What's the best dog food (UK)?

Question

I feed my Blue Merle collie Hills Natures best and, whilst he appears really healthy on it, it takes him ages to eat it as he doesn't particularly like it. If he had his choice he'd eat canned meat (as this is what his previous owners fed him). We did introduce some pal into his diet. He loved it, but his stomach did it and he was plagued with loose bowels and some sickness. We weaned him back onto the Hills and he improved almost immediately with lovely solid poo's and seemed much brighter and energetic. However he now turns his nose up at it and, although we tend to leave it until he eventually gets too hungry he has to eat it, it would be nice to feed something that is as good for him, but perhaps more palitable. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

James Wellbeloved is supposed to be good-I asked a similar question a couple of days ago-look at the answers there too.

Answer 2

I feed one of my Dobermanns Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream and Wetlands [change to give a degree of variety to my dog's diet] and the other Fish4Dogs [which does have a larger size kibble which works well for a dog that tends to eat with gusto] has two varieties and I also swap between them for the same reason. In both brands they are "junk free" and by that I mean not bulked up with rice, oats, maize, barley which are hard on a dog's digestive system with no nutritional content and do nothing to promote the long term health of a dog. Both dog have high gloss coats, firm small stools, and regular bowel movements and fall on their food clearly enjoying it. At six and five months old you could feed your Boxer and GR any of the Taste of the Wild or Fish4Dogs varieties. Quality kibble brands do not need to be supplemented by wet food, but if you want to add a bit of interest then consider an occasional tin a sardine or cooked chicken. However additional food would need to be subtracted from the daily amount of food given to the dog.

Answer 3

I use Waggs 17kg bags (£9 - tesco) My pedigree German Shepherd was in reall bad nick when we got him and was sooooo skinny as the owners fed him on that kwik saves own 19p a tin stuff (70%water) but to make it nicer we add a bit meat stock (just oxo and warm water) and fish oils for his coat and he loves it and has really become a healthy weight and his fur is in great condition! A warmed up tin of corned beef as a treat mixed in there always goes down well too! Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Your dog is playing you. He is starting to know that you will give him can food. If the food (dry one) is the one for his age and you give him the quantity for his ideal weight size that's right. You can split the total amount in 2. half in the morning and half at night. The dog will have two bowel movements a day and that is good. When you give treats you should omit the equal calorie amount from his daily food total or bring him for extra activities. Dogs are meat eaters in nature but the dog food also has other ingredients in it for vitamins (cereals). I give my dogs carrots. Small pieces a few a day. They love them. Cleans their teeth, no calories and cheap.. Don't let them win with the doggy looks. You won't be doing him a favor in the long run. Leave is food there for half of an hour then remove it and give him the second Half only at night. He will eat when he's surppose to after. Good luck
Bev

Answer 5

Well if you're feeding Hills thats a good start - Hills is right up there with the best dog foods, if your dog doesn't like that try James Wellbeloved, Fromm, Burns, Nutro, Royal Canin or Eukanuba, those are the foods we use/sell and we only deal in the best brands, thats one of the reason that people have been known to travel 200+ miles to deal with us.

Answer 6

First of alls, check to see if he has any tooth or gum probs, Hill's is oks, but if he's havin probs eatin dry food, I would say no to Pal &/or any byproduct wet foods, get your dog to a vet, check it, usually dogs that have a jelly like substance in their poo, are older or have a dental issue, If tends to be a dental issue try feeding steak or raw meat slightly cooked, thens Try using "Nutrience" "Senoir" Dry Food later ons & you will see a difference, Just make sure you provide plenty of water, Dogs drink lots when your asleep! Cheers Stevo!

Answer 7

These days most pet food manufacturers spend a lot of money on R&D to produce modern day pet foods. I think irrespective of which commercial food you use, you can be assured that it represents a completely balanced diet for the dog at that age. Perhaps you should buy a range of different foods from pet food manufacturers and see which your dog prefers. www.thekennelclub.org.uk

Answer 8

My cocker spaniel used to have Beta dog food as he came with a bag of it when he was a pup! When he got to junior he just would not eat it - only when he was desperate. My friend recommended Bakers complete dry food plus, half a Pedigree pouch - I just use a small dog variety as you only need a little bit. I feed him twice so he has one pouch and a cup of buiscut a day. It's lovely to see him tuck into his food and enjoy it. Nice firm poos! Don't overfeed him - as that can make poos a bit runny and smelly.

Answer 9

Hills is a very good food,try adding a small spoonful of plain yogurt or honey, another really good complete food is Burns
I own a very fussy eater and only Burns will do for him!!

Answer 10

Just a minute i`ll run next door.....and ask the indian take-a-way what kind of tinned dog food they put in their currys....they will hopefully shed some light on the best.....

I am so glad his turds are harder,all the better to put on a stick and chase people with..........