when to cut it to 2

[daisyscrazy]

My old boss use to give his rotties 1/2 can of tuna and the juice each day... but the juice was oil... They were really shiney... Health wise I don't know... but eggs are good and plain yogurt is good too... also you can give them steak... raw of course... but we give Daisy a steak every 2 weeks due to us grilling almost every week... we skip a week for her...

 

[courtney323]

I also should mention that I have a notoriously picky female, who would skip meals and refuse to eat

Once I stopped free-feeding and implemented a strict feeding schedule, she has not missed a single meal and cleans her bowl. We have been doing this for about 2 years now.

If you feel that you need to add things in her food, then go ahead. But IMHO, you shouldn't be catering to her, just to get her to eat (there is a bigger issue in place here).

Good luck!

 

[tasillo]

not free fed

Nina is not free fed....I feed her at 7am...1230...and 6pm...The breeder told me the same thing...leave it there for 15 min and then pick it up with her watching me...i have done it....today will be the 1st day that i have been "tough" and have NOT put anything other than water in the kibble.
I guess its a mommy thing...i have always worried with the kids...still do...and now with Nina....i have noone but myself to blame for this...I would love to know when to switch to 2 feedings how many hours in between the feedings and how much do you give....as far as the kibble...yes i know there are better out there...the breeder has had her dogs on this for 10 years with no health issues and they are beautiful and healthy dogs.
For right now i cannot afford Welness...one income and 3 kids...its tough..maybe in the summer once our money situation improves...i might switch her....is there another brand...not welness...but something better than nutro and not as expencive as welness.....welness here in Canada is almost double

 

[tasillo]

why

Why does steak need to be raw???I have been giving Nina small pieces of what we dont finished cooked....is it the barbecuing thats bad for them??

 

[courtney323]

Where I live, Canidae costs the same (if not cheaper) than Nutro

try www.canidae.com

Good luck

 

[tasillo]

wished

I wished i lived where you do...its 20 bucs more expencive here...I really dont think kibble is the issue here....Nina has me wrapped around her pawLOL
But you are right there are much better kibbles out there.I will eventually make the switch....I just am not sure when.

 

[Marybeth18]

Tasillo,

I do add in's to Daisys food. I was very unsure in the beginning - just like you. I was torn about it and literally went back and forth. I finally decided that if I didn't have a problem with it then what the heck! I feed Daisy 2x's a day. With her breakfast I give her a heaping tsp of cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, plain yogurt, or if I have time, a scrambled egg. With dinner, if I have, leftovers of chicken, steak, potroast, etc. I just make sure it's not too rich or salty. If I'm in a pinch I sprinkle a little parm. cheese. Is she spoiled? Yeah, probably! But bottom line is - I'm ok with it! She eats, she's healthy, and she's happy.

I hope this helps!

 

[kit02]

Nutro and other premium brands are pretty comparable in price. I think Chicken Soup is one of the cheaper premium kibbles.

Is there a reason why you all of a sudden want to stop the add-ins? Aside from it being a behavioral thing, I’m a big believer in add-ins – I wouldn’t want to eat plain old boring dry kibble meal after meal . So unless there’s a reason why you want to stop, or you just don’t want to be bothered anymore, I say continue with the add-ins at every meal. Or try some mixing in some canned food – its tastier to them than kibble and its easier.

As far as tuna, I’ve heard to watch out for the mercury. Can’t remember where I saw that so I can’t back that up. But I do feed mackerel or sardines 2x a week.

I also want to know when to start feeding him twice a day. I am currently switching Wilson to Canidae and the food instructions say that after 6 months of age you should feed them twice a day, and cut their feeding amount in half!?! It seems like such a drastic change to me though.... Anyone have any advice??

Owen is almost 9 months old and still eats 3x a day – and he LOVES to eat though and scarfs down every meal. Each dog is different so I wouldn’t necessarily go by what the bag says. But I couldn’t imagine cutting his calories in half right now! Some dogs will not eat all 3 meals, or show little interest in lunch so some let you know when its time to go to 2. I feed 3x still b/c Owen is eating so much (just to keep up with his growing and weight) and I feel better giving him 3 smaller meals rather than 2 huge ones. One day I would like to go down to 2 but that will be when he’s older and and I can cut back his calories.

 

[Marybeth18]

Kit02 brought up a good point with the tuna. Also, I know what it does to Daisy's breath after she eats the cats tuna - nasty!

I do sardines once a week and they are a big hit. Can't find canned mackerel around me. I will also cook up chopmeat (mini meatballs) and freeze them 3 to a bag (when $ is good - I'm a single mother too ). I microwave them for 45 seconds and crumble them on Daisy's kibble - she LOVES it.

 

[Evie&Adam]

I just make sure it's not too rich or salty. If I'm in a pinch I sprinkle a little parm. cheese. Is she spoiled? Yeah, probably! But bottom line is - I'm ok with it! She eats, she's healthy, and she's happy.

This is exactly my opinion! I feed Evie & Adam 2x a day about 1 3/4 cups each and they each get about 3 tbls of canned dog food with each meal. Occassionally, I will put in eggs, yogurt or cheese instead. They love these treates!!!

Yup, my pups are spoiled too!! LOL