wet or dry?

[MotherOfChickens]

Not wanting to turn this into a RAW discussion but do you feed a wet food or a dry one and why? And which ones?

I feed tinned or trays-old dog won't eat dry so I've not fed it for about 5 years. New dog came with some kibble but I'd forgotten how much poop is generated! So now she's on the same. I try and keep them to good quality stuff such as Forthglade, Nature's Menu but the old boy does like his Webbox trays but they are grain free at least. I am debating whether to try him back on RAW (a pre-made one) as his appetite is much improved with the addition of a second dog! And he looked good on it last time (many skin allergies). They do get bones as well.

 

[Fiona]

We changed all the family pets onto dry food when the vets first started to promote Hills Science plan many years ago.

Although don't feed Science plan any more thanks to the wonderful allaboutdogfood website

Dog gets wainwright dry, and the cats get royal canin dry..

Fiona

 

[Possum]

We feed dry food (Fishmongers), mostly because the number of cans of wet food the Newfie would have to eat is a bit ridiculous. I'd prefer to feed raw, but we don't have the freezer space.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

We feed dry food (Fishmongers), mostly because the number of cans of wet food the Newfie would have to eat is a bit ridiculous. I'd prefer to feed raw, but we don't have the freezer space.

lol, yes I can imagine with a really big dog that tinned might be very pricey! My setter is 32kg but has never had a huge appetite so its not too bad. The other dog wishes she got that amount of food but she's only wee (20kg). I am probably not feeding them as efficiently (economically) as I could. There are so many different brands I was hoping I might get some ideas on this thread I've tried the Dene's tripe mixes too but although low in carbs and high in protein, they are also quite high in fat.

I managed to score a chest freezer for free from FB-we have a ridiculously huge utility room to put it in though. Before we got it, OH was complaining there was only dog food in the (fridge) freezer.

 

[Snuffles]

--deleted ..

 

[Leo Walker]

I feed RAW and wouldnt feed anything else, but I'm not a rabid RAW feeder But if your thinking about it then give it a go. Theres nothing to say you cant change if it doesnt suit. Mine is demonic on "normal" dog food, slightly better on grain free, but is very picky and gets a really scurfy coat, so for me its a no brainer

 

[Cinnamontoast]

The youngsters are fully raw, big dog doesn't tolerate tripe etc so has raw chicken plus Wainwright's trays and Fishmongers' kibble. The amount of meat/fish is greater than many more expensive foods. The trays are good value, IMO.

Raw is how I will probably always feed, I like seeing what they're getting. Pre-made is fab, but probably very expensive compared to sourcing your own. I have a huge freezer and get deliveries once every three months and I supplement with anything I like the look of from the shops I'm in.

Try raw, read the sticky, it's very useful.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

CT he simply won't eat offal or bones with too much meat on them so I used Nature's Menu but he then wouldn't eat those with tripe in, he then went off all the others. He was on Wainwrights trays for a couple of years but went off those too. He's of an age now whereby I just need him to eat and get the calories hence my reluctance to go back to RAW but saying that, the presence of another dog has improved his appetite. She'd eat anything and I'd no qualms about trying her with it eventually and I'd like the pup we get next year to be on it. I'd still probably go for pre-made tbh.

 

[ihatework]

Mine is a Labrador. I have no problems with him eating what is in front of him, lol!!
I've always fed dry kibble just for convenience - however over time came to realise the contents of the kibble affected poo volume and wind!!
He is now on Acana Light & Fit and its a brilliant feed on all counts.

 

[RunToEarth]

Mine was on Acana until my supplier stopped stocking it, so she's been on Canidae grain free for the past six months and she looks really well on it, she eats it a lot more readily than the Acana too. I would never consider feeding wet unless I went raw and I just would never consider buying tinned/trays of dog meat.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Acana does look good, haven't seen it around here though. Not sure I would go back to a kibble though, cat only gets wet food as well.

 

[ihatework]

Acana does look good, haven't seen it around here though. Not sure I would go back to a kibble though, cat only gets wet food as well.

If you / anyone else wanted Acana kibble then the best way I have found is to buy it via Monster Pet Supplies. They courier it direct to your door free and they also do competitive prices if you buy 2 large sacks at one - from memory I pay £78 for 26kg delivered whereas trekking to the pet shop and buying a 13kg sack was about £42 ish

 

[MotherOfChickens]

thanks for the tip-they have some good deals!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Have you tried the obvious stuff like pouring salmon oil on top or adding stinky pilchards/sardines in tomato sauce?

I would never consider feeding wet unless I went raw and I just would never consider buying tinned/trays of dog meat.

But some trays eg Natures Menu are fabulous quality, so not sure why you wouldn't consider them. The pre-prepared raw stuff is easy, comes in trays/tubs. Would you consider adding in chicken wings or the occasional raw bit of whatever's in the fridge? Mince is a fabulous easy way to add in a bit of raw if you're still thinking you might want to try it.

 

[RunToEarth]

But some trays eg Natures Menu are fabulous quality, so not sure why you wouldn't consider them. The pre-prepared raw stuff is easy, comes in trays/tubs. Would you consider adding in chicken wings or the occasional raw bit of whatever's in the fridge? Mince is a fabulous easy way to add in a bit of raw if you're still thinking you might want to try it.

I think it's just the stigma for me - tinned dog food = pedigree chum type stuff, I know that sounds bizarre. Yes I often feed raw in with dry biscuits, mostly rabbit, chicken liver, mince and tripe. My OH still takes issue with the raw chicken and the bones, gently gently...

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Have you tried the obvious stuff like pouring salmon oil on top or adding stinky pilchards/sardines in tomato sauce?

.

was this to me? yes, please believe me when I say I have tried everything like that with him previously, he's 12 so I don't see the value in changing his diet radically right now that he's finally eating ok.

 

[Goldenstar]

Dry with household scraps .
Dogs look well are not overweight ( Labradors ) and live long lives .

 

[Kaylum]

Always fed canned. Have dogs died at age 14 westie 13 and a half scottie and 17 jrt.

Only got old age health problems.

What suits one dog may not suit another but mine have all lived long healthy lives.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

What suits one dog may not suit another but mine have all lived long healthy lives.

agreed-I had a little mongrel bitch back in the 90s who looked a million dollars on Chappie-she was a little ball of muscle.

 

[Clodagh]

Ours have skinners D&R and leftovers, cooked and raw, whatever is there. It looks disgusting but they look well. If there are no extras they get milk on top, I know they aren't meant to but they look ok.