Dog Food

[DaveHerns]

Last week I rehomed a 2.5 yo chocolate lab. Quite a big boy, probably 30-35 kg. He's been fed on Royal Canin (not sure what type) I'm told it's the best. He certainly gobbles it up. Is it really good for the dogs or is it just hype? Anyone got any recommendations?
Thanks

 

[Ihavenojob]

Chicken & rice

 

[Ihavenojob]

Raw meat , veg & offal, cut back on treats & increase exercise . Raw veg is good for teeth.

 

[Notch7]

Best of luck with your new family addition!

For some background on dog foods have a look here:

https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

Royal canin:
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews/0060/royal-canin-medium-adult

Royal Canin is a heavily marketed product, they do deals with vets and breeders. Their USP is they sell a wide range that is breed specific -which is not necessary just some marketing.It is def overhyped and not that healthy.

I feed my dog Nutriment:

http://www.nutriment.co/categories/dog-range.html

And for brekkie, kibble:

https://www.canagan.co.uk

Most budget dog foods are bulked out with cheap carbs like grains, which arent so good. A percentage of rice is ok.

 

[mattylad]

If its in the supermarket its crap.
Read the contents, learn whats best for your dog - especially its breed as labs often get overweight so correct feeding is something you need to be on top of.

 

[Notch7]

s labs often get overweight

Yes, labs get a bit of middle aged spread rather easily They are of course highly food driven

 

[Mottie]

We use James Wellbeloved for our cocker. Tried Royal Canin for a while but she found it too rich to digest - kept throwing it up and squirting it out and we had introduced it gradually. If you do change, whatever you do change to, do not change overnight. Gradually introduce the new feed with the old over a period of a couple of weeks or so. When you settle down, have a think about using fetch.co.uk and you can get 20% off your first order - try this code http://codes.co.uk/pop/257104. Delivery is free if over £40 and is delivered by Ocado at a time slot to suit you. (You can sign up again under a different email and delivery address - just give, say, next doors address but put on the delivery note to deliver to your house. I’m practically in the next street now!)

 

[Nozzle]

A lot of the cheapest food contains more ash. Yes, ash.

Nozzle

 

[Mottie]

A lot of the cheapest food contains more ash. Yes, ash.

Nozzle

That is true. Look at the ash content on the packet.

 

[gasbanni]

Last week I rehomed a 2.5 yo chocolate lab. Quite a big boy, probably 30-35 kg. He's been fed on Royal Canin (not sure what type) I'm told it's the best. He certainly gobbles it up. Is it really good for the dogs or is it just hype? Anyone got any recommendations?
Thanks

.

Never had a lab, our dog a border collie mix lasted about 18 years ( I can't think about the end ).

But I intentionally gave him a right old mix of food. Dog food, family food leftovers, tuna in sunflower oil, Cans of corned beef. He loved water chestnuts ?? I know I shouldn't have done this but as he would have sold his soul for a packet of malteasers I used to roll a couple across the floor for him to catch and devour occasionally.

Rightly or wrongly I thought a very varied diet wold be good for him, he had excellent health and a soft shiny coat ...... up to about 15 years old he looked about 3.
people looked at me odd when if they asked I told them his age.

Never give a dog chicken bones !!!!!! Known of a case where a dogs guts were punctured and it died from eating chicken bones.

 

[Mottie]

Never give a dog any cooked bones. Uncooked bones are fine including chicken. Lamb neck bones are particularly good as they are soft and really clean their teeth. The butcher will normally give them to you for free if you are a regular customer. We give ours a treat now and then with raw chicken wings.

 

[gasbanni]

Repeat do not give chicken bones to a dog haven't you ever seen some that are pointed like needles ? Stupid to give a dog a chicken carcass!

 

[Mottie]

Repeat, it’s okay to give dogs raw chicken bones. Never get to see a raw carcass. Just legs, thighs, wings, necks, feet.
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15230/1/Raw-Chicken-for-Dogs.html
https://www.petforums.co.uk/threads/feeding-dogs-raw-chicken.90462/
https://www.naturesmenu.co.uk/chicken-wings
https://www.bubhub.com.au/community...GENT-can-you-feed-dogs-raw-chicken-drumsticks

As for feeding them the human food leftover **** you recommend...

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/st...nd-cabbage-bacon-carrots-potatoes-onions-salt
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/never-feed-dog-leftovers/

 

[Notch7]

There actually isnt ash in dog food

Crude ash as stated on the packet is a measure of the mineral content, calculated by whats left after the fat, protein, carbs are burnt away.

Never feed dogs: onions, grapes, raisins, sultanas.

 

[Brigade77]

I feed my Parson's Terrier a green tripe mix that my butcher has perfected, he breeds prize winning Alsations so it must be OK.

She gets the occasional bowl of chicken which barely lasts a minute & she visibly trembles whilst it's being prepared !

The only food treats she gets are the 'Markies' biscuits. She always gets one after finishing her bowl & she growls to let you know this.

All of my dogs over the years have always been fed a raw diet & I've never fed a dog 7 days in a row. A one day per week fast is very beneficial to long term health.