Dog foods, can I run through a few?

[Disenchanted3]

Not literally that would be gross

I want to get my pugs onto a complete dry food and so went to our large pet shop tody to have a look.

I'm looking to get the 15kg bags as there are 2 of them (the KKCS) is still on puppy food.

The higher end 15 kg bags seemed tobe around £50,proplan adult, james wellbeloved, science plan.

Thenthere was Bakers adult at about £30 (but is on special offer at £20 at the moment)

Purina was £27

and finallyJolleys own at £23.

The science plan was also on offer down to £40 from £50 but I have to think what it will be in the long run rather than just this month IYKWIM.

I read that if the first ingredient is meat then we are off to a good start, i found it surprising that the jolleys brand was chicken first at 26% and that eukenuba which is double the price is the same at just 2% more (28%)

Just looking for advice on what I should go for really, I have no qualms at getting the top end ones but if the £20 less ones are as good then I'm happy with that.

Also are these foods complete, do you need to add anything else or just measure this out morning noon and night?

My pugs like to have chicken, carrots and rice in the evening can I add ths to the dry food, I don't want them getting fat!

Thankyou

Reason I am asking is that our pugs were given tesco own cans of wet food from weaning, we have continued with this but their poops arent always firm enough to pick up gracefully in the street and I really want them to have something higher quality.

My vets and my sister who is training to be a vet insist upon Royal Canin. Its about £18 for a 4 kilo bag.

I am far too terrified of trying anything else but i dont think that Bakers is very good for them judging on what it did to a friends dog.

Would love to know how you get on, ive got an 18 week old Bulldog who i am desperately and unexpectedly in love with

We get Arden Grange we get our food from Berriewoods they deliver really quick but as we only live down the road we pick it up ourselves now. Its the cheapest place I have found.

Burns, James Wellbeloved are good but I would stay away from Bakers complete, its cheap for a reason

you don't need to add anything but you can to give them a bit of variety now and again.

HTH

the arden one is very reasonable for 2 bags.

what about purina? are they ok?

Our dog has Royal Canin - does what you want in the firm poop department. He eats various extras too, with no ill effect - he self-adjusts fortunately and simply leaves some of the dry for later.

do you think its worth getting the royal canin 'pug' food?

or is the general food just as good?

forget that, its just different because of the shape, easier for pugs to pick up apparantly but they have no problems with that!

I give proplan, plus a variety of other snacks. My vet said proplan is not very good and I should consider switching to Royal Canin. I have not idea whether this is good advice, but it's what he told me last week!

Do vets get commision from RC?

Joking apart, I wouldn't be surprised.

I wouldn't ask my vet as they only sell science plan so I can guess what his answer would be.

Trying to get unbiased opinion!

I'm beginning to wonder about that too! Either it really is the holy grail of petfood or there are some serious back handers going on.

When we got our Irish Terrier (nearly 9 years ago) the breeder insisted in Science Plan so we forked out for it. We then moved abroad and had no choice but to resort to Pedigree Chum (dried, all in one). Said dog survived 5 years on this diet with no apparent change in health, coat etc! Since retuning to UK I now buy Pets at Home own brand all in one dried (now on senior dog version). My deduction is don't pay for the expensive brands!!
In answer to other question - no you don't need to add anything.

Dried food = much easier poop to scoop

My vet recommends it but does not sell it.

The lady I got my dog from recommended Royal Canin and she isn't on commission. I am happy with it as it does give a complete balanced diet.
It is on offer at pets at home at the moment for half price so I have stocked up!
I was told by a dog trainer that Bakers is the McDonalds of the dog food world.

Royal Cann, that is.

Is it not true that some pet food companies do things like sponsoring vet training? There may be a bit of brainwashing rather than backhanders.

I may switch - I think my goldie's eyes are not very shiny (pfp )

orienteerer can I ask you about your irish Terrier? My sister is about to get a puppy and wondering if they can be ok in flats with a moderate amount of exercise.
At the breeder she was a little trepidatious at the talk of two hour 'hikes' and rabbit hunts. She lives in the city.

My dog thrives on Iams.

Hills provide a nutrition course for vet nurses and vet conferences are sponsored by all the big drug companies etc - as are doctors' conferences'.

I used to work in a vets and there is quite some mark up on Royal Canin and Science diet.
We did not feed the animals these 'posh' brands behind the scenes........perhaps tells you they may not be completely unbiased!

Ah well, where I used to work we did feed them Hills behind the scenes

Comfy - a lot of dogs are OK in flats (think Parisians!) given the right routine & exercise. Since having our dog we have always had a very small garden so have had to exercise all the time. Irish Terriers (in my experience) are very clean dogs and don't like to soil their own territory. Our dog will not pee or poo in our garden so much like being in a flat. The commitment is therefore very significant i.e.:
Walk round the block on waking (15 mins)
At least 45 mins off the lead once DS at school, often 1 hour.
Short lunchtime pee (10 mins)
Late afternoon walk (45-60 mins)
Bedtime pee walk (5 mins)
It is a massive commitment.

Woofa I expect your employers were a bit nicer than mine. They were a bit tight on most things, including my wages!