I like the ingredients in it. KNOW what you mean about the gas problems..while I've never fed Pro Plan..I have fed Purina when I was given it for rescues before (which is about the same quality I think).and the gas was HORRIBLE.
I think it can vary from dog to dog..but mine are doing great on Nutro..and I have raised various puppies on the Nutro Lamb and Rice puppy chow..and see major results.
Curious..does anyone feed Precise or Precise Plus? Where I work now sells/pushes/likes it alot (feeds it to her dogs)..but their lamb/rice has corn ..and is more expensive than Nutro..PLUS I'm content with what I've been doin g..