A different kind of dog food issue

[Bluemoon420]

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Thanks Jamie! I'll be asking our meat guy ( we buy meat bundles) for some beef suet.

That's a great idea!

Bluemoon

 

[bagendhens]

sounds like kanes just got a good helathy apitite then if hes a slow eater already. mabe you could save some of his kibble and put it into something like a treat ball or kong, if hes that food motivated would be good to combine it wiht some mental stimulation lol

 

[gritsar]

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Did you try the egg in different ways....boiled, scrambled, or raw etc. that might help?

Jax just doesn't like egg. We've tried the scrambled when we have leftovers from breakfast. He just has very little interest in food.

 

[Crazyland]

I would start searching about the brands in your area that have higher calories. I was having to feed 6 cups of TOTW. while I love the food and do recommend it to everyone. It wasn't working for us. I had to find something with a higher calorie content. I was also picky on what brands and what was in it. Thankfully I have petsmart, TSC and a local feed store to go through and find different brands. The feed store carries better brands that the big market stores. So it is my one stop shop.
I am now feeding 3 cups for my girl and 4 for the boys. And it isn't as expensive.

Satan balls are great but they are a short term fix in my opinion. To keep the calories where you want it you will probably have to find a different kibble and or different diet all together.
Which meats were you feeding again? Was it only chicken? With or without the skin? I can't give mine skin as they don't do well with that much fat in their diet.

 

[gritsar]

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That's why I'm thinking of switching to the regular Naturals puppy food instead of the large breed puppy naturals, because the regular has more calories per cup; only that won't work right now because Kane is already growing at an alarming rate. He definitely doesn't need more calories.
Besides their kibble, they get a chicken leg quarter each or some beef, when we can afford the beef. Feed the chicken skin and all, although we cut the skin up for Kane. He still has a mouth full of puppy teeth and has a hard time slicing the skin. The only things Kane can't have are grains and milk products.

 

[Pupsnpullets]

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I agree. Baby animals really shouldn't be really plump. The weight ideally comes on gradually when the animal finishes growing and "fills out". Lean and healthy is ok.

 

[chickenlady81]

I feed my guys Taste of the Wild and they are doing really well on it. They were eating Purina One lamb and rice but I decied to switch to a grain free food and it has improved there coats, skin and gas! My dogs are Frenchies and Pugs and they will eat about anything!

 

[Crazyland]

Why not take them off of puppy all together?
Most people agree that for our shepherds they don't need it past 6 months of age. Some never even feed a puppy kibble and go straight to an all live stage brand.
Just make sure the protein and calories are right for an adult gsd.

 

[Bluemoon420]

That's what I did. I been using an all life stage. The protein/calories is good, very similar to large breed puppy.

Bluemoon

 

[gritsar]

For what it's worth, I did an ingredient by ingredient comparison of TOTW and Diamond Brand Naturals for large breed puppies last night and substitute the bison (TOTW) for the lamb in the Naturals and TOTW does not come out superior. In fact, the TOTW has chicken meal in it and the Naturals does not. Neither has corn, wheat or soy. For us, I just can't see paying the much higher price for the TOTW based on a pretty package and hype.
We'll be sticking with the Diamond Naturals, but probably switch them to a different formula.