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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

Advise please

9 replies

indiandreaming · 26/05/2023 20:28

I've just taken temporary ownership of my brothers' dog as he can no longer care for her due to his own health issues. She is a medium-sized, nearly 10 years old, American bulldog staffy. She is a lovely, peaceful dog and a pleasure to have around. I adore her for the short time I've been looking after her.

I was just wondering what food would be best for her, and should I walk her before or after meals?

My brother used to feed her Aldi Keeble, but I think she has gone of this as she didn't eat it when we popped over for a visit. I give her cooked chicken, winalot pouches, and a variety of fish, rice and sometimes steak. She doesn't always like the Keeble I feed her, so it's all trial and error.

Since I've had her, she has been spayed and had a mammary strip removed along with her uterus, which was the cause of the tumour. The vets are happy with her recovery, and the treatment has given her the best chance of survival.

I've never owned a dog in all my 48 years, but I promise to give her the best life I can while she is with me. We live in the south-west so there are some lovely places for walks.

She doesn't leave my side, and I work from home, so she is lovely company and gets me out of the house to walk her.

Any advice from experienced dog owners will be appreciated.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 26/05/2023 20:33

Ah what a lovely thing to do. If shes only been with you a short time then she might just be off her food whilst she settles. Our boy tends to leave kibble in his bowl, but if we hide it in the front room then he seeks it out and eats it....also putting it in a toilet roll tube he likes! Id change any food over slowly o avoid tummy issues. As for walking, can you keep her to the schedule shes used to?. We go out before breakfast and before tea.

Moonface31 · 26/05/2023 20:35

I feed my dog twice a day, morning and afternoon, after each walk. I've been told it mimics 'the hunt'; venturing out of the den to look for food, then enjoying the rewards, like they would if they were wild 😊 in terms of food you will get lots of differing advice, I would try a few things until you find what's right for her, mine will literally eat anything so I can't advise properly on that 😂 well done you for taking her on, sounds like you are doing everything you can to give her a nice home, she is lucky to have you ❤️

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 26/05/2023 20:43

If chicken and fish are on the menu, she will prefer them, who wouldn't.

My medium size dog has two meals a day. Eats Butcher's tined dog food, good quality at a sensible price. Plus some kibble from the local farm merchants.

How are her teeth? As dogs get older and their teeth get worse, they can find kibble hard work - soaking it in warm water helps as does getting the small size stuff.

In the Winter she gets walked and hour and a half after breakfast, when it is hot she goes before breakfast. In Summer she gets walked a while after dinner, in Winter a while before.

Enjoy your new friend.

Original poster
indiandreaming · 26/05/2023 20:49

Ilikewinter · 26/05/2023 20:33

Ah what a lovely thing to do. If shes only been with you a short time then she might just be off her food whilst she settles. Our boy tends to leave kibble in his bowl, but if we hide it in the front room then he seeks it out and eats it....also putting it in a toilet roll tube he likes! Id change any food over slowly o avoid tummy issues. As for walking, can you keep her to the schedule shes used to?. We go out before breakfast and before tea.

thank you. She is lovely, and me and my partner did everything possible to have her here. Our old flat didn't allow dogs, so we moved when our tenancy was up for a dog-friendly home.

My brother rarely walked her, which was another reason I wanted her to stay with me. He had her since she was a puppy, but she was more attached to me as I looked after her for 4 weeks when he was away. That's when I became close to her, and I wanted to give her a better life.

Then my brother got ill and moved in with my parents with her, and she was just left again, and wasn't walked and was just let out in the garden. I would look after her when I visited and take her out, which she loved.

I always felt sad for the life she had. Then I took her to the vets as one of her teets was alcertaed and discovered she was ill. Again, we were still looking for a place to move into, and as soon as possible, I picked her up and brought her here and started her treatment. She has been with us for 7 weeks and seems so much happier.

OP posts:
Original poster
indiandreaming · 26/05/2023 22:06

Moonface31 · 26/05/2023 20:35

I feed my dog twice a day, morning and afternoon, after each walk. I've been told it mimics 'the hunt'; venturing out of the den to look for food, then enjoying the rewards, like they would if they were wild 😊 in terms of food you will get lots of differing advice, I would try a few things until you find what's right for her, mine will literally eat anything so I can't advise properly on that 😂 well done you for taking her on, sounds like you are doing everything you can to give her a nice home, she is lucky to have you ❤️

Thank you. I'm lucky too. She fills my heart when I’m around her and she is very much loved.

OP posts:
Original poster
indiandreaming · 26/05/2023 22:15

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 26/05/2023 20:43

If chicken and fish are on the menu, she will prefer them, who wouldn't.

My medium size dog has two meals a day. Eats Butcher's tined dog food, good quality at a sensible price. Plus some kibble from the local farm merchants.

How are her teeth? As dogs get older and their teeth get worse, they can find kibble hard work - soaking it in warm water helps as does getting the small size stuff.

In the Winter she gets walked and hour and a half after breakfast, when it is hot she goes before breakfast. In Summer she gets walked a while after dinner, in Winter a while before.

Enjoy your new friend.

Thank you. I will look at the butchers tinned food. I've seen some in Sainsbury.

Good idea about the Keeble. I will try that as I do think she finds it hard work. I got the iams Keeble which is small, but she wasn't too keen on that brand.

I think her taste buds have changed. My brother only fed her aldi workers dog Dry feeble which was a 10kg bag so lasted a while so it was that or nothing. She gets variety now, so she seems a bit fussier.

OP posts:
Sapin · 26/05/2023 22:16

This post is so lovely. I’m so happy for you both that you have one another.

Shelby2010 · 27/05/2023 11:17

It’s likely that the more variety you feed her then the fussier she will get! As long as she isn’t underweight, I would decide what you want her diet to be and stick to that.

My dog prefers lunch & tea - isn’t bothered about breakfast. She has kibble with half a pouch of wet food mixed in. She might then have a sprinkle of chicken on top (literally 5 small cubes).

Any other offcuts from the roast etc, she has as training rewards or ‘find the treat’ games through the day.

I’m sure you’ll all be very happy!

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 27/05/2023 13:48

I'm not surprised she won't eat dry dog food if there's steak on offer Wink

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