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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Best dog food

74 replies

Cait73 · 29/08/2022 15:42

My puppy was on raw but it was a faff having to keep adding vegetables, so we tried out Butternut but she's not enjoyed that

Any ideas where to go now?

OP posts:
XelaM · 29/08/2022 20:02

We feed Barkingheads

Before that we were feeding Nature's Variety dry frozen food. He absolutely loves it but it's more expensive.

Dippydonky · 29/08/2022 20:05

Found this website when we got our fussy little dog - www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory

It rates how good various brands are.. it’s quite good.

fitflopqueen · 29/08/2022 20:15

If your dog is/was happy with raw why not join a raw feeding group such as BARF on FB. Lots of good advice re raw proportions and any issues, I feed raw and generally use completes. Any veg is unnecessary if you get the right nutritional balance. Forthglade is my emergency alternate.

Scaredypup · 29/08/2022 20:23

Has anyone else given up with kibble and just feed wet?

Noddy21 · 29/08/2022 20:31

My boy wouldn’t eat anything longer than a couple of days and it worked me up really bad. The vet told me to forget reading what’s best and give him what he will eat, so I changed to dry food with taste toppers on top which he ate but were now on Ava dry mixed with a caesars pouch. He’s been on it for about 6 months now and has a shiny coat and normal poo’s. He isn’t food driven so sometimes leaves it but I don’t deviate any more

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 20:37

Why were you adding veg? You can do and I do for mine but it's not essential. Poo being hard and black is how it's supposed to be. So longs as the dog is not struggling to go it's fine!

And I'm not sure why it was difficult to add veg? I just chuck a handful of mixed frozen veg in each bowl! It takes seconds. You don't need to cook it for them.

imlevitating · 29/08/2022 20:41

The one that is made of insects and comes on subscription made my dog crap herself for weeks on end.

She was told n nature diet for a while but was losing weight and it worked out very expensive to keep weight on her.
She's on Aldi wet food in the morning and then the dry food for tea and she's been amazing since we switched.

Put weight back on and no tummy troubles.

imlevitating · 29/08/2022 20:42

imlevitating · 29/08/2022 20:41

The one that is made of insects and comes on subscription made my dog crap herself for weeks on end.

She was told n nature diet for a while but was losing weight and it worked out very expensive to keep weight on her.
She's on Aldi wet food in the morning and then the dry food for tea and she's been amazing since we switched.

Put weight back on and no tummy troubles.

The grain free wet stuff can't remember what it's called not the cheap I tins.

forumsempronii · 29/08/2022 20:47

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 20:37

Why were you adding veg? You can do and I do for mine but it's not essential. Poo being hard and black is how it's supposed to be. So longs as the dog is not struggling to go it's fine!

And I'm not sure why it was difficult to add veg? I just chuck a handful of mixed frozen veg in each bowl! It takes seconds. You don't need to cook it for them.

Poo shouldnt be black.

Firm is fine if dog is not straining but nice brown colour not black. Black poo like humans could be a concern of internal bleeding.

Comments only found on a dog thread Smile

mountainsunsets · 29/08/2022 20:57

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 20:37

Why were you adding veg? You can do and I do for mine but it's not essential. Poo being hard and black is how it's supposed to be. So longs as the dog is not struggling to go it's fine!

And I'm not sure why it was difficult to add veg? I just chuck a handful of mixed frozen veg in each bowl! It takes seconds. You don't need to cook it for them.

Poo should definitely not be black!

petadvice.petdrugsonline.co.uk/dog-poo-colour-chart/

Original poster
Cait73 · 29/08/2022 22:54

No black poo isn't good, dark and firm is good but it just got darker and darker

I'd return to RAW in a heartbeat but I don't have the time or energy to work it all out, maybe I'll go back to it one day but not right now

Thanks to everyone who's mention the all about dogs site I'd forgotten about that, I'll have a look tomorrow and see what I can find

Thank you everyone

OP posts:
Original poster
Cait73 · 29/08/2022 22:56

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 20:37

Why were you adding veg? You can do and I do for mine but it's not essential. Poo being hard and black is how it's supposed to be. So longs as the dog is not struggling to go it's fine!

And I'm not sure why it was difficult to add veg? I just chuck a handful of mixed frozen veg in each bowl! It takes seconds. You don't need to cook it for them.

