Well, I'm just doing it, because he is FINALLY eating

Willow-Each to their own. You know what,not everyone wants to feed a food with more grains then meat to their dogs.I pass on foods like that. It gets to a point where it's ridiculous and they've got everything but meat in the bag.

Each to their own

That's right, Edie-so stop making your comments with a rude undertone.  That was uncalled for what you posted.  Oh, and by the way, lots of dogs do much better without so much protein. 

so stop making your comments with a rude undertone.

Yes Mam []

Incase you hadnt noticed it was a joke,hence the little ending.[]

Yeah, it wasn't funny and you've got a way of coming off  like your trying to make everyone feel like an idiot and it's really getting old.

and it's really getting old.

Yes i know just what you mean [8|]

Perhaps if some of the things i say "really" do bother you,you could utilise the handy little block function....

Having said that,i am sorry for offending your sensibilities,and realise not everyone appreciates my sense of humour,but,hey,you cant please everyone all of the time.There was no malice intended whatsoever in my post!

quote:


Nutro supports the safe, ethical and humane treatment of all animals, including those used by our suppliers who provide our ingredients.

That wouldnt be hard,by the looks they wouldnt go through enough meat to cause concern

 
Believe it or not, I thought that was funny.
 

I took it as a joke, even if it was rude and salacious.
 
Yesterday, at work, I needed to use the bathroom. We'll call my co-worker J. I told him I was going to take a "J." Well, it turned out I didn't need to. So, I came back and told him it was just like the real J. All talk, no action. We both laughed.
 
Maintenance for an adult dog is 18 % protein. What I feed has 24%.
 

Edie, I'm afraid that many of us would have to use that block feature.
 
The two foods mentioned here are not inherently BAD foods, they are just overpriced for the ingredients.  And they are not GREAT foods.
 
To the OP.....see if you can't pick up some samples of the better quality dog foods and tempt your little one with those.  You can also use the excellent quality canned foods to tempt your little one.

I'm glad to hear that he's eating!

You can also use the excellent quality canned foods to tempt your little one.

Great idea. My dogs seem to go nutso over canned foods! I particularly like the Solid Gold Green Tripe, Innova EVO, any of the Eagle Pack canned foods, some of the Wellness canned (I like the Venison one, and the Duck and Sweet Potato), and the Canidae Lamb, chicken, and fish formula. These are just some of the ones I've tried that they like.

I also like the idea of home cooking up some yummies to add to their food - and canned fish (jack mackeral, sardines, wild salmon) can also be added for a yummy stinky plus. Just remember like with anything to introduce slowly.

There is, of course, the possibility that he may start to turn up his nose to this too - so you may want to prepare yourself that some tough love might eventually be in order. Then again, he's probably settling in and getting more comfortable, so he might keep on eating better!

Hey. We haven't seen any new picks of him lately *nudge*. []

I'm lost here....
 
with all the in fighting, and sarcasm....
 
Am I hurting my dog by feeding it this or am I ok.  I want to stop switching foods.
 
Any other advice would be helpful everyone.
 
Remember, as my signature states, I'm a first timer here, so I look to all of you for help.
 
Thanks again,
GSB

GSB - it is confusing, aye? One person says this, one person says that. Well, I'm sure you can tell we're all passionate about our dogs, and about what we feed them! I think what we're basically trying to say is that there are varying levels of food - some being much better than others... but while you want to go with the best possible food for your dog, you also want to go with what *works* for your dog.

Truth be told, I avoid products with animal digest, by-products, menadione, corn, soy products, and wheat (among some other things), so in one way or another neither Nutro or Bil-Jac are foods that I choose to feed. I believe that these are things my dogs don't need in their diet, that may even be detrimental. Some people are comfortable with them though, or the foods that work for their dogs have some of these ingredients in them - so you have to work to make that decision for yourself. Currently in my food rotation (for four dogs) I am feeding: Canidae, Eagle Pack, Solid Gold, and then my arthritic dog gets raw.

The best way I've found to figure all of this out is to start reading up. I would suggest opening these links, getting your current bag of dog food in your hand, and start comparing your food's ingredients to the info on these links. I started learning about what ingredients are what (and what they do or don't do), and which ones I like and don't. I then consider my dogs' needs, and find suitable foods - changing as needed.

Here you go:

[linkhttp://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients]Ingredients to Avoid[/link]

[linkhttp://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=labelinfo101]Label Info 101[/link]

and:

[linkhttp://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=betterproducts]Identifying Better Products[/link]

Take a deep breath. You're new to this whole dog and dog food thing - you're going to do just fine.

Edit to add: for the pickiness, as a *general* rule hungry dogs will eat their food. My Ginger was a picky eater when I got her. I did back flips, stood on my head, kept adding stuff, kept putting the bowl in different places, I did EVERYTHING - and she hardly would eat. When we got our own place, I said, "Today is the dawning of a new day". I decided she could either eat what I put down, or not. I put her food down, left it for 15 minutes... she didn't eat... I picked it back up. Repeat same process and results that night. Next morning, she scarfed her food and has NEVER turned her nose up at a morsel since that day. All of my dogs know that they eat what is before them. Interestingly enough, even dogs that come to stay with me can come as picky eaters, but by the end of their stay are big old snarfers.

The short answer is that no I wouldn't feed these foods.  I feed Innova and homecooked or raw.  I strongly believe in Innova and my dogs love it.  BUT, I don't have picky eaters.  I don't allow it.  They eat what they are given, when they are given it, or they wait until the next meal.  I never played short order cook for my kids or hubby and I won't do it for my dogs.
 
The slightly longer answer is that no matter the quality of the food, it doesn't do the dog any good if it sits in the bowl uneaten.    This is why I suggested that you pick up a variety of samples to see what she does like and WILL eat.  Once you find one, STICK with it and if she gets fussy, well, she goes hungry 'til the next mealtime.

I only have one picky eater out of the four...and there was a time when I also tried to do backflips for him. He just got pickier. I do the same as glenmar..put the food down, he has twenty minutes, then I pick it back up. If he doesn't eat, he doesn't eat. Sometimes I don't eat either.
He has always maintained his general weight of 9 pounds, and sometimes I think his body is just regulating.
The ingredient list that was posted is mainly rice..and not high quality rice either. I wouldn't feed it personally. I would feel like I was tossing my money in the toilet for not. Most of what is going in is coming out the other end..of course this is just my opinion.
I didn't take Edie's comment about the lack of meat to mean that a food should have seveal meat sources in it...I just thought she was saying it needed more meat in it. That could come from one source.
I think the best thing you can do is start researching as much as you can..you are going to hear mixed opinions no matter who you ask...do your own research and then decide whats best for you and your dog.

gbjork50,  lots of good advice here and sometimes, yes there is a little squabbling going on.   Jake is 20 months old and he is our first dog also.  I learn something new everyday just reading the posts here.  Laura gave some great links to get into and another one is [linkhttp://www.dogfoodproject.com]www.dogfoodproject.com[/link] .  Glenda has always had lots of good advice for everyone and also has a great homecooked recipe if you should decide to go that route.[]  You will always get good answers to your question here.  They may not always be the answers you want to hear but they will be honest answers with lots of experience and knowledge to back them up.
 
 Just realized that the links Laura gave were in fact part of the site I gave.  DUH LOL Oh Well

Thanks everyone...I'm doing the research as I type.