How do you decide what to feed your dog? Share with tails.com – £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

For many of us, dogs are part of the family. Choosing the right food for them can feel really important – but with so much choice, how do you know what’s right for your dog? Share your experiences of finding the right food for your dog, and be in with a chance of winning a £300 voucher for a store of your choice.

To get us started, here’s what Sean, the Head Vet at tails.com, has to say: “From raw feeding to grain free, we are seeing more human diet trends crossing over into the world of dog food. While trends come and go, I believe in three founding principles of a good diet to improve and extend your dog's life. High quality ingredients, tailored to your dog's individual needs, and fed in the right amount to keep them in great physical shape. The question is how do you find the food that meets all three principles?”

What do you prioritise when it comes to choosing food for your dog? How can you tell if the food you’re giving your dog is beneficial to their health and general condition? Do you have feeding tips that you’d like to share with new dog owners? If your dog has ever gone off their food, how have you encouraged them to start eating again? And if you’re thinking of getting a dog, what do you think you’d feed one - would you buy generic dog food or would you think more deeply about their diet?

Everyone who posts on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice.

Tails.com have supplied a 1 month free discount code - if you'd like to use this please click here.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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I haven't got a dog but would really like on in the near future. My partner has had a dog before and he started it on branded food which was really expensive but you can some good quality foods elsewhere for much cheaper. I have a friend whose dog is only fed raw food and is thriving from it so that could be a consideration.

Our dog has pancreatic insufficiency so requires a grain free and very low fat food. We had to try here with several different brands before we found a food that agreed with her digestion.

MipHound has a mix of wet and dry food. The wet is a few different brands that he likes so he gets variety in his diet. The dry I had to switch to grain free as his stools were too soft - I asked advice from doggy friends to get one that suited.

We did have a period where he refused to eat his wet food when it was put down - he'd happily leave it all day until he was ready. We solved that by only giving his dentastix when he had finished his dinner. Now no problems! His biscuits are down all day (apart from an hour after walks to avoid bloat) so he has food available if he's hungry or can leave it if he's full. He's pretty sensible more than me so doesn't over indulge. Unless there were unlimited dentastix.

My Labrador cross is fairly easy going when it comes to food - I feed him fish Chappie because his ancestral diet would have been fish, and its cheap. Bakers was ok, better with cooked carrots and gravy mixed in. He is rarely poorly but we offer a raw egg on those occasions. I did open a tin of the premium meat but the smell was too strong (for me).

We have a 5 month old Springer Spaniel, we fed her on what the breeder gave her, dry food, Wainwrights.

Since starting puppy classes and doing a bit more reading, I would prefer to feed her a more natural diet, but to be honest, convenience is an important aspect and dry food I can use to train her with really helps.

I like to feed her the best food for her although information is conflicting and my vet says the avoidance of grains is a trend rather than factually necessary. She has an occasional sensitive stomach and has dry and wet with separate prebiotic added.

Research & friend recommendations for healthy choices

Whatever the cheapest in the supermarket is fine

We always use Arden Grange as any other food we have tried seemed to have negative effects on our dog.

My dog is happy healthy and age 11 and thrives on tinned dog food from the supermarket mixed with Winalot and we have a good butcher who supplies us with scraps and tripe and nice marrow filled bones.

I have a Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkie), who is an incredibly picky eater. She doesn't like most dog food, but will eat a small amount of dry dog food each day. She gets bored with her food wuite quickly, so we vary the brand frequently.

She loves eggs and freshly roasted chicken, so she gets these as treats a couple of times a week. She also loves Pedigree Schmackos, as her reward for good behaviour.

I'll be honest I just feed my dog whatever's cheapest. No tips, as she just laps it straight up x

He's a lurcher so we feed him fresh meat and bones from the butcher, all our research says raw is best :)

We're fortunate that our lab isn't fussy about what she eats; we buy one of the cheapest brands dry food and she's a very healthy dog. Expensive dog food does not necessarily convert to a healthier dog.

Our dog gets Iams Dog Food Adult Light In Fat Chicken because that's what suits her for weight control and her sensitive tummy.

We were advised by the vet what to feed them and have continued with that (get the f0od online though as much cheaper)

We sought advice from our local pet shop as we had problems with the normal big brand/supermarket ones. Shes very happy with the one she is now having and we now have a lively happy doggy again!

I feed my dogs on a raw food diet after reccomendation from my vet

Why would I feed my dog with something I wouldn't put in my body! that's how I decide

I feed natural where possible. I have to mix wet and dry food as they struggle with just dry but go for less commercial foods with less additives and more real food in it. There's a site that compares dog food that I frequent a bit too often to be healthy! I try to get the very best value for my money in terms of the best food for my budget.

I tend to look for whatever is on offer and then buy in bulk!

I did loads of online research which just confused me even more but I tried a few different varieties before choosing one that was a good balance between being good quality and a decent price. I'm lucky that I've got a Labrador who will eat just about anything! (though that is not so good at times :D )

Dog food is probably the biggest day to day luxury we have . I mostly buy a grain free raw food fo Missie . She has really bad allergies and after trying everything , this seems to be the best option for her . Though the next best option (Wagg) is one of the cheapest on the shelves . When needs, as they frequently do, must she does get a couple of weeks on the cheaper option . I do notice she seems slightly more itchy on it though .

We have a great local market with great options

I have 2 dogs and feed them a local company’s own brand. It’s expensive, but the only thing that both of them will eat, with a high meat content. It also has small kibble to suit my terrier but comes in big bags, which is a really difficult combination to find!