Re: Dog food recommendation
Dog food is very expensive, we have 3 dogs to feed. You may try a cheaper brand or give your dog snacks of healthy food. Most dogs love raw carrots and apples. work up slow so the dog doesn't have diarrhea. Also try a diet dry food and put beef broth or bouillon on it for extra flavor. Of course there's always increasing exercise. Just like people, that will help. But I would try the veggies first. Most dogs love veggies, both raw and cooked. Mix in extra cook green beans, broccoli, spinach, etc. but go slow.
Re: Dog food recommendation
It is my understanding that as feed quality increases, the recommended amount decreases. I'd talk with the feed store owner - they often know what brand works better for certain breeds/conditions.
What I find amazing with my dogs is how sensitive they are to changes in quantity. Rook - my hyperactive German Shorthair, gets 6 cups a day. If I change it to 7, I can see a difference in 3 days.
Re: Dog food recommendation
<font color="blue">Most dogs love raw carrots and apples </font color>
Mine do. Vet says the ruffage goes right thru them w/o adding weight.
Re: Dog food recommendation
Thanks for the ideas. We'll try the veggies-as-treats idea and also look into another dog food. Makes sense that a lower quality dog food would have more "filler" so we could feed more and still get the same nutrition - just need to make sure the filler isn't empty calories. We'll talk to the feed store.
Thanks again.
Re: Dog food recommendation
On overweight rescues in need of reduction we cut their dog food and substitute an equal amount of canned (unsalted) green beans. Plenty of fiber and bulk, so they feel full, but they can't digest the stuff.
Pete
Re: Dog food recommendation
Cooked Minute Rice is a good filler, too.
On another note, I can't remember where I read this, but for those feeding fruit and similar stuff for snacks (I do too) DO NOT feed grapes or raisins. They don't know why yet, but it has been found that a relatively small amount can cause kidney failure and death in a significant number of dogs. It might have said 50%, I'm pulling from memory here.
Fred
Re: Dog food recommendation
Wow, I never heard that about grapes and raisins!!! Thanks for that info, I'll ask our vets if they have any info on that, and if they do, I'll post it!
While we're on the subject of what NOT to feed dogs, I hope everyone here knows that chocolate is toxic to dogs!!!
Re: Dog food recommendation
fred,
<font color="blue"> DO NOT feed grapes or raisins. They don't know why yet, but it has been found that a relatively small amount can cause kidney failure and death in a significant number of dogs. It might have said 50%, I'm pulling from memory here.
</font color>
not that I dont' believe you, but where did this info come from? I'd like to learn more. My mom's cockerspainel loves grapes. I can't recall our vet telling us not to feed them to dogs.
Re: Dog food recommendation
Found it!
It was in March's issue of Dog Fancy, the one with the Norwegian Elkhound on the cover. The article was written from information gotten from the address I have typed (not sure if it will come out as hypertext or not).
BTW, while we're on toxins, uncooked onions are bad news, too. And green potato skins.
http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/....pdf?docID=189
Fred