TRIAL ON NEW DOG FOOD

[Johnny]

Kitty & I had to buy another batch of dog food for our hounds yesterday, and I don't know if you're like us - but we always buy a large 15kg bag of food, as this works out more cost effective in the long run.

We are fully aware that selecting the right dog food can be very difficult. What's good for one dog (or type of dog) - is not always best for every dog.

When we first started out with whippets, we had them on "Hills Science" diet, but this always gave them runny, light coloured poo (sorry for being so graphic - but keeping a check on what comes out the other end is a good guide to how the dogs are doing on their diet!).
Since then we have had them on a half-half mixture of the expensive Purina "Pro" and the cheaper Purina dried food. This seems to have been a good balance, and has suited them well.

Yesterday, we were in the "Pets-at-Home" store, and discussed with the manager the ins-and-outs of different dog foods.
I was well aware that there is a lot of difference in the protein and meat content of dried foods, and basically the more you paid the better quality the food.
I wasn't surprised when he recommended the Pets-at-Home own brand, but I was surprised to see that it had a minimum of 25% chicken meat (as much as Hills and Purina Pro), and contained many other ingredients found in more expensive foods that helps promote strong teeth, bones, skin, fur, and immune system.

If it's like it says on the packet - it could well be a good food, so we've bought a 15kg bag (£19.99), and will try it out over the coming month.
We will update you on how they're doing on it.

[Stuart]

Yeah definatley let us know as Sophie don't like her food so were always on the look out for good value dog food, thats not full of c.rap!

[Sara]

How's it going Johnny?

[Franky]

The main thing with dog foods is the protein content, you don't want anything with too high a content as pet dogs don't need it, it can send them hyper with too much energy and make them ill.
If you look at the protein content of greyhound racing food and maintenance food you'll see that the racing one is generally over 22% and the maintenance one under.

We feed Autarky, its wheat gluten free, free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives and contains 15 different herbs.
It costs under £15 for a 15 kg bag.

Munchy says it tastes great too!!!

[Johnny]

sara said:

How's it going Johnny?

So far, so good. It seems very good to us. They eat it up, and they "go" properly!
Our Gery's look fighting fit!

[Johnny]

sara said:

How's it going Johnny?

We've had Star & Sugar on the "Pets-at-Home" own branded food for over seven months now, and can categorically say - that it's the best food we've ever had them on.

At the check-up at the vets, they said our two were both in very good health, and that they didn't look as if they were lacking in anything.

Now, I know Sugar's has been ill a couple of times in the last six months, but that has nothing to do with diet - it is a general weakness that she seems to be susceptible to.
Star has been in perfect health, and both dogs have not been sick, had upset stomachs, or have had diarrorhea in that time. The food also doesn't seem to leave tatar and deposits on their teeth like some foods can.
Also, they've always eaten every bit of this food we've given them, and they've never left a single morsel - even Sugar, and even whilst she was ill. They obviously find this food very palatible.

My personal opinion - is that the "Pets-at-Home" own branded dry dog foods are very good quality, and I would recommend them for whippets being kept as pets. The other (more expensive) foods, tend to upset their systems, and the cheaper ones tend to be full of either wheat (which makes Star hyper-active) or Soya (a cheap meat-substitute protein which is of no nutritional value for dogs).

At present, "Pets-at-Home" has a special offer on their 15kg bags of dog food - £18.99 instead of the normal price of £27.99, so we loaded up with a big bag of Lamb and Rice for our two yesterday!
It might not be the cheapest food, but if you buy that - you get what you pay for. It also isn't the most expensive - but buying food like that, often means you're paying a large proportion of the price for the "brand" or the "marketing" and "advertising".
I would be very reluctant to change foods now, cos this one's great for our two.

[robbo]

A local rep. for Oscar foods came round and had a long chat about diet - he seemed to know his stuff and gave Tel a free sample meal. He ate it all, needless to say and his poo was firmer. It can be fed dry or with liquid and is quite cheap - £15 for 15kilos. His name is Terry, 'phone is 01493733377 and he would probably be interested in having a stall at our dog show. This sounds like a PR exercise!!
In the end I stuck with Tel's original food - Odds On which is 20% protein and £9 for a 15kilo bag from Yarmouth Stadium. I mix it with gravy and various extras like pilchards, tuna, mince, etc.
The Walthamstow Stadium website has excellent advice on diet.
Franky's advice on protein levels is spot on, by the way

[Stuart]

We are a bit stuck at the moment on dog food, we were feeding Sophie Judges Choicem, but she doesn't really like it cause she would only eat it when she was REALLY hungry, which I suppose in a way is a good thing!

But we ended up buying her James Wellbeloved which she loves, but it costs a fortune!!!!

I might have a look at some of the Pets at home own brand stuff next time I go up there.

[tanya1]

always ring vitalin when having a feeding problem they are by far the most helpful food company i have come across so far , they do send a decent size trial pack 2.5 kg and willing to keep sending to get it right for you and your dog, i personally use puppy and junior for pups as 46% chicken! high in protein though, aslo lamb and rice sensitive is excellent fo picky dogs too