food suggestions please!

[Sergeant]

Hi,
We have a Shepherd/Lab mix who is just under 1 year old. We rescued him from a shelter when he was about 3 months. we tried him on a couple dog foods with varying poor results ranging from pure diarrhea to loose mushy stools. eventually we switched him to a raw diet and had great success with that until he got to around 75 lbs and started eating us out of house and home. it was too expensive to feed him the proper amounts so we switched him to nature's variety kibble. he did great on that but we quickly found out that was too expensive as well when a 30 lb bag costing over 50$ lasted less than a month. most recently we tried him on canidae with poor results once again. mushy stool, chewing on his paws and scratching alot. please tell me any brands you've had success with that cost 50$ or less per month. next on my list of foods to try are hi-tek chicken and Chicken soup for the dog lover's soul. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Unosmom]

when you fed Natures variety was it grain free? if it was, maybe he has grain sensitivity. You might want to look into either taste of the wild or earthborn holistic primitive which are under $45 and under for 30 lbs.

[GoingPostal]

How long are you trying him on each of these foods, in under nine months you've switched foods at least five times? Personally I'd go back to either raw or nature's variety since he did well on those and get used to the cost, better than switching the poor dogs food seventy more times to find a cheap one he can do ok on. Big dogs aren't cheap to feed and you aren't going to save any money if you are constantly at the vet with tummy and skin issues, not to mention having a miserable dog.

[ShanniBella]

The cost of food is minimal compared to your dogs longevity and health. IMO I would keep him on raw and learn from some of the pros on here on how to go about it right and get some tips on how to shop properly for raw deals. I am just starting on raw myself. Also, if you are feeding a grain free kibble it maybe high in protein and thus giving your dog loose stool because you are feeding to much. Adjust the food accordingly and watch how much you feed on the side of the bag and cut back some of the amount. I know alot of people who switch to high protein grain free kibble who over feed resulting in loose stool. Once they cut back some of the amount and monitor there dogs weight and stool they usually see a difference. I wouldn't feed chicken soup for the soul....it's not very good food. I would feed either Acana, Orijen, wellness grain free, Blue buffalo wilderness, Or one of the better foods. Plus, you took your dog off the best diet possible "raw" so by switching back to kibble you will see poor results IMO. Best of luck to you and I hope you get the food situation under control

[Jack Monzon]

California Natural Lamb & Rice

[Mondo]

As Shannibella says, you need to take the cost of poor health and perhaps a shorter lifespan into account. How much does a descaling or an extraction cost financially, and what is the effect on the quality of life for your dog.

[tem_sat]

As Shannibella says, you need to take the cost of poor health and perhaps a shorter lifespan into account. How much does a descaling or an extraction cost financially, and what is the effect on the quality of life for your dog.

Precisely.

You may just need to learn how to source more economically. Unless you live in Canada or Japan (home of the $35.00 whole chicken), you can make it work if you WANT to.

[Mondo]

Unless you live in Canada or Japan (home of the $35.00 whole chicken), you can make it work if you WANT to

It depends where you live in Canada. But even buying in grocery stores, I can find whole fryers for $1.50 a pound, cheap beef for $2 a pound, gizzards and necks/bags, hearts, liver for around $1 a pound. Frozen thighs for $2 a pound. Yes, not cheap, but favorable in comparison to premium kibble, or premium canned, or canned tripe.

I've found a supplier that delivers once a month where necks (turkey, duck, chicken) are $1 a pound, and similar prices on their ground meats. I haven't ordered from them yet, but will be next month. Even if just to augment.

I've also found a butcher recently that sells for dogs, frozen necks and I'm not sure what else, will need to take a drive and visit. A little persistence and a little internet searching can reap benefits. We have something like craigslist up here, called kijiji, where I have located some private sellers of raw for dogs.

[SubMariner]

Hi, We have a Shepherd/Lab mix who is just under 1 year old. We rescued him from a shelter when he was about 3 months. we tried him on a couple dog foods with varying poor results ranging from pure diarrhea to loose mushy stools. eventually we switched him to a raw diet and had great success with that until he got to around 75 lbs and started eating us out of house and home. it was too expensive to feed him the proper amounts so we switched him to nature's variety kibble. he did great on that but we quickly found out that was too expensive as well when a 30 lb bag costing over 50$ lasted less than a month. most recently we tried him on canidae with poor results once again. mushy stool, chewing on his paws and scratching alot. please tell me any brands you've had success with that cost 50$ or less per month. next on my list of foods to try are hi-tek chicken and Chicken soup for the dog lover's soul. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

If you feed a better quality grain free kibble, you'll need to feed the dog a lot less to meet his nutritional requirements. So even though you are paying $XX at the check out, it translates to a bag every 2+ months or so as opposed to $XX every month.

For example, we used to have our GSP on Exceed. But @ 60 lbs he needed 4 cups/day and was still too skinny. (And don't get me started on how messy his "output" was!) After switching to EVO Turkey/Chicken he needs 2 1/2 cups/day. And sometimes he doesn't even finish all that. His coat has improved, and he has even more energy.

Take a look here: Dog Food Glossary or here Dog Food Reviews | Dog Food Ratings for some good ideas.

BTW, while I respect the people who feed raw, it really isn't appropriate to be trying to convert someone in this forum.

Bonne chance,

[whiteleo]

Seargent....Where are you from? We have people from all over here who feed raw who can tell you where they source from for better prices..

A dog with those kind of sensitivities really should be on a raw diet and it can be done economically if living in the right area. Dogs are our family and should be treated as such..Good Luck!