Food Thief

adogbarking · 09-12-2007, 08:57 AM

We have a Brittany Spaniel - I know that these dogs are prone to being food thiefs but over time our dog has become more of one than ever. I recently saw a show of "It's Me or the Dog" where the dog was a major dog thief - worse than our dog. Victoria Stilwell said that part of the dog's problem was that the dog food that they were giving the dog did not contain enough protein so that the dog didn't feel full - further the food was going right through the dog. This seems to be happening with our dog too. We are feeding her Beneful at this time. Any thoughts about this or suggestions of a different, better food?

Thanks!

sillylilykitty · 09-12-2007, 09:51 AM

Beneful is definatly not a good food. You should definatly check out the food forum, there is a dog food analysis website and dog food reviews. I would recommend Canidae, its not expensive and its a really good food.

Lightwingcreations · 09-12-2007, 10:47 AM

Hi, I would check out the thread below. It gives information on how to read dog food ingredient lists as well as information on dog nutrition. You can also read some of the past posts about good dog foods available by doing a word search in the dog food forum.

http://www.dogforums.com/5-dog-food-...ients-pet.html (The Truth About the Ingredients in Pet Food)

If you really sat down and looked at the ingredients in the current food you're feeding, keeping in mind that dogs are carnivorous, you will start to understand why your Brittany is a food hound. I found the ingredients for your dogs food on this website: http://forums.dogfoodproject.com/pos...dogfood&page=1 It's got ingredient lists for all kinds of dog foods so you can compare.

Stuff highlighted in red was added by me just to show you some of the things I don't think are so great about this food. I really recommend reading the post linked above for more information.

Ingredients:
Ground yellow corn (corn is not very digestible, so it's termed a filler), chicken by-product meal (can be anything from heads, feet, intestines, etc.), corn gluten meal (again, not very digestable), whole wheat flour (dogs digestive tract isn't designed for complex starch digestion), beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, sorbitol, tricalcium phosphate, water, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried peas, dried carrots, calcium carbonate, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2), dl-Methionine, zinc sulfate, glyceryl monostearate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite

briteday · 09-12-2007, 11:49 AM

I have had dogs on premium diets that are still food stealers.

You can try some obedience classes to learn strategies. And try to begin by putting a plate of food down on a table near you with something the dog considers irresistable. Then correct the dog as it gets too close to the food, starts sniffing, etc. I'm sure an obedience instructor will have other suggestions for you as well.

sillylilykitty · 09-12-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightwingcreations

If you really sat down and looked at the ingredients in the current food you're feeding, keeping in mind that dogs are carnivorous, you will start to understand why your Brittany is a food hound.

But dogs are not carnivores, they are omnivores, they need more than just meat. Cats are the obligate carnivores.

bluesbarby · 09-12-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillylilykitty

But dogs are not carnivores, they are omnivores, they need more than just meat. Cats are the obligate carnivores.

Actually dogs are omnivores. Check out their teeth.

sillylilykitty · 09-12-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesbarby

Actually dogs are omnivores. Check out their teeth.

Thats what I said

bluesbarby · 09-12-2007, 03:54 PM

Sorry, I meant to type carnivores. Research it.

lovemygreys · 09-12-2007, 04:05 PM

Look at dog food (any kind of kibble). Then look at people food. It's pretty easy to see which is more appealing. I don't blame a dog for wanting to get a piece of people food when they have the chance.

That said, Beneful is not really the highest quality food you can buy. If cost is a factor, I'd look at Diamond Naturals or (if you have access to a Costco) Kirkland brand dog food. Canidae seems to be really popular, but it is pricey.

Even if you feed your dog the most expensive kibble or dog food on the market, they will still probably steal human food if given the opportunity. Dogs are opportunistic eaters. If they have the opportunity, they'll eat.

Our solution is to keep food out of reach of the dogs. We have trained our dogs not to take our food off the table or TV trays....and as long as we are in the general vicinity they respect that rule. But, if I were to leave something tasty sitting at dog level and leave the house...it would be gone when I came back. Can't say that I blame them. We eat tasty food

sskbreed · 09-12-2007, 04:44 PM

read the thread down the list a little written by a vet titled "the truth about the irgred...." i believe it is beneful he is talking about. but good food won't stop food stealing, just make your dog healthier.

Lightwingcreations · 09-12-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillylilykitty

But dogs are not carnivores, they are omnivores, they need more than just meat. Cats are the obligate carnivores.

No, they are not obligate carnivores, but they are carnivores, feeding them a food that contains mostly corn, corn gluten, wheat, soy, rice and the like is not what I would constitute a good diet for any dog. Omnivores that rely heavily on meat (canines) would not be eating all of the "filler" that they put into that food, hence me calling them carnivores. Do I recommend feeding vegetation to a dog? Yes. Do I think that should be the predominant ingredient? No, I personally would never turn a dog into a vegan. I don't think dogs should be fed grains because of their poor digestability and vegetation should be given in a form that they can assimilate or I would call them a "filler".

RonE · 09-12-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Canidae seems to be really popular, but it is pricey.

I pay about the same for Canidae as I did for Purina One and Esther eats less of it to maintain her girlish figure.

I switched because of what I read on this forum, so you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.

sillylilykitty · 09-12-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightwingcreations

No, they are not obligate carnivores, but they are carnivores, feeding them a food that contains mostly corn, corn gluten, wheat, soy, rice and the like is not what I would constitute a good diet for any dog. Omnivores that rely heavily on meat (canines) would not be eating all of the "filler" that they put into that food, hence me calling them carnivores. Do I recommend feeding vegetation to a dog? Yes. Do I think that should be the predominant ingredient? No, I personally would never turn a dog into a vegan. I don't think dogs should be fed grains because of their poor digestability and vegetation should be given in a form that they can assimilate or I would call them a "filler".

I agree, I wouldnt want to feed a dog food with a bunch of grains in it either. I made a thread about dogs being carnivores or omnivores and I have learned that they are carnivores, just not obligated to be so like cats are.