Taste of the Wild-update concern on pg. 2

[Akane]

TOTW has feeding guidelines for the High Prairie here http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products/dogs/dry_food/high_prairie_canine_formula/ but I think they are a little bit high. My dogs only need about half the suggested even when they aren't getting much else. Unless you have high energy working dogs I'd probably try 2-3 cups for an 80lb dog and ~5 cups for most dogs over that weight and adjust according to their condition over a few months. Dogs that aren't used to eating such small meals may need supplemented with something in between until their stomachs get used to it. If they'll eat vegetables boiled green beans are suggested as a healthy filler when changing a dog's diet or just make the switch between brands of kibble extra slowly.

 

[justbugged]

I have been feeding my Komondor TOTW for a couple of years now. I also have Yorkies. I free feed the dogs, with food in the bowls 24/7. (I have yet to have an overweight animal.) I have been using the High Prairie Formula. The difference between the Pacific Salmon and HPF is the protein content. The HPF is 32% and I am not sure what the number is on the PSF but it quite a bit lower. That would explain the differences between dogs, and how they respond to the food. I guess I am not sure that it is the protein source, but more about the amount of protein.

My Komondor as always had skin allergies, and I have tried just about everything. I can't really afford a raw diet for this many dogs. I have avoided feeding lamb to the Komondor, because historically the breed would not have eaten what they guarded. I did realize the other day that they have added lamb to the HPF sometime in the past year. I haven't quite figured out how bad that bothers me yet. I have also since figured out that Big Dog is probably more allergic to the Willow trees in the back yard than food. BD aka Puppy is now nearly 12 years old, and I am now more into making sure he is comfortable, more than anything else. I have had the vet give him cortisone shots for the itching. I figure at his age I would rather have him comfortable, than worry about what the cortisone is doing to him. He is very healthy except for a little senility. I have found if I move the furniture he will sometimes run into it and seem confused.

So I would try the different formulas from TOTW before giving up on the food. They also have a chicken based food that has duck in it. I just have never seen Bid Dog do well on poultry based dog food. I think it has something to do with me beating the chicken chasing out of him as a puppy. I had a long rant at him one time, and he was also tied up to the Llamas fence all afternoon (with one of the dead Polish Crested pullets tied around his neck), before he learned that bowling for chickens made Mama turn into a crazed woman.

So given that dogs are truly carnivores, I don't see any reason to feed the dogs grains. I hate picking up dog waste from a dog that is being fed grains. I have a total of 6 dogs right now, and I am going through 60lbs of dog a month. I have also found that I spend less time at the Vets office too.

The cats are fed either TOTW or Diamonds house brand cat food. The Diamond house brand is 40% protein. All the cats have glossy coats, and while they spend a lot of time begging for canned cat food, I know that they are being feed very well. I claim 5 cats, but I also know that I am feeding an undetermined number of the neighbor’s cats. So while I would like to feed them better brands, it just isn't cost effective. I think that I might be feeding a raccoon or two also. As long as the coons stay away from my chickens I won't be hunting yet.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Hi! Yeah..i'm lucky they will eat veggies..
My male will eat a whole bag of baby carrots if i let him....

They'll eat green beans too and kale and summer squash.. etc..
Thats what i'll do then.. thanks!

 

[lishah2000]

Quote:
My pyr was around 85 lbs. when I started feeding it (the fish formula). I started out giving her three cups a day. She put on the weight she needed and then some. I cut her back to 2 cups a day and she is still a little over weight.

When I got her she was eating 4 Health. Well, she really wasn't eating it, just flipping her bowl and the ants would eat it. I switched her to TOTW right away. She loves it. After a few feedings she stopped the bowl flipping (something she had always done in both her previous homes).

I'm happy with it and am currently switching my golden over to it. She has lots of allergies and so far she isn't having any problems with the switch.

 

[Equus5O]

I had Axl on Blue Buffalo. I figured this time around I would do it "right," ya know? I'm gonna feed quality this time! HIGH quality! Axl has Panosteitis. Axl is now on PurinaProPlan.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
What happend? Too much protein?

 

[sgtmom52]

Quote:
How old is Axl? My Abby had "pano" too ~ they usually outgrow it by the time they are a little over a year old. High protein food is only one of many possible causes of pano ~ they really are not sure what causes it.

 

[justbugged]

At 32% High Prairie formula has to much protein for a lot of dogs. The chicken and fish formulas have a much lower protein content. I would try those before giving up, and feeding my dogs grains.

 

[Candiss]

TOTW may not have large breed formulas but they do have different protein levels, I would not dare feed a large breed dog a 32%/18% protein/fat feed, you are asking for hip, joint and all around bone problems. Wetlands and High Prarie are both 32%, I would go Pacific Stream for a large breed dog. TOTW is too meat rich for some dogs, and I know some people mix it. Chicken Soup has alot of meat, for sakes the first 3-4 ingredients are meat sources, so I am not sure why someone stated that is smells like grain. I think what ever works, once I saw a gorgeous great dane at a show and I asked them what they fed and she said "Pedigree", the dog was awesome. I would not want to feed that to my dogs but it works for her.

Candace

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Thanks! maybe i'll go with the chicken soup then?..
I'm worried about high protein with my bigger guy...and he already has hip/joint problems.. (any specific feed good for THAT problem?)
Gahhh! I 'm still so confused! Thats why i keep putting changing their food off..
I dont know what the best thing to do is...