Good quality wet food or alternative to dry food

ncmc

Hi guys, I have an 11 year old Cocker Spaniel who is quite off her food lately. I have had her checked at the vets and all seems fine, she is full of energy and is showing no real ill effects. I just think she doesn't like the food I am feeding her. I have fed her James Wellbeloved hard food for years, but in the last year or so have mixed in a small amount of oil and about 1/2 tin of Aldi wet food mixed in with the kibble over two meals. Sometimes she'll eat it no problem, other times refuse to touch it unless I add ham, chicken etc. She will eat junky wet food on it's own no problem though! She wouldn't eat dry kibble on it's own in a fit, I genuinely think she would rather starve!

I think to avoid stress all round, it might be easier to just give her a good quality wet diet. I am wondering what wet foods would be high quality (I know to avoid Pedigree and the likes) I find the James Wellbeloved very cost effective, a 15kg bag could last me three months. And can't really afford to be paying for very expensive wet food, so good quality while still being cost effective is important. Thanks in advance!

tk123

Take a look on zooplus - they have tons of good quality foods at all different prices e.g. Rocco, rinti etc. You can get mixed packs too to try her with the different flavours before you buy in bulk!

Also I'm assuming you want the convenience so haven't mentioned the diy option(!)

cocker5

ncmc wrote: »

Hi guys, I have an 11 year old Cocker Spaniel who is quite off her food lately. I have had her checked at the vets and all seems fine, she is full of energy and is showing no real ill effects. I just think she doesn't like the food I am feeding her. I have fed her James Wellbeloved hard food for years, but in the last year or so have mixed in a small amount of oil and about 1/2 tin of Aldi wet food mixed in with the kibble over two meals. Sometimes she'll eat it no problem, other times refuse to touch it unless I add ham, chicken etc. She will eat junky wet food on it's own no problem though! She wouldn't eat dry kibble on it's own in a fit, I genuinely think she would rather starve!

I think to avoid stress all round, it might be easier to just give her a good quality wet diet. I am wondering what wet foods would be high quality (I know to avoid Pedigree and the likes) I find the James Wellbeloved very cost effective, a 15kg bag could last me three months. And can't really afford to be paying for very expensive wet food, so good quality while still being cost effective is important. Thanks in advance!

I have a 12 year old cocker who was on TOTW for years last year I moved him over to raw.. and he loves it. He has health issues now (heart murmur and hip dysplasia) but is doing amazingly at present (thank god)

Have you considered raw?

I feed in minced raw meat with carrots, broccoli etc.. he's looking lovely and lean too (best for his hips)

ncmc

Sorry for dragging this thread back up, had a baby in the meantime so dog food took a back seat!

I've been doing some research in to raw food and it sounds pretty straightforward. How do you mind it works out cost wise? For a months supply based on her size, I'd need 10kg of mince and 2kg of liver/organ meat. Where do you source your mince and does it have to be really good quality stuff or would the value stuff suffice?

cocker5

ncmc wrote: »

Sorry for dragging this thread back up, had a baby in the meantime so dog food took a back seat!

I've been doing some research in to raw food and it sounds pretty straightforward. How do you mind it works out cost wise? For a months supply based on her size, I'd need 10kg of mince and 2kg of liver/organ meat. Where do you source your mince and does it have to be really good quality stuff or would the value stuff suffice?

Congrats on the new baby op!

My cocker who's 18kg gets one 500g Chubb , divided into a meal twice per day.

Or I give him 166g and then some beg to bulk it up etc.

I buy all my chubbs pre mixed :

https://www.carnivorekellys.ie/

ncmc

cocker5 wrote: »

Congrats on the new baby op!

My cocker who's 18kg gets one 500g Chubb , divided into a meal twice per day.

Or I give him 166g and then some beg to bulk it up etc.

I buy all my chubbs pre mixed :

https://www.carnivorekellys.ie/

Sorry excuse the ignorance, but what's a Chubb? Thanks for the link, based on those prices, it works only cost about €1.50 per day or less to feed her. That's much cheaper than I expected.

cocker5

ncmc wrote: »

Sorry excuse the ignorance, but what's a Chubb? Thanks for the link, based on those prices, it works only cost about €1.50 per day or less to feed her. That's much cheaper than I expected.

