how do you stretch dog kibble

[popcornpuppy]

I have 6 dogs. They eat a 30lb bag of kibble in 10 days. I feed them a premium food that costs $41.00 per bag. I refuse to switch to a cheaper brand because I have done years of research into dog nutrition and feel that I am giving them what they need to be happy and healthy. Money is getting tight and so I am looking for healthy ways to supliment their kibble to make it go further. Now that my pullets are at laying age, I have been adding cooked eggs to the dog kiible. I have also been adding cooked oatmeal and pumpkin. The dogs love it, and it is helping to stretch the kibble but, I don't want them to have the same foods over and over because variety is good. Does anyone have any other ideas of things to add to the kibble to stretch it?

 

[davidb]

with the protein there getting from the eggs, and the vegies your giving them, you could buy a cheaper type of dog food and mix it with the kibble at 10 or 15 %

 

[michickenwrangler]

Eggs, table scraps. Get some good beef roasts and let the dogs have at the bones, lots of calcium and nutrition in the bones and marrow.

 

[lorieMN]

dogs dont need veggies..they are carnivores and need meat,bone and organs..eggs are fine..carnivores are not designed by nature to eat and actually turn vegges/fruit into an energy source..I feed raw,not BARF,but prey model raw,,the biggest reason I switched is even the "premium" foods have many recall issues,raw is very easy and doesnt cost any more then premium kibble,especially if you can score free meats from freezer cleanings,deer kills,or even buy cull sheep,goats,cows and process yourself..do some research and see if its for you..

 

[Elite Silkies]

Taste of the Wild is suppose to be very good for them. They are suppose to eat less and poo less. It's about $45 for 30 lbs.

 

[Cara]

Are you enrolled in any breeder's programs? We get every tenth bag free which helps a lot.

 

[HEChicken]

Like you, I used to buy the premium food for my dogs, thinking it was the best thing for them. Unfortunately, one of the dogs could clear a room with his silent stink bombs. I tried several different "premium" brands with no improvement. One day DH came home with a bag of Disney's Old Yeller that retails at $13 for a 50lb bag. It wasn't until we were halfway through the bag that we realized the dog wasn't farting any more. Its been about a year and a half and now we wouldn't switch for anything. Both dogs are much healthier than they were - they are at a good weight, their coats gleam and our only trip to the vet was to get shots so they could be boarded.

 

[Dar]

there are a lot of raw feeders in my area and all the time you see offerings and want ads for freezer burned meats..

i know this is not the best option but its free


ETA: I know you are not a raw feeder but i figured the free meat you can add that to the kibble, make a stew with it, and top it with kibble.... just dont use bullion cubes for flavor, boil bones for that

 

[popcornpuppy]

I am feeding my guys Taste of The Wild. I am not objectionable to raw food either. I did raw food and to do it right, it cost about the same as the kibble, so I took the easy route. But so far all of the replies have given me alot to think about. Anyone else have any ideas?


ETA: I do shop at a store where you buy 10 or 12 bags and get one free. It does help some.

 

[Crazyland]

We feed Taste of the Wild and raw.
Many boarding facilities won't do a raw diet and I have only found ONE that will. It is 5 hours drive so I have only used it once.
Give the eggs raw not cooked. Mash up the shells and stir up the rest in the kibble.
There is a local butcher that sells Turkey necks for $14 for 30 lbs here. I also watch for the big sales on chicken quarters. Check for local places near you. Or even Co-ops on Yahoo. Sustainable Living(i think) is another big co-op for raw. If there is one in your area you could get really great prices.
I also hit up craigslist and frecycle for people cleaning out their freezer and for hunters leftovers. No posting on freecycle asking for meat.
I wouldn't mix kibbles as that is taking away nutrients and throwing off the balance.
Freezer burnt meat has nothing wrong with it, just that the taste is different.

I have 4 dogs of my own so I know what you mean about going thru a bag so fast.