What do you feed your dog?

[Molesworth]

I know this must have been discussed before many times before, but may I ask for opinions on dog food?

We adopted a six year-old Boston Terrier in March and his previous owners had been feeding him Hill's Science Plan. Now, he's not a fussy eater, he doesn't (as far as I know) have allergies, but he does seem to have a sensitive stomach because his poo tends to be on the - ahem - soft side.

I've heard bad things about Hill's and really I'd prefer to give him better quality food. I've tried him with James Wellbeloved, which he likes, but the poo situation was no better. Now I am trying him with Lily's Kitchen 'Proper Dog Food' and I'm seeing a bit of an improvement.

Another dog owner recommended either Naturediet wet food (v expensive!) or home cooking.

Do any of you prepare your dog's food yourselves and, if so, what recipes do you use? Is it a big hassle? Expensive?

Any other tips for producing a happy healthy dog with FIRM POO would be very welcome

I must admit I did read some of this book and it is just not my thing, I think the other books my mum has are more cooking for the dog, she did a lot of chicken and mince stuff with minerals and so on - I am not sure of any of the details!

Bella, chuck us a hot dog

monster puppy eats from a purple bag - dry food - will check tomorrow what it is called

he gets 2 scoops of this plus 1/3 of meat roll (which stinks) about 7/8am and 12hrs later

would never cook myself for him

he has been known to help himselfsteal organci pork and anyother food left about - he loves pureed parsnip

KC - sorry, have just realised my comments re gossip could have been misconstrued as meaning you, and I actually meant the Chihuahua owners the OP meets. Sorry for any unintentional offence

Have had approx 2 hours sleep due to badly sprained shoulder and cat had op today for what might be nothing, might be the big C, so not at my best.

And here I go hijacking Moley's thread - sorry

Blondes, who would look after the dc if you cooked yourself for the dog?

Blondie - you're not gonna get spit roasted again are you?

would he manage you all at once? or would you have to chop yourself into chunks?

Don't worry Bella, I realised you meant that, I am far too dense thick skinned to take things like that personally (today - no promises for tomorrow )

Sorry about kitty, not surprising you are feeling delicate

He is very big fruitshoots, he may even manage her in one sitting

she probably wouldn't even need to cook herself then really. just lay down in his bowl.

DP prepares/cooks his dog's food himself. Dog is a greedy bastard 10yo Newfoundland/Lab/GSD cross.

Anyway his usual dinner is oats with sardines/pilchards or reduced mince/fresh meat cooked up. He gets leftovers thrown in - pasta, rice, vegetables, cereal, the odd slightly stale egg, milk just on the turn all go down well. We don't give him potatoes or oniony/garlicky stuff though.

Have to say the dog looks very well on it. God only knows if it is the 'recommended' diet but it seems to cover all bases. He is quite sprightly still, with a beautiful glossy coat, reasonably non-smelly, and his poo is kinda normal dog poo (not that I get too close if I can help it, that being DP's department).

If he gets commercial dogfood he does really nasty farts [boak]

BEHAVE LADIES and i use the term ladies loosely

all this talk about spit roasting makes me think you 2 are after my body

woofa would NEVER eat me - he is used to lean organic food not a flabby old blonde

She has always had dried dog food because I'm lazy and she was never greedy - no particular brand just what I thought she'd enjoy. I just use to fill her dish up with food and she'd eat what she needed.

However 2 years ago she was diagnosed with in-operable cancer and put on steroids so she's hungry ALL the time so now she gets half a dish of chopped veggies with a small scoop of dried food. It must be doing her some good as she was only given 6 months of good health and she's still going strong!

Dxx

Dear Molesworth

I wish to apologise, on Blondie's behalf, for bringing smut on to your lovely thread.

And well done, Dawntigga, for sticking to the subject.

Yours

Bella x

blondes post was innocent- tis the dirty minded oldies bellas on here who bring smut [shck]

not sweet innocent blonde who replied nicely and politley on moles post!!!

I also blame eatshootsandheaves and kc

But you said you were going to cook yourself for the dog... Did you really think we were going to leave that one on the table? You know us girlies - can't walk past a freebie

My sheltie has the Burns dry food which is good quality and she really seems to enjoy. Have also tried James Well beloved but it seemed to give her terrible wind!

Worst (dog) farts I have ever smelled were from two dogs on the BARF diet.

And believe you me, Bella has smelled a lot of dog farts

I am guessing it is a bit like atkins for people?
My mothers dogs were never smelly at all, either they have very tough stomaches or we have no sense of smell

never leave anything on table - horse will def eat it

he stole scoffed cleaners lunch a few months ago

blonde is a little worried why bella has smelt lots of dogs farts

does the word doggy style come into it

My boxer was having Hills @ £60 a month for ages.
I tried her on the cheaper stuff after she had stink problems and she is thriving. I now give her Lidl dog food, £2.70 a week!

Annoying small children

(That's in direct answer to the thread title, before anyone gets confused)

are we spluttering at cheap dog food or the style of dogging