[newowner]

First off, I'm new to this forum and I can't tell you how much I've learned here already--so thank you!!

I've been reading past posts here on dog food, and must admit we had been feeding our recently adopted dog with apparently a crappy brand, Pedigree. We first started out with Science Diet because the shelter gave us a bag but noticed right away that he didn't seem to like that too much. So after further reading on all the different brands out there, I decided go to the pet store tonight with my list in hand to get a new bag of food.

The closest store to us is a PetSmart, and while there were almost three aisles of dog food, I couldn't really find what I was looking for. The majority of the food was Iams, Pedigree, Science Diet, and all sorts of different lines of Purina. No Innova, Canidae, Wellness, Eagle Pak, etc. The only ones they carried that were on my list were By Nature and Blue Buffalo. I settled on the By Nature. Can anyone comment on this particular brand? I will try this and see how he likes it. And why is it that the majority of the food is not of the higher quality? Where do you guys get your food? Online, smaller private pet stores?

[Renoman]

Usually the smaller privately owned pet stores or feed & grain stores will carry the better brands of dog food like Canidae. If they don't they are usually very willing to special order for you at no extra charge.

[RonE]

Whether the dog likes it should not be the number one reason to use a particular food. Given the choice, many dogs would prefer to eat cow manure.

Canidae has a store locater on their website. Some of the other brands probably do, too.

I'm not familiar with By Nature. I use Canidae. I'd be curious about why that one was omitted from your list.

[chewbecca]

timberwolforganics.com

You can order food there and it's free shipping for anything over $15.

I buy T.O. locally, though. They also have a store locator on their site.

[newowner]

Thanks! I'll try looking on the manufacturers' sites.

Originally Posted by RonE

I'm not familiar with By Nature. I use Canidae. I'd be curious about why that one was omitted from your list.

Oh it was definitely on my list and not omitted. They just didn't have it!

[RonE]

Sorry, I misread your original post.

In a market of a few hundred thousand people, I was able to find Canidae in two stores - and one of them is rarely open. I've been getting it at Pet Supplies Plus, which isn't everywhere. PetCo and PetSmart don't carry it.

I did find in in a country coop in a really tiny town.

[Elijah]

I'm getting a red headed tri color Corgi in a few weeks and I know he's been on Purina Pro Plan but that will change when he gets here. Fortunately within a five mile radius of here. I have the choice of places that sell Innova, Eagle Pack, California Natural, Natural Balance and Solid Gold. I'll be better suited to give him some quality food with those as opposed to the Purina stuff...little by little till he gets accustomed to it.

In fact today I bought a 6.5 pound bag of Innova in the green bag for starters. It was at an Agri Feed Pet Supply store about four miles away...most convenient.

[Valkman]

Petsmart has Nutro which is supposed to be good, and they have a huge selection of expensive toys. Other than that I'd find another store with maybe a variety of good stuff and samples to try.

Luckily in this town a place close by has Canidae and Chicken Soup foods.

[mudgey1]

I would also suggest looking at the different brand's sites and doing a store search. I live pretty rual and found that a little pet store fairly close by was a dealer.. she order's Canidae for me and I don't have to pay shipping

Funny in my area the only place you can get Innova is at a vet's office, which I might have fed my pup, but his business hours just don't work for me to actually go there and buy my food.

[WeimOwner]

Hi NewOwner & All ~ I'm new as of today as well but this Thread was my main reason for searching Dog Forums. I am having one helluva time with my Weimaraner Puppy. I'll try to keep it simple :

I bought him from a very good Breeder that doesn't specialize in Weimaraners however, their thing is Bull Dogs. So Blu came to me on May 19th weighing 22 lbs. They sent along some sample bags of what he ate which he completely turned his nose up to. As a concerned & loving father, him not eating made me lose sleep. So off I go to the Vet that following Monday for a checkup to see if there were any problems that the Breeder failed to tell me about. As it turned out, he's in great shape with no internal issues including worms or parasites. He was pretty regular going twice a day. But now he's not eating so I go the our local Pet Supply place called All Pets, which is a Pet Super Store. They have almost everything. I find a Worker who claims to know Weimies and she advised me to try this All Natural Xtremely Healthy but Expensive brand by Merrick
Who produces not only dry but also canned food that looks pretty much like something we would eat. I mean real chicken, real beef real fish, not processed anything. Since I'm set on him not getting into wet food, I mix in a small amount of the can food just for taste & moisture and he likes it. BUT all of a sudden, Blu gets diarrhea big time that hasn't as yet gone away. My Baby is eating which I like but how can this food be causing him this problem?

