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

Our Ddog gets James Wellbeloved (didn't know Wainwrights was same stuff - thx!) mixed with 1/3 tin of Butcher's Tripe twice a day, on breeder's recommendations. She also gets raw chicken wings as a treat, and they're supposed to firm up runny poo - she loves them but it's gruesome watching her crunch them up while the end hangs out of her mighty jaws, like she's eating a giant frog. I give her sardines once a week for her coat, and mince if it's on offer. When I think about it, she has a pretty gourmet lifestyle, although not as bad as a certain Labrador I know who has his own shelf in my friend's fridge for his chicken.

Am glad to know there are other people out there who can interpret the many states of poo like a Roman soothsayer.

My pup is 14 months and it took a couple of trys with different foods to find one that suited her.
She started out with a huge bag of food that the breeder gave me, this was all she had ever eaten but was only available through a wholesaler. The breeder gave me advice on gradually mixing it in with whichever food I wanted to use so as not to unsettle her tummy.

We started with Pets at Home premium brand complete but she never took to it and after a few weeks of refusing food on and off I changed to James Wellbeloved. She was better on this to start with but then would go off her food for days each week.

I then tried Royal Canin recommended by a friend and some mumsnetters. She loves it!!! Finishes every bowl full. Finally!

It is expensive but she was very slim and is now a much better weight for her age and build. My parents think I am crazy for buying such expensive food. Their very healthy dogs always ate cheap food.

But so far it suits her. Her poops can be a little soft from time to time but not often. Usually around the time I worm her or if she has eaten something gross on a walk!

Royal Canin (and Hills, James Wellbeloved etc) actually work out very cheap.

Consider my 25 kg lab cross bitch.

On Royal Canin - approx 80p a day (300g a day from a 15 kg bag costing £41 at Petplanet).

On Pedigree Chum - she'd need at least 2 tins a day @ 60p (min) each = £1.20.

Pedigree doing really well after being on the "best" dried variety. We'll stay with it as it's not expensive at all and our dog (not big) is very healthy and happy.

My new pup is on IAMS googled it and came up with this IAMS

She wont be staying on it!

Ive been trying JWB as Alfie is a fussy git dog. He nibbles at his food and barely eats anything though hes not wasting away. My friend gave him IAMS when we were staying at theres and he loved it but hes not having it on principle.

Im thinking of trying Burns and ordering one of there little bags (i know i said it ages ago!) Apparently theres no testing on animals involved

I have fed my dog Burns for about 18 months and would never use anything else. She seems to enjoy it and it doesn't upset her fairly sensitive stomach.

It seems expensive but actually works out cheaper than the tinned crap food in the long run.

hmm

my dog seems to steal like organic pork, cheese and venison sausages!!

CSJ is a working dog food - but recommended by our vet as as good as james wellbeloved - have a vast range but ours are all on the cheapest CSJ champ - www.csjk9.com - is the only food that suits all of them, much much less poo, less smell - lovely coats and not nearly so hyper - fab stuff!

Ceri who runs the company is fab on advice, will send free samples etc and can advise which food is best - very good for dogs with various alergies too as seem to have a food that will suit most x

Ours are on Skinner's...can't fault it. Both really good condition, amazing coats etc. and costs us £30 a month to feed two great big golden retrievers! Plus it's all natural ingredients.

I was buying mince (premium grade) at the butchers yesterday, very pleased it was on special offer, and the man next to me was buying kilos of it. Himself and the woman behind the counter were chatting about what good value it was and I was just about to join in and say what lovely meatballs it made it was so lean when he mentioned "he never fed his dog anything else". Obviously better fed than my kids then

My puppy gets Optimum dried puppy food!