Educating the non-believer (food)

well the grocery store brands are "just fine", but in this case, not for their particular dog. Just take the human perspective and say just like some folks are lactose intolerant, have Celiac and can't have gluten, have peanut allergies that can end in DEATH...etc, dogs are just the same.

Offer coupons or heck offer to BUY them a bag of what you think might work and put a timeframe on it. "If in 6 weeks your dog is not LESS itchy on this food I will pay you back the cost of the bag"...put your money where you mouth is, most people can't ignore what they perceive as a sure thing LOL! Little do they know how likely it is that they will lose and the dog will win LOL!

I think  going outside the box of preaching and asking them to actually "eek" read...lol, you might just have more luck with a "challenge". JMO tho.

Hmmm...I never would have thought of that, lol.  I may have to give it a try. 

It's not even that they can't afford anything better, but they just refuse to because "the vet says this is great."  Well, it's not working for their dog, so I don't think the vet is really helping them here.  I do think the vet's making a decent profit on treating all those ear infections tho, lol!!

I know they love their dog, but I just don't think they're doing him any favors by being so flippin' stubborn.

 The key might well be all the money that they spend on ear infections.  And, I do think that Gina's right about the financial challenge....that might very well work.

Try emphasizing the other end of the problem.  Dogs do not efficiently digest corn.  Less corn usually mean smaller piles to clean up.  Also, as better foods are used more efficiently and have better quality ingredients, less is fed at any time.

Most dogs would probably survive eating "Old Roy".  But I swear for every pound fed, you clean up 2 pounds of waste.

This might not help-but when I first got Willow I had no idea about what foods where good or what.  And, a friend of mine just bought me a bag of his brand-Innova at the time-and just said, you know my dog really likes this and thought you might want to try it.  And, of course, because the package was so different and I hadn't seen it before I started reading it and one thing led to another.  Maybe this would work?

All good ideas.  Thanks guys!

It's funny, they'll ask me if I think their dog is overweight.  I will tell them, yeah, he could lose a few pounds.  That's me being nice...he could lose a lot of pounds.  But when I say that, I either get, "well, the vet said he's within weight range" or excuses about why he is overweight.  I always think, well, then why did you ask me?!  It's really like talking to a brick wall, lol.

You know, I'm a groomer. I rent a room in the back of a pet supply place. I will often run over, and grab the food they feed, and start reading ingredients. The first 4-5 is sufficient. Then, I grab MY food, and read the first 4-5 ingredients. Which would you rather eat?

 Heather; if food is causing this dog to have ear infections, you should suggest a simple food for them to try such as a Natural Balance meat and sweet potato formula, or California Natural Lamb and Rice. If you have them try a food with lots of ingredients like Innova, it's less likely that the dog's ears are going to get better.

jessies_mom

 Heather; if food is causing this dog to have ear infections, you should suggest a simple food for them to try such as a Natural Balance meat and sweet potato formula, or California Natural Lamb and Rice. If you have them try a food with lots of ingredients like Innova, it's less likely that the dog's ears are going to get better.

They feed Iams and the formula has yeast IN IT, so IMO, that is not helping the problem.  I told them as much, it made no difference because "the vet said Iams is the best."  <>

I'm really not sure why I can't get through to these relatives.  But you guys have given me some awesome ideas.

Its in my experience that people will either be willing to hear your advice, or they'll take offense to it. And sadly, the dogs are the ones who have to suffer.

A good friend of mine has a dog that is severly overweight. By over 20 lbs. Its not good. And despite my efforts, they just won't change. All we can do is try, the rest is up to them.

Best of luck to you!

I think that if the dog his having health problems...that is a good reason to change his food...and while they are at it.... to a food thats first few ingredients are meat. Explain that by-products...and certain ingredients might be causing that problem....that some of the foods that might work can not be found in the grocery store...but not to worry....if the more expensive food works better....it will cost them less in medical bills.

If the dog is not having problems...I think I have learned a long time ago...to not talk about dog food....so many dogs.... most in fact...do just fine on foods found in grocery stores.

Honestly? I'd let them be.

Yeah it sucks to have to watch relatives and friends feed crappy food to their pets (been there), but they're obviously not open to suggestions...you've already given your opinion and suggested a bunch of different resources for them to check out.

The ball is in their court.