So they tell me to mix in some rice. Which I did and still no success. Like you, the Science Diet stuff the Vet gave me he didn't touch. So I try everything and he is turning his nose up to it all. I stopped the Merrick dry food & cans and went to this recommened brand the supply center manager suggested but he doesn't eat it. He has little baby teeth and I think it's too hard for him to chew. I don't think Blu is crazy about the rice either. I even bought some gravy to pour over in small amounts again for flavor & moisture but no success so far. But here's the kicker, as of today, Blu is now 29 lbs full of energy.

I'm lost & very concerned. He doesn't seem to be dehidrated (sp) but he has to eat and I think he wants canned food. Anybody have an idea of what I should do next (like asap) ?

Thanks

[Ginny01OT]

you may want to try the Nature's Variety canned food--but remember when you are switching food it can take up to six weeks for things to balance out and if the dog is having only canned food I would think his stools might be be loser--perhaps the Merrick is a lilttle too rich for him. Nature's Variety has a grain free canned food so that could help. Remember, switch foods slowly and steadily over the course of a few weeks.

[WeimOwner]

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

you may want to try the Nature's Variety canned food--but remember when you are switching food it can take up to six weeks for things to balance out and if the dog is having only canned food I would think his stools might be be loser--perhaps the Merrick is a lilttle too rich for him. Nature's Variety has a grain free canned food so that could help. Remember, switch foods slowly and steadily over the course of a few weeks.

I asked that very question about richness and it was pointed out that I bought the Puppy Formula for Large Breed Dogs. Ok, what do I know? I suppose they were saying that to assure me that wasn't possible. One more thing, I added cottage cheese in as suggested, he ate all he CC but left behind the dry food.

Since he still has his baby teeth, is it possible that tis dry food is just too hard for these dogs to enjoy eating? I mean, I wouuldn't want to eat what seems like little rocks.

I am very serious about him getting the nutrients he needs at this stage of his life so that he has a great chance to grow strong & healthy. What happens when he becomes an adult is a different thing (somewhat) so I don't wish to compromise by giving him something not geared towards healthy bone development just to see him eating .

[Ginny01OT]

My dog is fed predominantly raw food but I also supplement with kibble. When my large breed dog was a puppy I fed him Innova Large Breed Puppy kibble and when he was about 9-10 months old I switched him to Timberwolf Organics lamb and apples--Timberwolf organics has a website to order their food and if you spend over 15.00 (which is easy when you have a large breed dog and you are buying a large bag) you get free shipping--works out nicely. I just bought one of the big binns at the pet store to keep the kibble in and it remains fresh.

[Renoman]

To Weimowner, Just my opinion, but the first thing I would do is stop all food right now. You've jumped around so much, no wonder his digestive system is upset. I would feed him frequent, small amounts of boiled rice and boiled ground chicken or turkey. By frequent I mean every 2-3 hours - small amounts - 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Do this for several days or until you see he's back to normal.

Then, choose a good kibble that's what you want him to eat. You can soften a small amount of kibble with warm water or warm chicken broth and gradually add to the rice/meat mixture while reducing the rice/meat mixture accordingly. It should take you about 5-7 days to switch from the rice/meat mixture to the softened kibble mixture. Once he's stabilized and eating regularly and can handle dry food, gradually convert over from the softened food to dry - if that's what you chose to do. Some people always soften their dog's kibble.

[WeimOwner]

Originally Posted by Renoman

To Weimowner, Just my opinion, but the first thing I would do is stop all food right now. You've jumped around so much, no wonder his digestive system is upset. I would feed him frequent, small amounts of boiled rice and boiled ground chicken or turkey. By frequent I mean every 2-3 hours - small amounts - 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Do this for several days or until you see he's back to normal.

Then, choose a good kibble that's what you want him to eat. You can soften a small amount of kibble with warm water or warm chicken broth and gradually add to the rice/meat mixture while reducing the rice/meat mixture accordingly. It should take you about 5-7 days to switch from the rice/meat mixture to the softened kibble mixture. Once he's stabilized and eating regularly and can handle dry food, gradually convert over from the softened food to dry - if that's what you chose to do. Some people always soften their dog's kibble.

I like your suggestion and I would like to give it a try however to clarify, I ahven't jumped around at all. I hope my explanation was understandable but the only dry food I bought for him was the Merrick. However I have introduced additives such as cottage cheese, gravy and the merrick can food to add to it. But all-in-all only the Merrick has remained constant.

What I am trying to figure out is, what has caused his stomach problems, was it the Merrick, the Merrick Can food or the rice? One day last week, I placed ONLY rice in the bowl and he didn't touch it. He doesn't seem to like rice.