See the link below - the ores mixed chubbs 500g

https://www.carnivorekellys.ie/collections/chubs-by-the-box/products/large-500g-box-of-chubs

What weight is your dog?

boomerang

At her age OP I would be looking at her kidney function before putting her on a raw diet.

tk123

There's also a new Nutriment supplier if you're into chubs and want some variety - https://www.facebook.com/nutrimentireland/?fref=nf

I get my stuff from http://www.slaneypetfoods.ie - he stocks bulk slabs so works out much cheaper for me with 2 x retrievers!

Pallas Click and Collect is great for bargains too especially when they're clearing stock. They're a wholesalers but the collect part is for the general public too. I got guinea fowl last time for the dogs.. and we ended up roasting them for ourselves lol! https://collect.pallasfoods.com

aonb

Just to add another option - homecooked
I boil up a big pan every week, pop it in the fridge and dole it out, I put it in the microwave to take the chill off it, and increase the lovely smell. My lot love it. I find it very cost effective, and at this stage the whole process takes me 10 mins to put together.

(Ive posted here that an overnight guest was found with a fork and the pan of the cooked dogs food in the early hours, having a midnight snack, with the dogs AND the cat at his feet )

ncmc

cocker5 wrote: »

See the link below - the ores mixed chubbs 500g

https://www.carnivorekellys.ie/collections/chubs-by-the-box/products/large-500g-box-of-chubs

What weight is your dog?

She's about 15kg

ncmc

boomerang wrote: »

At her age OP I would be looking at her kidney function before putting her on a raw diet.

She's due her vaccinations shortly, I might mention it to the vet.

boomerang

Agree homecooked is great too - I did this for my dog with chronic kidney disease and she both loved and thrived on it. Takes a bit of organising to get the nutrient balance right though. www.dogaware.com is a great resource.

WARFIELDWOLF

ncmc wrote: »

Hi guys, I have an 11 year old Cocker Spaniel who is quite off her food lately. I have had her checked at the vets and all seems fine, she is full of energy and is showing no real ill effects. I just think she doesn't like the food I am feeding her. I have fed her James Wellbeloved hard food for years, but in the last year or so have mixed in a small amount of oil and about 1/2 tin of Aldi wet food mixed in with the kibble over two meals. Sometimes she'll eat it no problem, other times refuse to touch it unless I add ham, chicken etc. She will eat junky wet food on it's own no problem though! She wouldn't eat dry kibble on it's own in a fit, I genuinely think she would rather starve!

I think to avoid stress all round, it might be easier to just give her a good quality wet diet. I am wondering what wet foods would be high quality (I know to avoid Pedigree and the likes) I find the James Wellbeloved very cost effective, a 15kg bag could last me three months. And can't really afford to be paying for very expensive wet food, so good quality while still being cost effective is important. Thanks in advance!

Try another dry food, James Wellbeloved is mostly rice and your carnivore may just be tired of it - high meat grain free may be worth a try and dont be afraid to add a little warm water to release the flavours - Orijen, Acana, Carnilove  .... Carnilove available from €51 for 12kg ... I mix in a little bit of Naturo wet trays ..about €11 for 10x 400g 

123shooter

Dry dog food is a dog food manufacturers dream hoax. Ask yourself if it is natural?

If you want proper food for your dog then get down to tescos and buy a large chicken (4.50 - 5.00 euro) and cook it, get meat of the bone (do not give dog any chicken bones) and feed this to your dog with some cooked mashed spuds and even some veg (check) but no mushrooms, onions or garlic or gravy that contains onion or garlic powder.

We cook 3 large chickens at a time and remove meat and skin and feed our 3 with usually whatever veg we may be eating or some rice or a couple of bonios. Usually lasts 4 to 5 days and they are lunatic collies.

Much better and cheaper than so called quality/luxury dog food and the cheaper dog food ????:eek:

boomerang

123shooter wrote: »

If you want proper food for your dog then get down to tescos and buy a large chicken (4.50 - 5.00 euro) and cook it, get meat of the bone (do not give dog any chicken bones)

While I'm a huge fan of home cooking for dogs, it's very hard to get the balance right, nutrient wise. Feeding chicken off the bone without any supplements means the dog will be deficient in essential minerals.

boomerang

WARFIELDWOLF wrote: »

Try another dry food, James Wellbeloved is mostly rice and your carnivore may just be tired of it

Dogs are omnivores. Again given the age of the dog I would be slow to feed a food with high meat protein content without checking kidney function first.