It's just not doable at the moment I'm very stretched and don't feel like going into details but when I say I can't, I can't

OP posts:
pinkyponkyplink · 29/08/2022 23:00

@Makinglists ours was on forthglade but didn't seem to be too bothered. Someone at pets at home told if Wellness Core was a lot better quality and cheaper so switched but I always wonder why they suggested a cheaper brand?! Is Forthglade good? We were on the cold compressed kibble

MarmiteCoriander · 29/08/2022 23:03

I used the website below to help, as was overwhelmed by choice.

www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/

I now order gentle dog food kibble online as its cold pressed and supposedly retains more nutrients than baked kibble. I also give butchers wet trays, because it uses British meat and equally has high scores on the website above.

Skullduggeryfizz · 29/08/2022 23:11

I use Bella and Duke raw. It has veg mixed in already and both my dogs love it and have very shiny coats. It comes frozen, just defrost a pack each day.

I also give them a natural chew fairly regularly for their teeth. I find The dog listener website good for this,

allboysherebutme · 29/08/2022 23:12

Lily's kitchen or Canagan. X

OhMerde · 29/08/2022 23:34

Butchers is a really good budget option. The smell will make your hair curl mind!

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 23:37

Black poo can be totally normal. It depends entirely on what meats your feeding. Some of the red meats will result in very dark poo!

I've been feeding raw for years and know what is normal!!
Tbh feeding raw is no more complicated than feeding anything else and is far better for the dog. So I don't understand why anyone wouldn't!!!

mountainsunsets · 30/08/2022 07:16

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 23:37

Black poo can be totally normal. It depends entirely on what meats your feeding. Some of the red meats will result in very dark poo!

I've been feeding raw for years and know what is normal!!
Tbh feeding raw is no more complicated than feeding anything else and is far better for the dog. So I don't understand why anyone wouldn't!!!

Black poo is a sign of internal bleeding and is not normal. If your dog has black poo you should be getting them checked by a vet in case they have an upper GI injury or issue somewhere.

Dark brown poo can be normal depending on diet, but poo should not be black and difficult to pass (as OP describes).

Original poster
Cait73 · 30/08/2022 08:07

@mountainsunsets she's under daily vet care as we speak, she has antibiotics anti inflammatories and anti nausea we have to go for daily injections as she's not eating so I can't tablet her

I've thrown all her food away which is why I'm looking at getting something in for when she recovers

At the moment she's only managing a tiny bit of scrambled egg and some chicken

If he temperature isn't down today they're taking her in for bloods and an ultrasound

So you're absolutely right; black poo is NOT okay

OP posts:
OhMerde · 30/08/2022 08:47

Lots of dogs don't fo well on chicken. It's one of the main allergens.

NiceTwin · 30/08/2022 08:56

Chappie was recommended to us by a vet when a boxer of ours had gastric problems.
It isn't as cheap as it used to be (what is!) but is a food that is kind on their stomach.

Original poster
Cait73 · 30/08/2022 09:25

OhMerde · 30/08/2022 08:47

Lots of dogs don't fo well on chicken. It's one of the main allergens.

I know but it's vets main "go to" luckily she's doing okay on it, for now

OP posts:
forumsempronii · 30/08/2022 11:10

Dobbysgotthesocks · 29/08/2022 23:37

Black poo can be totally normal. It depends entirely on what meats your feeding. Some of the red meats will result in very dark poo!

I've been feeding raw for years and know what is normal!!
Tbh feeding raw is no more complicated than feeding anything else and is far better for the dog. So I don't understand why anyone wouldn't!!!

It is not for us to say what is easy for another poster.

Raw feeding is a little more complicated than kibble.

Even if you use complete raw you need freezer space, you generally have to be able to defrost the food, you need to wash the area of prep and the bowls carefully. You need to be at home to accept the raw food or it defrosts on your doorstep. Other animals in the household may need to be kept away from the food, children may need to be kept away from the food. 100s of reasons it may not be easier and if the op says it is not for them then either help with their request or roll on by.

Loads of reasons why this may not work for many people

stillherenow · 30/08/2022 11:15

I've just switched from forthglade to butchers loaf which is cheaper and ddog LOVES it. Nutritionally its excellent .