My Dog's Diets - Can you have a look please

[Wasrandyra]

Right I need some advice as both of my dogs have a few issues which I think may be diet related. I had tried to choose sensible, good quality food.

I will go through it.

Jack Russell Terrier bitch, 2 years 3 months weight approx 5.9kg (she is a short arse) in good condition but not fat or thin, very fussy eater, very nervy. Has quite a bit of 'wind' and also sheds her coat constantly. Itches quite a bit.

Patterdale dog 9 months old, weight above 6kg looks gangly but isnt 'thin'. Has a dry coat (his type) but it is still glossy although gets greasy quickly, plus he has mild dandruff. He itches a lot and nibbles a lot. He does already have very active anal glands and he is a 'smelly' dog - as in doggy smell. He is a gannet and cant eat quick enough

I would like to add that both dogs are regularly checked by a vet - every 3 months, wormed and flea'd and neither dog is neutered. Bitch can be done next month after her last season and dog can be done now.

FEED

Breakfast: Half a cup each of James Wellbeloved kibble with a splash of warm water on.

Dinner: Half a tin each of Butchers Tripe loaf with a sprinkle of kibble (hardly anything). splash of warm water.

Raw carrots as a treat now and again and a 'munchy roll' each at bed time.

I have looked into Land Of Holistic Pets dog food and they have sent me a sample.

What are your thoughts guys ????

 

[mealrigghallstud]

I would cut out the butchers and stick to the JWB twice a day instead, the wet foods are quite high in sugar and they certainly make the dog smellier, the older dog doesn't really need 2 feeds a day - their guts are designed to eat a load and spend ages digesting it! I know you are feeding the pup twice as he will still be growing but maybe just give her a snack which ever end of the day suits you when you feed the pup and the proper meal at the other end.
My jack russel is pretty picky too but feeding her once a day seems to be better and she actually eats it all rather than grazing!

 

[KarynK]

Take the plunge and go raw, it would resolve the issues you mention.

 

[unitedkatey]

Agree with above- go raw go on you know you want to!

 

[Wasrandyra]

Thanks guys. I have tried raw but the JRT wont touch it where as the patterdale will eat it especially rabbit which we have a plantiful supply of (and its free).

I suppose its then down to convenience as in making two different things..

I will take the bitch down to a meal a day and perhaps just give her a biscut bone so she doesnt feel left out.

Perhaps I ought to stop beng lazy. How do you store you raw meats? more advice on this would be great x

 

[unitedkatey]

I just went to my local butchers and asked if he could do me a load of offcuts and he does me a big bag for £5 and then i buy more "real" bits of meat from him with the bones in and such.
I just chuck it all in the freezer and take out 3 days worth at a time!

 

[KarynK]

Make friends with your butcher or be there at in the scrum at the reduced section of the supermarket! and some freezer space is all you need. Why don't you try lightly browning meat for the JRT to start with, then gradually reduce the browning and see how it goes, usually they see others eating the bones and give it a go, don't cook any bones though! you could just literally brown the skin on a chicken leg for a couple of seconds to start with.

Often they are reluctant with raw as they just don't know how to start. My diet is mainly chicken carcasses and lamb ribs with a bit of offal (I have to brown offal for mine as they don't really like it). A small amount of liquidised veg and eggs, I pick things that are about 80% bone to maintain weight so chicken wings and carcasses are perfect for adult dogs on maintenance, basically up the meat content to put on weight up the bone to loose it. You can also add a bit of fish, I cheat and they have pilchards in tomato sauce sometimes.

You only balance the diet over a couple of weeks so there is no need to fuss just feed a variety over that time period. It is very easy and with mine if I forget to defrost they don't mind popsicles at all. You can buy lamb bones in a soup pack at some supermarkets and the chicken wings are cheap and relatively soft from the young chickens they use, so thats good to start dogs new to raw with.