Dog Community

Switching foods/general nutrition

Posted : 6/26/2006 5:51:43 PM

I have decided to switch Ben's kibble to one of the better ones here in the UK (none of them are fabulous, but I am taking what I can get). I started mixing it in with his old kibble tonight, and he gobbled it all up - so far so good. I am also starting him on a healthy joint vitamin supplement - B vitamins, fish oil, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Labs are susceptible to HD and other joint issues and I figure prevention is better than cure here.

Ben had absolutely supercharged zoomies tonight, about an hour after his last meal (the first one with new food and vitamin). He always has the zoomies then, which is when we head out for a walk, but this was something else. I realise now that what he had before paled in comparison to real zoomies. He just went nutty. The new food, which is much healthier, couldn't possibly be taking effect already, could it? I sort of assumed he would have more energy on better food, but didn't expect it to happen this quickly. He wore himself out and is now sleeping very peacefully, though. I am guessing this is nothing to worry about?

In addition to healthier kibble, a good joint supplement and the occasional RMB, is there anything else I could be doing for Ben to help him develop properly at this so important stage in his growth? I am not yet ready to make the switch to homecooked or raw, though he does get some tiny pieces of fruit sometimes just because he loves it.

Kate

starsenchis

Posted : 6/27/2006 4:31:55 AM

What was he on before and what brand did you switch him to? I would have to see the ingredients to be able to tell if it would change his energy level or not...
I like the term "zoomies"

Benedict

Posted : 6/27/2006 4:47:44 AM

Ingredients in the original kibble:
Cereals, meat and animal derivatives, vegetable protein extracts, oils and fats, various sugars (actually says this on the label!!!!), derivatives of vegetable origin, minerals, yeasts, vegetables.

I know this food is baaaad. It was what he was originally on and I didn't want to mess up his system by switching foods too often when he is so young, so I waited while I was doing research into what food I would put him on long term.

Ingredients in new kibble:
Brown rice, duck meat meal, organic oats, duck fat, whole linseed, duck gravy, alfalfa, natural seaweed, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, D,L-methionine, lysine hydrochloride, threonine.

We don't really have any "great" dog foods available in the UK, the above is one of the best I can get. I chose this because it is wheat free and available in duck and fish formulas, instead of just chicken.

Kate

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/27/2006 12:50:46 PM

The food your on now looks a TON better than the other. Does ay of the formulas have a meat as the first ingredient? That would be a lot better... also one without added sugar. I know you said your limited.

He is likely just feeling a million times better all around and thats a good thing.

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/27/2006 12:52:18 PM

What is the food hes on now? Do you have any large breed puppy formulas there? The suppliments are great because hes going to be big and you want to do all you can to ensure his growth proces is right.