Help my dog isn't eating his food

[maryd]

You are all probably sick of hearing from me but I have another situation. My 8 pd dauschund Cooper is not eating his food (which is Iams). I wanted to switch his food anyway because when I wrote before about dog food for the new dog I was getting feed back that Iams is not a great food and overpriced for what you get.

I am wondering since I would like to switch Coop off of this food now since he isn't eating it very well anyway what would you recommend that I switch him to. I want to be able to put him on some food that I would be able to put the new dog on. I am obviously not getting the new dog until September but I would like to make sure to have all of this in place.

And I am starting my job at Petsmart so I would like to get a brand that I would be able to get there since I get a 15% discount.

I have been non stop researching this stuff and my mind is going to explode!!!

Also, sorry this hasn't to do with food but could someone recommend the size collar I should get for my new dog which will be probably a Great Pyrenees. I have seen a few on sale and would like to get one now and I know that I will have to get a couple of sizes but I need to know which one to start with.

Again, I wouldn't know what to do with out all of your help. You are all making me a better dog parent.

[SuzanneT]

Wellness Supermix 5, Wellness Core, Dick Van Patten Natural Balance, Blue Buffalo are several better brands available at Petsmart. However, I find everything at Petsmart overpriced. You would do better if you found a local feed store that carries another brand of food such as Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. In Metro Atlanta, we pay $37 for a 35lb bag.

[maryd]

OH my gosh I heard of that dog food but I thought for sure that it was a book not just a dog food. I do believe that they sell that in my area I will check that out and see. If I can't get a good brand at Petsmart and if even with my 15% discount it is still over priced I am not going buy from there. I am definately going to check out the Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers' Soul. Is this going to be a good food for both my current dog (dauschund) 8pds and the new dog that I will be bringing home in September (great pyrenees)?

Thank You

[DogzRule1996]

From what I've heard, if you have a Costco near you, you could buy their Kirkland's dog food. I also heard that it is under $25 for 40lb and has good ingredients.

[maryd]

DogzRule1996

Thanks for the information but I live in the middle of nowhere and I looked on their website and there is no Costco with in 50 miles of where I live. Of course, if I still lived back home (near Chicago) I would have no problems finding a costco.

Do you know anything about the dog food that Rachel Ray promotes? I haven't been able to find information on it but I do know they sell it at Walmart. I have a feeling it isn't that good only because the price of it is good but they promote it like it is all natural.

[DogzRule1996]

The foods at Wal-mart are not that great. You can try Innova or Canidae or Royal Canin. They might be a bit pricey but from what I've heard they are great food for your dog.

[maryd]

SuzanneT

I looked up and there is a location about 15 miles from my house that sells Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul. I was pretty happy with the price and the ingrediants look good also. I think I will go and get some to see how Cooper likes it.

I see that you have larger dogs and I am going to be getting a large breed puppy in the next couple of months. How much do you feed them? Mine is going to be a Great Pyrenees. Also, I can't seen to figure out what size to get him for a collar to start out with. Do you remember what size you got for your big babies?

Thanks Again about the advice for the food. I just started my Petsmart job today and I was walking around the dog food isles for EVER looking for a good food and it is just to over whelming for someone with ADD.

Thanks

[SuzanneT]

We brought home our Great Dane in January and bought her a cheap $3 collar from Walmart. I think it was 8" - 14", and it was still too big. Once she outgrew that, I bought a Martingale Lupine collar off of Ebay. They beat the prices that stores or online stores carry them for and they are adustable.

It took me a while to figure out food for these dogs. I go to the Great Dane Lady's website for that information. Greatdanelady.com. She is a good resource for some things. And, if you feed your Great Pyrnnees puppy food, make sure it is ONLY for a large breed. Many breeders only feed Giant Breeds adult food, even from weaning.

[SuzanneT]

Sorry, I go to the Great Dane Lady's website for feeding amounts for Giant Breed Puppy's.

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/a ... breeds.htm

[zeus'fostermom]

hi Mary .. I'm responding to this post awefully late so not sure if you'll still see it or not.

I got my first Great Pyrenees a year ago. I'm lucky to belong to a Pyr club and be around people who know that breed well. It's a great ride owning a Pyr!

Re food - Pyrs have a low matabolism (sp?) and eat less that most dogs their size and usually less than what is recommended on dog food's feeding guidelines. For example, my 100+ Pyr eats about 3 cups of kibble/day. I supplement with yogurt daily as well as veggies and raw meat once or twice a week for a treat.

I've also heard it recommended that you feed a kibble with no more than 26% protien. This can be for many reasons .. too much protien can be hard on growing bones, kidneys and can induce skin problems.

Enjoy your Pyr pup!

[maryd]

Thank you so much for your advise. I knew that they were suppose to have less protein but I wasn't sure what the ratio was. I am so glad that now I can go and look for food that will fit his needs.

Thanks Again!!!!

[Kristen]

The foods at Wal-mart are not that great. You can try Innova or Canidae or Royal Canin. They might be a bit pricey but from what I've heard they are great food for your dog.

I have weird dogs, apparently. I've tried Innova, Canidae, CSFTDLS and other good-quality brands. All my chi's want is Alpo Come 'n' Get It. Price doesn't bother me, but if the dogs won't eat it, high-quality seems to be meaningless.