Saving money on dog food more trouble than it's worth?

[whethertheweather]

Times somewhat tough here at the moment.

My two dogs (4yr old springer and 7 yr old working cocker) have been on Symply salmon and potato for a couple of years now. They eat it well and it agrees with them. Cocker was always really fussy as a puppy but she eats this - mind you as she's got older she's become a terrible scavenger so might well now eat anything.

Problem is that Symply costs best part of £50 for a 12kg bag that lasts the two of them just over a month. Do you have any recommendations for similarly good food that costs less - or can I just give them one of the "household" brands and they'll be fine. I don't want to do them any harm but this is getting difficult. If I do try a swap what's the best way to go about it?

Try looking here. www.whichdogfood.co.uk/

There are 2 ways to switch:
Feed boiled chicken and rice for a day as a 'bridge' to switch food.
Or
Feed 1/4 new food, 3/4 old food for a day, next day half old half new, next day 3/4 new, 1/4 old...

I allowed a week when I changed brands. Even then my pup had upset stomach. Now I feed mostly raw meat and he had no problem changing over. Have you looked into feeding raw meat. It can work out cheaper.

Vets kitchen do a salmon and potato ,you can get 15kg direct from them for £50 which they say lasts 120 days for a medium sized dog (17.5kg) , so would that work out cheaper ?

Wainwright's Salmon & Potato is quite similar to Symply and it's £39.99 for a 15kg bag on the Pets at Home website.

Skinners dog food seems to be generally well thought of on these boards and is only £20 for 15kg sack

Can I throw in a word of caution about buying really big bags of food. We are seeing more and more dogs with allergies to storage mites. These mites live in all foods, but hatch when bag has been opened for more than 60 days. I am advising clients to never buy a bag of food that lasts longer than 60 days as these dogs have awful skin allergies.