Freshpet

Dyan, have you considered the premixes, for Gibby? You know... the stuff you add your meat, and water to? I know Honest Kitchen has some, and Know Better Dog Food has one you can use with cooked, or one you can use with raw. I'm sure there are more, out there.

Something like that would ensure that he's getting the nutrients that he needs. It'd be less expensive than going with something like Fresh Pet or Bil Jac, and it'd be a little healthier. It's also more convenient than just homemade. It's semi-homemade I knew a Rotti that was on a mix like that, with Dream Coat added. He was GORGEOUS, and in perfect condition, at 12 years old. I haven't seen him in a while (working at a new job), but.... beautiful dog. 

jennie_c_d

Dyan, have you considered the premixes, for Gibby? You know... the stuff you add your meat, and water to? I know Honest Kitchen has some, and Know Better Dog Food has one you can use with cooked, or one you can use with raw. I'm sure there are more, out there.

 

Something like that would ensure that he's getting the nutrients that he needs. It'd be less expensive than going with something like Fresh Pet or Bil Jac, and it'd be a little healthier. It's also more convenient than just homemade. It's semi-homemade

How perfect.  No,,,I hadn't considered it because except for occasionally someone like you who just asked me about it.... I never heard of it...I'll have to check it out. THANKS!

 I *just* thought of it. It sure would save you a lot of trouble and worry. I think it's a great way to step away from a totally commercial diet, and make the transition to a fresh diet easier.

Here's U-Stew Dog Food, by Know Better. 

http://www.knowbetterdogfood.com/products/u-stew-dog-food.php

Urban Wolf 

 http://www.urbanwolf.cc/

Honest Kitchen Preference (The Great Dane Lady endorses this one!!!)

http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/preference.shtml 

Sojourner Farms offers several variations

http://www.sojos.com/food.html

Dr. Harvey's Canine Health (I use his Power Patties for Emma---LOVE them!)

http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/12-canine-health

They're fairly inexpensive, compared to an all fresh diet. You can use meat you get on sale for super cheap.  AND you've got all your minerals in line.... I don't see a downside. I'd do it, if Emma wasn't allergic to air.

Jennie - do they sell that stuff at Petsmart or other places like that? I'd like to do that for Sam....but it'd be 2 years before I could switch.

 I've never seen it in a store. Chain stores don't carry it. Some of the smaller shops do.

 I've always thought it would be a super convenient way to feed, but I'd stuck it in the back of my mind, because Emma is allergic to something in ALL OF THOSE. *pouts*

Dang Jennie, I forgot about that too.  And I usually do recommend those for beginners.  

Actually, the "right" all fresh diet is not as expensive as compared to something like Sojourner's or Know Better.  But the more cheap stuff you use, it's true that you also increase the work involved.

I've asked for several items for Christmas to further streamline the Irena Farm "Canine Kitchen" (lol) and allow me to feed everyone, including rescues, homecooked.  I'm very excited! I've asked for a rolly prep cart, prep trays (for laying out parts of diets by dog), and a gigantic food processor.  Of course, the family will benefit from all of this also.  In theory anyway. 

Many of the small, local stores carry something of the sort like the mixes -- the dog wash we have class at carries one of the sojourners but only the wee tiny bag that would probably be one day for Gibby!  Honest kitchen does samples but they charge for the samole, which I don't mind, but shipping for a $1 sample is crazy.

HK also has varieties that are complete and others you have to add meat to, some are grain-free etc, so I like the choices there.  Sojos seems good, too, but not quite the choice/variety.  I've not looked into the others mentioned.

If I could just get to one of the small stores around hre that carries HK and has samples, I'd be all set :)  Soon.....

Thanks guys...I'm really going to look into this.  I DID look at PetSmart and no such thing there. We really don't have small shops around her...only on All Natural Store that I used to get Ollies supplement from until I found her ripping us off with the supplement. All of a sudden they seemed to be half full....and the plastic was not attached. They said it sometimes comes off....and the powder settles during shipping. I eventually found the same supplement on the Internet and it was half the price and it NEVER came half full...and NEVER had the seal top open...so I figure she was dipping into the jars she got in...probably to feed her own pets.  So I am not ever going to her shop again.