I can buy bonelss chicken and chop it up and mix it in but should I mix it in with the dry because I don't want him to think he's gonna get chicken every day, that ain't gonna happen.

Here's another thought, years before all this specialize dog food came about, animals hunted their food, now domestic animals are spoiled to a point that is taking us to the bank.

Why would a Dog turn his nose up to one brand of dry over another? Is there something in the smell because he goes over, smells it and then either starts eating or walks away. Today his stool is not watery but not totally solid either so I think he's on the recovery.

I simply want him to gt use to what he's going to be eating and not get use to something he's not going to get daily because they he'll just starve himself until he thinks he's getting his way.

[Renoman]

You're right, the Merrick canned or dry may be to rich for his system right now. Dogs are like people, what might give me a stomach ache might be your favorite food. Also, adding different items like gravy can also cause stomach upset. The rice would not normally cause the digestive problems. When in doubt, Keep It Simple.

After reading your post again, (sorry for misunderstanding) I think he's turning his nose up at the kibble for 2 reasons. It may very well be too hard for him. He's holding out for whatever goodie you're going to add next.

I'd find a dry food like Canidae or a Fish & Sweet Potatoe formula - they're not rich and they are easy to digest. You can still soften the kibble if you want but try the tough love routine. Bowl down for 20 - 30 minutes - if he doesn't eat pick it up. No food or treats until next meal time. It may take 2 or 3 days, but believe me he will NOT let himself starve to death. His instincts will not let that happen. He has to know that if he doesn't eat what's there - then oh well. This is a hard thing to do believe me I know I had to do it. Does this help any?

[WeimOwner]

Originally Posted by Renoman

You're right, the Merrick canned or dry may be to rich for his system right now. Dogs are like people, what might give me a stomach ache might be your favorite food. Also, adding different items like gravy can also cause stomach upset. The rice would not normally cause the digestive problems. When in doubt, Keep It Simple.

After reading your post again, (sorry for misunderstanding) I think he's turning his nose up at the kibble for 2 reasons. It may very well be too hard for him. He's holding out for whatever goodie you're going to add next.

I'd find a dry food like Canidae or a Fish & Sweet Potatoe formula - they're not rich and they are easy to digest. You can still soften the kibble if you want but try the tough love routine. Bowl down for 20 - 30 minutes - if he doesn't eat pick it up. No food or treats until next meal time. It may take 2 or 3 days, but believe me he will NOT let himself starve to death. His instincts will not let that happen. He has to know that if he doesn't eat what's there - then oh well. This is a hard thing to do believe me I know I had to do it. Does this help any?

It sure does, when I went to the Pet Store yesterday, they gave me a few sample bags of a Brand called Wellness which contained the ingredients you mentioned. But again, in order to introduce them, what are you saying, I should basically fast him for a 24 hr period and then maybe mix it in with what he has right now?

[Renoman]

Originally Posted by WeimOwner

It sure does, when I went to the Pet Store yesterday, they gave me a few sample bags of a Brand called Wellness which contained the ingredients you mentioned. But again, in order to introduce them, what are you saying, I should basically fast him for a 24 hr period and then maybe mix it in with what he has right now?

No, you can mix the new food in with the current food in small amounts.
Gradually increase the amount of new to old, i.e., if you feed 1 cup total, you start with 1/4 cup new 3/4 old and increase/decrease from there. Gradually you increase the new and decrease the old. Wellness is a pretty good food. I fed it for a long time. The thing is, you need to give it at least 3 or 4 weeks before you see any change, good or bad.

[broadwaybones]

Originally Posted by Valkman

Petsmart has Nutro which is supposed to be good, and they have a huge selection of expensive toys. Other than that I'd find another store with maybe a variety of good stuff and samples to try.

Luckily in this town a place close by has Canidae and Chicken Soup foods.

I have used Nutro in the past, but watch out! Mars has brought Nutro. I would watch to make sure quality does not decline with the likes of Science Diet, Iams and Eukanuba has since their buy outs!

[Inga]

weimowner, It is hard to say what is going on with your little pup.. If he is gaining weight then it seems that everything is as it should be other then the loose stoole. For that have you tried boiling hamburger and adding cooked rice to that? About 50-50. Usually that firms things up in a few days. Is it possible that there were just to many food changes in a short period of time for his tummy? Food should be introduced slowly. I feed a food called FROMM it is meat base food. I have several dogs and they all do well on that food from the pup to the 12 year old senior. If his energy level is good and he is gaining weight and he has been tested for worms I would say it sounds good for Blu. The fact that he didn't eat the food from the breeder right away could have just been he was a little stressed with the change of environment at first. How old is he?