OP I used to love feeding mine Robbies from Land of Holistic Pets, which you soak, but it's hard to find.

123shooter

boomerang wrote: »

While I'm a huge fan of home cooking for dogs, it's very hard to get the balance right, nutrient wise. Feeding chicken off the bone without any supplements means the dog will be deficient in essential minerals.

Then add spuds and veg like I said. That afterall is where you get your vitamins and minerals isnt it? You can of course get marrow bones and scrape out the marrow or change the diet with offal like hearts and liver which are cheap but you need to be careful when giving these foods as they need to added in small quantities.

At one time we used to cook up a meat stew and freeze it in cartons but lots of hassle, so we find where we can just cook extra meals when we cook ours.

Sardines are cheap and good as well but they stink and cans are a pain.

But all i think better than dried or expensive and cheap dog food.

DBB

123shooter wrote: »

Then add spuds and veg like I said. That afterall is where you get your vitamins and minerals isnt it?

Without getting into a technical breakdown, one immediate example springs to mind... where is the calcium in a diet of chicken meat, veg, and potatoes?
Feeding raw or homecooked requires quite a lot of research and know-how. Even the most avid raw feeders I know (including vets who advocate raw-feeding) are careful to supplement the diet with commercial additives to balance any deficiencies present in a home prepped diet.
Just meat 'n' veg is not a balanced diet.

123shooter

DBB wrote: »

Without getting into a technical breakdown, one immediate example springs to mind... where is the calcium in a diet of chicken meat, veg, and potatoes?

I altered my post same time you posted yours.

tk123

boomerang wrote: »

OP I used to love feeding mine Robbies from Land of Holistic Pets, which you soak, but it's hard to find.

Have you tried Pure - it's like Robbies 2.0 ? https://purepetfood.co.uk

123shooter

DBB wrote: »

Without getting into a technical breakdown, one immediate example springs to mind... where is the calcium in a diet of chicken meat, veg, and potatoes?
Feeding raw or homecooked requires quite a lot of research and know-how. Even the most avid raw feeders I know (including vets who advocate raw-feeding) are careful to supplement the diet with commercial additives to balance any deficiencies present in a home prepped diet.
Just meat 'n' veg is not a balanced diet.

I agree which is why i altered my post to having other food as well.

I had a look regards calcium and most foods have a certain amount but sardines have a lot.

But my point is you can feed your dogs other food than processed dog food.

tk123

123shooter wrote: »

But my point is you can feed your dogs other food than processed dog food.

You need balance though. For example I raw feed - if I don't use a complete mix for convenience and diy with say rabbits or chicken I need to make sure I have the right balance of meat/bone/organ. If I just feed chicken carcass it's too bone heavy so I need to balance with a boneless meal etc etc I also need to balance based on my individual dogs needs e.g. one is at risk of pancreatitis so only gets lean meats etc

123shooter

tk123 wrote: »

You need balance though. For example I raw feed - if I don't use a complete mix for convenience and diy with say rabbits or chicken I need to make sure I have the right balance of meat/bone/organ. If I just feed chicken carcass it's too bone heavy so I need to balance with a boneless meal etc etc I also need to balance based on my individual dogs needs e.g. one is at risk of pancreatitis so only gets lean meats etc

Totally.

To be honest ours get chicken, mincemeat, sardines, boiled eggs, pasta, rice, spuds & veg, bonio biscuits, all kinds.

I even used to finely crunch up all the chicken bones so there was no waste at all except the wrapper.

Anything but dog food.


Apparently I just found out and I throw these out but the egg shells ground up are a fantastic source of calcium for all. So maybe there is your answer if worried about calcium missing from diet?

Wildcard7

123shooter wrote: »

Dry dog food is a dog food manufacturers dream hoax. Ask yourself if it is natural?

Agreed.

123shooter wrote: »

If you want proper food for your dog then get down to tescos and buy a large chicken (4.50 - 5.00 euro) and cook it, get meat of the bone (do not give dog any chicken bones)

Don't give a dog any COOKED bones. Raw chicken bones are perfectly fine and probably the safest bones a dog can have.